Best of the Rez Week 36

Best of the Rez     Week 36     September 12^th to September 18^th

Another week on the Rez and we definitely had some unique experiences.  There were no temple highs but some pleasant hills and there were some unique lows.  I can proudly say that it was a good football season to miss as BYU is making us all so proud.  Oh well, I am a big Robert Anae fan, so it all is fair in my book. 

1)      Monday was another trip to Buffalo Pass after we taught our seminary and prepared for the next day.  We just love Buffalo Pass but our trail ran out on rather quickly.  We were fine with that as we both took a nap in our ride.  On the way back we noticed a vending trailer selling Navajo Tacos so we stopped.  What great fun.  We ate with a herd of sheep.  One actually joined us on the table.  Cute picture if you get on the blog.
That evening the Tony Tsosie family came in to play Wii.  It was really fun to watch them all.  Tony is a great guy but always out of town on Sunday’s.  He works for the railroad in Idaho.

2)      Tuesday started with seminary and then we were on the road to Tuba City to a seminary meeting.  We travel with Robert’s and they are great fun.  The meeting was good and then it was a rush home to make it for piano lessons.  During piano lessons on all the pianos in the church, I would run home and get the cucumbers cleaned and sliced.  At 6 we had Relief Society work meeting and I showed them how to make bread and butter pickles (ice cream bucket way).  We had an EXCELLENT turn out.  The RS president had made a lot of bean dishes and then Sister Curley showed them how to can beans.  What a great success!
Oh, and our ARP man showed up again so that was great.  Elder Parkinson did that while I did RS.

3)      Wednesday was our first tardy for seminary.  The other teachers just moan as they cannot get anyone there on time.  It was still a great lesson.  Then we went over to Chinle and the Elder’s and Elder Parkinson cleaned the weeds out Sister Tsosie’s yard.  He wasn’t going to take them but they volunteered.  Good Plan!  They worked for over an hour and a half while I taught her a temple prep lesson.  Afterwards she gave me a necklace.  We sure laughed that they did all the work and I got the present. 

Pizza Edge is a chain on the Rez owned by the Stake President, President Justice, from Tuba City.  He gives all missionaries one free meal a week.  We took him up on it and got a small pizza.  It was sure yummy after all OUR weed pulling.
Then home to piano lessons and YM-YW.  The Bishop didn’t come and neither did the stake man over scouting who was supposed to come. So Elder Parkinson tried to do a scouting night and then they played some ball.  Seemed like a long day.

4)      Seminary as always and then preparation time.  We were beat and laid down for an early nap.  The phone rang and the Yellowhair’s needed someone to play the piano for the funeral.  I ran to the church to practice and then Elder picked me up and we rushed off.  When I got there someone else was playing and she was as good as me, so she played and I lead the singing.  Then we went and got some Chinese with Roberts and headed home.  We had an appointment with Ahasteen’s but it was too muddy.  The rain just poured. 
But is a little mud going to stop us from playing softball.  No – but maybe the Navajo’s can.  No one knows who, but someone noticed we had cleaned up an old abandoned field and were using it to provide activity for about 20 people, so they decided to fence it off.  We can still get in from the road but it was a real muddy go of it.  I wouldn’t put on my good shoes so I played in my flip-flops.  They had at least 2 inched of mud on them.  So funny.  Not so many came, but we liked it anyway.
We got home just a little late and missed one appointment.  They rescheduled for the next day.  We tried to find others but no luck.

5)      Wahoo!  Friday and waffles.  So good and we learned a scripture or two as well.  We had a rather calm day so we cleaned the church and all that.  Piano was at 4:30 and then we were supposed to go to Ahasteen’s again, but it was still muddy.  We decided to fix a bite to eat.  Just as we did, the 7 appointment that we told not to come till we called them showed up at 6 20.  I think that is the first early we have ever had.  It was an interesting lesson; which means we have no idea whether it was successful or not.  We had planned on going to the game but we didn’t think that it was such a good idea in the rain and cold.  We delivered a little garden food and called it a day.

6)      Saturday the piano rescheduled for evening so we called Ahasteen’s and offered to help them rebuild their washed out road.  The Elders wanted to join us so off we went.  Oh My!  Did we ever work?  We even found a pipe to put in a small drain across the road.  We worked till all four were ready to drop.  Then we came home and cleaned up and went back to teach them.  That was fun.  Oh, and we got stood up from the family that is trying for the Rez stood up record.
We ran over to Chinle to eat and then headed home for piano lessons.  I taught piano until 9 PM.  It was pretty fun as I was running from one piano to the other teaching 3 lessons at once.  
Both of the Curley girls were presenting at the stake Standards Night so they wanted help preparing.  They came over for about an hour and we got them all organized.
Brad was listening to BYU –really bad idea.  As we were listening, Elder Searle came to tell us that he had just been transferred.  We were a little sick about that.  He has been so fun to work with and more than willing to work as hard as he could.  Since he was going he taught me the last 3 moves for the rubric cube.  Brad could not stand the game any longer so we went to bed at 30-10.

7)      Sunday started very early.  Sunday always seems to be the hardest day of the week, but our attendance went up to 56 so that was much better.  We had 2 of families there we have been working with – hurray!  Jessica Benally did 3 of the songs and her foster sister did the other.  They did well.  The sacrament was completely by the ward with others ready to help.  Then I taught the nursery for a minute (but Zoe didn’t last long) so I took the 4-7 year olds.  Then I did opening exercise and sharing time (we acted out the story of Ammon) and then music time.  Can anyone say tired?
We thought we were cooking a roast from Sister Davis, but she brought it frozen to fix next week so we fixed the potatoes, carrots and beans and had them with a hamburger steak. 
We took a little nap and then headed to Chinle for the Standards Night.  All 3 presenters were from our ward and our little Curley girls were just fabulous.  WOW!  Then we rushed home where we held a follow up temple prep with the Wheeler’s and the Gene’s.  That ended up being way longer than we thought, but a great meeting.  They made a date to go back to the temple on Saturday in Monticello.
After they left, the Elders came over to mope.  They are not so happy about their little companionship being broken up.  It was a most interesting day.

Rain, mud and people not home – that about sums up the week.  It was so good to get more people at church; still so many to reach and so much to do.  We just have no idea how to get people to commit when they don’t have it in their hearts to do so.  The garden food is just amazing: fresh cantaloupe, watermelon, potatoes, carrots, peppers onions, beans and enough tomatoes for a solid year.  How I love the fall and the colorful leaves.  This year they are being replaced with greasewood and tumbleweed.  I wonder if they will change colors as well.

The Church is True,

            Your smile can be a missionary tool,

                        Our faith and prayers,

                                    Elder and Sister Parkinson

We stopped to give Sister Evelyn Taylor a flyer for RS. 

Her great grandson was there, and I am always telling

him I am going to get that braid from him for me to wear.

Love the picture, Sister Taylor was so pleased to have

her picture taken she took off her scarf.

The view from our hike on Buffalo Pass.

There was an oil well on our hike.  It was not running

this time, but was last time we were there.

Elder Parkinson buying our food.

The chaz sheep at our new local restaurant.

They actually came out and shooed the sheep away,

but I was quite enjoying the company.

Tony Tsosie came with his family this time. 

They had a very good time.

Best of the Rez Week 35

Best of the Rez     Week 35     Sept 5^th to Sept 11

Oh my, I am late this week and will probably have forgotten all the good stuff.  It was a pretty fun week but things have surely slowed down with school.  The week started off really fun with family and ended on a wonderful high.  We took our first family through the temple for their endowments and to be sealed.  It was absolutely wonderful!!!  I hope you all get a chance to look at the blog to see the darling pictures.

1)      We wanted to take our family around to see the sights of the Rez.  They came for breakfast where we almost had fried potato fights.  We fixed a few garden fried potatoes for breakfast and they were such a hit we had to ration them out.
Then we went around the area to see the sights.  We ended up at Rough Rock Trading Post where they little lady that works they even came out to take our picture.  After that they all headed home.  Oh the quiet!  I do not enjoy it!  They promised to return.

2)      Tuesday was back to Seminary and then we went for a walk.  We went out with the Elders to find people and see where everyone lived.  We read a chapter with Brother Mitchell and talked with some of his family.  We found one interested in ARP.  We also met a really fun man—Billy Begay that was so fun to talk with. 
Then we got stood up, taught piano and then had 2 young ladies show up for ARP.  That was very interesting and rather sad.  How does alcohol and drugs get them trapped so young?  They can see the harm it does, but they still make the choice.

3)      Seminary is always great and a bright spot of our day.  Then we taught Wheeler’s their last lesson before going to the temple.  We got all the plans set—now cross your fingers for everything to work right. 
We had a no show for about the 10^th time and then my piano didn’t show for the first time since we started.  I was sad but Selena always comes through.   During Selena’s lesson Elder Parkinson walked in and said he had sinned.  He pulled out his brand new Horner Harmonica.  I guess it was a bit pricy.  He plays the harmonica at least 3o minutes every night in bed.  This new one should be fun.
Next was YM-YW but the bishop and his family (the YW president) didn’t show.  We went in and read the board on what was planned and it said ‘Plan of Salvation.’  We got the side walk chalk and we made the hugest ‘Plan of Salvation’ you have ever seen.  It was great!!!!
The Elders had some youth come for basketball and Elder Parkinson played with them for a while.  He didn’t seem to enjoy it.  That answer why soon came.  He woke up in the night with a kidney stone in great pain.  We had the Elders come over and administer to him and he did get some sleep.  I thought I would be driving us to Farmington as they will not treat Beleganna’s (white’s) on the Rez.  He made it through the night.

4)      Thursday was Seminary and then Elder Parkinson went right back to bed.  For a minute he said I would teach seminary alone, but then he realized I couldn’t handle that so he taught the Seminary lesson. There was no point in going back to bed – the Elder’s came to see how he was doing and then Sister Davis came.  The phone was ringing and there was no time for rest.  He got up and we headed to Chinle to teach Margaret.  She was not feeling well, so I hope so got something out of it.  We went out to eat with the Roberts at Garcia’s – so good. 
We got stood up again – same family.  Things were just feeling yucky (problems in the ward) and then we got a call from Sister Wheeler that she couldn’t make it to buy her temple clothes and could I drive her.  We had district meeting so I really couldn’t.  I was so upset.  We found the Beehive Clothing number and called them and they said they would open early on Saturday so she could just buy them before the temple.  WHAT A BLESSING!  This just may work.
And of course, you are not going to stop him, so Elder Parkinson went to softball practice.  It was fun.

5)      We woke up to a raging monsoon with lightning and thunder and pouring rain.  Our Plan of Salvation didn’t make it.  Friday was French Toast for Seminary.  Then we worked really hard getting ready for our Senior District meeting that was being held at Many Farms.  Elder Parkinson did the church while I cooked.  I made sweet and sour chicken and the others brought all the other dishes.
The dinner went really well with lots of good food.  Then we had a meeting with Elder Richins.  At 2:30 the Curley’s came and Kayla and Kelsey played the piano for them and talked about learning and playing for the ward.  It was rather touching.  Elder McNeill, our new zone leader, also spoke and was wonderful.
After that we cleaned up and then piano lessons.  We had planned on going to the football game to watch Tyler Benally, but he hurt his hand and wasn’t playing.  We delivered RS handouts about their work meeting (or whatever you call it).

As we kneeled down to say our prayers, I remembered we didn’t get The Wheeler’s family group sheet from the ward.  The Bishop hadn’t shown up Wednesday and then we forgot.  We jumped up and got dressed and went to work.  We had to call the Bishop twice but we finally got what the ward had.  Our early bed for early rise—did not happen.

6)      We got up at 5 AM (actually I had been up all night with a headache) and were on our way before 6 AM.   We took the wrong road once, but got turned around fairly quickly.  We made it to the clothing store and they were all so excited.  We were a little late but we made it to the temple and they just treated them so wonderfully.  The little girls went with the sitters (and we were really praying for Zoe to behave).  Sister Wheeler’s mother didn’t come but her father did.  The session was very nice.  The sealing was wonderful but when those two little girls came in the hearts just melted.  Zoe had been an angel.  The whole experience was one of the greatest days of my life.
Afterwards we went out on the grounds and took pictures with them all in their whites.  Then we took them out for Mexican food.  Again I wish you could see the pictures as Zoe lay on the table to eat.  So cute.
Then home through a real hail and rain storm. We had planned to go to the Navajo Nation fair, but the Curley’s told us we would never make it anywhere and there were thousands of people there.  So we just came home and enjoyed the memories.

7)      Now Sunday’s are the hard days.  Selena played all 4 songs and did quite well.  Our attendance was still way low.  Bishop Yellowhair and his wife spoke and were wonderful.  Primary was fun. 
We had an appointment after church with one of our investigators that was planning on getting married and baptized.  Well, that didn’t quite happen as they got in a fight and we couldn’t find her.  We set them up with a counseling appointment.
We headed out with our RS flyers and delivered 15 and had good chats along the way.  We decided to try a new family that we had tried a couple of times before.  Oh, what a wonderful visit.  We really had a great time there.  He is a less active member and his wife and 2 granddaughters (their parents were killed by a drunk driver) are not members.  It was such a good visit.  I really hope they will come to piano or softball or something.

And week 35 is over.  It definitely had its high points – temple high --  and there were some problems as well.  We are determined the problems won’t get the best of us, but overcoming is not always easy.  Someone told us we would be in a struggling little ward somewhere in the boonies.  So true – so true.  I wish some people were not always right!

The Church is True,

            Love and attend that temple so close by,

                        Our love and prayers,

                                    Elder and Sister Parkinson

                       

The Parkinson Clan visit Rough Rock Trading Post.

Ask how many liked the hot pickle!

The Wheeler's entering the temple.

A family shot BEFORE!

The nizhoni ladies after the sealing!

I just think they look WONDERFUL!

Cyrus had a little trouble opening his eyes.

The family with Chee (grandpa) - Edward (Chubby) Gene.

Ciara in the pond.

The Wheeler's at the water fall.

A group picture.  What a wonderful day!

A Navajo child eating in a restaurant.

Cain Zoe Wheeler needs some salsa.

Her Chee told me to add the caption.

I think I mentioned how they shave their

children's head about one year of age to

make all the hair grow in better.

Best of the Rez Week 34

Best of the Rez     Week 34     August 29^th to September 4^th

Remembered!  Some days it seems like your entire world has changed and you cannot even remember life before the Rez.  Then something or someone comes along and you remember how life use to be and will be again someday.  This week was one of those experiences.  And it came to us in the form of friends and family from the past.

1)      Monday was extremely calm because I was still extremely sick.  Elder did the teaching in seminary.  The Elders from Pinon called and wanted haircuts.  If they are desperate enough to drive 130 miles for a haircut, I better help. 
The rest of the day was just gardening and cleaning and me sleeping and blowing my nose.  That night the Tsosie girls were going to come, but we even canceled that.  I felt extremely blessed for Vicks.

2)      Tuesday I was doing better, but still no energy and lots of coughing.  Seminary was great and then a nice nap after we prepared.  Sister Davis came at 1 PM and we went through a visiting teaching plan.  Can you believe it, visiting teaching after a 40 year break?  Then we jumped in the car and went around the ward showing her where people live.  We made it home for piano and bless their little hearts, everyone showed up.  I teach straight through till 7 when we have ARP.  Our man was still trying to get into the bishop so he canceled again (which is basically good news).  Then we went out to find people but no one was around so we came home and ate.  Then a nice soak and bed.

3)      Wednesday I was feeling better but still so tired.  We had a few comedy of errors to start the day.  Our zone leader called to make an appointment during the closing prayer (he did not know we teach seminary).  Brad called him back as we were leaving to drive the girls home.  Well, he walked out with the phone and not the keys.  He locked us out.  Then we couldn’t find our outside key we hide.  Finally, the girls called their mother to come get them.  Brad got the screen off and I went through the window with a bit of pain to the front thigh.  I spent some time looking outside and of course, then I found our key.  The missionaries had kicked it away when they were having a water fight with my sprayer for haircuts.
 After seminary we did our preparation and met with the Elders and then I went back to bed.  I was laying there just loving my rest when the phone rang.  It was a voice from the past, Gloria Andrus, calling to tell us that she had just left Bluff and would be to our house a little before noon.  We thought she was coming on Thursday but she had called on our cell phone and left a message that she was a day early.  We forgot to listen to our cell phone, so we were just a little unprepared.  I was planning on having some of our friends here join us in lunch.  There were things I needed to pick up in Chinle.  Opps!.  We went through the freezer and found a Schwann dinner and Elder went out can dug some garden food and we really had quite the feast.  Oh my, what joy!  Only ones having experienced it can imagine the joy of seeing and hearing news from friends from your past life.  Oh, we had the best time.  I cannot believe how fast the time went.  We really enjoyed our visit.
Then our new zone leaders, Elder and Sister McNeill came for a visit.  I think I have mentioned that this is their 5^th mission.  They are so wonderful; just as calm and happy and glad to do whatever they can to serve the Lord.  We had a great visit with them as well.  All too soon they needed to leave as well.
We went with the Elders and showed them where one of our investigators lived that we are turning over to them.  She was not there, but we had a fun ride.  Then piano.  I am still having no shows on Wednesday, so we are going to try to fix the schedule. 
YM-YW and Primary met together that night to make cookies and deliver to the less- actives.  Not so many came but it was just wonderful (and by the way, the entire Primary Presidency was there – Wahoo!).  They all decorated cookies and put them in bags.  I had made a little handout to tie to each bag.  Then we divided them up and headed out.  The last ride came back to the church around 9 PM.  It had been wonderful.  Tears were shed as children were remembered.  That will mean 10 times more than what the missionaries could do.
And one more wonderful – our ARP man met with the Bishop.  We are so proud of him.

4)      After all the excitement of Wednesday, Thursday had to be dull.  We did have one appointment that came through at 5:30.  Then the Benally’s came for piano since I would be busy on Saturday.  We only had one person show up for softball.  Oh, and I was helping Kelsey do a music report.  (Del, I need your phone number for help with this stuff.  Her teacher is very demanding.) Finally, the last piano lesson was over and then I listened to the answering machine and had missed the Tsosie’s.  L

5)      Friday is our favorite because we love our pancakes.  We had fun and learned the 10 commandment scripture mastery as well.  (close at least)  Then April was going to come teach me how to do fry bread but she ended up busy till about 3 PM.  Finally she came and we had a ball but the pan she brought would not cooperate.  Right in the middle of it all, Sister Cadman stopped by to visit.  When it rains it pours.  Finally, we got it all handled and cooked tons of fry bread (Navajo do not understand ‘a little bit,’  I only wanted to make a couple but she said you needed at least 6 cups of flour.)  Then I taught piano lessons and had a bit of a rest. 
We headed out to an appointment way against the Mesa only to be stood up for the ca-gillenth time.  Then we drove on in to Chinle and had some Chinese food.  We drove over to Holiday Inn to wait for the kids.  Eric and Angella and girls & Katie and Ryan with Luke and Livy, thought they would arrive around 8:30.  Katie was close and her kids headed straight for the pool.  Eric showed up about 10 PM.  Everyone was settled, plans were made and we headed home.

6)      Saturday we were going to try to make the Canyon De Chelly hike.  We did not get a really early start but there was a pretty good cloud cover so it was a bit cooler.  We all made it really well.  Elder Parkinson had caught my cold so he was not feeling great, but we just went very slowly and made it all the way.  After the hike we all went for Chinese.  Then they went back to swim and clean up.  It was forever till they made it to the house.  We fixed more fry bread but I did not put enough water in the dough but everyone still ate them.  We made Navajo Tacos with our fresh garden lettuce and tomatoes.  The beans were especially good.  And we served one of our garden watermelons and it was sure cute to watch the kids eat that. 
We just talked and let the kids play.  It was a very fun night.  All too soon they left for the motel.

7)      Sunday seemed very early.  Eric had brought a big roast so I got up and browned it for dinner.  I cleaned garden potatoes and beans and carrots.  I felt like I had things organized but all too soon I was almost late for church.  Selena had called and said she could not make it, so I had no idea who was playing.  Katie did the opening song, but the Churley’s did the other two.  We had our all time low for Sacrament meeting – 31 with 9 of my family there.  Still the meeting seemed to go well.  The Primary Presidency was all there so I was so happy.
After church we fixed our dinner and it was very good; roast beef, new potatoes with creamed beans and carrots, fresh tomatoes and corn bread with dump cake for dessert.  We ate and ate.  Then we cleaned up and watched ‘How to Train a Dragon.’  Our appointment fell through so we were sad.  Hardly a thing this week. ;(
Sister Curley called and wanted to make fry bread for us.  We decided to try again and she brought the most wonderful dough.  We all made fry bread till we were experts.  Katie even made the first square one.  Then we ate fry bread and told stories.  Brad even told his famous goat story.  We had a great time.  The Curley’s are such dear friends. Then we came back to the house and talked some more.  All too soon they left.  Wow, does a house ever seem quiet when 4 little girls and 1 young man leave you all alone. 

And there you have it—week 34 is history.  I will cherish the time with friends, both old and new forever.  We have now been visited by three out of four of our children and two siblings.  Neil just started a new job, so we do not know if he will make it or not.  I love the fact that our mission lets us connect with family and friends.  I have needed that so very much. 
I do hope all is well in harvest time at home.  School has and is starting so nearly everyone is getting back to a normal schedule.  We do hope that all your days are filled with happy, productive moments and faith to carry you through the other times as well.

The Church is True,

            Enjoy the smiles and let others enjoy your smile as well,

                        Our faith and prayers are with you,

                                    Elder and Sister Parkinson

Gloria Andrus and her daughter Emmi.

Emmi and Gloria sit and chat.

And notice my couch cover that Sister Tsosie made me.

Livy and Sarah meet in the motel parking lot.

Brooklyn is so tall!

The grandchildren are ready for Canyon DeChelly!

Luke was always in the lead.

The dare-devils take a side route.

And down we go!

Our 2 families!  Sarah is deciding who

she belongs to?

(From left to right) Kaiya, Angella, Eric, Brookly,

Katie, Livy, Luke, Ryan and Sarah.

3 Beleganna women trying to make fry bread.

We are making progress with our fry bread.

Fry Bread--or a close attempt.

Grandpa read Patrick McManis -- a family ritual.

A captive audience!

Except Kaiya feel asleep (a new Becca).

What an interesting Navajo primary!!!

Sister Curley taught how to do fry bread the right way!

Okay--this is the church water.

We finally got a man here to fix it.

I promise--it is just jet black and smells like rotten eggs.

Best of the Rez Week 33

Best of the Rez     Week 33     August 22^nd to August 28^th

I need to go to another amusement park and check the new rides.  This week has been a little of everything and all I know is by the end of the week I am dizzy.  There have been the high’s but the low’s were also strong.  It is probably a good idea to keep a hold of something until I can get my balance.

Also, I have been getting my blog done, but I did not send out the emails.  Some days I may be a little low, some days a little busy and some days a little embarrassed that I am pushing my way into your internet space.  I got a really sweet email from my step-sister asking where I was, so I think I best keep it up and if you don’t want to read, just hit the delete button.

1)      Monday, of course, starts with seminary.  We are having a ball.  But how fair is this?  All good Mormons and missionaries read the Book of Mormon.  The Sunday School lessons are on the New Testament.  Last year we taught the Doctrine and Covenants in Seminary and this year we are teaching Old Testament.  I think my brain is on overload.
After doing all the garden and household items, we headed to our favorite – Buffalo Pass for a hike.  It was such a pretty day.  Well, hikers will tell you the mountains are not always the same weather as the lowlands.  We were having a great little walk when it started to rain.  Then we started to hear the thunder.  Then we started to see the lightning.  It all seemed to be getting closer and closer.  All of the sudden – CABOOM!!

The lightning struck about 25-30 feet on my side to the left of me.  After hitting it jumped about another 20 feet straight down the mountain.  WOW!  Everyone has said, did you go check where it hit and we said, “No, we were getting out of there fast!”  We hustled down the mountain while lightning was dancing around us, but never that close again.  We were drenched, but it took days for our nerves to settle down.
Once home and dry, we baked some cookies and waited for our Tsosie girls to come.  They didn’t so we fixed some supper.  Then they came so we shared a squash and then we had a lesson and played Wii.  They really seemed to have a good time.  They had all come to church the day before but had come at the old 10 AM time.  I felt bad but at least 8/10 of our baptisms tried for church.

2)      Tuesday was really a slow day.  Seminary was great.  Then we tried to make calls and appointments but nothing was clicking.  Finally piano lessons started and everyone showed up which is a very busy day.  Then ARP.  One man called and said it was time to go to the Bishop.  We were THRILLED!  Then the other man showed up as well, and said he is ready to progress.  WAHOO!!!!!  What a great feeling.  We got excited about giving them garden food and nearly missed our 8 PM.  We made it there late and finally had to call it quits as their daughter was just miserable.  Slow start but very busy end!

3)      Seminary is just always great.  These two girls are the all time best!  At 9 AM I cut the Elder’s and Brad’s hair.  Then Cyrus started piano lessons and I am afraid I taught him too much for a first lesson.  The afternoon was slow and the piano was sporadic.  I have got to change a couple and get a better commitment from some.  I rescheduled to do Selena at her house.  Then we drove to Chinle where I taught the YW about health and fitness and did fitness and race walking with them.  It was really fun and we enjoyed being with the Roberts as well.  Fun night.  We got home to find out that our YM-YW didn’t show at all.  We had thought they were going to clean the church and yard.  NO!! Oh, I guess the missionaries will do itL.
The Elders were calling the minute our ride hit the cattle guard.  They had a surprise for us --Elder Searle had caught a great big toad.  We brought it in the house and tried to get a picture of it.  The picture would not show through the tupperware so we took it off.  That toad took a flying leap for Elder Evans, and he screamed and pulled his legs up on the couch.  We laughed so hard--the big, tough rancher is not a friend of toads.
'I thought it looked like Pete.'

4)      Thursday was another great day for seminary.  Sister Davis stopped to see us and our district leader called.  All that brought about a rather interesting conversation between the two of us and a more determined effort to make this happen in a positive manner.   We keep trying to connect with people but something is weird this week.  It is not payday but everyone is gone.  That afternoon we drove over to Round Rock and handed out flyers about Elder Callister there.  Then we rushed home for a 5:30 that was a no show.  Then our 7 PM was a no show as well, and we maybe went to bed a little low. 

5)      Friday was different.  Seminary was great as always; but we had waffles instead of pancakes.  Then we headed to Chinle and picked up Sister Margaret Tsosie and headed to Window Rock.  She wanted to show up a jewelry salesman.  We found them and Elder Parkinson finally has a bolo tie.  Oh, is he ever pleased.  Of course, if Brad got something, he had to buy me something as well.  I have a very pretty new necklace and earrings.  Then we ate at Denney’s (our stake president’s) and headed home.  Fun morning.  And not a second was wasted – we taught the temple every minute we could.
One of the musts of everyday is to check the mail.  Mind you, we only get mail M-F on the Rez, no Saturday mail.  What a pleasant surprise.  We got a box, and we did not know the address at all.  I opened right in the parking lot and it was sugar cookies decorated like missionary tags and CTR cookies.  A student, Susan Webb Hansen,  (that just moved) that I taught in 1991 remembered me and sent me decorated cookies.  I wish you could all check the blog as only pictures could show how wonderfully decorated those cookies are.  Susan is a master of masters with her decorating ability.  I will forever cherish every letter and Christmas card she has ever sent.  What a wonderful surprise.
When we got here, we started making out rounds with the flyers and I got hit with a cold and went down in seconds.  I was so sick.  I just lay all night and didn’t even mind our appointments falling through.  Brad went out and painted our porch and started the Elder’s for them.  They came home and helped.  They seemed to have a good time.  Not so much for me.

6)      Saturday I still felt terrible.  I rested all day.   The piano didn’t show and I didn’t care.  But I felt so bad that I had missed the football game the night before and this morning was the Chinle parade and fair.  Still I lay. 
The fireside with Elder Callister was at 6:30 and we were there.  I had my Vicks, tissues, and water bottle and forgot my scriptures.  He did a great job.  The first talks were nice and then Elder Callister had all the youth come up front and did the Plan of Happiness with them.  It was really nice and our ward did the best!
Then there was supposed to be a panel discussion with 4 couples with the visiting team.  Right off the bat, it didn’t go as planned.  Instead of 4 couples, it was all but 2 which could be considered a slap in the face for them.  Then the meeting started off with the big Ganado is the best and if you could only all be ‘Payne’s.’  It did not set with Elder Parkinson and he tried to make his points in a positive way, but his voice was just about to explode and everyone knew it.  His big point was how can we teach people that do not believe in Jesus Christ – should we be learning from how it has been done in the Orient.  Still, it was more than obvious we are really tired of being compared to Ganado and acting like everyone should be matching Ganado when we do not have the same people and leadership base.  After that, they completely ignored us.  After the meeting, we talked and we able to express a couple of concerns and get a little feedback.  My favorite was when they told us to never get discouraged.  I so agree—now how do you do it.  Your Primary President doesn’t come for 20 straight weeks, you have no manuals, and make sure you don’t get discouraged.  Anyhow, it was a long drive home, and a very long night.  I was so sick and could not breathe to sleep.  Brad was upset. 

       The next day started early as Brad would go do something and come back and leave and come back.  We did the best we could at getting the church ready—with no help.  We wondered whether to set up more chairs, but decided we would wait. 
As soon as the youth started in, I lined them up on the bench and brought them up one at a time to play prelude.  I heard Elder Callister talking with people in the congregation.  He sat and watched one youth and then left to go to Bishop’s meeting.  Then it was time to start.  One girl came running up and said I forgot how to play this.  I was such a wreck and so sick, I couldn’t even figure out what she was talking about.
Meeting started and all was well.  YES!  All 30 of us were just great.  After all the invitations and flyers and telling people how big this was – no one came.  Our hearts just sank!  The opening hymn was Kelsey -- great.  The sacrament hymn was Selena and she was precious.  I go up and sit on the bench and touch each note as she plays it.  We knew we were being watched.  I was shaking so bad I am not sure how she knew which note to play.  Then Elder Webb spoke and did great!  Next was President Jones, our mission president.  Kayla jumped up to play the rest hymn and it was funny as they were deciding who should go first.  President Jones won!  His talk was the greatest Rez talk ever given!  It was just what we wanted!  WOW!  Then Kayla played and the part she said she couldn’t remember, she goofed with but she got better every verse.  Then Elder Callister—and he was perfect.  He found out each person that had played and thanked them by name.  Then his talk was wonderful, so kind and so encouraging.  Attitude!  Great meeting.  The closing song was Tyler and he didn’t come forever and finally I got on the bench with him and he just dropped his head in his hands and said, “I haven’t practiced all week.  I’ve been so busy.”  “Can’t you just do one finger,” I say.  “I can do this part both hands.”  “Then do it, and when you get to the end, hit the chord.  But start here and do a prelude.”  He starts and amazingly, does just wonderful.

Really the meeting was just wonderful.  The Sacrament was prepared and passed by ward members –Hurray!  The music was great.  Hurray!  But after we had worked for 2 weeks of inviting people to attend we were just sick that no one cared.  We actually ended up with 41 and 44 with the 3 visitors.  Two members of the Seventy coming to our little ward and no one cared.  The other day as I was praying, I really felt like our biggest problem was that no one had any respect for Jesus Christ or accepted that serving in the church was serving Jesus Christ.  It was very evident Sunday when no one even cared that we had all these General Authorities coming to meeting and they were BUZY!
After the meeting, Elder Callister was all excited about getting pictures of those kids playing with me touching the music.  Then they left and I sat down in Sunday School and then they called me into a meeting with Elder Callister, Elder Webb and President Jones and the Bishopric.  Elder Callister was really positive and talked about all the good things he liked about our ward.  He was really tickled about the youth playing the music.  Then he said he liked being here so much, he is going to come back next year – a year from today and he wanted the ward doubled and we weren’t serving Navajo Tacos to get them there—it would be our ward average.  I mentioned to Elder Webb that we would be gone, so he said we may need to amend this action as the Parkinson’s would be gone by then.  Elder Callister, without a second delay, just said, “No, you can extend.”  Elder Parkinson and I looked at each other and we both had really weird expressions.  Then Elder Parkinson pointed out that President Jones was leaving July 1^st so Elder Callister changed the day to the last week in June.  “That gives you 10 months, now can you do it?”  The Bishop shook his head softly.  “And the missionaries are here to help, but the work has to be done on the ward level.  You must be calling people, and visiting, giving people jobs in the church.  You should make a call a week from now until when we come back.  Involve people and let this missionary couple teach them what to do.”  After the meeting the Bishop bore his testimony and it was so sweet.  Then we rushed out to see the gardens and quick good-byes and they were off for Poc Nos Tec. 

Another FIRST!  We had the first ward council meeting in almost 10 years.  Elder Parkinson said it went quit well, but someone was there that really shouldn’t have been but they will fix that.  The Elder’s Quorum President didn’t stay but he came to church.  Elder Parkinson was very pleased about how the meeting went, so progress is being made.

We finished church and came home to almost die.  I over did and was just exhausted.  I am still in Primary and my singing with a cold was not so good.  Still had so much fun.  We rested and then our 3 PM called to tell us they were sick but our 4 was great. 
Kelsey came over to interview us and that was fun and then is was soak with the Vick’s and try to rest.  Wrong—lay down and cough. 

What a week.  Up and down and down and up.  We are really cutting down our teaching load and trying to get all the teaching to the young Elder’s and having us focus on our seminary, ARP, Literacy classes and temple prep class and of course the garden and piano lessons.  I hope I get over this cold, so I will have the energy to care about anything. 
Meantime, understand that the Savior is the head of our church and that all we do for the church is a reflection of the love and respect we have for Him and His teachings in our behalf.  We are so lucky to have this understanding.  We are so lucky to have been raised and taught in the gospel.  What a blessing.  What a blessing!

The Church is True,

      Love all at the US Open and in your life as well,

                  Our prayers are with you all,

                              Elder and Sister Parkinson

Just a view of the forest we were in on Buffalo Pass.

It is so pretty, but when the lightning struck --

we were for getting out of there.

The Elders learn a new skill.

Don't look family--it may be Christmas!

We told the Elders that if they stood still long enough,

a hummingbird would land on their fingers.

They were standing there, and I said,

"Get the camera so we can take a picture of these two idiots."

I think Elder Evans was almost insulted--but we all laughed.

The 'Tony' Tsosie's -- Roberta (mom),

 Nizhoni, Roxanna & Shania.

'We thought you was a toad.'

The toad under tupperware.

Elder Parkinson holding 'Pete' in front of Elder Searle.

"Of course it's Pete.  Just look at him!"

Elder Parkinson and his garden watermelon (sugar daddy)

with Elder Evans and Elder Searle.  And Elder Parkinson

is also sporting his new bolo tie.

Susan's Cookies!

Susan is the greatest ever!

Her talent is amazing!

This is still in the bag, because I was too sick to touch it.

We have looked & looked at it next to our tag.

It is the best ever!

Elder Callister is in stride, the me, the President Jones and

Bishop Benally looking at Elder Parkinson's garden.

Elder Callister and Elder Webb are amazed with

Elder Parkinson's farming talents.

The is President Jones, our mission president,

in front of our squash.