BEST of the REZ Week 3

Best of the Rez

1)      Best Find Ever!  We were going through a housing district that is going to be demolished.  We were not having any luck but there was one number on our list that had a car so we gave it a try.  Elder Parkinson came and said she wanted to meet with us.  It is a dear lady, Sister Margaret Tsosie who has been a member most of her life.  After her husband had his funeral in the church she didn’t want to go back.  Her hands are completely crippled but she sews like a dream.  She came to church this week and we are so hoping they will give her a job.

2)      Best Storm.  Yep! We got to be here for the record setting low 2 nights in a row.  It was 24 below zero and our water froze up for two wholes days.  Oh the joy of a hot bath.  I will never take that for granted again.

3)      Best Music.  I did my top hand thing for RS and ran out to see when Primary wanted me.  As I went by the chapel I heard something very familiar.  Tyler Benally after 2 lessons was accompanying the Priesthood singing “Praise to the Man”.  I stood and listened for all four verses.  Everyone there was so proud of him.  That made my day!!!!!  I now have seven piano students and more asked today for lessons.  (Anyone want to send me some beginning piano books?  I am using the simplified hymns and the chalkboard.)  Next week in Sacrament meeting two are schedules to accompany hymns.  They are only one finger of course, but the mission president told me it would be better for them to play one finger than a concert pianist missionary to do it.  Since I am not a concert pianist—I was very happy to agree.

4)      Best Lesson!  We are picking up a couple from the last missionaries—I’ll call them the Matt/Annie family.  Matt is not a member but Annie is.  He is basically ready for baptism and has said he wants it, but they are not married.  We had them over and Elder Parkinson was talking about the fact that they were ready and knew it was the right thing to do.  Yes, he agreed.  So Elder Parkinson said, “Well then, we need you two to get married.  I have baked a cake here and the Bishop is waiting outside, so let’s get it done.”  Matt nearly swallowed his tongue.  Then Elder Parkinson said, “Just kidding but here is the calendar, pick a day and let’s not be turning the page, February will do.”  They picked Feb. 18 for marriage, Feb 19 for baptism, and Feb 20^th to be confirmed.  Then we played Wii and laughed till we were sick.  Wonderful day!

5)      Best Price Ever?  We drove out to the Round Rock area which is in our ward and went to their trading post.  We needed milk so I suggested we buy it there.  A gallon of milk was $6.49.  We bought a Snicker and went without milk for a day.

6)      Best Addresses of the Week!  We are in a valley surrounded on all four sides by beautiful mesas.  There are red mesas, black mesas, a bit of green down low, and some purple way off.

So addresses of the week:

A)     Against the mesa  

B)      Try by windy  valley to back dumpster
Haven’t found either of them yet

7)      Best News.  I am not waking up every night with headaches.  Since the MTC I have only had 1 long headache and 2 smalls and both during the day so I can sleep at nights.

8)      Best Activity:  Elder Parkinson taught a basketball clinic Saturday morning.  While he played BB I taught piano lessons.  He had a gym full and a lot more coming this next week.  He and the Bishop were completely worn out by the end.  I looked at them and said I am in between a Navajo and a Bellagani (white person) and you are both bright red.  Who is who?  The Bishop announced from the stand today that Elder Parkinson could hardly walk after it was over but forgot to mention how he was sucking air as well.  It was great fun and I bet it grows a lot.

9)    Best Class -- We were pulled out of our Sunday School class the first week and told to teach the youth --HURRAY!  We had six and we instantly loved them dearly.  We told them if they could grow to ten we would have a party.  They did it today and it is party time on Friday :).
Don't they look wonderful?

10)    Best Souveniers -- We ran into Chris Pinto at a home yard sale trying to find the Bishop.  We love his sculptures and his rock painting.  We will be going there often.  We have also asked him to try a nativity scene.  That is one way of introducing the gospel.

The Church is True,
      
     Stay Healthy and Eat your Roughage,

             Love you all,

                      Elder and Sister Parkinson

Our dear Sister Tsosie and some of her sewing. 

The record breaking cold--but you cannot see 24 below zero and frozen water pipes.

The roads in the housing addition in town.  I wonder why all the cars are broken down. 

                     Elder Parkinson gave us our first address.  It works, so far we have had one delivery--How to Raise Chickens for Dummies.  

My first rug from this dear, sweet old lady.  When we snapped the picture she wanted $10 more!

Our first Trading Post where we bought Jessie's Birthday present and a sand jar for our pens.

The Round Rock Trading Post where we did not buy milk.

10 Student and a new record.  Love the smiles and they are the greatest!

Chris Pinto and some of his work.  He loves to work infront of you so you know it was not done in China.