Parkinson's at Navajo Nation: Best of the Rez Week 30

Best of the Rez Week 30 August 8^th to August 14^th

The spectrum of emotions. I wonder if anyone has done a study on that – especially on the LDS missionaries’ spectrum of emotions. It is impossible to do the work without getting emotional about it, but the emotional involvement can kill a person. Only a return missionary can truly understand. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever be balanced again.

1) Monday we started seminary. We doubled our class from last year – we now have two –Kelsey and Kayla Curley. What an absolute delight! We have been out and have 10 signed up, but we realize that we will only have these two girls, unless some boy gets hungry on pancake day. After seminary we drive them back to school. The rest of the day was just establishing our new schedule; preparing seminary, cleaning, and gardening. We went out and taught the Ahasteen’s. DJ is really excited to get baptized. Then we rushed home because the Begay/Teller’s are having a dinner for us. They called to say it would be late. Now I am beginning to understand late—we were to eat at 6 PM but we ate around 9 and then the host showed up around 9:30. Her daughter was left to do all the cooking. It was not a total loss because I got to cook my first fry bread. The first one I put in splashed a little on my toe and did that ever hurt. The pan was so full of oil that Brad asked if it ever caught on fire. She said no and I told him not to jinx us. He left to get the camera and it started on fire. April blamed him and we all sure laughed. Anyhow, fun night—but I was so tired I wanted to cry. The family had to have Brad pray before he left because they love his prayers.

2) Tuesday was seminary and then we headed to Kayenta for a seminary meeting. We went with the Roberts. We had a great time. Talk all the way there and back and lots of info while we were there. Almost out of the blue they found a couple looking for some type of service mission that was willing to come and teach at Tuba City. They are the Droddy’s from New York. It was fun to meet them as well. We made it back for piano lessons and then ARP but no one came. Then we found out he called and said he couldn’t make it. That felt a little better because we really like this guy and want him back in the church. Then we went over to teach the Begay’s but they were all getting ready for their big dedication for their new little party house. They wanted Brad to do it, but the rest of the family said it had to be traditional. We struck out everywhere we went so we just drove home.

3) Seminary was good Wednesday. They girls seemed to like their project. The mid day was calm and then we taught Aaron. His mother and sister were baptized, so we are trying to catch him up as well. The early piano didn’t show up but Selena did. What a sweetheart. Then I made Beleganna (white) pudding for YW. They seemed to like it. Afterwards, they played softball. Brad is just having a ball with the softball thing. We had around 25+ there. One of our investigators came over and played with them and he said he had a ball. That was very good.

4) Seminary was GREAT! We did the Plan of Happiness in the parking lot with sidewalk chalk. They loved it. So fun! Then we headed to Chinle to teach Margaret. That went very well. Afterwards we went out to eat—yum! Then we bought a few groceries and headed home. Our 4 changed to 8 and our 5 canceled. We had a bite and headed back to Chinle for the garden meeting. That was great—love those garden missionaries. We left that early to get to Ahasteen’s. We played Chutes and Ladders with them and they really had a good time. We also planned the baptism. Finally home and to bed.

5) Friday is pancake day so we were up early getting things ready. We tried to catch up all the video’s we had planned but we still ran out of time with an extra day. Brad decided we needed a nap. Well, he may have gotten 10 minutes in but I went through 3 calls with Neil, 4 with Sister Roberts, Sister Curley came and we were trying to cut off vines with squash bugs and the FM man came and fixed up the house. I did not get much rest. Both our appointments either didn’t show or canceled. We fixed up some BBQ and had our Sunday School party. We had 10 show (plus Bishop and the Elders) up so that was good. We ate and played 100, squat ball (my name) and toss up. I think it was a good party only we sure didn’t have much food. Very tired!

6) Saturday we slept in and then Elder had softball practice while I had piano lessons (45 minutes late). Then we got things ready for the baptism. It took us 2 tries but we got clear water.
We had a new family that we think will have a baptism so we took the Elder’s with us. We really got lost but an hour later found the place. Okay, how do I describe. Really, the house was clean enough. It was just extremely hot so they had all the doors open. That brought in a few outside guests as well. We estimate that I had over 100 flies land on me at once. I am NOT kidding. The Elders could not believe how they just swarmed at me. I did my best at holding the pictures while Elder Searle tried to kill them by flipping them off of him. Elder Parkinson had a hard time teaching, but he maintained his composure. He did, however, mention that we were not much help.
Then home to get ready for the baptism. Our printer was out of ink so I had to write the program out by hand. We got to the baptism and they were late. He got ready while I was playing prelude. Then I sat down with him and noticed his mother was not there—he almost started to cry but she got held up in some rain storm somewhere and said to go on without her. The program went very well and then we had some root beer and a few cookies. His mother was bringing a cake and since no mom—no cake. We finally got home with lessons to prepare and then the program to write by hand. I was so tired.

7) Early start today. We got things ready and then I headed to the church to practice. While I was gone Sister Curley called for a ride and since I didn’t hear they had to walk to church. Sacrament meeting did it to me again. We had 3 of our baptism’s there. BUT, the missionaries were seated at the Sacrament table to bless the sacrament and 2 ward members went up and took over. One is the husband of one of our baptisms and we have been working with him as well. It was his first time ever and he did great.
Okay, I have not bragged about my little piano players lately, but today was another first. Today Kelsey Curley did the entire meeting, all four songs and did a wonderful job. I am now having them all take turns and do all four hymns. Not bad for around 6 months.
Oh, and the high councilmen was my favorite speaker, Brother White and his family. They are so amazing—great talks.

Again, our primary counselors did not show up. Sister Curley was sick so I had Elder Searle teach primary while Elder Read taught Gospel Doctrine. After Sunday School Brad pulled me out of Primary and told me to go get the family we were teaching temple prep to have them come to meet with the Stake President. (There haven’t shown up last 2 weeks) Oh Boy! I am not so good at this. I prayed a lot on that drive. When I got there they were resting in front of the air conditioner. It was an interesting conversation—something about commitment, serving, showing up for your callings and the Lord asking only 3 out of 168 hours in a week. Anyway, they said they would come. They did! We got a picture of the Ahasteen’s whole family and then home to collapse. Sunday dinners are a thing of the past.
Just as we were about to sit down the Bank Robbers came. That is the name the missionaries have given the women that are always trying to get money and food from us. They haven’t been to church in months, since I wouldn’t give them gas money or buy their $600 rug. First they wanted squash and corn. I told them we just sprayed and had to wait and that I wouldn’t pick it on Sunday anyway. Then they came back to sell us rolls. Brad told them we don’t buy things on Sunday and they left.
We went out to find people that night and found the 2 boys that we had just recently baptized and were supposed to get the Priesthood today but they didn’t show up. Come to find out they were up in Pinon and had gone to church up there. WOW, did that ever make my day. We visited there and then headed home. Seminary comes early but sleep didn’t.

Week 30. That sounds like it should be a mile stone. Not really, but time is passing. Baby Steps! President Jones says that we are all making baby steps and someday the progress will show. I do hope he is right. Oh, the steps seem so small. The garden grows so large, the steps not so much. At least we have seminary to keep us grounded.
We do hope all is well as your families are probably preparing to go back to school as well. New schedules and opportunities—how exciting. We wish you all the best.

The Church is True,

Fall walks are the most colorful,

Walk with God everywhere you go,

Elder and Sister Parkinson