Best of the Rez Week 17

Best of the Rez     Week 17     May 8^th to May 15^th

I am still here.  There were moments in this week that made me wonder but amazingly, when things get tough, there are little tender mercies that come your way that balance it out.  Thank You!!!  I would have never believed how a little pick-me-up could do the trick.  Good always triumphs over evil and I have felt the tender mercies of the good.

1)      Sunday ended okay.  I got to talk to all the kids.  We taught a lesson that was okay and saw another lady that has fallen away since her daughter has been having emotional troubles. 

2)      Monday was up early and to work.  After Seminary (which we love) we headed to Chinle to cook.  All our Senior Zone came to Chinle where Elder Parkinson made them Dutch Oven chicken and they all brought the sides.  Then we went down in the Canyon De Chelly in our trucks.  WOW!  We really drove through some scary parts but everyone made it.  We saw lots of ruins and learned how they grew up there.  It was great fun to see everyone.  We got 2 new couples that day but only made it in time for the party.  They are the McNeil’s from Manti on their 4^th mission together.  They met on their mission to England—then served in Ireland, England, inner-city Salt Lake and now here on the Rez.  GREAT!  We left the tour early to hurry home for a piano lesson and had an answering machine message that she wasn’t coming.  Oh well!
That night we met with a family that the father is struggling with health and emotional problems.  We suggested a fast and blessing and taught him about fasting.  He joined the church years ago but never got the priesthood.  Hopefully we can fix that.

I also got some flowers and candy from a ward family for mother’s day.  That was so cute. 

3)      Tuesday was calm so we headed out to find.  We sent the Elder to Rock Point with a list of names and we headed for Round Rock.  We found four homes with members and one invited us right in.  She got angry and left the church years ago and took her family.  Her ‘husband’ is not a member but was so excited about her being a member.  We had a great visit and hopefully that will go somewhere.  We also found a home that we didn’t approach.  All those of you on blog will enjoy that—I was scared to death even taking the picture.  We came home all excited about the four families and new investigators we had found.  The Elders went to one member’s home and ate with them and then to another member’s home and ate with them, and found no one.  L  We had even given them a specific address on one lady.  That night we went to the Tsosie girls to set up their baptismal program.  WAHOO!!!!

4)      Wednesday was a nice day.  I got cards from home and a package from Elder Parkinson for mother’s day.  The 15^th Ward Beehives sent me scrap book letters and some pictures that were absolutely precious to me.  Someone stopped at the house for funeral information so we got them set up with the Bishopric.  We also got some shocking news when we checked our credit card and purchases were being made in Massachusetts.  We called on that and they canceled our card and all is well, but we don’t have money for a few days.  We fasted that day so it was a long day.  Then piano and we met with our fasting member’s family and gave him a blessing.  Another lesson that night with Wheeler’s that was very nice.  We also tried to find a less active member but we got lost instead.

5)      Thursday was for my step-sister, Carma.  She had a foster son from this area and she wanted me to look for his mother, Mary Tsosie in Sawmill.  I asked my Margaret Tsosie about her and they were related.  Margaret said she was in a nursing home in Winslow, that she was 95 years old and that she would surely like to see her again.  I told her we would take her.  Oh was she excited.  We loaded up first thing and away we went.  It was a new drive for us so we enjoyed the views.  When we got there and Margaret saw Mary she just rushed to her and cried and cried.  So sweet.  We stayed there a while and headed back home to teach.  Of course, he canceled but he stopped at the house to tell us.  He brought his nephew in to meet us as well.  So nice.  I taught some piano lessons and then we went out looking again and did find the house this time.  The 11 year old girl was the only one home but said she would like to come back to church and get baptized.  We will see.

6)      Friday the 13^th and we will not talk about it – EVER!!! Worst day so far and never again.

7)      Saturday was another garden day in Chinle.  I teach piano lessons while they are gardening.  Those garden missionaries are completely unreal.  What workers!  We learned all about putting in the hosing and planting the crops.  We went over for Chinese afterwards, because one of our investigators works there.  My fortune was ideal: ‘The vacation can wait; stick to the project to the end.’  That was more than a coincidence after the 13^th.  Then home and filling the font and getting everything ready for the baptism.  I started a new student on the piano and she just wouldn’t leave.  She played for over 2 hours.  We also worked in the gardens and had fun there. 
At last—it is 6:30 and the Tsosie should be here to get ready.  6:40 – 6:50 – 7:00.  I call all scared to death and they are on their way.  It was wonderful.  They really filled the house which was great.  The one girl got frightened and it was all Elder could do to get her under, but he won.  Then he played his harmonica while a brother played the flute.  Great night.  Afterwards, the Elders came over waiting for transfer news.  They didn’t leave till really late but all in all, it was a wonderful day and sleep did return.

8)      Sunday was so good.  First off, the three Tsosie girls were all confirmed by Elder Parkinson.  Then we had Seminary Graduation.  Since Seminary is a new and sparse thing on the Rez, the graduation is in Sacrament Meeting.  We only have the one girl but the Bishop’s 3 children take Seminary in Chinle where they go to school.  (You can choose on the Rez)  So we had Tyler, Kelsey and Tyrell speak and then Mariah Woody played the rest hymn.  Then the Roger’s (Chinle Sem. Teachers) spoke and then Bishop and finally President Curley spoke and handed out a certificate to all, whether 1^st year or graduate. 
The meeting was great.  And Brent came with his little boy.  I do hope he felt safe again.
And this may be my last brag on piano players, but Darren Woody, who struggles with ADHD and a few other things as well, learned and played, ‘God loved us so He sent His Son.’  He did it and he did it great.  There was more than me crying when he finished.
Primary—I came so prepared it would make you proud and yep—so did the counselor.  Oh well, we have next week done as well.  I asked Sister Wheeler if she would teach one of the classes and she said yes.  WAHOO  I asked the Elders to teach one but Sister Curley (already 5 jobs) said she would, so I had my lessons for the two age groups.  (And while they were teaching that—Elder and I taught Youth Sunday School.)  Then we used the counselors sharing time and I rearranged the music and taught that.  WAY BETTER!!!!!  Somehow I am still exhausted, but not frustrated.

9)      And home—too tired to cook so some leftover homemade soup.  Then we taught three lessons and home to collapse before our evening lesson—which is next week’s news. 

It was my sister, Elaine’s, 80 birthday and they are all celebrating big time in Montana.  I skyped her so I could be there also.  I bet it was a great celebration.  Good on ‘ya.   (My mother always said that after her mission in Australia.) 
Keep those prayers coming; if I have learned anything it is that you never settle down and say you have seen it all on the Rez.  

The Church is True,

      Choose the Right

                  God Be With You Always,

                              Elder and Sister Parkinson

I made this extra large so you can see the Indian drawings on the walls.

This one is for Katie Parkinson : )

Brother Hugo and I and looking at pottery shards.

I found a great one with artwork.  Boy did I want to take that one

home, but I put it back in a special place.

This is a Kiva.  Look at the little furnace at the back.

Elder says that Louis L'Aamour talked about them

in The Haunted Mesa.

This is the "Curley's.  They are the parents of Presdient Curley

from our ward and the grandparents of Kelsey, our seminary student.

Here is most of the group --except the ones taking pictures.

Okay, here are the Meldrums from Canada.  Every time we see them

the two Elders have to plan their motorcycle trip once the mission is over.

So Sister Meldrum and I are hanging on.

You should here him talk about my candy bottom rolls-

he calls them teasers.

My Mother's Day Present from the Curley family.

This is Kathryn Begay weaving a Navajo rug.  A pattern like this

will sell for over $1000.  They create the design in their mind

without any pattern to follow.  They do a little red and then change to

white and fork it altogether.

We didn't stop.

Our Roxanna Tsosie was really scared about being baptized,

so we opened the font to show her all about it.

Sure enough, she felt a lot better after looking at that spider.

This is the Little Painted Dessert on the way to Winslow.

Sister Tsosie and me being blown away at

the Little Painted Dessert.

Sister Margaret Tsosie finds her Aunt Mary :).

Sister Mary Tsosie -- this one is for you Carma.

We told her we were going to take her picture and she just beamed.

I hope you can see the smile.

Elder Parkinson, Shania, Nizhoni, and Roxanna Tsosie.

Add father, Tony and mother, Roberta.

Add Elder and Sister Parkinson, Grandpa Joe Sam,

and to the far right, Grandma Evellyn Sam.

Elder Parkinson and Roxanna

--she was terrified, but they made it

and she was so happy afterwards.

Best of the Rez Week 16

Best of the Rez                        Week 16                      May 1^st to May 8^th

Happy Mother’s Day!  I do hope all you Mother’s had a wonderful day and that all the rest of you took a moment to remember how wonderful your mother’s have been in your life.  How lucky we are to be given the opportunity to come to earth and receive a body as we strive toward eternal progression.
I have really worked this week at re-arranging my attitude to try to help me through my work load, especially on Sunday’s.  I must admit, that I have been to the point of ‘bitter.’  My new attitude was ‘the Lord sent me here because he could trust me to carry on where others may not.’  By the time I walked out of church I was more tired than I have ever been, but at least I wasn’t so bitter.  We had the Davis’ to dinner and Sister Davis gave me the best rebuking I think I have ever had.  So here is the new attitude: “My responsibility is not to worry about your responsibility and whether or not you are responsible enough to do your responsibility.”  I do feel better, but at the same time, it is absolutely essential to get some help in that Primary.  Attitude or not, I cannot keep this up.
And now for another week on the Rez:

1)      Sunday afternoon we had a lesson with one of our families that like coming to our house.  The little girls are rather wild, so I took 2 of them while Elder Parkinson taught the lesson.  We showed the video ‘Finding Faith in Christ.’   The father sat there and cried his eyes out the whole movie.  It was amazing.   Then we had a rather unusual treat – the Elders invited us over for Navajo Taco’s.  They were pretty good; especially after we brought some meat, cheese and tomato and lettuce.  They were very proud of themselves and we were delighted.  That night we were so tired we went to bed early, but the phone rang and we answered to “Ding Dong – The Witch is Dead.”  That set off a series of calls and getting on the internet to find out the latest news. 

2)      Monday we took advantage of a P-Day and after we got the housework finished, we headed out for a nice hike at the Many Farms’ Window Rock.  It is only about 5 miles from town and we just love it.  We hiked right up to the point of the window and mostly slid down.  You can take sleds up there and really have some fun but sleds are something we forgot to pack.  That evening was piano and a lesson with Selena and her mother.

3)      Tuesday we a wonderful awakening.  At around 5 AM Elder said, “My ring is gone.”  We both jumped up and tore our little trailer apart.  All I could think of was us sliding down that sand the day before.  My heart sunk.  Finally we needed to get ready for Seminary so we started our daily routine.  Elder said his prayer, got up and went to the air mattress we had rolled up the night before, opened the bag and his ring was lying on top of it.  Ahhhhh, the power of prayerJ!  After seminary we took a walk against the mesa.  The day was rather calm but I was tickled about a piano lesson with a girl that I am concerned about. That night was Relief Society which is always interesting.  They start it at 5:30 which is impossible for anyone to make.  I was still teaching piano and running back and forth trying to help the 5 women that came.  They told me we were going to exercise so I ran home and changed and then they started with fool storage.  And guess who I got to sit by—the Primary President.  She never even mentioned the fact that she hasn’t been there forever or asked how the children were doing.  Oh well.

We left to teach but got stood up at our first lesson but the second was great.

4)      Now Wednesday I loved!  We had a great Seminary—love teaching the Prophets.  Then we went to Wheeler’s but he got called away to drive a field trip.  We came home and made a picnic and took to Dale Mitchell.  We dearly love that man.  He had a bad wreck and a stroke so he hobbles along in a walker.  The missionaries go to his house once a week and read a chapter with him.  No one will bring him to church.  We asked the Bishop if he wouldn’t stop and get him and bring him to church.  The first week, Dale wasn’t ready, so he just came in his Mormon underwear top and finished dressing at the church.  Anyway, we fixed him a tuna casserole, jello and cookies and had lunch with him.  He was so happy.  Then Elder Parkinson asked if he had ever been married.  He burst into tears, “I killed her, I killed her.”  He got drunk and had a wreck and his wife was killed.  Just as we got the subject changed, he spilled his food and Brad said, “Opps, did you have a wreck?”  Brad looked at me for help but I was between crying and laughing myself.  We stopped at a home we have been trying to work with and had a great visit with her – although the poor thing has very little working for her.  Suggesting activity in the church may help doesn’t always make sense to them.  Next we found another less active and had a great visit with her.  She was much more receptive to us but was sure having her share of problems also; she is trying to adopt and her mother is dying.  Then piano and my little Tivona was so cute.  She is the only non member I teach and we had a little chat on not taking the Lord’s name in vain.  We practiced saying ‘Sugar Beans’ instead. (That what my sister Elaine says.)  Wednesday’s I teach till 8:30 and it was a complete zoo.  Kids on every piano in the church and basketball in the gym.  We rushed out and to the Wheeler’s where we had a great lesson.  Finally home, we were beat by the end but both Brad and I were so hyper we couldn’t sleep.

5)      Thursday was not a good day.  We drove our ride to Farmington where we had a $1100 repair bill.  And that within a month of taxes – maybe we will take up panhandling.  The bright part of the day was the new mountain pass that we went over.  It was just beautiful.  Gloria, have you been over Buffalo Pass? 

6)      Friday Elder Parkinson took his Flora and Fauna slide show to the Chinle Elementary School 2^nd Graders for Sister Yoe.  Oh, so much fun.  The kids were so excited.  We both decided teaching high school/college is a good thing.  We stopped for a sandwich and Brent Harrison came running in behind us, “You missed me last night and I couldn’t find you.  I was running all over trying to find you.”  OPPS We had stopped at his house on the way out of town but no one was there—so we hoped we would make it home in time.  After a 5 hour wait in the shop, we missed our appointment.  We sure felt bad but love how excited he is to have us coming.  He is the one we blessed his house and he felt safe at church.  Then we rushed home and cleaned and dusted our house.  I taught a piano lesson and then we headed back to Chinle to judge the elementary science fair.  That was so cute and Elder got a nice badge and present.  By that time we had company in the Chinle LDS parking lot– Jerry and Ardith came for a visit.  Jerry is Brad’s older brother.  They took us out to eat and then we came home.  Oh, it was so much fun to talk and play. 

7)      Now Saturday was a ‘special day.’  Our ward was supposed to play basketball against Ganado but for the second time they canceled.  Well, Many Farms showed up and with a ringer – a 68 year old ringer – Jerry.  Oh my, did they play ball.  It was really fun and we got some new people along with the fun.  After the game we had a quick lunch and then Jerry and Ardith left and we headed to Chinle for a hike with the seminary.  It was a good hike, but I have no idea how Brad did both in one day.  Then home and a couple of lessons, but one fell through. 

8)      Sunday!  Are there words -- NO!  It was one amazing day.  The opening hymn was played by our little Selena – the little 12 year old girl we baptized last month.  Then the sacrament hymn was played by 10 year old Jacob.  The primary sang 2 songs for Mother’s Day; Tivona (the non member) came to accompany and brought 6 people from her family to listen to her.  She looked like an angel and it was so wonderful.  Then Scott, another 10 year old accompanied the other song.  Then Kayla (13) played the closing hymn.  Okay, I was floating everywhere.  Tivona and her cousin stayed for primary.  Only you guessed it – there wasn’t any primary workers there so I got the entire 2 hours.  Oh well, it went rather well, but I was so tired.  I came home and found next week’s lessons so that I will never be that unprepared again.  Now, can someone tell me how to teach two different lessons, to two different age groups at the same time?  And if someone has a sharing time idea – that would be nice as well.  As we left Elder Parkinson said he was cut to the bone.  We usually teach Sunday School together because that teacher doesn’t show up either, but I had to be in Primary.  Well, Selena gave the closing prayer and thanked Elder Parkinson for the lesson but blessed Sister Parkinson to be able to make it next week.  We had the Davis’s to dinner and that was great fun.  When they left we did the dishes and collapsed.  My first Mother’s Day away – I made it.  I cannot lie and say this is so much fun I don’t miss home a bit.  I miss everyone and everything – like Saturday mail and Chiz’s ranch dressing.  My faith has been tested severely, but I pray every day that not only will we make it through this experience but that as we leave it will feel like it was all worth it. 

The Church is True,

            God Bless America,

                        Our prayers and blessings to you all,

                                    Elder and Sister Parkinson

Taylor Price taking Elder Parkinson's seat.

Caitlyn Town and her artwork!

The Elder's / The Chef's

Many Farms Window Rock

Can you see my hairline?  My first statement was that

I did not want my hairline to show because of

my uncontrollable cowlick.

It has been six weeks now--does it show?

Another thing that bothered me was the fact that one

side was an inch longer than the other one.

Perhaps I should have done so, but it didn't help

with the hairline, so why even try?

Buffalo Pass -- so very pretty!

A new trading post.  We bought a drink and some peanuts.

I just loved this.  Elder Parkinson says that it is a natural wall.

It looks to me like Moroni built it. 

If you look carefully, you can wee me waving in our ride.

This picture is dedicated to Sister Sue Clark from Waterflow, NM.

A water fall on the Rez!

Sister Yoe's Class

Elder at his best.

They learned the flora and the fauna.

The famous judge of Chinle Elementary Science Fair.  We forgot

camera at the event-sorry.  They also gave him a nice present.

Company!!! Oh how wonderful that family and friends

will go out of their way to brighten our day.

Humm!  Does this show that the Beleganna's are the last

down the court?  Whatever!  They were the high point men.

If this plays for you be expecting a marvelous rebound.

Team Picture  (front row - left to right)

Dereck Teller, Brent Harrison & son, Elder Parkinson, Jerry Parkinson,

President Curley, Jacob Benally, Jessica Benally, Mariah Woody.

(second row - Tyler Benally, Bishop Benally, Terrance Benally.

(standing) Tryell Benally

A sweat house--but we are not going in!!!!

In the ruins of Canyon De Chilly

Between to old storage bins.  We are praying for knowledge.

Tommy, Tayna, Tivona, Wrytt, Trent Begay (Taylynn missing)
Wrytt is a cousin-- they are trying to be like the Thorntons.

Best of the Rez Week 15

est of the Rez            Week 15          April 24^th to May 1^st

Did the last week actually go by quickly?  In fact it is now May, so I assume time is moving along.  Some days seem to last for-ev-er and then all of the sudden time starts to fly.  Perhaps mission time will do the same.
The week had more good than bad, but I think the Sunday’s are starting to take their toll on me.  Oh, how lucky you are if your ward has people willing to accept callings and serve the Lord and their fellowmen.

1)      Okay, the first thing I need to do is share some wonderful news.  When we were in the MTC we were assigned into districts of 6 couples.  We keep in contact with one of the couple’s that is serving in Washington DC.  They sent some news that I must send on: “What we have learned that we didn’t know:  That there are thousands of members of the church in mainland China and hundreds of missionaries serving around the world from Mainland China.  If we think China is still waiting to hear the Gospel – we are wrong.  The member to member teaching there brings the gospel to many.  We have 2 Chinese Mainland missionaries that serve in the mission that tell us of the growth of the church there.  This is Elder Wang who comes from Chinese branch of 300 members, with 10 missionaries like him serving around the world from that single branch.  The Gospel is truly being preached in every land and clime.”  Elder/Sister Dougall

2)      Elder Parkinson got a rather early Father’s Day gift—a Benjamin Air Rifle Pellet Gun.  Oh my!  He has taken off most of the screens and is always kneeling on a bed trying to shoot Prairie Dogs out the windows.  President Curley told him it was legal but he was still worried.  Then the FM man told him to go out and shoot the things and now he is a bit braver.  ‘He is a dead eye!’  I am not sure his tally yet, but I think he has about another 300 to go to protect our gardens.

3)      We finally gave up and went to Gallup to get some groceries and supplies.  Yes, the Rez has grocery stores but they are pricey and do not have a great selection.  Whipping cream is $2.89 a cup and at Walmart in Gallup, it is $1.78 a pint.  And our gas went to $3.99 today.

4)      Tuesday was another day out with Sister Tsosie.  We are having terrible luck in finding the older women of the ward at home, but we are sure having a good time anyway.  And she thinks Elder Parkinson makes the best sandwiches in the world.  That night we taught Selena a follow-up lesson and then got stood up at another house.

5)      Wednesday is turning into our favorite day.  We start with a piano lesson with the RS President.  She is just eating up that Keyboard course book.  Then we go to the Wheelers.  Oh my, if only every experience could be so good.  We taught the plan of salvation and Elder was explaining that only really, really bad people go to ‘outer darkness.’   Brother Wheeler said ‘like Bin Laden,’ and his mother-in-law said, like ‘Geronimo.’   The Navajo and the Apache do not get along.  Then we went out to one of Sister Tsosie’s relative that makes jewelry.  Now that was an experience.  Sister Tsosie and her daughter were almost yelling in Navajo about giving us a good deal and all that.  In the meantime, a bee flew in and went behind the Grandma’s back.  I was trying to get the bee out and she couldn’t understand me.  Finally, they made her understand and she moved and saw the bee and started yelling about why people don’t shut the door.  We were wondering the same thing since we were rather chilly. 

6)      Thursday was such a sweet experience.  I mentioned last week that Elder blessed a house for a less active.  We found him the first month here.  When we went to bless his house it was a bit messy.  He invited us back in hopes that we could reteach him and teach his wife.  She wants absolutely nothing to do with the any church.  We showed up that night and the house was just spick and span.  He was so excited but his wife wouldn’t come out and his little boy just screamed and wouldn’t be consoled either so they both stayed in the bedroom.  When we asked him what he remembered about church, he just beamed.  “We went ever week until my mother died.  There were seven of us, and we all dressed up special.  All the boys wore white shirts and those little things that hang down.  We were all cute.”  When we asked him how it felt he said, “Safe.”  He wants to come back so bad.  He asked his wife about piano and everything, but she wouldn’t budge.  We told him we had 14 months, that we would slowly try to ease into her heart.  It almost broke my heart.  After that we had a really good lesson with the Tsosie girls where taught about daily prayer and we all made prayer rocks.  It was great fun.

7)      Friday we had to run to Chinle early to give Sister Tsosie a blessing.  We came home and got our next seminary lesson ready and took a nice walk in the wind.  By the way—we love teaching Seminary.  If Sarah, Courtney and Becca read this they might get a laugh, but our seminary class is the highlight of our day.  It has been wonderful to learn and teach about Joseph Smith and now the other prophets as well.  That night we had a first visit/discussion with a family we have been trying to reach for some time.  We had made an appointment with the daughter so we were worried.  The mother called and asked if they had an appointment for 7 PM—yes we said.  She then asked if we could make it at 5:30 instead.  Hurray—it worked and we had a great time.

8)      Saturday was another exciting experience.  The Young Women were preparing for girl’s camp so they asked me to do first aid and Elder Parkinson to do the plants and animals.  He was delighted and prepared a wonderful power point.  He started by showing everyone some clips of the ‘famous ES class’.  It was great fun.  Afterwards, they had a great lunch and we all had a nice time.  That evening we taught the Wheelers again and that just made our day.

9)      And Sunday was normal—2 straight hours of teaching with Elder Parkinson running back and forth trying to get interviews in to the Bishop.  His first day of Executive Secretary seemed to be successful.  That is exciting news.

The Church is True,

            Work Fast and Play Hard,

                        May the Lord Bless us all,

                                    Elder/Sister Parkinson

Our Rosey House Finch--we love waking up to our

bird songs.

By the time I got these pictures, my arm was aching.

Elder Parkinson will always be the ES teacher.

AHHHH!  Some blue flax--even on the REZ.

Young Women camp day.

Sister Curley in the apron and

Elder Lambert (Boston) teaching knots.

Elder Silva looks on and Bishop Benally is in the background.

Can you see the intense interest as Elder Parkinson teaches

the Flora and Fauna of Arizona.

Elder Parkinson "AT HOME" teaching his power point.

And he started it with showing off ES video clips.

Bishop Benally steady's his gun for target practice.