Best of the Rez Week 41 October 17th to October 23rd
Okay, first off, we are going to get something straight. A lot of you imply that you think we are busy. Yes, most of our days are rather full, but there are days that not much happen and we get some catch up time.
However, some of you are acting like we are living some type of lifestyle that normal people could not do; that some of you could not serve a mission out here. POPPY-COCK! That is simply not true. I am going to work really hard to get a picture of the 25 other senior couples and let you see them. Those women are all serving better than me and they are all sorts of women coming from all sorts of lives. If I ever feel a little down, I just think about all of them. Over half of the missionaries serving have served more than one mission and interesting enough – over half are serving with their second marriage.
The Rez is a unique place to serve with so many problems. Yes, there are days that get to me but I am sure that I would find heartaches wherever we served. As with everything else, you just let the positive experience buoy you up in the down times.
However, some of you are acting like we are living some type of lifestyle that normal people could not do; that some of you could not serve a mission out here. POPPY-COCK! That is simply not true. I am going to work really hard to get a picture of the 25 other senior couples and let you see them. Those women are all serving better than me and they are all sorts of women coming from all sorts of lives. If I ever feel a little down, I just think about all of them. Over half of the missionaries serving have served more than one mission and interesting enough – over half are serving with their second marriage.
The Rez is a unique place to serve with so many problems. Yes, there are days that get to me but I am sure that I would find heartaches wherever we served. As with everything else, you just let the positive experience buoy you up in the down times.
1) Monday was a day. In seminary we realized we did not have either of our scriptures. We used the spares we have around the house. Then we went on a wonderful walk. Upon entering the church yard we headed straight for the gym and started folding and boxing clothes. I was really getting tired of all those clothes and convinced Elder Parkinson we could leave them for the people taking all the leftovers. As we left, the Senior Citizens Center came and said they would take all we had. Elder Parkinson then offered to box up the rest. (GRRRR) We were there for what felt like for-ev-er. The one little old man that came to help asked Elder Parkinson if he could sleep in the church sometime. (and by the way- I found my scriptures in the church)
We got cleaned up and headed to Chinle. We ate at Garcia’s with the Roberts. The men wanted to swap notes from the meetings the night before. Oh, the lunch was so good. We spent an hour looking for Elder’s scriptures in the church where the meeting had been, but they were not there. Then we gabbed away and headed home. We stopped at Bishop Benally’s and gave them some clothes.
I think we got a minutes rest and then did seminary preparation. That night we went around setting up appointments. When we got to Logan’s, Elder walked in with me sitting in the car, and all of the sudden all their children came running to give me a hug. Now that is a quarter – and buoys up the hard days.
And speaking of quarters, we got home and called the man in charge of the meeting Brad had been to the day before. (we had earlier and only got a message and he never called back) He answered really bad like he was sound asleep (8 PM). Yes, he had our scriptures, had given them to the other missionary couple in Chinle but was just too tired to call us and tell us and the other missionary hadn’t called either. (2nd GRRRR)
We got cleaned up and headed to Chinle. We ate at Garcia’s with the Roberts. The men wanted to swap notes from the meetings the night before. Oh, the lunch was so good. We spent an hour looking for Elder’s scriptures in the church where the meeting had been, but they were not there. Then we gabbed away and headed home. We stopped at Bishop Benally’s and gave them some clothes.
I think we got a minutes rest and then did seminary preparation. That night we went around setting up appointments. When we got to Logan’s, Elder walked in with me sitting in the car, and all of the sudden all their children came running to give me a hug. Now that is a quarter – and buoys up the hard days.
And speaking of quarters, we got home and called the man in charge of the meeting Brad had been to the day before. (we had earlier and only got a message and he never called back) He answered really bad like he was sound asleep (8 PM). Yes, he had our scriptures, had given them to the other missionary couple in Chinle but was just too tired to call us and tell us and the other missionary hadn’t called either. (2nd GRRRR)
2) Seminary was fun and then we went for another great walk. My blister broke open again but it was still a nice walk. We got our next lessons prepared and then cleaned up the church. Elder Parkinson worked on the garden and I worked on the house and blog. Piano started at 4 and I taught till 6 and then a couple of no shows so we got a bite to eat. Our main ARP man called and said he couldn’t make it and no one else showed up. We had an early visit with Logan’s and I thought it went great!
3) Wednesday was another good lesson in seminary and then we took a wonderful walk clear to the top of the mesa. It was just a beautiful day. We made it home and prepared for seminary and worked in the garden a little. A woman was coming for help with homework and Elder Parkinson was supposed to go to Round Rock to refer Volleyball, so I stayed home. Not only did she not show up but the 5 and 5:30 piano didn’t as well. I have scheduled to do 6 that live way out of town right before YM-YW and when they show up I nearly die. I had 4 pianos going and running my head off. I really don’t do much good like that.
Then YM-YW and another quarter—Kirby came. We baptized him and haven’t seen anything of him for-ev-er. The YM had a full house so they played ball while the YW made Halloween Cookies. So Cute!!! We got all involved in that and missed an appointment. Problem is, it is the second time we have stood this lady up.
Brad, after the long walk and then played so hard as well that he did not sleep well that night.
Then YM-YW and another quarter—Kirby came. We baptized him and haven’t seen anything of him for-ev-er. The YM had a full house so they played ball while the YW made Halloween Cookies. So Cute!!! We got all involved in that and missed an appointment. Problem is, it is the second time we have stood this lady up.
Brad, after the long walk and then played so hard as well that he did not sleep well that night.
4) Thursday was a great seminary and then Sister Tsosie was busy so we didn’t go to Chinle. We did our usual around here and then made up some flyers for stake conference. We started handing those out and found almost everyone home.
We picked up John Draper at 4 and continued on. We did teach one lesson on the Priesthood and I thought it went well. All in all, we handed out 26 flyers, and 22 of them were home and we got to chat with them. And we went and apologized to our goof, but they couldn’t see us today—Monday. It was a long day, but we made good use of it.
We picked up John Draper at 4 and continued on. We did teach one lesson on the Priesthood and I thought it went well. All in all, we handed out 26 flyers, and 22 of them were home and we got to chat with them. And we went and apologized to our goof, but they couldn’t see us today—Monday. It was a long day, but we made good use of it.
5) Friday – waffles—yum! So much fun at seminary and only 3 scriptures to learn. After seminary we started on supper as we were having a family over. I cut Elder Parkinson’s hair and we worked around here and then rushed off to Chinle to buy a few groceries and make it back for piano. My lessons all showed up and we had a good time BUT near the end Brad came in to tell me that our dinner guests were not coming. (That is scary when even your dinner appointments are no shows.) We invited Curley’s and Begaye’s instead. Our dear Evelyn Begay was rushed to Phoenix because she is not feeling well, so part of her family was here alone. (She is a Begay but her daughter married a Begaye – in case you wondered about my spelling.) We had a really fun dinner and Sister Curley told us the funniest story we have ever heard. I will see if she will give me permission to type it up and share. After cleaning up, we just collapsed and read our new Tony Hillerman.
6) Saturday we slept in. Oh for the joy! Another quarter. We cleaned up around here and then another no show for piano – all 6 of them. I cleaned some more while Elder harvested more of his garden. Then we got ourselves all cleaned up and headed to our meetings at conference. Brad had a 4 PM and then we were served a meal and then we had a 7 PM adult session. It was just wonderful and we actually had a family come from our ward – our first baptism. Other than that we had 2 members of our bishopric and the member of the stake presidency there. Since our first meeting here, I have nearly always been so impressed with the speakers. Elder Parkinson was finally reunited with his scriptures, so he is happy again. Then home.
I will share a bit of a funny. We took a ward member to conference. He lives with 20-30 cats in a single wide trailer. Yes, there is an odor! As we were talking he mentioned he had lived in Germany. We asked how he liked it and he said he didn’t because there were too many people and he didn’t like the smell. You can still see where I bit my lip on that one but I kept my mouth shut! Since knowing him, we are considering buying stock in Febreeze.
I will share a bit of a funny. We took a ward member to conference. He lives with 20-30 cats in a single wide trailer. Yes, there is an odor! As we were talking he mentioned he had lived in Germany. We asked how he liked it and he said he didn’t because there were too many people and he didn’t like the smell. You can still see where I bit my lip on that one but I kept my mouth shut! Since knowing him, we are considering buying stock in Febreeze.
7) Sunday we headed to Chinle for the main session of conference. Well, we sure had fun handing out all those flyers, and we had a whole 1 person there other than the Bishopric and President Curley’s family. Oh well, people on the Rez are BUZY!!!!
After dinner we went out to try to find some people. The Gene’s had been in a bad car wreck and yes - she knew she should have been in church. They are all okay, but really sore and they are one car less.
After dinner we went out to try to find some people. The Gene’s had been in a bad car wreck and yes - she knew she should have been in church. They are all okay, but really sore and they are one car less.
So, another week ends on the Rez. I do hope that President Brown, our Stake President was okay with the turnout. The stake presidency had fasted, prayed and attended the temple in hopes of a good turnout. He is trying so hard. The talks were all so good. The weather has just been beautiful but I have a feeling we are about to see the wind return.
And how is Idaho, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico and all the other places of interest? I hear you are having a wonderful fall. How lucky. I hope that means someone is playing a little tennis or golf and everyone is having some fun. I also hope your potato harvest was as good as Elder Parkinson’s. We love our garden food. You should see our squash! We do miss you all and pray for you ABSOLUTEY every day.
And how is Idaho, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico and all the other places of interest? I hear you are having a wonderful fall. How lucky. I hope that means someone is playing a little tennis or golf and everyone is having some fun. I also hope your potato harvest was as good as Elder Parkinson’s. We love our garden food. You should see our squash! We do miss you all and pray for you ABSOLUTEY every day.
The Church is True,
Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself,
As Always,
Elder and Sister Parkinson
The Young Women making Halloween Cookies.
Navajo's are wonderfully artistic!
My fame is spreading. Here is another Pinon elder
getting a haircut. And all of you from Rexburg--
it is Elder Orme.
The is President and Sister Tenney--
the Snowflake Temple President and Matron.
They are being released next month.
The is President and Sister Brown--our Stake President.
He is very concerned that he only has 10
years to try to help the Rez.
A most interesting story as he left the church with
George P. Lee and finally came back.
Wonderful couple.
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