Parkinson's at Navajo Nation: Best of the Rez Week 14

Best of the Rez Week 14 April 17^th to April 24^th

All I can say to start this off is that I am embarrassed and confused. I had a couple of sweet notes last time complimenting us on how much we are doing and what a difference we are making. From our view, it is almost impossible to see. In fact, the other day, it hit us that missionaries have been here for years, and so little has changed. The ward once had over 100 people coming and for one reason and another it has reduced to around 40. The most discouraging thing to us is the lack of commitment to serve. Our little ward is being held together with 4 or 5 families and I am constantly frightened that they are going to wear out. There is a Primary President that does not come. There is a Youth Sunday School teacher that has shown up once in 2 months. SO…. Do I go in and cover or do I sit to the side and let the ward realize they should be able to function without missionaries rushing in take over when someone just doesn’t care enough to show up? We are contacting people every week, but although some give you the quaint responses on how they will start coming back, it seldom happens and if they do; within a couple of weeks they are gone again. The Bishop does not dare call people to positions because once he does, they will stop coming. Oh, if only we really knew how to make a difference. We have resolved ourselves to the fact that we are probably here to serve the one, and hopefully the one may go on to help another one. FAITH, a missionary needs a lot of faith along with a fair amount of energy and positive thinking.

And now for the news and updates of week 14—with a few new firsts to share:

1) Sunday after church and a nap, we decided to go out for a few visits. We found one lady home that we have been trying to find for weeks and at least got in a 5 minute visit. Then we found a new Belegana that has come out for a couple of weeks and had a nice visit with him. Then we went to find someone that said they might be interested and we set up an appointment to teach them. We tried to find their neighbors, the Wheeler’s, that we had on our list to contact but they were not home.

2) Monday our appointment fell through, so we started running around to people again. We tried the Wheeler’s and they were just pulling out at the first intersection. We then went over to see the Gene’s. They were leaving with the Wheeler’s. Sister Gene started to get in the car and then called me over. Crystal Wheeler then told me that she wanted us to start coming and teaching them because she and her husband wanted to go through the temple. WOW! Now that is a first. We set up an appointment for Wednesday morning.

3) Tuesday was Seminary day. I made Idaho Potato soup and homemade rolls for the dinner. The meeting was in Chinle and it was a pretty good time. Brother Watts is really a great guy, and Meldrum’s were there so we had a great time.

4) My 4:00 piano lesson did not show up for the second week in a row, so I took off to find him. No one was at home and there was a note on the door saying—‘Dad, we went with Mom.’ I left a note at the bottom of it to call me. No call and no one showed up for lessons. After the next lessons, the Elders came rushing in—‘What happened at *****?’ ‘Nothing,’ I say, ‘they just didn’t show up for lessons.’ The Elders then told me they went there and the guy came to the door drunk; bawling because his wife just took the kids and left him. Elder Parkinson made it perfectly clear that I was not driving off on my own again.

5) Wednesday we had our first lesson with the Wheeler’s. It was an amazing experience. Yes, they both talked it over and have decided it was time to get active in the church and get their family sealed. It was a great lesson and left us feeling rather wonderful.

6) Another ‘modified’ and first for our mission. One of our ward members is the Athletic Director at the Round Rock Junior High. He asked Elder Parkinson to umpire his baseball game. We called Elder Nawahine who used to be a coach also and he said he would help. When we told Kelsey what we were doing she wanted to come also, so we picked her up and the 4 of us headed to Round Rock. It was a riot. It was Junior High, so they hardly knew what they were doing. In fact after 5 runs have scored, you switch batting teams. I went out to take a picture of Brad and the other coach yelled at me and said to get the parents off the field. I yelled back that I wasn’t a parent—I was the umpire’s wife. What a fun experience.

7) Thursday Sister Tsosie and I went Visiting Teaching again. We went to one of her relatives that has lost her husband and all 4 of her sons. She only spoke Navajo so it was quite fun to watch—they really use their hands. Afterward, I learned that she was telling a story about her Gall Stones and how she knew she had Gall Stones but the Dr was doing all these tests. They would laugh and laugh. The AD had given us some steaks and said that he was too busy to have us up so to cook them and have the Elders over. We did and oh—were they good and Brad cooked them perfectly. That night both of our appointments feel through L but one at least stopped and told us. That never happens on the Rez.

8) Friday—How long can you wait? We were to be in Chinle at 1:00 for an interview with President Jones. We went in just before 5:00. We had more fun telling stories with everyone, so it was a good wait. He is quite the guy and seems to have so much energy and love for people.

9) That night – another first. We went out to one of the people’s homes that we are working with and blessed his house. That is huge in Navajo but we don’t use corn pollen. It was really kind of fun.

10) Saturday I finished my piano lessons in time to start the Primary Easter Party. We expected and cooked for 5 children. You guessed it—we had 17 children and about 17 adults. We had this lady that is always asking me for money show up with her daughter- in-law and they ate four helpings—of which we were careful to dish up—and they have absolutely no one in Primary. Oh my! Elder Parkinson ran home and cooked more – then ran to the store to buy more, while I played games. I think it was fun but I am not sure.

11) Stake Conference. We then headed to Stake conference where we were getting a new Stake President. Elder Richards and Elder Webb were here. The Saturday night meeting was very good and then we needed to be there at 8:30 Sunday for a new member meeting. Our 2 new members didn’t show, but the meeting was very good. I wish I knew it was for children and we would have invited Selena. Sunday’s main session went very well. President Brown is our new Stake President. He has been in the church forever, and was a follower of George P. Lee, so he left for some time when George P. Lee left the church. When he came back, he came back 100% and has served valiantly in our old Stake Presidency as well. It was a great meeting, but we didn’t notice many people there from Many Farms.

Then we came home for an Easter feast of Shawn Chicken Pot Pies and a very nice nap. Our lesson didn’t show but we shouldn’t have scheduled it on Easter. We drove out to the lake and looked for ducks. Not many ducks but we are getting some birds at our feeders here at the trailer. So another week comes to a close and the excitement of wondering what the new week may hold is building.

The Church is True,

Eat all those Easter Eggs (or save just one for me),

We dearly love you,

Elder and Sister Parkinson