Parkinson's at Navajo Nation: 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