Best of the Rez Week 40

Best of the Rez     Week 40     October 10^th to October 16^th

What can I say?  It is amazing how fast and how slow times goes.  We believe that it is Seminary that makes our weeks pass so quickly.  We have already finished 10 weeks of teaching this year.  Could the next 26 weeks go as quickly? 
This week had some very nice events so it recharged the battery for the downhill slide.  We hope that it was a wonderful week for all of you as well.  We love hearing from you, from motorcycle rides to European vacations, you all make our day.

1.      Monday was a bit of a slow start.  Seminary was great and then we took a very slow walk.  I do not know if you remember but we unloaded a Goodwill truck and bought about 50-60 boxes of clothing to our ward.  Well, Monday we got to set them all out to give away.  Oh my goodness!  We have so many clothes.  It took forever and they are stacked so high that if someone pulls at the middle, the whole pile will collapse.
On Friday I forgot to mention that I received a very special present; BYUI mailed me Del Parkinson’s Liszt recital.  I put it on and then some piano lessons showed up so I left it running and Brad watched the whole thing.  Then I came back and we watched it again together.  Then we watched it on Sunday night.  Then after setting up the clothing we watched it with the Curley girls.  DEL – you are AMAZING!!!  THANK YOU!!!!
That afternoon one of our recent converts came over for a blessing and talk.  That was very nice but I hope she does okay.
That evening we went out to eat for our celebration of making half way.  It was a wonderful meal and a good time.  We tried to find some people on the way home, but they must have been celebrating as well.

2.      Tuesday was great fun.  We taught Seminary and then did a few minutes of preparation.  Our monthly Seminary meeting was in Chinle so we headed over there.  It was wonderful.  We love our meetings and the people we meet with. 
Afterwards Elder Parkinson went to Navajo Arts and Crafts and bought me some earrings and a bracelet for a halfway present.  I love them!
We made it home for piano and then it was time for Relief Society and the clothing give away.  We had planned for a bread demonstration and a visiting teaching lesson, but we had a death in the ward which took a lot of families and most people just wanted to go through the clothing.  We felt like it was a huge success.

In the middle of it, we also had ARP.  Our man showed up for lesson 7!  I went out to check on RS and a man was standing by the door.  I explained what we were doing and he asked to go in.  GREAT!  I wonder if we will see him again.
We had a lesson after the clothing give away but we got stood up.  It was probably fine and we were with the clothes until nearly 9 PM.  We gave away so many but there are 1000’s more.

3.      Wednesday was a slow get up day; we were exhausted.  We had a wonderful time at Seminary and then hurried to get ready for the funeral.  A little girl was born premature and passed away 4 days later and they asked Elder Parkinson to preside over the graveside services.  It was way up on the top of a hill in Round Rock.  It was a reverse of what you would think—the funeral started 30 minutes early.  Afterwards, they asked us to come to the gathering so we did.  It was very nice, but I must admit that Elder Parkinson’s cake was the hit of the day.  (and you should see the sunburn on his face)
Then we spent forever looking for Bro. Tsingine to see if he needed us for referring that day.  We finally came home. 
Only one of my piano lessons showed up so that was a bit sad.  Then we went right into YM-YW.  I showed them how to make skittle popcorn and then we played Bunko.  They had a great time.  We had an appointment but she called and was too tired.  I think I was too.

4.      Thursday was a great lesson in Seminary.  Do I say that often?  We just love those girls and studying Joseph and Moses is the best.  Then we got ready and headed to Chinle to teach Margaret.  Elder worked on her yard again while I did the teaching.  She is coming close to choosing a temple day.  Then we ate at Burger King and headed home. 
Another new experience; we went to Round Rock and were guides for the junior high cross country meet.  What a riot!!  They had kids as young as 9 competing.  It was a real fun afternoon.  We tried to find people on the way home but it must be the wrong time of day.
We made it home to swallow a sandwich and head to Chinle for a garden meeting.  I taught piano while Brad went to the meeting.  I wonder how many piano teachers run between 3 pianos teaching 3 lessons at once.  Afterwards, they had a pot luck which we didn’t know about but was fun to sit and mingle anyway.  Then home with more stops with little success.

5.      Waffles, yum!  I love Friday’s.  We really did have lots of fun at Seminary.  The day was a little calm and then--
Piano starts at 3 PM.  I taught till 5 and then my mother and daughter didn’t showL.  We ran one student home and taught her grandmother.  Great lesson!  Then we rushed back.  They all wanted to see the clothes so they followed us back.  While I was there with them, the mother and daughter showed up so I taught themJ.  More and more people kept coming for clothes and I didn’t get out of there till 8:45PM.  I was nearly starved. 
We had thought we were going to the football game but the stake ward clerk called and begged Elder Parkinson to meet with him and help him get the reports that had to be turned in before Sunday.  So, we it was another enabling experience as we did someone else’s job.  Oh well, it was a very busy day and good to be so exhausted at the end.

6.      AHHHHH!  Saturday and such a wonderful day!  They had a senior couple trip to Page, AZ, to go through the Antelope Slot Canyon.  The Roberts literally walked in about 7:30 and said they were waiting in the car.  We were supposed to leave at 8 but all was well as we were dressed and ready.  The Nawahine’s went along as well.  (He has trouble with his balance so we took him some walking sticks and he came—she was so happy.)  The trip was great fun (as fun as a trip can be with 6 adults in our pick-up) and we made it there an hour early.  I cannot get people to understand the rest of AZ in not on daylight savings time.  We went over to McDonald’s for 2^nd breakfast and then loaded up for the trip.  There were 7 couples and it was wonderful!  What scenery.  Then we went for Mexican food and had just a fun time visiting and eating.  Then home – a long second 3 hour drive for the day – but I loved it!! It was great!
They came in and saw and took some clothes and then I spent a couple of hours trying to reorganize the piles for Sunday.  Then a few preparations for the next day.  Elder Parkinson called to get the speakers and the Bishop had forgotten to ask anyone.  JOY!

7.      Sunday started very early.  I was trying to get dinner on and all and made it there a little late.  My pianist (10 year old Darren played all 4 songs) showed up later than me but he made it.  I noticed the 2^nd counselor wasn’t there and had seen his car so I asked Brad where he was. “He got mad in Bishopric meeting and went home.”  I was very confused but Brad was calm as could be.  Since that counselor also taught SS, Elder Parkinson grabbed a lesson and taught that while I ran the nursery.  In Primary time the sharing time was on prayer so I showed 3 scenes from 17 Miracles --they loved that.  The bishop let ward members and others go through the clothing again.  They were there for almost 2 hours.  I finally announced the ‘K-Mart shoppers, we will be closing in 10 mintues’ thing to bring it to an end.  I was starving.  After church, Sister Davis came for dinner and then we went out visiting while Elder Parkinson got a nap.  I made it home just in time to rush to Chinle for a meeting for Elder Parkinson.  Sister Roberts, Sister Reid and I talked and had a great time.  Then Home!

And you have the first week of the downhill slide.  It seemed calm but remembering it makes me tired so we must have done something.  That clothing drive was literally amazing.  The clothes were great and the people all seemed happy to get more free stuff.  The meetings were good.  The trip was wonderful.  The friendly chats were tops.  Thanks for the quarter!

The Church is True,

            Look Up!

                        Stay faithful always,

                                    Elder and Sister Parkinson

I borrowed these pix from Elder Sheeve.  They were actually

taken a couple of weeks ago when the clothing arrived.

We set up an assembly line and threw about a 100 boxes

of quilts down their basement.

Evidently there was a rather large donor.
He gave one pair of levi's and some

dress pants as well.



Little Anasaisia Gene's Grave

After the funeral, the pall bearer's fill in and

form the gravesite.

The first girl in!

The Parkinson's point the way and tell

them the rest of the run is down hill so they

should watch their step.

The AMAZING Seeley's--

the head of the garden missionaries.

They have put on 60,000 miles this year!

This is Tivona.  She is one little doll.

She is not a member and comes and learns

the songs to play in Sacrament Meeting.

She showed up to lessons in this hat!

The group enters Antelope Slot Canyon.

Our first view.

Beautiful!

A little blurry, but about what we saw.

I have now become a fire holder!

Our guide played the flute for us -- very good.

Elder Nawahine had left his guitar home, but he

was not going to be shown up, so he played

his walking stick.

OHHH!

WOW!!!!

AWESOME!!!!!

Best of the Rez Week 39

Best of the Rez     Week 39     October 3^rd to October 10^th

Okay, Elder Byron Webster, do you hit me or kiss me.  As Sunday night passed away into memory, our mission hit the half way mark; thirty-nine weeks down and thirty-nine weeks to go.  Please pray for our health, strength and success as we continue to do the Lord’s work.

1.      Seminary seemed early this morning simply because the other school district is out for a fall break for the entire week.  I guess it matches potato harvest.  However, our two little girls were in school so we had seminary as always.
Just a few facts on the school districts here.  Schools are more plentiful than gas stations and gas stations are the only business in town.  In Many Farms we have Many Farms Elementary which is part of Chinle School District; Many Farms High School which is a Department of Defense owned school with its own district, and Many Farms Community (1-8) which is a charter school run by BIA.  They all have their own schedule.  Many Farms Community and Many Farms High School have boarding rooms where even students from town can live, so their parents do not need to raise them. Now, for the really confusing part – you can choose any school you want to go to within about a one way 2 hour bus ride.  So, there were 10-14 students in our Sunday School class (now Sister Simpson’s class).  Between them they went to: Many Farms Elementary, Many Farms Community, Many Farms High School, Chinle Junior High, Chinle High School, Round Rock Junior High, Rough Rock Junior High, and West Mesa High School.  That is a lot of fun helping a class to bond when you have to fight both the clan and school system.
Monday afternoon we spent the day cooking for the Begay family.  A couple didn’t show up but we had 9 show up for BBQ chicken and Dutch oven potatoes.  They played ball and had a lot of fun.

2.      Tuesday started with Seminary and then planning.  We started getting calls on the young Elder’s Zone conference and whether we should be there or not.  It must have changed 10 times, but they finally called us and told us we needed to be there at 4.  I rearranged my piano lessons and we headed to Chinle for an interview with President Jones.  We told him our story and yes, our frustrations.  He was at the meeting when we – no not we as missionaries but local ward leaders - were charged to double the ward.  Since then the Bishop has shown up to 4 out of 12 meetings.  There hasn’t been much progress.  President Jones was very sympathetic.  Then we rushed home for the piano lessons that didn’t show, even after I called them right before.  Then we had ARP and our man showed back up so we were thrilled.  Next we headed out teaching and had a good lesson and set another baptismal date.

3.      Wednesday was normal but It rained so hard that day, they dismissed school early for mud.  It felt a little slow and calm until piano - we have 5 show up at once.  We even set up a keyboard and had students on 4 pianos.  Then the YM watched 17 Miracles while the YW made quilts.  So Good!

4.      Thursday we did a special project for our first quarter of seminary ending.  We went over to the church and they drew an Old Testament time line.  They are so artistic.  It is just wonderful.  Then it was a garden harvest day as they forecasted frost.  It had rained most of the day before and it was a bit muddy but the Elders helped us get all the tomatoes and peppers harvested.  We fixed them some Chili and then our entire evening fell through. 

5.      Friday was up and back to the church.  While the girls finished their picture, Elder Parkinson cooked them pancakes in the church kitchen.  The mural is just amazing.  I will try to get a picture of it.  Then we rushed home and made potatoes and rolls for the Senior District Meeting.  We got all that done and headed to Chinle.  It was a really good meeting, but he said he would turn the time over to the Parkinson’s to share object lessons with them.  It would have been nice to know that, so we could have taken our objects and not just told them about them. 
Then we headed home to piano lessons.  I was so thrilled that a mother and daughter that hadn’t come since March came again.  They were so happy.  Oh, I hope we can keep them coming and happy. 
We taught Sister Toledo again and her sons were there so she wanted us to show The Testament again.  That was fine with us.
It was too late to make the football game so we came home and watch Secretariat.  We loved that.

6.      Saturday we called to make sure our family of 6 were coming for piano lessons.  YES.  Well, I waited and waited and no one came.  We wrapped up tomatoes and worked around the yard and cleaned the church a little.  We took a long drive and handed out flyers on RS.  We went to our return missionary we were so excited about finding and he wanted nothing to do with us this time.  Actually, the day really was not that fun as most people turned us down rather rudely although some were nice.  We came home and made some brownies and headed to Chinle for the Seminary party.  There is this boy over there that in indescribable – and he wanted to play CURSES!  I am sure that is a fun game, but not for the mixed age groups there. Brad finally got up and left.  Finally it ended and we played some fun games.  Then home – long day.

7.      Sunday the pianist didn’t show so we did some scrambling on music and it worked.  Church was so small again.  Elder Parkinson taught Gospel Doctrine and the Aaronic Priesthood.  I did sharing time and music time with one little girl.  We had one lesson that afternoon; I am not sure how that went as we are still trying to get them married.  We tried to hand out more flyer but not many around.  The group that we teach to on Sunday night had a family member have a baby 7 weeks early and it was not doing well, so they didn’t come.  It felt like a rather flat ending.

By the time it was over, I would just say it was a very long week.  Our new Elder was telling me about all the people they had coming so make plenty of programs.  None of them showed up and well as our family that had committed to baptism.  I wonder if he was as discouraged as I felt.  We were told we cannot get discouraged.  Sorry, I will repent.  The work it true, and it is good and that alone is enough reason to keep going.

The Church is True,

      Harvest time is the best time,

                  Our love to you,

                              Elder and Sister Parkinson

Elder Schreeve is in front and Elder Evans in back with

the good ol' Elder Parkinson in the mud.

In for another trip.  Notice the pretty flower!

Our 2 angels working on the mural.

I am positive that Navajo's are born artist.
What a talented culture.

My favorite is the Ark but you can hardly see it here.

And here you have our first term of Seminary in art form.

Best of the Rez Week 38

Best of the Rez     Week 38     September 26^th to October 2^nd

Now this week has an almost wonderful ending – General Conference!  The reason I say almost wonderful is that so few attend conference here.  We can all hope and pray they are watching it at home, but I do not think most of the homes have the means to do so.  Yet, what a wonderful experience to hear from our Prophet and Apostles and other leaders.

I did have a wonderful thing happen this month.  I found out that I am still a member of the 15^th ward.  First, Sister Andrus had stopped to see us and we had such a wonderful visit.  Then she sent me a long email catching me up on all the goings on.  Then I got a letter and lesson from my visiting teacher, Sister Luce, and she sent along the ward bulletin.  I have wanted to see a ward bulletin since I left, so I was thrilled.  And then the Primary sent us a packet of letters and pictures and told us to keep trying.  WHAT FUN!!!  It is always a good thing to be remembered.

1)      Monday we decided to head to Farmington right after Seminary.  We need new tires and some groceries and I think a little break as well.  We left early and went over Buffalo Pass so we enjoyed the ride.  We got our tires and food and I got a Rubik cube.  The ride was good and it is fun to have the cupboards full again.
We did have a bit of a surprise when we got home.  As we were carrying the bags inside I let out a yell.  When Brad wanted to know what was going on, I pointed to the back door.  It was wide open.  No one had entered and robbed us, but about 300 flies took up residence on our ceilings and walls.  It took us hours to kill and vacuum up flies. 

2)      Seminary was great on Tuesday and then we prepared a while.  Sister Davis called from Rock Point (35 miles away but still in our ward) and said that she had just had a delivery of over 1000 boxes of good will clothing and they had asked if her church would take some.  She wanted both us and the Elders.  We all headed to Rock Point.  We loaded both cars with as many boxes as would fit and then moved all the boxes of quilts down her basement.  Oh My!  What an experience.  We were just filthy.  We got home and unloaded and stacked our boxes in the church.  We are going to give them away at work meeting.  We went through a few and surely had some good laughs.  For those of you who do not blog, we found the largest pair of pants in the world.  Both Elders got in them at once and was it ever funny looking.
We got cleaned up and then piano lessons started.  The family that split over drinking is not coming and that breaks my heart.  No one showed up for ARP and our appointment was rescheduled so we went over to see a dear sister.  Her daughter is having some real trouble and since it happened she hasn’t been back to church.  The lady asked if we would come back and bless her house and give her a blessing.  Yes – tomorrow.

3)      Wednesday was Seminary as always and great as always.  Then we prepared and got ready for the day.  We met with the Robert’s that afternoon to plan the Seminary party and the conference meal plan.  Piano didn’t start until 6 and then it was a full house.  I had Elder Parkinson on one piano with 2 students and I took the other piano with the other 4 students.  We were all running back and forth and having a great time.  It was so fun.  Then YM-YW and still no Bishop’s family.  We have one boy that only likes football so they went out in the parking lot and played football.  That was a sight.  The YW were still working on their quilts.  I organized the thread box.  When we got finished we were supposed to go give the blessings.  Curley’s had gone for the Bishop so they could get their temple recommend interviews.  We waited for them and then headed for the Sister’s home.  Bishop blessed/dedicated her house and then Pres. Curley gave her a blessing.  When we got home, our investigator whose wife had a stroke called and asked for a prayer.  We loaded everyone up again and headed to her house.  I think that was a good thing.  She is a young mother of 5 and this is her second stroke.  She can just barely move her left side and cannot speak.  Faith and prayers are needed here.
Anyway, it was a busy but very nice night giving ward members priesthood blessings.  We took the Bishop home and he said they had wanted to come to YM-YW but had no gas.  Oh, the Rez.

4)      Thursday turned out interesting as well.  After Seminary and our planning and preparing we headed to Chinle for Sister Tsosie.  The Wheeler’s (our temple family and her granddaughter) showed up just as we did.  Elder Parkinson was working on her weeds and the women just talked but I did not get another necklace.  We got a pizza at Pizza Edge and headed home.  We picked up Sister Gene and I showed her how to do a Primary Program.  We got it all organized with all the children getting parts.  The most we have ever had to primary is 10 locals and we gave out 18 parts.  That should be interesting.
Then I started to cook for the Logan’s that had the stroke.  I was working up a storm, on the phone with Eric and the Elder’s came for their mail.  When they came we told them, we have all these programs – seminary, temple prep, piano, gardening, ARP, Literacy and Executive Secretary and helping out with RS and primary – so we are going to turn the teaching with baptisms over to you.  (But we did keep the families that have committed to us)  As the Elder’s were leaving our new Elder told Brad that if he wanted to be a full time missionary, they would be glad to work with us.  WHOA!  After spending 3 or more hours a day on seminary, teaching 3 appointments that day, spending 2 hours doing a primary program and then cooking for a sick sister that did not go over well.  As Elder Parkinson put it, he cleaned out his sinus on that one.  We got an apology.

5)      Friday was potatoes and eggs at Seminary and we only have 5 scriptures left to learn.  Great day!  Then Sister Davis came and we worked over the visiting teaching beats.  This is scary but you have to start somewhere.  I changed the piano around trying to help and I did get one student back.  She said she had asked her parents if she could be baptized and they said yes.  She is learning a baptism song to play at her grandmother’s and her baptism.  Then we had a bite to eat and headed out.  The first appointment didn’t go but rescheduled.  The second wasn’t there yet, so we told them to call us.  She did and we watched The Testament.  That was a wonderful lead in to conference.  She just loved it.

6)      Saturday we got to sleep in and the headed to Chinle for conference.  It was a wonderful turnout – all the Elder’s and the 2 Senior couples without a big TV.  Of course we were in shock about the new temples as we had sold our cabin in Star Valley.  That hurt!  But conference was wonderful.  During the break we went and ate with Roberts.  Then back for another great session and then we took a break in the ride.  During priesthood, the ladies got together and then when the men got out we had some sandwiches and goodies together.  That was great fun.  Then home.

7)      Sunday we made some chili and corn bread and headed to Chinle.  We watched the first session and then set up our pot luck.  Oh my, was there ever food and no ward members stayed this time to eat with us.  We went and got Sister Tsosie for the afternoon session and she loved it.  We took her home and headed home ourselves.  We stopped on the way to make visits.  We got treated pretty rudely at one house but okay at the other 2 and no one around at the others.  Our one appointment fell through but the Wheeler’s wanted a lesson so they came over at 7.  It was wonderful.  She is so excited and has been really teaching her inactive brothers.  I do hope it helps.

And there you have week 38.  It is close to a land mark; I will explain next week.  I just love President Monson.  When he stood up and said ‘Hello’ I thought I would die laughing.  There were so many talks that seemed to be so relevant to our situation on the Rez.  We pray every day to make some progress here, but I do not know how to put the gospel in their hearts.  We watched 17 Miracles and realized the price our ancestors paid for our membership in the gospel.  On the Rez, their ancestors were baptized to get a few free years off of placement program.  We hear over and over again from our church leaders about personal sacrifice and how important it is in our eternal salvation.  I think I am beginning to understand.

The Church is True,

            Listen, Listen, to the still, small voice,

                        Our love and prayers,

                                    Elder and Sister Parkinson

The burning of the white shirt.

Elder Evans has served one year with one year to go.

The smile is still there!

The only flowers we got to grow

were the ones around the garden.

Best of the Rez Week 37

Best of the Rez     Week 37     September 19^th to September 25^th

I was actually doing this week’s writing each day as it happened.  Then I got a bit caught up in life and it is gone.  The computer shows you the file’s name, but says it no longer exists.  I have no idea who ate it up, but now I am afraid I am going to forget what I was so anxious to write at the time.  Yes, this is very late.  Last week was another one of those ‘do Sister Parkinson in’ weeks and I decided it would be better not to write for a few days.  A few days went way too long.

1.      Monday was another headache day.  I lay on the couch and put a pillow over my head for seminary.  I would raise my hand and comment but it was not a good day.  Elder Parkinson went out to the garden to do some work.  He came in with this ice cream bucket and asked me to look inside.  I had no idea if I was looking at sticks or some animal dung when all of the sudden they all started moving.  He spent hours looking for them on the internet.  We even called the head of the garden missionaries and sent him pictures on email.  That was a wonderful call – he told Elder Parkinson that Elder Callister had called and said that Elder Parkinson’s gardens were wonderful and he was not even a full time garden missionary.  Elder Seeley really complimented Brad which was fun to hear.  Anyhow, they were sphinx moth larvae.  That is one big, ugly bug.
That afternoon we went over to Chinle to buy some groceries.  We started stopping to give away garden produce on the way home and it took us till nearly 8 PM to find people home to give food away.

2.      Ahh! No headache but I could not sleep.  After seminary we had the Elder’s come over for breakfast.  We will dearly miss Elder Searle.  They just sat with us till the very last minute when they had to leave.  The rest of the day was rather calm as we got ready for seminary and worked some more in the garden.  Piano started at 4.  The new Elder showed up about 6:30 and since he was from Kuna we called Katie to see if they knew each other.  That made me late for ARP.  ARP was sad but good, but we just don’t have a convinced feeling this one is ready to change.  After ARP we had a lesson with Sister Toledo and her son.  That was a lot of fun but I am not sure how much the son enjoyed the lesson.

3.      Seminary as always and we surely enjoy this opportunity to have a positive topping to the day.  Then we met with the Elder’s to plan.  We decided to take them around the ward and show them where people lived and who we were turning over to them.  We drove for almost 5 hours with a lunch break.  As we were going through the ward roll in Round Rock we found a name we wondered about.  We stopped at the Trading Post and he pointed directions so we set off.  What a wonderful drive – beautiful area.  Anyhow, we saw a man at the water hole and stopped and it was the man we were looking for.  He is a return missionary and invited us to meet with him and his wife.  He said he is too busy for church but we can hope.  Our new mission motto is now ‘no expectations.’  And then home.  It was a good day and we got a couple of appointments out of it.  And did we ever hear about our new Elder Schreeve – about 5 hours worth. 
That night was YM-YW.  The Bishop and his family didn’t come again, but we tried to tie some knots and play a little.  The YW are making quilts so they were organized.

4.      Thursday we had our Seminary and a little planning and then headed to Chinle to teach Sister Tsosie.  She still wasn’t feeling very well.  We did our best and asked if she would like to go to lunch.  She wanted to bring her house-keeper and we said fine.  We went over to Pizza Edge.  She wanted a sandwich and they were out of bread.  She wanted a Sprite and the Sprite was empty.  She ordered Chicken Wings and they were not good.  It was not going well.  Then the 8 young Elder’s from our district walked in.  She was just delighted to see them all.  We meet a new Elder Orme and asked where he was from.  “Rexburg Parky!”  Elder Parkinson had not taught him in high school but Elder Orme had heard all about Parky.  We asked where he lived.  “2^nd East.”  He was trying to explain this area or that area and I was all hung up on 2^nd East.  I finally asked Brad if it wasn’t 2^nd East that he had grown up on?  “No!  It is the street we live on – in our condo.”  Well, Sister Tsosie started to laugh and just couldn’t stop.  I didn’t even know where I lived!  But he lived down where it isn’t 2^nd East but North Yellowstone Highway.  Anyhow, all the sudden Sister Tsosie felt so much better; eating with the Elder’s and me not knowing where I live.
We went over and talked with the Roberts about seminary.  Our district supervisor was to visit them that day and us tomorrow.  He didn’t show up for them but we sure had fun talking.  (We wondered if we did poorly, if he would drop our pay or send us home.)

That night we taught the Ahasteen’s and the Yoe’s about our Prophet.  I love that and felt like it went very well.  Sister Yoe is so sweet and is trying so hard.  They even gave us a piece of her father’s birthday cake.

5.      We were up extra early getting everything ready for seminary.  We had waffles that day.  Brother Watts was really late, but it went very well anyway.  He was impressed with our class and then we talked for a long time after seminary as well.   We love Brother Watts and his wife, Nora.

It was Katie’s birthday and we had called her but she wasn’t home.  She called back and the Elder’s were here.  We all sang our lungs out only to find out she had taken another call and we were singing to no one.  We finally connected and had a good visit.

The rest of the day was a complete flop.  We even confirmed one 10 minutes before and they still didn’t show.  Long night.

6.      We were supposed to be at the Monticello Temple, but other things came up for the family involved.  I taught piano lessons and Elder Parkinson started teaching Literacy classes.  Busy morning.  We tried to invite people to Women’s Conference but couldn’t find anyone home.
The stake calendar listed a meeting in Chinle for all women before the meeting.  We rushed over and all that was there were the missionaries.  Oh well!  We had our meeting and a bowl of soup and then listened to the conference.  Elder Parkinson came in and listened as well, and we both loved it.  SO GOOD!!!!!

7.      And then comes Sunday.  Why are they the hardest days of the week?  Sister Davis left some roast here and I am to cook them, then she and her mother can eat and then her mother will stay with us while she makes visits.  I got up early and prepared the roast.  Fast and Testimony meeting was good. The Snowflake Temple President and his wife came to all three meetings.  They bore a sweet testimony of temple work.   We were asked to teach our youth SS class but we didn’t know what lesson and prepared the wrong one so we showed a devotional on the right topic.  Nursery went well, sharing time and singing time went well.  Then home and to eat.  Then I got a report on ward council and it just broke my heart; ward members not accepting one another.  Then we found out our one investigator’s wife had a stroke.  Then another committed baptism had the father of her children (not married) move back in.  Then our new temple prep, ARP member, and just interviewed to get the priesthood man, fell off the wagon and his wife and family left him.  We did get one lesson in and I think it went well.  Needless to say, I was a little low.  We watched 17 Miracles to cheer us up.  It has some wonderful family scenes so we actually were thrilled to watch such a sad, sad movie.

And there you have week 37 all wrapped up in a bundle.  It has been a while now, so I am much better, but I truly could have packed up and left after that Sunday.  I am use to things not going so well, but I never expected the inner ward to do such things.  Yet, we stay and seem to be resolved to finish it through the end.  For some odd reason that sounds like a very long time today.

The Church is True,

            Love the ‘Forget Me Not’s,’

                        Our love to you all,

                                    Elder and Sister Parkinson

The Sphynx Moth Pupae

The 'bugs' come to seminary.

Elder Searle's last breakfast. 

Sister Curley is in the front.

The tears are starting to flow.

Our last family group shot.

The sadness overtakes us.  The sobs rush forth.

Oh, Elder Searle, why did you leave us