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.