Best of the Rez Week 23

Best of Rez     Week 23     June 20^th to June 26^th

Will this never end – No, not the mission, but all the new adjustments that come with the mission.  In reading other missionary letters, Elder Webster wondered if it was the time that we had  hit the wall or something, but by the time Sunday was over, I was about to pull the covers over my head and …..  I guess I just don’t know what.

I guess I am going to start backwards today, because it was Sunday that took its toll on me.  I went over to church all happy; the music numbers were ready, Sunday School lesson ready, and Primary ready.  Elder Parkinson called me in the library where Sister Curley was crying her eyes out.  I held my breath because they were putting her in as Primary President that day.  As it turned out, her husband, President Curley (2^nd Counselor in the Stake Presidency) is a Navajo Nation Policeman.  So is his little brother, Darrel.  Saturday night, Darrel was shot and killed in the line of duty trying to break up an alcohol related domestic violence incident.  While Darrel was handcuffing one of the brothers, the father came out of another room and shot him in the back and as he turned, shot him 4 more times.  I cannot stand the fact that when you get a great guy on the Rez; a return missionary married in the temple, serving in the Bishopric of his ward, he is the one killed.  Sister Curley and both her daughters spoke in Sacrament Meeting and then Kelsey, the oldest, played a piano number and dedicated it to Darrel. 
Also, the stake president from Tuba City, noticed we have people coming here that should be going there.  When Sister Davis mentioned that is was 3 out of the 8 serving and 3 out of the 45 coming, she was informed that the other ward only had 20 with less serving.  Oh, and they only meet 2 hours and that church is about 15 miles closer than ours.  Okay, there goes our leadership.
We came home and had a bowl of soup and headed to our first appointment.  This is a darling couple where the man is a member and trying to get his ‘live in’ to convert.  It was over 100 degrees and I got so sick in the house I thought I was going down, but I made it.  Then after the lesson we asked if there were any questions we could answer.  The young man said, could you explain to her why I don’t drink tea.  We did and he just beamed because he was such a good church member.  We didn’t point out that maybe you shouldn’t get a girl pregnant and move in with her until you are married and that is more important than whether you drink tea or not. 
Second appointment went great.  She was with 2 granddaughters because their parents used all their money on drugs and didn’t feed the kids and the night before the parents had a big fight and the husband bit the mother’s finger bad.  (I swear I am going to start screaming at people)
Next we went to Shoobie’s birthday party.   Shoobie turned 2 and his mother asked Elder Parkinson to bless and name him.  He went up to the stand and sat down on the chair and never moved a muscle till it was over.  That is NOT Navajo childlike.  He is so cute and his mother wants to join the church so bad, but her ‘good Mormon family live in’ won’t marry her so she can’t. 
Next, we had a GREAT lesson with a part-member family.  The non member father said the closing prayer and asked for confirmation.  It was wonderful.
Then home to call and make appointments.  We called a family we are teaching temple prep to and the wife called us back in a panic because the husband had fallen off the wagon again and was drunk somewhere – she and the children had left.  We went to look for him, but couldn’t find him.  Then our first baptism stopped in and he is out of work and has got to get a job—none on the Rez.  He is willing to go anywhere.  They have 2 of his ‘sisters –not really—Rez talk, living with them.  The oldest turned them in for abuse which is totally not true so they wondered if we would talk with Social Services. 
They left and I just wanted to crawl under a blanket and hide for the next 12 and ½ months.  You have a good day and BAZOUSH!!!!

Good day—how about our first temple trip on the Rez.  Saturday we took one of the couples we are teaching temple prep to and another ward member to the temple to do baptisms for the dead.  The Curley family also went.  It was great.  Long trip though.  All the way there and back we watch church video’s so it was quite the day. 
As we were getting ready, the lady came that always wants money.  She has quit coming to church because I will not give her money.  I was in the bathtub.  She had a rug for me to buy.  ‘How much?’  $600.  Elder told her we couldn’t afford it.  She wanted me.  He kept explaining we were leaving for the temple and couldn’t afford a $600 rug.  When we returned the missionaries said she had sat in the parking lot for 2 hours that day.  Well, we no sooner pulled in than she was here.  She brought in the rug—and yes, it is beautiful and well worth $600 but we couldn’t afford it.  She wouldn’t leave.  I told her we would take her picture and make a poster about her and she could go to Canyon DeChilly to sell it.  We wrote it up and all.  She just sat there and sat there.  Then she said she couldn’t do it without gas money.  We told her we weren’t allowed to give out gas money (because of her, all senior missionaries have signs on their doors now).  Finally she left.  Even the good days leave a bad taste in your mouth.

As for the rest of the week, Monday was a lot of washing and gardening.  That evening we taught the Bia brother’s with the Elder’s.  That was good.  Then we got stood up and then a lesson with the Wheelers.

Tuesday was piano and then that night we taught a first lesson to Cecilia Hobson.  Then we got stood up but had a lady waiting for us here at the trailer.  She had an experience that day that renewed her faith.  We had a long talk about putting her life in order and living as she should and that miracles would happen.  It really sounded good, but she didn’t show up to church.  Then President Begay came and heard all about the ES program.  He liked it.

Wednesday was piano, and then we were supposed to go with Sister Tsosie but she went with her sister instead.  We taught the Bia brother’s and then after YM-YW we had the Wheeler’s here for a temple prep. 

Thursday I taught piano and then we taught Ardawn a wonderful lesson.  Oh, we wish something would work for her.  She gave the most amazing prayer.  Then we headed to Farmington for a Senior Conference.  That night was really fun.  We all did skits – most were funny but mine was serious.  Oh well!  Friday we ate breakfast at President/Sister Jones house. That was a huge mistake—everyone has to leave that beauty to return to the Rez.  President Jones taught us for about 3 hours.  Very good!  He said that in all his work all over the world, he felt that the Rez mission was the hardest on earth, because the people have no concept of work.  Anywhere else, if you want to eat—you must produce.  On the Rez, you hold your hand out.  You are given something but not enough for quality of life.  They tell the people over and over again; do not leave the 4 sacred mountains and they will provide for you.  And then they refuse to let in any business that would provide opportunity for work.  The men on the Rez are basically stripped of self-esteem, for they cannot work and provide for their families.  If only, if only….

So ends Week 23.  Elder said maybe I should have been more positive.  We had some great experiences, but the Curley murder has just ruined everything.  We are very optimistic about some of our families.  Our garden is just beautiful and we have family coming again this week, so all is not lost. 

The Church is True,

            Stretch both body and spirit,

                        Prayers keep more grounded than our knees,

                                    Love you much,

                                                Elder and Sister Parkinson

PS Did you know that if you double click on a picture, it will pop up really big for you?  It is so cool.

Grandpa bought this hat from Jacob for $13. 

Doesn't he look great?

Elder Parkinson and Elder Richins both show off their fine hats.

Elder Richins is our new District leader.

Our district's skit.  I will post it later.

I think that stuff we are standing on is called grass!

PresidentJones singing with Elder Wilson.

He was a good singer and plays the piano and guitar.

The back seat of our first temple trip:

From left: Cyrus and Crystal Wheeler, and Lettie Davis

At the Snowflake Temple!!

Add me and the Curley's.

Best of the Rez Week 22

Best of the Rez     Week 22     May 13^th to May 19^th

Happy Father’s Day to all you wonderful fathers out there.  And there is nothing like children and grandchildren to celebrate a Father’s Day with.  Thank you, Brian and Shanie and Brittan, Katie, Jessica and Jacob, for coming to celebrate our Father’s Day.  We had a ball.

1)      Monday was P-Day and the hair was in my eyes so we headed to Ganado where Sister Payne said she would cut my hair.  That was a fun little ride and good visit with the Payne’s.  The Payne’s are from Van Couver, WA, where he was in the insurance business.  You can tell he is a salesman—their branch has tripled.  They were able to add on to their church and it looks wonderful. Then we found a hoe at the Hummell Trading Post which is a historic landmark.  We stopped at Burger King for lunch and then headed to Round Rock for an appointment.  It was a no show.  We looked for some others  -- found one, only it was in a cemetery.  He passed away last fall.  Then we had a fun visit with the Jackson’s.  We headed home and out to Gerald and Elvira’s.  They weren’t there either but we just sat and waited and they finally did show up.  Good lesson.

2)      Tuesday was piano—piano—piano.  We literally started at 9:30 AM and went to 10 PM.  We did play our new little game of Chutes and Ladders with gospel questions with Caitlyn and Kaylana.  They had fun with that.  After Selena’s lesson we headed to the Bia brothers – a no show.  Then we rushed home for 2 no shows.  That did hurt but I was so tired I really didn’t notice.  Then we went to Evelyn Begay’s.  WOW!  It was wonderful.  We brought up baptism, and she definitely accepted but just doesn’t know a date because she would like to get a lot of her family to join her.  She is the Auntie of the Bia boys.  That felt wonderful.  Then we rushed home for another no show—President Begay of our old Stake Presidency was going to go over birds and animals with Elder Parkinson and he mixed up the days.  Begay’s asked us back for a cook out so as we are about to leave, Benally’s show up with 5 piano lessons.  I taught till I dropped.

3)      Wednesday was clean and get ready day.  At one we tried the Bia boys again.  We decided to take the young Elders along and probably give them this baptism since they don’t seem to be getting any.  When we got there, only one brother was there so we read the first and last chapter of the Book of Mormon with him.  It went very well. Then we hurried home for 2 more no shows.  Oh well, I was really busy with the house and cooking.  We were just sitting there when a car pulled up and out pops Evelyn Begay, her daughter April and her son Shaydon, and Tivona.  They stayed and talked and played and then I taught Tivona a piano lessons.  FUN!  At seven that night we had our wedding.  When we told a couple that in order to be baptized they had to be married, they were really upset.  Then she asked if they couldn’t just go to a justice of the peace or something because she didn’t want a wedding.  We nearly died of relief.  “Of course—our Bishop will marry you in his office for no charge and only 2 witness need to watch.”  “Oh, fine.  Then we will get married.”  How simple was that.  So tonight was their wedding—and a very simple wedding it was.  Then we came to the trailer for wedding jell-o.  She loves our jell-o with yogurt so we ate and laughed and planned the baptism.  Then we rushed to an appointment that fell through, so home to just rest. 

4)      Up so early and getting ready.  We were out the door and in the car before 8.  Still Brian and Shanie beat us to Tuba City.  We had fun looking at the garden of the century – at least on the Rez.  Then we went to the Dinosaur tracks and ate at KFC.  Then we headed to Coal Mine Mesa.  WOW, it was amazing and we had a lot of fun there.   If you want to go, get directions because there are no markers.  Then we headed to Polacca where Elder/Sister Page took us up First Mesa.  WOW again.  1000 year old homes and there was a lady out explaining all their beliefs to us.  There are some that believe they are the friendly people, or the people that buried their weapons and that the group by them are the protecting people.  Interesting.  We didn’t have long there and E/S Page could have spent hours with us – such a cute couple.  Then we were off to Keams Canyon.  We stopped at a wonderful jewelry store there but did not buy today.  Then we headed to Window Rock.  Our Stake President owns the motel and Denny’s there and did we ever love it.  Best swimming pool ever and really good food.  The kids swam till they fell asleep walking home. 

5)      Brad left early the next morning to buy sleeping bags in Gallup and the kids never even woke up till he was back.  We had breakfast and then went to do the Window Rock hike.  YES we found the way and everyone made it safe and sound.  Then we bought souvenirs and headed home.  We ate Grandma’s world famous taco soup in the church and then watched a movie on the wall.  Then to be and amazingly, everyone fit. 

6)      Saturday we headed to White House and did that hike.  We all made it again and it was great fun.  Then we stopped at Selena’s to see Animal Kingdom.  They had one sheep that got hurt when it was young so its head is all twisted.  Brad said it had a ‘different point of view.’  Next stop was the Many Farms restaurant where we all had Navajo Taco’s.  They were great.  Then home and change and off to a reception for Sister Tsosie’s grandson from Virginia.  It was great fun also, but we were too full to eat.  The afternoon was rather calm—we had all these things planned but we just sat and got Dutch Oven ready.  Oh, and Katie shot Gpa’s rifle and made 19 out of 20 hits.  We made chicken and potatoes and Shanie picked spinach from our garden to eat with the salad.  Then we all got ready for the baptism.  Yes, the water is ugly again—and too full.  They showed up right on time, but we had to wait for another family.  Finally we had the baptism for Vanessa and Caitlyn and it was really nice.  Afterwards, we had root beer floats and cookies.  Nice night.  Then we came home and watched most of Oliver.   Bed!!!

7)      Sunday we were up early and everyone was ready for church with time to spare.  I was really worried about church because Bishop’s family and the Curley’s were both gone.  That is 14 out of the 40-50 we usually get.  We had 57 people show up!  By the last hour we had the missionaries (4), the 2^nd Counselor in the Bishopric (only member of the Bishopric that day) and one man.  But Sacrament meeting was great!  First Elder Parkinson confirmed the two new members, and then Katie Parkinson played the sacrament hymn, then ‘The Parkinson Family’ sang – including Elder Parkinson and then he spoke as well.  The minute sacrament meeting was over, Brian and Shanie left.  So by the end we were rather tired and sad.  We had 4 big teaching appointments, but I suggested we call first.  You guessed it; every one of them fell through.  Oh well, we rested and enjoyed talking to all the children for Father’s Day.  I also spent hours on a skit for our meeting next week.

It was a big week with some great lessons and some fun with the family.  They seemed to do just fine on the Rez but I do not think they are making plans to move here.  We have now had 8 baptisms which feels rather nice.  We are loving teaching temple prep.  We are loving our little garden and eating our first food (and so is the squirrel which Brad cannot get).  The piano students seem to be progressing.  The teaching pool is rather large and hard to keep up with due to all the no shows and rescheduling.  Ah, the end of another week and we can still proudly say we are surviving.

The Church is True,

            Happy Solstice,

                        We love you!

                                    Elder and Sister Parkinson

Elder Parkinson with his new hoe at Hubbell Trading Post.

A very simple, but HAPPY wedding!

GRANDCHILDREN in our car again!!!!!

T Rex on the Rez!

Bigger than all 4!

Brian and Shanie get a picture too!

A dinosaur eats Gma.  Shanie asked if anyone

else ever laid down in its mouth.  "No"  said the guide.

Dinosaur eggs.

Coal Mine Mesa

WOW!  It was amazing and so was the fact the have

no railings.

Brittan!

EDIT

Okay, Okay!  How embarrassing.

This is Shanie.  But in my defense, even Shanie

goofed the first time she saw the picture.

Our little family--together again.

And in their family reunion shirts.

We made it to the Window Rock!

That little mass you see up there is Brian's whole family.

We tried to take our own picture.

Brian's family at the Code Talker Monument.

A break going down White House.

Jacob was not sure about not having railings.

Cool picture Elder Parkinson!

Katie caught a Cicada and named him Herman after

our old Herman.  Notice Jacob.

We reach the bottom.  Now let's go back up!

The Many Farms Restaurant.  Darryl Thomas and his mother,

offer us a seat.  Can you see the dirt floor?

Can you taste the Navajo Taco.  It was GREAT!!!

Vanessa planned her baptism for our family to watch!

I have no idea what is up with Brittan?

The Elders, Brother Draper and Brother Curley join the picture.

Best of the Rez Week 21

Best of the Rez     Week 21     June 5^th to June 12^th

It seems to me that we have really slowed down and yet we seem as tired as ever.  There are those days that you just cannot get control of and then those days that seem to drag on from one disappointment to the next.  So here goes another attempt at having you enjoy the ride for Navajo Nation.

1)      Sunday night we did a lot of running around trying to find people that were supposed to be at church but hadn’t shown.  We then met a new family that had two boys that want to be baptized.  It was a good visit but the mother’s brothers are into alcohol and hairspray and she certainly had some sad stories.

2)      Monday was a complete washout.  We worked in the house, yard and in the gardens.  We drove over to Chinle to see some more sites.  The Canyon DeChilly is really rather amazing.  Then we headed home for a no show.  One of the ward members that we have been trying to get back to church stopped.  Her daughter is in the military in Georgia.  She had been bitten by a spider and her leg was killing her so she called her mother to have the Medicine Woman (Hand Shaker) do a ceremony for her.  I will come close to learning anything about all these traditions and stipulations on traditions but a Medicine Man cannot do a ceremony if someone in their family has died.  They had someone who had died so the mother told her daughter they couldn’t do a ceremony for her.  The daughter got angry and yelled at the mom.  She came to us.  It took us over an hour but we finally found the wards in Fort Gordon and a mission miracle ‘we actually called her Bishop on the second try.’  Her mother was so happy and just cried and cried.  Only—she still didn’t come to church and we have no idea how the daughter accepted the Bishop.

3)      Tuesday started with piano and then no shows for piano as well.  Then a family called and asked us to come help them.  They daughter had just been strangled by her husband but she got away and they moved her up to Salt Lake.  They needed to know how to help her.  We have a couple serving here that just finished an SLC inner city mission so we called them.  They got us the number and we got that family help as well.  If there are those of you out there that are not impressed with the Church, you better have a better look.  This is one amazing organization.  We were actually ended up late to a piano lesson and she had come and gone, so we went to find her.  After her lesson we headed to a family we have been trying since we arrived. They were all home and the lesson went great.  They said the father and one son wanted to be baptized.  (There youngest son fell asleep and snored during the lesson—so cute.) That felt great.  Then we rushed to the other new family to teach the first lesson.   It was an AMAZING lesson.  There were the two boys that wanted baptism and then one of the mother’s brother and his wife came as well.  It was a great experience and we walked out of there on top of the world.  I think I better ground myself, because that high usually means a fall.  We had been on such a rush we didn’t even have time to eat so we were eating old French fries from the day before that we forgot about.  Our next two lessons fell through, so we got grounded a little but it was still a pretty great day.

4)      Wednesday we went visiting with Sister Tsosie and had such a fun day.  We stopped at another little Navajo lady, Ardella Mitchell who is 84 years old.  Those two chatted and really had a great visit.  Margaret told her to come back to church and she just looked over to us and told us to buy a van and pick her up.  They use to do that and they want the old way back again.  While those two were chatting, we were having the best visit with her daughter, Judy, from Washington D.C.  She worked for the BIA back there.

She is a return missionary from Japan so we called Katie and they talked about where they served together.  Great fun.   That night the piano lessons and temple prep both fell through but I wrote a skit for the YW camp and we practiced it.  So Fun.

5)      We taught the Wheeler’s a temple prep lesson.  His father was there and he just cried during our video.  They are very excited.  That afternoon we headed back to teach lesson #2 to our father and son and they were nowhere to be found.  L  We had all our stuff for aerobics and the garden project so we just went on to Chinle.  I had worked for a week getting my aerobic routine ready and then the garden project lasted through aerobics so I didn’t get to do it.  Next month.  After that we rushed home for a temple prep but—another ceremony.  His father is having a squaw dance.  This is really interesting.  The father is close to 90 and losing about everything.  He wanders off and they have to go find him and he isn’t healthy.  So the families all chip in 1,000’s of dollars and have a 4 day 24 hours a squaw dance.  There are lots of people there and they eat and dance for 4 days straight.  On one of the days they have a big horse ride and the person the dance is for is supposed to be in head.  “What?”  Well, that tradition has been changed to the point that he gets on his horse and rides away from his house and then gets off and rides in a truck till they get there and then gets back on the horse.  They were telling us there would ride 40 miles in an hour.  Elder Parkinson did not believe that.  At any rate, the husband was over saying hello to family and then rode back for the lesson but more family showed up so we just left.  Fun to hear about though.  By the way—these two claim they do not believe or practice this stuff.

6)      Friday started with piano lessons.  Just as we sat down for lunch Sister Gene came and we planned opening exercises for the month.  She brought her less active son and he and Brad shot the air rifle.  Then we went and found Danelle, the girl that had lost her son.  We read them Moroni 8 again and they both wanted the lessons.  YES!  Then we came home and Elder Parkinson set up for movie night and guess who came visiting – our Primary President that had been gone for 17 weeks.  We had quite the visit.  It started on other things, but it ended up on Primary.  I made a couple of points and I assume I was rather harsh on some (I told her I was going to be) and how those were the cutest, best children in the world and they deserved a good Primary.  It must have had a great impact, because she didn’t show up for the 18^th week on Sunday.  Then we had movie night, which was a great movie but a flop as far as a turn out.  The 10 of us enjoyed it.

7)      Saturday we started with a planning meeting with the Elders.  We are trying to find every member listed on the ward roll.  We made it through 2 pages of 14.  Then piano and BB but no one showed so I taught the Elders.  (Elder Parkinson was at a meeting in Chinle.)  Then they left so I cleaned the church.  You would never believe the literal piles of sand in the window sills.  Finally Brad made it home so I could quit.  That afternoon we tried to catch Caitlyn Town up for her baptism interview.  She is an amazing little girl.  Then we got stood up by a family that is having their son’s big reception so that was okay.  Home –almost.  We went up to see the birds at the lake but that water so is muddy that a bird would choke.  Then home are preparing for Sunday.

8)      Sunday was a pretty good day.  The High Councilmen in this stake are great.  After church we had two appointments but one fell through and one was good.  After that a new convert came over for advice.  WOW, the tangled mess’s people get themselves into here. 

And so ends week 21 on the Rez.  We finished 5 months this week as well.  There actually was a moment I didn’t know if I was awake or asleep and dreaming.  I am having trouble remembering the old life.  Something about beautiful yards and a church full of members all doing their jobs. 

The Church is True,

     Make your yards beautiful,

          Our prayers are with you,

               Elder / Sister Parkinson

Sister Ardella Mitchell and some of her children,

and grandchildren. Judy is in the cap.

This is Gerald Begay and his son Scotty on the horse.

My attempt at beauty on the Rez.  Only 1/3 are still alive.

This was left by the Bartmesses.  Fun to get a

yellow and pink at the same time.

Our garden grows.  Only all that lettuce was eaten

by an Antelope Squirrel.

A true potato farmer from Idaho.

Best of the Rez Week 20

Best of the Rez       Week 20     May 29^th to June 5^th

Happy Anniversary!  Elder Parkinson and I celebrated our 42^nd anniversary this week. 

You wouldn’t believe this, but the wind is blowing outside around 50 mph.  My vacuum completely gave up, so the FM man is coming to fix it.  Some shingles blew off our roof.  The Elder’s swap cooler is full of mud so that needs fixed as well.  A couple of the ward members didn’t put up their wind screen and their gardens are covered with 6 inches of sand.  It seems like there is always a principle of obedience to receiving a blessing.  I do hope we may all qualify on that regard.

I do think week 20 was a little calm, so get ready for a bit of a Merry-Go-Round ride.

1)      Sunday night we had a really good temple prep lesson with the Thomas’s.  While we were teaching I looked over at Elder Parkinson and saw the dirt just caked by his nose and ears.  When I mentioned it;  Brother Thomas said how lucky we were that we had such a good rain last week and that it wasn’t as dusty as normal.  Okay, so that wasn’t dusty.  I guess I feel lucky.

2)      Monday was garden day.  Elder Parkinson put up the wind screen and planted most of the rest of the garden.  We then headed to Chinle for water and to say good-bye to the Rogers.  We missed them, but we ate at Pizza Edge so we were happy.  Pizza Edge is owned by President Justice of the Tuba stake.  He is a Beleganna that came down several years ago and said he wanted to live where he could help and his family could be an example to others.  He is the Stake President of the Tuba Stake.  He owns these Pizza Edge restaurants and gives a free meal to all the missionaries once a week.  That is nice.

3)      Tuesday we really had a slow day because they still won’t let us in the church so I had to cancel all my piano lessons.  The Rogers didn’t make it away on Monday because so many people kept coming by to say good bye.  They stopped around 11 and a dear part of our happiness went with them.  They have served more than valiantly and have been the best of friends for us.  We will miss them greatly.  I must tell you their story.  They were called on a one year mission to teach seminary at Chinle.  Shortly into their mission, their daughter (late 20’s) went into severe seizures.  They called and said that they probably needed to go home and help.  At that point and time, this mission did not exist and the mission president at the time told them they couldn’t.  Their daughter then went into a coma, and they called and said they were leaving to help their daughter and if it meant quitting the mission—they quit.  The mission president then told them to do what they felt they needed to do and if they wanted to return he would be happy to accept them back.  Their daughter did pass away and they not only did return after her funeral, they extended for another year.  They have been amazing teachers and missionaries – and the best of friends and district leaders.  Our first appointment that night forgot, but they rescheduled.  The next appointment we had a good experience teaching a family.  We had a minute between so we came back to the trailer.  A couple that was baptized last August pulled up and asked if they could come back to church.  That was a sweet experience.  It was her ‘mommy’ that had the funeral where they brought the wrong body.  We were glad we had made the effort to attend the funeral.  After they left we had another good lesson with a lady that we dearly love but have no idea whether she will accept or not.  She wanted a prayer for her daughter so we told her we could give her a Priesthood blessing.  She came over and Elder Parkinson blessed her and they seemed to like that.

4)      Wednesday was a bit of a funny day.  Our friends from Tuba called and said they were coming over to a meeting on the 9^th and could we meet them for a hike into Window Rock.  SURE.  Then the garden missionaries showed up with the trailer and rotor-tiller and wanted to know who needed it.  We explained that no one needed it – we needed the post pounder.  They hadn’t brought it.  The Rez!  Then I mentioned we were coming over for the hike with them the next week.  They said no - it was tomorrow.  We went in and called Meldrums and talk about a funny conversation.  I started and Sister Cain ended and Meldrums never did figure out who they were talking to.  We had scheduled to go out with Sister Tsosie, but she pointed out that it was pay day and everyone would be gone.  We told her we would come and teach her temple prep.  That went well, I think.  She is really trying to figure this all out and who would be sealed.  On the way home we taught Selena a piano lesson but her mother never showed up so we didn’t do a mission lesson.  That night we taught the Wheelers and we always enjoy that.

5)      Thursday still no piano so we headed to Window Rock.  The Cain’s have served there for 21 months so we assumed they knew where they were leading us.  We got lost twice.  We never did make the actual window but we had fun.  Then we headed home.  As we came in the Elder’s came in with us.  Then the Rickin’s came in (Elder Richin’s wife  use to be married to a BYUI professor and lived in Rexburg.  Does she ever look happy now!)  They are our new District leaders and they had a bunch of stuff for us.  While we were all talking the RS president came in.  What a houseful.  That afternoon we had a good lesson with the Price/Towne’s.  Cross your fingers there.  Then Brent came to us with his little boy.  Can that little kid ever cry but we made it.  I thought we were supposed to go to Begay’s but Brad looked it up and had it for the next night.  I collapsed.  Our Gospel Doctrine teacher was out in the yard so Elder went out to talk with him.  While he was standing there Begay’s drive up in a panic because they were late and thought we had left.  OPPS!  We told them we thought it was the next night and to make up for it we would bring treats.

6)      We started our Friday with strawberry pancakes with the Elders.  They surely can eat.  Then we finished planting the garden while I taught 6 piano lessons.  We now have our schedule for reading the Old Testament for next year so we started that.  We haven’t been able to reach the lady that had her baby die by phone so we went to find her.  We found her family but she wasn’t there.  Then we went out to teach Begay’s.  They are way out against the mesa.  They do not have electricity except for a generator and that wasn’t on—so it was a cool experience.  It was a good lesson.

7)      Saturday we had a great call.  Last year on June 4^th, we were eating in our favorite little place in Ririe.  Lee Sutton was there talking with us and he was mentioning when his anniversary was and his daughter’s birthday and when a nephew was born.  I said, “You are good Lee.  Now ask Brad if he can do that well.”  Brad got the most nervous look on his face and lifted his arm up to look at his watch, only he didn’t look.  Finally, he made contact and saw the date and said, “It’s my anniversary.”  I thought Lee Sutton would die laughing.  Well, bright and early June 4^th, Lee Sutton called to tell Brad it was his anniversary.  What a wonderful thing.  We had a great chat.  We then got ready for any piano or BBall but no one showed up.  We cleaned the yard and burned all the tumbleweed.  Afterwards we turned around and looked and noticed it really didn’t make the place look any prettier.  Oh well.  We taught an early lesson to the Wheeler’s and then headed for Chinle.  We went out to eat at ‘Garcia’s’, which is not like the Mexican chain.  It was so good and we had a great time.  A teacher was there from Tsalie and he was teasing us about how to get a black name tag.  (He has a friend that is LDS).  The restaurant gave us a free dessert and tried to write 42 on it.  Fun day.

8)      Sunday was a bit of a letdown.  We only had 33 to church and none of the people we were working with showed up.  But, Brother Wheeler passed the Sacrament and did a perfect job.  That was fun.  Oh and evidently another custom – they shaved their 1 year old girl’s head so her hair would grow back in thick and nice.  She looked kind-of funny but still very cute.

And so another week passes on the Rez.  Elder Parkinson said he really unloaded in Bishopric meeting about what has got to happen to get this ward working.  We will have to see if anyone listens.  I have never seen such a place with so little commitment and so little desire to serve and care for one another.  I am not sure you will believe this, but at one time we have over 1000 people on our ward roll of which we have an average attendance of 45.  Of those 45 we have 8 people in the ward holding ward positions (and a 9^th in the Stake Presidency).  I pray every day for those 8 valiant people that serve; I am afraid they may give out. 

We love you.  We hope all is well and that the flooding won’t happen or harm you.  We are on fire down here and breathing both smoke and dust as the winds are around 50 mph again today.  JOY!

The Church is True,

            Come What May and Love It,

                        Our prayers are with you,

                                    Elder and Sister Parkinson

Our last good-bye to the Rogers. 

She already had her jeans on so I had to share my skirt

The Code Talker Monument in Window Rock.

The Meldrums for Alberta, Canada. 

The Parkinson's. 

And the Cain's from Moses Lake.

We took our own picture as we celebrated our 42nd anniversary.

Thanks for the help, Lee Sutton.

Our Navajo Wedding Bands.

Our anniversary cake with the 42 on it.

Can you see it?