Parkinson's at Navajo Nation: Best of the Rez Week 50

Best of the Rez Week 50 December 19^th to December 25^th
Christmas Day

Amazing how you think you have had every experience but something new happens. On a mission you realize that many experiences are wonderful and some are extremely sad, but Christmas time has got to be one of the best times of the year, regardless of where you are.

1) I was still a bit on the shaky side, but seminary is still going for our school. I taught the lesson of Hannah and thought it went rather well. We took John Draper to the hospital and picked up Sister Benally who cut my hair. Then we drove her back home. Our meeting seemed to fall through so we got ready to head to Flagstaff for our Christmas Zone Conference. They had called and asked me to have 2 musical numbers (last minute) so I was trying to put something together that we could all do without practice again (and he kept telling me to make sure it was appropriate which made me very nervous- did I do something wrong last time). I got an idea but had to call Ann Barnes to make sure it was okay. Oh how wonderful to talk to such a good friend. I ran over to the church and spliced ‘Army’s of Helaman and Sister in Zion together best I could. We packed up and headed out. It was a pretty drive and really good roads so all went well.
We stayed in a Super 8 along with the Roberts. When we got there, I took a bath and then we went out to eat. We sat by a darling family of 5 young girls and both the parents had served missions. So fun!
Afterwards we ran over to the mall and bought our white elephant gifts and pillows for the Roberts. Then home to a night of no sleep for me—I was so sad.

2) Tuesday we headed to the conference. It was a really fun meeting. We did a questionnaire about the facts of the birth of the Savior. For the first session all the senior couples sang ‘Away in a Manger’ which went very well. Then the stake there had prepared a wonderful ham dinner with funeral potatoes. Oh, it was so good. Then we exchanged white elephants with all the young elders as well. That was a riot but a bit long for some I know. We got a box of candy and some homemade candy as well. Sister Roberts got yarn and a croquet hook which she handed right to me, so I was in heaven.
After the presents we went in for final testimonies. Elder and Sister Nawahine are leaving and I do not think we can bear it. We sang our medley and it worked. I was pretty happy about that. After the meeting we took some pictures with the Rexburg group – so fun. We have Elder Orme, Elder Munns, and Elder Lott and the two of us. Rexburg is well represented on the Rez. Oh and President and Sister Jones gave us darling T-shirts with everyone’s name on the back.

After the meeting we changed and headed out shopping. It took us hours to find the Wal-Mart and then we discovered we had driven right by one. Then we had a really fun meal and headed home. Tonight I slept and Elder Parkinson had a tummy-ache. We stayed again at the motel because we were too tired to drive home.

3) The next morning we had fun eating because we ate with a family from Guatemala, the Guillen’s , who were there for their daughter’s college graduation. They were on their way to the Grand Canyon. Fun visit. Then we loaded up and headed home. We stopped at another Wal-Mart on the way and a McDonald’s as well. We miss McDonald’s on the Rez. We pulled in and put stuff away and started to cook.
At 5:30 in pulled Neil, Becca, Ty and Gus. Words cannot express how wonderful that was. They had not told the boys where they were going and they were really excited to be on the Rez-on the mission.
That night was YM-YW and we went over for that. One by one, my students would come in a play for Becca. They made gingerbread houses and the men played Domino’s. Everyone had a great time and it was so fun for us to show off both our family and our new friends.

4) Thursday we were back to seminary where we did the questionnaire we got from conference. It was a lot of fun. Then we played with our grandchildren. We drove over to Chinle and introduced them to Margaret and the Roberts. You would not believe who drove into our driveway right in front of us – Katie, Ryan, Luke and Livy. Now all the kids were having a ball and the trailer was wall to wall people. They all wanted Mario Go-cart which was a wonderful success. Everyone played and talked and ate and we just had the best of times. Somehow we even all found a space to sleep.
That afternoon a white semi pulled in and they knocked on our door and asked if we could unlock the church so they could unload the presents. Bishop Yellowhair had talked with someone from Utah and their stake had bought presents for everyone in our ward. All our kids went over to help and when they came back they were so impressed. There were wrapped presents for everyone and potatoes, apples and canned foods. It was a most impressive sight and to realize, that someone was sharing with people they had never met. Merry Christmas!
Another funny thing about the visit was that I had bought looms to knit hats for our seminary girls. I walked in with them, and the kids grabbed them and all four were being used by grandchildren and my son-in-law. I didn’t get my hats made, but they sure enjoyed their new hats.

5) We always cook for our girls on Friday so we took the waffle iron over to the church and had waffles while we finished our questionnaire. We took everyone over to Canyon De Chilly but most were not dressed well enough to go all the way down. We still had a pretty good time. Then we came home and the Curley’s and the Begay’s came over and we made fry bread and Navajo taco’s. That was so good and we had a really fun time meeting and playing together. Gus and Shayden had a ball playing tag. All of the sudden, Santa showed up again. Oh, how fun! As usual, Shaycee wouldn’t let go of Santa and everyone had so much fun.
After we cleaned up a bit there, we came to our house to open the family presents. That was so fun and everyone was happy with their presents. Such a fun night!

6) Okay, this is the upsetting part. What comes must also go. We got up as early as we could and all too soon, the cars were packed and both were on their way. I couldn’t believe that we fit an extra 8 in our trailer but when they left it was too bare to bear. Luckily, we had a project – the Bishop came and we started making family piles of all the goodies we had received. It took us most of the morning and by the time we finished we were all beat.
That afternoon the Curley’s came over and made the nativity scene and all the animals for it. That was fun but longer than I had expected.
I had the marvelous (?) idea of making croqueted hot pads for all the ladies in the ward that we work with. When we talked about it, we thought couldn’t be more than a dozen. I had 15 hot pads done and we got a liter of pop to go with them. We started delivering and even with hardly anyone home, they disappeared in minutes. I came home to start some more. The Elder’s finished their day and came over to spend the night with us. I was busy making pies for the dinner the next day and didn’t pull the last one out of the oven till midnight. Bed – finally.

7) Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas on the Rez. We got up normal time and headed to the church. I rounded up 12 things to use for costumes and ran the speaking parts off for the narrator and primary children. The first primary worker that came in was told what to do and they were on their own. They got the children in costume and had everyone a part and an animal to put on the nativity scene.
You wouldn’t believe it, but we filled the church. We had 95 there without the Curley’s (cousin-brother’s mission farewell) and the Simpson’s and the Davis’. We were just thrilled. The narrator said his part and then all the little children came filing in and placed their animal in the nativity scene. They sang ‘Picture a Christmas’ and then we played ‘Let Him In’ and each child told how they were going to let the Savior in their lives the coming year. We also had 2 vocal solos from the YM. It was very nice. Then they mentioned that after church they needed every family to go into the gym and one by one they would be called to receive a Christmas present. It was hectic, but what a sweet experience. Some even cried as they stood and looked at their gifts. We have heard of story after story where they received just what they needed; gloves when they had been wearing socks on their hands, a can opener when theirs was broken, a skirt or towels. They were all so happy. We had a few new and extra people, but we found something for everyone and it was a great time.
I rushed home to make the rolls for the dinner and Elder called people that didn’t show up. One by one, people came in and got their presents and it was so fun-but I forgot the salt in the rolls running back and forth so much. I made one more pie and then we were off to Chinle where we ate soup, rolls, salads and pies with the 5 senior couples and the 8 young elders. It was a great time and the food was so good. Only Elder Roberts couldn’t decide which soup he wanted so he put all four: Hamburger vegetable, Beef Stroganoff, Chili, and Cream of Broccoli together and ate it. He said it was delicious and I will never accept a compliment from him again on my cooking. It looked horrid and had to taste the same. I completely gave out and could hardly stand to leave. I had made 5 pies and three pans of rolls.
We stopped by at homes on the way back to tell them about their presents and people were picking up presents most of the night. Around 9 we came in to open our presents. Brad had one from Jerry and Ardith and I had one from Susan Hansen, one of my dearest students. Somehow they had grown. Liz and Selena Yoe gave us 2 ‘Lord of the Ring’ movies. Elaine Teller gave me a beautiful necklace and earrings. Evelyn Begay gave me a necklace and Brad a key chain. The Thomas’ gave me a beautiful necklace. . The Tsosie girls gave me a beautiful necklace and Brad a key chain holder. Sister Tsosie (Margaret) gave us cookies, jam and Christmas dish towels. Ahasteen’s had called to see if we had opened their gift. As soon as Brad came home we opened it first – you can’t believe it. He decorates Christmas ornament and for ours, he put the Many Farms church with a chimney with the mesa in the background. Next to the church are a snowmen and snowwoman with turquoise necklaces and Navajo scarves standing by a Christmas tree. There are Christmas lights everywhere and snowflakes that are just beautiful. We called them and just raved about how much we loved it. Finally we opened nuts and mints from Jerry and Ardith and Susan’s. If you have never met Susan, she is the most amazing craftswoman ever. Well, she had 2 sugar cookies decorated to die for, and then she had made little scriptures from Hersey’s bite size candy’s, had a book mark in them and a scripture inside. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT.
And there you have Christmas on the Rez. It was quite the experience all in part to the generosity of others. Somewhere around Springville, Utah, a stake gave more than presents to our ward. Ward members gave so much to us. Family had traveled to be with us. Brian and Shanie gave money to the ES program to help keep the program going that means so much to Brad. Katie, Eric and Neil and families gave us books, a calendar and a basketball. And Susan came through as she always has, her talent is amazing.
Calls to the family lasted long into our bedtime. We lay in bed and talked and giggled. What a wonderful day – how blessed to live it in service to our Father who gave His Son as our greatest gift.

We love you all. We miss you all. We do hope the following Christmas finds us closer together but with the same Christmas joy we experienced this year. Till then….

The Church is True,

     Remember the greatest gift,

         Live the Christmas Spirit all year through,

               Elder and Sister Parkinson