Parkinson's at Navajo Nation: Best of the Rez Week 46

Best of the Rez Week 46 November 21^st to November 28^th

1) Can anyone say sleep in!! Ahhhhh. The girls are out of school this week so we do not have seminary. It came at a perfect time as my body was almost on revolt. However, it was a tiny bit embarrassing as a couple stopped to ask us what it is like to serve a mission on the Rez and how much money it would cost them. Lucky Rez, because they WANT to come serve here and they will be fabulous. They already understand the Rez and love the people so they will be a perfect fit.

2) Eric and Angella stopped by on their way to Salt Lake. They got here pretty late on Monday and we had supper with them. The girls went to bed rather quickly and we watched a movie with Eric and Angella. It felt nice. The next morning we had some pancakes and they were gone. However, Kaiya got a piece of gum and I told her to make sure she threw it away. When I noticed she wasn’t chewing it I asked her where her gum was. She said in the garbage can. I asked her which one and she said the white one. I was satisfied with that but when Grandpa put on his shoes, he found out where she had really put the gum. We did laugh.

3) Thanksgiving on the Rez. They held our zone conference for the seniors on Thanksgiving Day in Kayenta. We drove over with Roberts. I took pies and she took jell-o salads. We got there and tried to store our food either hot or cold and then met for a meeting. The meeting was great and President talked about how to help people with giving up their traditions. Truly, it is the curse of the mission. Then we all had our dinner. It really was wonderful and you have never seen so much food. But, it had dried out and got cold/warm a little so maybe not my favorite Thanksgiving dinner. However, the company was wonderful. I really wish you all could meet all the people serving on the Rez. They come for all walks of life and are just wonderful. The new 6 month mission is bringing out a lot of people. One couple was just delightful and said they were from Pocatello. I went up to meet them and they said, “Parkinson—do you know Del?” That was so much fun because we got to talk about the little recital we had just had Del do for us DVD wise. They are the Hoch’s and are just a delight. All the couples are and it about breaks our hearts when someone goes home. We will forever have a new family of friends.
I was in charge of the music for the meeting and the program. I delegated beautifully and it was all perfect. Elder Ziegler was the chorister and he was great. Sister Reid played the piano and was perfect on all the songs. Sister Williams and Sister Ziegler did a vocal duet for the meeting, “This is the Christ” and it was wonderful. After the meeting we had some entertainment for the dinner and the Ziegler’s and Williams (with husbands now) did 2 numbers that were delightful. Then I had good old Elder Parkinson do a harmonica solo. I asked him to do “Amazing Grace” but it came out “Mariah.” He kept telling me he wouldn’t do it, but he went right up there and was outstanding. I was very proud. Then the Nawahine’s did some Hawaiian numbers that were so fun and touching as well. He did a song his grandfather had written that was very sweet. Of course, I don’t speak Hawaiian, but his performance was sweet.
After the meeting we cleaned up the best we could in COLD water and headed home.

4) The Elder’s had a baptism Friday the 25^th, two primary children that are just great. Their names are Rylan and Rylena Wilson. I have already mentioned how they like to name their children with the same letter; well it goes much further—they try to use the same name. Rylan-Rylena-Rylander. Robert-Roberto-Roberta-Robertena. Joseph, Josepha, Josepheen. Johnathan-Johnathena. It goes on and on and is most confusing to some Beleganna’s I know.
Anyway, we got the font filled but we ran the water so slow, it didn’t trigger the hot water so it was pretty chilly. They asked me to speak on baptism and it went really well. It was a fun baptism and I have a good feeling these people may actually stick with the gospel.

5) We did a little more GPSing and stopped for visits wherever we could. We saw Ty which was a highlight. Oh, how I wish we could scoop him up and get him to BYUI. He would really like to be a great member, but his family doesn’t have time for church.
Eric and Angella came back for another quick supper and we had a little birthday party for all the birthday that were close. It was really fun. They loved their new dolls and I loved my watches.
They all went to Sacrament meeting the next day and then they were off. The kids at Primary stood in the window and waved goodbye. Sad day for Grandma!
We were invited to Todd Smith’s dinner after his mission farewell. While we were there we told his grandma (who was suppose to let Todd baptize her a week ago) that time was running out. They planned the baptism for Friday night. Evelyn went right to the microphone and told the entire party that she was going to have Todd baptize her this Friday, so I think it is going to happen.

And that is about all the highlights of the week. We were thrilled with our new baptisms and the activity of their parents as well. Actually, we think their grandparents as the children call them Grandma and Grandpa. But they have been great and we sure hope they will stick with the church. Thanksgiving was as good as it could be without family. Thank Heavens Eric and Angella stopped by (all too quickly) to make the holiday endurable.

The Church is True,

Gratitude is the most noble of virtues,

Love you all,

Elder and Sister Parkinson