Parkinson's at Navajo Nation: Best of the Rez Week 44

Best of the Rez Week 44 November 7^th to November 13th

1) Yipper – another new one for the record books. We went to the elementary school and taught the after school program singing. Oh my! It wasn’t quite what we had expected. Our first class was great, the second class was bouncing off the walls. Elder Parkinson plays the piano while I teach the songs. It was really quite fun, but we expected 30 mintues classes and got them for over an hour. By the way—how many verses have you done of ‘Old McDonald.’ And can anyone tell me what a giraffe says?

2) The seminary teachers from the Rez meet once a month for in-service. This month was Many Farms month to host the event and they came on Tuesday, the 8^th. That also meant that Brother Watts was coming to our class that day. We did something very special—we used what he taught us at the last in-service. They called it a scripture squeeze, but we had a whole message from Elder Ballard on the ‘Law of Sacrifice.’ We covered the table in paper and then taped the article on the table. Then all 4 of us got different colored pencils and went around the 8 pages of the talk, and made comments, or gave a scripture reference, a cross reference, a personal example or a goal we would try. It was WONDERFUL!!! Brother Watts just loved it and the girls were great. After the in-service everyone came over to see. It went over so well, we did it for 2 days—great activity. We also served them dinner which was great fun.

3) We also had RS work meeting this week. We only had nine there but we still felt good about it. I taught a lesson on visiting teaching. They really don’t have a clue. Oh well, I can use my visiting teacher, Sister Luce, from the 15^th ward for the perfect example. THANK YOU!

4) Elder Parkinson also had a delightful experience. While I am teaching piano lessons on Wednesday evening, he and McKay Curley teach a 10 year old boy, Timitrius. Timitirius’ mother just moved in with a boy friend that really doesn’t like the kids or have enough room for them so she dropped them off at an aunt’s house. Then they decided to keep the girl but left him. Oh yes, if I could I would pack up at least 75% of the Rez’s children and ship them out on permanent placement. Anyway, he moved in with Sister Yoe and Selena. She brings him to the church and his mother told him he could take the lessons and be baptized if he wanted to—so he is. Well, I guess it is just precious to see little Mckay (12) and Elder Parkinson teaching this darling Timitrius (so full of life and energy and SO cute). I think you call that making the most of a bad situation.

5) Turkey Dinner – yes, we went to Ayze’s for a turkey dinner. It was wonderful. Her table was so pretty. Her food was just wonderful. We ate till we just about burst and then she wouldn’t let us help clean up. What a wonderful time we had. My. Ayze has worked in Navajo politics for quite some time and was telling us all the stories. This Rez loves to shoot themselves in the foot. They almost had a Walmart but then a son-in-law put the stops to a land deal. The only three things you can buy on the Rez are expensive food, gas, and cell phones. They will tell you over and over how the four sacred mountains will provide for you, but you better want one of those three things or be willing to use your gas driving somewhere else.

6) Interesting. After feeding us a wonderful meal and talking about how excited they were for piano lessons and basketball the next day, they didn’t show up.

7) Sunday was our first practice for the primary program. I delivered parts to 18 youth. We had eight show up. I will be praying a lot for this mission miracle.

And the rest of the week was normal Rez. I still believe it is Seminary that makes our time pass so quickly. We love our girls and we are even enjoying teaching the Old Testament. Before you know it, Christmas will be here—Ho Ho Ho!

The Church is True,

Stay Strong,

Pray Often,

Elder / Sister Parkinson