Best of the Rez Week 56

Best of the Rez     Week 56     January 30^th to February 5^th

We all knew that we couldn’t stay as high as week 55 so it was an expected glide down to Rez earth this week.  Still we had 2 wonderful events that brought us great joy.  Now if we can keep pushing till the end.  I mentioned that I was in slow down mode and this was my rebuke:

“Slowing down? Slowing down? Now is the time to sprint to the finish! Come on coach -- what is this "slowing down" stuff?”

I guess it is time to shift into high and see how well we can finish these last 5 months.

1)      Seminary, then housework and preparation.  It was Sister Tsosie’s 71^st birthday and she loves peach cobbler so we had her over for her favorite.  All the elders walked in as well, which tickles her to death so we had quite the little party.  We must have sung 4 times as we sang every time someone walked in. 
At 3 we headed to Rock Point to teach piano.  We literally rushed back to Many Farms and had a great lesson with April but her sister didn’t show.  Then we rushed to Round Rock where we got stood up.  We went over and got in a quick lesson with Yazzie’s but Wheeler’s still didn’t make it home.  We also got stood up for our 8 PM.

2)      Brother Watts came to seminary today but he was really late.  Still we had a fun visit with him.  Then we taught Dale Mitchell literacy and went over to Chinle for lunch.  We had piano, gospel literacy, ARP (we showed ‘Finding Faith in Christ), and a great lesson with Logan’s (recent converts).  Good day—only one piano fell through and everything else happened!

3)      Wednesday was payday—so it was slow.  Seminary was great because we showed  the ‘Elijah and the widow’ video.  We didn’t make any appointments but had a lot of interviews for Bishop during YM-YW.  I cleaned the library until it was time for missionary correlation meeting.   

4)      Seminary was great—we had a hands-on with Elijah and the priests of Baal.  So Fun! It was Elder Giles birthday and he wanted a treat like Sister Tsosie got.  We had all 4 over for pancakes.  Also fun.
We had planned on going to Gallop for supplies, but the snow looked not so good.  I checked my email and Chuck Porter had a message that he was close.  We called and arranged to meet them in Tuba City.  That was GREAT!  We had a really fun visit with them and ate at Denney’s.  All too soon it was time to come home.  We drove straight through Many Farms and headed to Round Rock with Yazzie’s.  That lesson went well and then we tried Wheeler’s again but they were not around.  Home—and we had to bake another treat for Elder Giles’s and had the elders back for another treat.  Finally they left and to bed--so tired.

5)      Friday was French Toast and scripture mastery clues.  We are getting lots better but I still cannot remember the numbers.  The roads were muddy so we didn’t go to Brother Mitchell’s.  School was out for Chinle so I had the Benally’s come in for piano lessons.
When I came back from teaching, Brad said that something came today that I would like – it was on the table.  I went over to the table and he had his coat laid out covering the surprise.  (I really thought that was cute.)  As I lifted up the coat, there were 2 bolo ties and eleven necklaces, 2 bracelets and 1 pair of earrings.  The mission home had written us a letter about Fred Roundy from Cuba, New Mexico; a 93 year old widower that loved to make jewelry for missionaries.  We were supposed to write to him and tell him what we wanted.  I wrote and asked for a bolo tie and matching necklace.  Well, we got it (and I absolutely love it) and a whole lot more.  He sent a little letter about himself and his wife and how he loves to collect rocks and make jewelry but if he charged for it, God would take his talent away.  He does it for the smiles it will bring and did he ever get some here.  We were just beaming.
Then the afternoon piano showed up but 6 didn’t show.  Still felt like a long day. 

6)      Saturday I had one new student which was fun and then the day was long.  On pay day week end you never plan anything.  EP was SICK!  I mean he was really sick.  He never got out of bed.  Sister Davis came and we did some visiting teaching stuff.  That night Sister Wheeler came over and we did her RS lesson.  She was very excited when she left.  That was fun.  EP was so sick we didn’t even eat that day. 

7)      That leaves Sunday.  This is cool.  EP was still sick but he was up and out of here about 6:45 AM.  The Bishop, President Curley, Brother Simpson, Bishop Yellowhair and Brother Begay from Chinle, and all the missionaries went to the top of the mesa and rededicated this ward for the teaching of the gospel and home/visiting teaching.  Our stake president wanted every ward to do that, and I do believe we are one of the first.  It was cold but EP said it was a very nice experience.  It really set the tone for a nice Fast Sunday. 
Church was down to 65 but the Primary and RS was staffed with natives teaching the lessons so we were happy about that.  Between payday and the super bowl our numbers dropped off.  We were too sick to really do much.  Finally EP got out of bed and said we had to try, but in all our travels we only got in one home and they just sang the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ for the game so we left early there and came home.

The week seemed to end a bit flat but with Chuck and Linda coming and the gifts from Brother Roundy it was a memorable week.  Ground hog day brought the snow so I do not know where our weather is going.   We are so thrilled about the progress the little ward is making but we hear people may be leaving and worry for the stability in the future.  Please pray for Many Farms.

The Church is True,

     The Lord needs Valiant Servants Everywhere,

            Our love,

                        Elder and Sister Parkinson

Elijah vs priest of Baal sacrifice.

(The jelly beans are Elijah and the priests.)

The happy birthday breakfast.  Elder Giles is in the back,

then Elder Shreeve and of course, Elder Openshaw

is the one in the hat and Elder Bankhead.

Chuck and Linda Porter at Tuba City.

We are almost as happy to see asphalt as the Porters.

Three rock necklaces from Grandpa Roundy.

Four of the turquoise necklances from Grandpa Roundy.

Remember he is 93 years old.

The white necklace is pearls and the bolo tie

is petrified wood.  The other necklace is mixed color rocks.

And this is what we actually asked for:

A turquoise bolo and matching necklace.

Double click on this to see it really good.

A picture all together.

The Re-Dedication on top of the mesa.

(l-r) Elder Openshaw, Bishop Begay, Anthony Wilson,

Adrian Simpson,Bishop Benally, Elder Shreeve,

Elder Giles, President Curley, Elder Bankhead,

and Brother Rudy Begay.

This time Elder Parkinson is in the picture

and President Curley is taking the picture.