Parkinson's at Navajo Nation: Best of the Rez Week 43

Best of the Rez Week 43 October 31^st to November 6^th

1) Only one day to do our thing; I called Margaret and we headed out visiting teaching. We had a great day. I take her to all the elderly Navajo only speaking women and it was great. We found everyone home and they were all very nice to us. We went out to Gerald and Elvira’s house—way out there—and their little 2 year old son Scotty took Margaret by the hand and walked her to the car. It was so cute.
That night we had a trunk or treat and some people actually came. Then the Benally boys carved my giant pumpkin for me. It was not too giant but they had a good time.

2) We went visiting teaching to a Navajo speaking non-member that her son joined the church and she loved having the missionaries coming and teaching him. She wanted a blessing. I told her I could pray but I would bring my husband back to give her a blessing. Well, we did without any interpreter. After Elder Parkinson finished, I pointed around her room and said how nice it looked. She nodded and pointed to her son. I said he must be the helper. “No”, a voice from the kitchen said, “she wants a blessing for him as well”. I do not have the gift of tongues.

3) Well here is a new experience for you. We were told that there was a member down the way. We have stopped several times but finally found him at home. He is a bit older and uses a cane. Our conversation was centered on how we should all love and understand one another—and how happy he is the Catholic’s let the Native American’s keep their traditions. He was sitting there tapping his cane on the floor when all of the sudden sparks start shooting out of it and buzzing noises!!#@## Come to find out the cane has a tazer in it. When we asked him why, he said because if he carried a gun, he would use it. So much for loving one another. Meantime, my little over sensitive to electricity body had that tazer go up my legs till I could hardly stand the rest of the day.

4) Saturday we had some new piano students show up. There is a member that married a preacher’s daughter and has completely left the church. Well, he likes our gym and so he brought his 2 granddaughters to play ball and learn piano. We had a great time. They even invited us to a turkey dinner next week. That sound wonderful to me.

And that about covers any highlights of the week. Seminary good, excuses bad. Life moves on while at the Rez.

The Church is True,

Fall is beautiful,

Love to you all,

Elder Sister Parkinson