Best of the Rez Week 49 December 12th to December 18th
As a child, I often went to Tautphaus Park in Idaho Falls. There was a ride I especially liked called the Octopus. I liked it but I never understood why. You were spinning up and down and round and round and could not establish your bearings at all. So went week 49. By the end, I completely collapsed.
1) We decided to try to see as many of the school programs as we could see. Shania Tsosie had a ball game at 4 in Chinle. That was a double treat becasue her coach is one of my Women's Health students from BYU-I. And Brother Samuelson is her advisor. After the game we ran to Sister Yoe’s class play. So cute! Then Tuesday morning we went to the Many Farms Christmas play for K-4th and Thursday morning went back for 5th -8th. We saw a lot of variety and some pretty cute and interesting things.
2) We started early on Tuesday with pictures of Elder Evans who is now leaving us. Then we headed to a school program that took for-ev-er. Next our family called us and asked us to come early. They were committed to baptism on Saturday and had come to church. We rushed out to the appointment to hear that he wondered if he was going too fast. Elder Parkinson had been forewarned by a prompting of what was going to happen so he was a bit prepared. We both talked a little, answered some questions and then he said, “well can we move it to later in the day?” “Yes,” we said, “how about 7:30?” “Fine,” he said and all was well.
3) There are really no words for Wednesday. Some group from Mesa or Phoenix brings presents to the children on the Rez. We really know nothing about them, other than they have done it for a while and seem to always be late. We were supposed to have the children there to sing for them. After piano lessons the people started to come. Two little girls that come for piano on Tuesday didn’t have a ride, so Elder Parkinson told them he would bring them. They started to call at 5:30 and called 12 times before he left to get them at 6:08. At 6:30 we started singing Christmas songs and the children played their piano pieces. At 7:30 we were still going strong—well, not really strong but still at it. Even Elder Parkinson was playing his harmonica. At 8:30 we were nearly beat but still trying to come up with something. Story after story came about them breaking down, running out of gas, having a flat tire, making a wrong turn. Finally Bishop Yellowhair went to Chinle to try to pick up the presents there. Around 9, we were told they were not coming and there were no presents. They children had sat without supper for-ev-er, and Elder and Sister Parkinson had tried to entertain until they were nearly dead. Sister Davis, our RS President, had us wrap these little gift of leftover school supplies from her school at our last work meeting so we ran for them. Perhaps Bishop Yellowhair bought big bags of oranges for every family, and then we sat out some used clothing if people wanted that. They expected toys and were given paper, crayons, and school glue but still all went rather well, but we had forgotten the Young Men for presents so that wasn’t so good. During the last half hour of all this Elder Parkinson was having the people we were baptizing being interviewed by the DL. He had to run down and pick one up and it just all seemed too crazy to grasp. Well, after 9 it was finally over. One of our little Tsosie girls was having a birthday so Elder Parkinson had made her a cake so we told them to come over for cake. Elder Parkinson had left to take a baptism candidate home. We were here just enjoying our cake when someone knocked on the door. As I opened the door there were the 3 little girls we had picked up and brought to the party. One was only 4 years old. They came in and had cake with us. I started to laugh about completely forgetting them and the Tsosie were laughing so hard at me. Oh well, I deserved to have forgotten more than that. Finally Elder Parkinson came home and took these little girls home as well. Meantime, a family member called with news that broke my heart and I was just about to collapse. I went in the bedroom to take it and heard the Tsosie’s leaving. I went out and helped them wash their headlights and then came in to come as close to complete physical and mental collapse as possible.
3) There are really no words for Wednesday. Some group from Mesa or Phoenix brings presents to the children on the Rez. We really know nothing about them, other than they have done it for a while and seem to always be late. We were supposed to have the children there to sing for them. After piano lessons the people started to come. Two little girls that come for piano on Tuesday didn’t have a ride, so Elder Parkinson told them he would bring them. They started to call at 5:30 and called 12 times before he left to get them at 6:08. At 6:30 we started singing Christmas songs and the children played their piano pieces. At 7:30 we were still going strong—well, not really strong but still at it. Even Elder Parkinson was playing his harmonica. At 8:30 we were nearly beat but still trying to come up with something. Story after story came about them breaking down, running out of gas, having a flat tire, making a wrong turn. Finally Bishop Yellowhair went to Chinle to try to pick up the presents there. Around 9, we were told they were not coming and there were no presents. They children had sat without supper for-ev-er, and Elder and Sister Parkinson had tried to entertain until they were nearly dead. Sister Davis, our RS President, had us wrap these little gift of leftover school supplies from her school at our last work meeting so we ran for them. Perhaps Bishop Yellowhair bought big bags of oranges for every family, and then we sat out some used clothing if people wanted that. They expected toys and were given paper, crayons, and school glue but still all went rather well, but we had forgotten the Young Men for presents so that wasn’t so good. During the last half hour of all this Elder Parkinson was having the people we were baptizing being interviewed by the DL. He had to run down and pick one up and it just all seemed too crazy to grasp. Well, after 9 it was finally over. One of our little Tsosie girls was having a birthday so Elder Parkinson had made her a cake so we told them to come over for cake. Elder Parkinson had left to take a baptism candidate home. We were here just enjoying our cake when someone knocked on the door. As I opened the door there were the 3 little girls we had picked up and brought to the party. One was only 4 years old. They came in and had cake with us. I started to laugh about completely forgetting them and the Tsosie were laughing so hard at me. Oh well, I deserved to have forgotten more than that. Finally Elder Parkinson came home and took these little girls home as well. Meantime, a family member called with news that broke my heart and I was just about to collapse. I went in the bedroom to take it and heard the Tsosie’s leaving. I went out and helped them wash their headlights and then came in to come as close to complete physical and mental collapse as possible.
4) Thursday we better bounce back. ‘Tea’ is getting married and then we are baptizing his wife right afterwards. We really did not know if this was going to work or not, since they did not have their marriage license the day before, but they actually showed up an hour early and it went slick as a whistle. The Bishop was darling, telling them how they had 2 birds for one stone today. It was great and a welcome change from the day before.
We also had another pleasant surprise. Some group from St. George stopped and asked if we would like some little presents to give out. They had cute little stocking tied together with a stuffed animal. Each stocking was filled with little hygiene or school supplies and small toys. Then they had scarf’s and hats galore. Oh and some little kits for young women with make-up items. It was all really cute.
We also had another pleasant surprise. Some group from St. George stopped and asked if we would like some little presents to give out. They had cute little stocking tied together with a stuffed animal. Each stocking was filled with little hygiene or school supplies and small toys. Then they had scarf’s and hats galore. Oh and some little kits for young women with make-up items. It was all really cute.
5) Now this morning started a little different. We had seminary as usual and then Elder Parkinson put on his brand new Santa suit and we headed for Rock Point. Sister Davis had asked him to be the school Santa. What a delightful experience. Each child came up and sat on Santa’s lap and talked to him and then they all got a stocking. Then the whole class came for a class picture. After all that, families were able to come get pictures. One mother came with her mother for the picture. We set chairs up on both sides of Santa. Then they suggested standing behind Santa. Some told the Grandma to sit on Santa’s lap in Navajo and she just plopped right down. It was so cute. By the end, Santa had no more eyes, because his glasses were completely fogged over. Santa was baked and well done.
Friday, at 6:30 we held the annual soup dinner. The Bishop wanted to have the Christmas piano recital the same night. Okay—that won’t be much extra pressure! All day long Elder Parkinson kept asking who was going to set up the tables and all that. He finally went over and asked John Draper, who was in charge of it, and he said he didn’t care. Finally he did it himself although he keeps saying we cannot enable the ward. Then Sister Curley stopped by and we asked about bowls and utensils. Elder Parkinson went to our local Conoco and bought everything they had. Well, at 6:30 I was running from room to room trying to help students and make sure of the pieces they were going to play. The Bishop came in and said they were ready to start the piano recital – they were going to do it first. WHAT? All the soup was set out and everyone was hungry but I took off running for the house to get the program off the computer and run it off. While I was in the library they came in and said he changed his mind. Oh-Thank You! So then we started serving soup. The soup lasted the longest but there wasn’t near enough food. The bowls ran out so we served in cups. The serving line didn’t get a thing. But finally we started the piano recital and I had 16 perform. They did great and it was a lot of fun.
On the last number, Kelsey, I told them that since they had all done so well, and if she did really well, maybe Santa would come. All they sudden Santa came charging in with children dragging all over him. He came right up to the piano and sat down with her and she looked at him and yelled, “You made my goof.” She finished her song and then Santa handed out the little presents and it was a wonderful time indeed. Sister Curley was so tickled that the ward party had a Santa for the first time. Sister Davis gets all the thanks for making that happen.
After what seemed like hours of Santa, and pictures and clean up, we finally headed to our trailer with the 10 people that didn’t get food. We cooked soup and squash and made sandwiches. It was quite the time and we all had a lot of fun, other than I was so very tired. Finally, the last person left and we could settle down to get ready for tomorrow.
Friday, at 6:30 we held the annual soup dinner. The Bishop wanted to have the Christmas piano recital the same night. Okay—that won’t be much extra pressure! All day long Elder Parkinson kept asking who was going to set up the tables and all that. He finally went over and asked John Draper, who was in charge of it, and he said he didn’t care. Finally he did it himself although he keeps saying we cannot enable the ward. Then Sister Curley stopped by and we asked about bowls and utensils. Elder Parkinson went to our local Conoco and bought everything they had. Well, at 6:30 I was running from room to room trying to help students and make sure of the pieces they were going to play. The Bishop came in and said they were ready to start the piano recital – they were going to do it first. WHAT? All the soup was set out and everyone was hungry but I took off running for the house to get the program off the computer and run it off. While I was in the library they came in and said he changed his mind. Oh-Thank You! So then we started serving soup. The soup lasted the longest but there wasn’t near enough food. The bowls ran out so we served in cups. The serving line didn’t get a thing. But finally we started the piano recital and I had 16 perform. They did great and it was a lot of fun.
On the last number, Kelsey, I told them that since they had all done so well, and if she did really well, maybe Santa would come. All they sudden Santa came charging in with children dragging all over him. He came right up to the piano and sat down with her and she looked at him and yelled, “You made my goof.” She finished her song and then Santa handed out the little presents and it was a wonderful time indeed. Sister Curley was so tickled that the ward party had a Santa for the first time. Sister Davis gets all the thanks for making that happen.
After what seemed like hours of Santa, and pictures and clean up, we finally headed to our trailer with the 10 people that didn’t get food. We cooked soup and squash and made sandwiches. It was quite the time and we all had a lot of fun, other than I was so very tired. Finally, the last person left and we could settle down to get ready for tomorrow.
6) Saturday we spent the day filling the font. It went really well, until the end and then the dirt came in. Oh my! We ran over to Chinle for groceries and got everything ready for the big night. We had to run over and find out who the speakers were before we could print the program.
And then it happened. In walked father, Aaron Logan, his oldest daughter – Keshawna, and his eight year old daughter – Kaliyah. His wife and 12 year old daughter were already members. The baptism went really well and afterwards they had a full dinner to serve. We had root beer floats to add. It was really a great night, especially if you can forget the fact that I was sicker than a Rez dog. I stayed over in the corner and tried not to talk with people. Finally this very emotional day was over for us as well. We had prayed for this baptism for-ev-er. We wanted that whole family in the gospel. They are a great couple and raising their children the best they can. It was just a wonderful experience, but not a quick or easy one. Finally – pay day and all but Sister Parkinson is well.
And then it happened. In walked father, Aaron Logan, his oldest daughter – Keshawna, and his eight year old daughter – Kaliyah. His wife and 12 year old daughter were already members. The baptism went really well and afterwards they had a full dinner to serve. We had root beer floats to add. It was really a great night, especially if you can forget the fact that I was sicker than a Rez dog. I stayed over in the corner and tried not to talk with people. Finally this very emotional day was over for us as well. We had prayed for this baptism for-ev-er. We wanted that whole family in the gospel. They are a great couple and raising their children the best they can. It was just a wonderful experience, but not a quick or easy one. Finally – pay day and all but Sister Parkinson is well.
7) Sunday was just what you would imagine it. Elder Parkinson did 4 confirmation and blessings. How wonderful! I was still so ill that I couldn’t really move. The Primary President was still in Phoenix at her niece’s graduation, and I was too sick to teach, so I had them decorate a Christmas tree. Then they made nativity scenes and it went really well. I sat during ward council and then we came home and I literally dropped.
Later that afternoon, our very first investigator came by to talk. She is so sad, she wants baptized so badly but the member she lives with will not marry her. Her family dis-owned her and she really has nowhere to turn. Oh what to do, what to do? We called the counseling missionaries and hopefully we can get them connected.
Later that afternoon, our very first investigator came by to talk. She is so sad, she wants baptized so badly but the member she lives with will not marry her. Her family dis-owned her and she really has nowhere to turn. Oh what to do, what to do? We called the counseling missionaries and hopefully we can get them connected.
And that is the Octopus ride of a lifetime. 1 marriage- 4 baptisms, 1 ward party that completely ran out of food, 1 piano recital, 1 birthday party, 3 forgotten girls, and one huge disaster of giving out presents. I still need a nap.
The Church is True,
God Bless Us, Everyone,
Merry Christmas to one and all,
Elder and Sister Parkinson
Chantell Dial and her team, with Shania Tsosie.
It happened again. Elder Evans was transferred this morning.
Josh Ahasteen in his class play.
Nizhoni Tsosie waiting on the sidelines.
D J Ahasteen. Elder Parkinson baptized him!
The basket dance.
The Navajo Dancers.
We get a new missionary - Elder Openshaw from CA.
He is too tall for our door.
A pair of new missionary shoes,
and a pair almost ready for home.
Roberta, Shania, Roxanna, and Nishoni Tsosie
come for Shania's birthday cake.
Emery and Carolyn waiting for their marriage.
Bishop Benally performs the wedding.
And now ready for baptism.
Mr. and Mrs. Carolyn Yazzie
and their cousin Daniel Tsosie will baptize her.
The wedding and baptism party!
I finally got a picture with their coats off.
Emery, A J (her son) and Carolyn,
now Mr and Mrs Yazzie.
Santa arrives in Rock Point, Arizona.
They asked one of the teachers to try out Santa's lap.
She started telling him she wanted a Barbie doll.
The Kindergarten Class.
The First Grade Class.
The Second Grade Class.
The Third Grade.
The Fourth Grade.
Mrs. Claus was there too.
Sorry about the blurry picture,
but this little Grandmother
was so cute.
I thought I better add a clear picture.
I just couldn't put in all the recital pictures again,
but I had to have a couple of background pictures.
Kayla and Kelsey -- close up.
I have no idea about this face on Shaycee
but it was too cute to leave out.Santa comes to Many Farms!!!!
Santa is malled, but Bishop Benally is trying to help.
The other children left with their goodies,
but Shaycee wasn't moving.
The Glenn children, some of our investigators.
Elder Shreeve wants Christmas presents too -- more baptisms.
Elder Openshaw just spent his 3rd day in the missionfield
and on the Rez. He wants lots of stuff for Christmas.
Jessica, Mariah, Kelsey, Kewhawna, and Kayla
asked Santa for lots of presents.
Dwaine and Roxxy Smith's daughter,
she is too shy to come to primary.
Kayla, McKay and Kelsey Curley with Santa.
The Benally's with Santa:
Darren, Jessica, Tyrell, Mariah, Jacob (in front) & Tyler.
Gabriel and Rita Tsosie with Santa.
Kayla and I tried for a close-up, but Shreeve butted in too.
The group that wasn't feed at the party came to eat with us:
(CW) Keshawna, Brad, Kelsey, McKay, Kayla, Sister Curley,Sister Tsosie, and Gabriel.
Our family baptism - The Logans:
Brother White (baptized Aaron), Kaliyah [Buzz], Keshawna,
and Elder Parkinson.
Add Sister Nadia Logan, Kevona [Lettie] Logan,
Kalisa Logan, and me.
And the rest of the party- even Great Grandma!
No comments:
Post a Comment