Best of the Rez Week 34 August 29th to September 4th
Remembered! Some days it seems like your entire world has changed and you cannot even remember life before the Rez. Then something or someone comes along and you remember how life use to be and will be again someday. This week was one of those experiences. And it came to us in the form of friends and family from the past.
1) Monday was extremely calm because I was still extremely sick. Elder did the teaching in seminary. The Elders from Pinon called and wanted haircuts. If they are desperate enough to drive 130 miles for a haircut, I better help.
The rest of the day was just gardening and cleaning and me sleeping and blowing my nose. That night the Tsosie girls were going to come, but we even canceled that. I felt extremely blessed for Vicks.
The rest of the day was just gardening and cleaning and me sleeping and blowing my nose. That night the Tsosie girls were going to come, but we even canceled that. I felt extremely blessed for Vicks.
2) Tuesday I was doing better, but still no energy and lots of coughing. Seminary was great and then a nice nap after we prepared. Sister Davis came at 1 PM and we went through a visiting teaching plan. Can you believe it, visiting teaching after a 40 year break? Then we jumped in the car and went around the ward showing her where people live. We made it home for piano and bless their little hearts, everyone showed up. I teach straight through till 7 when we have ARP. Our man was still trying to get into the bishop so he canceled again (which is basically good news). Then we went out to find people but no one was around so we came home and ate. Then a nice soak and bed.
3) Wednesday I was feeling better but still so tired. We had a few comedy of errors to start the day. Our zone leader called to make an appointment during the closing prayer (he did not know we teach seminary). Brad called him back as we were leaving to drive the girls home. Well, he walked out with the phone and not the keys. He locked us out. Then we couldn’t find our outside key we hide. Finally, the girls called their mother to come get them. Brad got the screen off and I went through the window with a bit of pain to the front thigh. I spent some time looking outside and of course, then I found our key. The missionaries had kicked it away when they were having a water fight with my sprayer for haircuts.
After seminary we did our preparation and met with the Elders and then I went back to bed. I was laying there just loving my rest when the phone rang. It was a voice from the past, Gloria Andrus, calling to tell us that she had just left Bluff and would be to our house a little before noon. We thought she was coming on Thursday but she had called on our cell phone and left a message that she was a day early. We forgot to listen to our cell phone, so we were just a little unprepared. I was planning on having some of our friends here join us in lunch. There were things I needed to pick up in Chinle. Opps!. We went through the freezer and found a Schwann dinner and Elder went out can dug some garden food and we really had quite the feast. Oh my, what joy! Only ones having experienced it can imagine the joy of seeing and hearing news from friends from your past life. Oh, we had the best time. I cannot believe how fast the time went. We really enjoyed our visit.
Then our new zone leaders, Elder and Sister McNeill came for a visit. I think I have mentioned that this is their 5th mission. They are so wonderful; just as calm and happy and glad to do whatever they can to serve the Lord. We had a great visit with them as well. All too soon they needed to leave as well.
We went with the Elders and showed them where one of our investigators lived that we are turning over to them. She was not there, but we had a fun ride. Then piano. I am still having no shows on Wednesday, so we are going to try to fix the schedule.
YM-YW and Primary met together that night to make cookies and deliver to the less- actives. Not so many came but it was just wonderful (and by the way, the entire Primary Presidency was there – Wahoo!). They all decorated cookies and put them in bags. I had made a little handout to tie to each bag. Then we divided them up and headed out. The last ride came back to the church around 9 PM. It had been wonderful. Tears were shed as children were remembered. That will mean 10 times more than what the missionaries could do.
And one more wonderful – our ARP man met with the Bishop. We are so proud of him.
After seminary we did our preparation and met with the Elders and then I went back to bed. I was laying there just loving my rest when the phone rang. It was a voice from the past, Gloria Andrus, calling to tell us that she had just left Bluff and would be to our house a little before noon. We thought she was coming on Thursday but she had called on our cell phone and left a message that she was a day early. We forgot to listen to our cell phone, so we were just a little unprepared. I was planning on having some of our friends here join us in lunch. There were things I needed to pick up in Chinle. Opps!. We went through the freezer and found a Schwann dinner and Elder went out can dug some garden food and we really had quite the feast. Oh my, what joy! Only ones having experienced it can imagine the joy of seeing and hearing news from friends from your past life. Oh, we had the best time. I cannot believe how fast the time went. We really enjoyed our visit.
Then our new zone leaders, Elder and Sister McNeill came for a visit. I think I have mentioned that this is their 5th mission. They are so wonderful; just as calm and happy and glad to do whatever they can to serve the Lord. We had a great visit with them as well. All too soon they needed to leave as well.
We went with the Elders and showed them where one of our investigators lived that we are turning over to them. She was not there, but we had a fun ride. Then piano. I am still having no shows on Wednesday, so we are going to try to fix the schedule.
YM-YW and Primary met together that night to make cookies and deliver to the less- actives. Not so many came but it was just wonderful (and by the way, the entire Primary Presidency was there – Wahoo!). They all decorated cookies and put them in bags. I had made a little handout to tie to each bag. Then we divided them up and headed out. The last ride came back to the church around 9 PM. It had been wonderful. Tears were shed as children were remembered. That will mean 10 times more than what the missionaries could do.
And one more wonderful – our ARP man met with the Bishop. We are so proud of him.
4) After all the excitement of Wednesday, Thursday had to be dull. We did have one appointment that came through at 5:30. Then the Benally’s came for piano since I would be busy on Saturday. We only had one person show up for softball. Oh, and I was helping Kelsey do a music report. (Del, I need your phone number for help with this stuff. Her teacher is very demanding.) Finally, the last piano lesson was over and then I listened to the answering machine and had missed the Tsosie’s. L
5) Friday is our favorite because we love our pancakes. We had fun and learned the 10 commandment scripture mastery as well. (close at least) Then April was going to come teach me how to do fry bread but she ended up busy till about 3 PM. Finally she came and we had a ball but the pan she brought would not cooperate. Right in the middle of it all, Sister Cadman stopped by to visit. When it rains it pours. Finally, we got it all handled and cooked tons of fry bread (Navajo do not understand ‘a little bit,’ I only wanted to make a couple but she said you needed at least 6 cups of flour.) Then I taught piano lessons and had a bit of a rest.
We headed out to an appointment way against the Mesa only to be stood up for the ca-gillenth time. Then we drove on in to Chinle and had some Chinese food. We drove over to Holiday Inn to wait for the kids. Eric and Angella and girls & Katie and Ryan with Luke and Livy, thought they would arrive around 8:30. Katie was close and her kids headed straight for the pool. Eric showed up about 10 PM. Everyone was settled, plans were made and we headed home.
We headed out to an appointment way against the Mesa only to be stood up for the ca-gillenth time. Then we drove on in to Chinle and had some Chinese food. We drove over to Holiday Inn to wait for the kids. Eric and Angella and girls & Katie and Ryan with Luke and Livy, thought they would arrive around 8:30. Katie was close and her kids headed straight for the pool. Eric showed up about 10 PM. Everyone was settled, plans were made and we headed home.
6) Saturday we were going to try to make the Canyon De Chelly hike. We did not get a really early start but there was a pretty good cloud cover so it was a bit cooler. We all made it really well. Elder Parkinson had caught my cold so he was not feeling great, but we just went very slowly and made it all the way. After the hike we all went for Chinese. Then they went back to swim and clean up. It was forever till they made it to the house. We fixed more fry bread but I did not put enough water in the dough but everyone still ate them. We made Navajo Tacos with our fresh garden lettuce and tomatoes. The beans were especially good. And we served one of our garden watermelons and it was sure cute to watch the kids eat that.
We just talked and let the kids play. It was a very fun night. All too soon they left for the motel.
We just talked and let the kids play. It was a very fun night. All too soon they left for the motel.
7) Sunday seemed very early. Eric had brought a big roast so I got up and browned it for dinner. I cleaned garden potatoes and beans and carrots. I felt like I had things organized but all too soon I was almost late for church. Selena had called and said she could not make it, so I had no idea who was playing. Katie did the opening song, but the Churley’s did the other two. We had our all time low for Sacrament meeting – 31 with 9 of my family there. Still the meeting seemed to go well. The Primary Presidency was all there so I was so happy.
After church we fixed our dinner and it was very good; roast beef, new potatoes with creamed beans and carrots, fresh tomatoes and corn bread with dump cake for dessert. We ate and ate. Then we cleaned up and watched ‘How to Train a Dragon.’ Our appointment fell through so we were sad. Hardly a thing this week. ;(
Sister Curley called and wanted to make fry bread for us. We decided to try again and she brought the most wonderful dough. We all made fry bread till we were experts. Katie even made the first square one. Then we ate fry bread and told stories. Brad even told his famous goat story. We had a great time. The Curley’s are such dear friends. Then we came back to the house and talked some more. All too soon they left. Wow, does a house ever seem quiet when 4 little girls and 1 young man leave you all alone.
After church we fixed our dinner and it was very good; roast beef, new potatoes with creamed beans and carrots, fresh tomatoes and corn bread with dump cake for dessert. We ate and ate. Then we cleaned up and watched ‘How to Train a Dragon.’ Our appointment fell through so we were sad. Hardly a thing this week. ;(
Sister Curley called and wanted to make fry bread for us. We decided to try again and she brought the most wonderful dough. We all made fry bread till we were experts. Katie even made the first square one. Then we ate fry bread and told stories. Brad even told his famous goat story. We had a great time. The Curley’s are such dear friends. Then we came back to the house and talked some more. All too soon they left. Wow, does a house ever seem quiet when 4 little girls and 1 young man leave you all alone.
And there you have it—week 34 is history. I will cherish the time with friends, both old and new forever. We have now been visited by three out of four of our children and two siblings. Neil just started a new job, so we do not know if he will make it or not. I love the fact that our mission lets us connect with family and friends. I have needed that so very much.
I do hope all is well in harvest time at home. School has and is starting so nearly everyone is getting back to a normal schedule. We do hope that all your days are filled with happy, productive moments and faith to carry you through the other times as well.
I do hope all is well in harvest time at home. School has and is starting so nearly everyone is getting back to a normal schedule. We do hope that all your days are filled with happy, productive moments and faith to carry you through the other times as well.
The Church is True,
Enjoy the smiles and let others enjoy your smile as well,
Our faith and prayers are with you,
Elder and Sister Parkinson
Gloria Andrus and her daughter Emmi.
Emmi and Gloria sit and chat.
And notice my couch cover that Sister Tsosie made me.
Livy and Sarah meet in the motel parking lot.
Brooklyn is so tall!
The grandchildren are ready for Canyon DeChelly!
Luke was always in the lead.
The dare-devils take a side route.
And down we go!
Our 2 families! Sarah is deciding who
she belongs to?
(From left to right) Kaiya, Angella, Eric, Brookly,
Katie, Livy, Luke, Ryan and Sarah.
3 Beleganna women trying to make fry bread.
We are making progress with our fry bread.
Fry Bread--or a close attempt.
Grandpa read Patrick McManis -- a family ritual.
A captive audience!
Except Kaiya feel asleep (a new Becca).
What an interesting Navajo primary!!!
Sister Curley taught how to do fry bread the right way!
Okay--this is the church water.
We finally got a man here to fix it.
I promise--it is just jet black and smells like rotten eggs.
So with Neil being on the computer 24/7 I haven't had a chance to comment on your posts. Looks like Statens and Parkinsons made a visit for Labor Day! Sorry we are the only ones to have not visited yet. But things look like we'll be back on our feet again soon. Then maybe we can escape the cold and come for a visit sometime in the new year.
ReplyDelete