Best of the Rez Week 67

Best of the Rez     Week 67     April 16^th to April 22^nd

Please sit down!  Really -- grasp something before you read further, lest I fear that we may be in danger of personal injury to your body.  Ready now – okay – get this – out of the Elder and Sister Parkinson that have their names at the end of these blog additions, it is Sister Parkinson that is doing the writing.  Sorry for the huge shock to your system.  Now take a deep breath and try to stabilize yourself.  I just needed to clear that up so that people would not unfairly be judging my husband.  Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the female gender and do not necessarily represent those of the marriage partnership.

1)      Monday was a complete Monday.  Seminary was great.  Then Elder # 10 pulled out.  He was pretty excited to be going home.  Elder Openshaw drove with him to Farmington to pick up his new elder.  We went for a walk, did some laundry and a bit of cleaning here, and then got cleaned up.  We went out to Sam’s where Roxanna was waiting with her literacy.  Sister Sam gave me a beautiful necklace.  Next to Rock Point where we had a lot of fun with piano.  It is wonderful when they start to grasp the note thing.

Home to Many Farms but only one of our ladies showed up for temple prep but WOW was it an amazing lesson.  After teaching about tithing we showed a DVD about the humanitarian aid of the mission and she was just in tears.  She was so proud.  She really acted excited about the tithing commandment.
Wheeler’s were next.  Their 2 year old Cian is the one little pill and she has got it out for EP.  The parents were still eating when we got there so we sat down to watch the TV with Ciara.  EP asked what she was watching.  Cian turned around and yelled, “No!”  EP told her we were going to watch TV with Ciara.  “No!”  We both just stared at the TV.  She ran and got her coat and held it up in front of the TV and then turned around and glared at us.  We were laughing so hard.  She was covering all of about 4 inches of the 40” screen.  It was a hoot.

We had a good time with them and then home to prepare.  Good Day!

2)      Tuesday was interesting day on the Rez.  Seminary was good; we had a great walk and then got cleaned up.  I worked on the blog and EP worked on seminary. 

Our new elder showed up – Elder Guevara who has been Spanish speaking till now.  He seems nice but they slept all afternoon.

At 4 PM piano started but one student had excused her.  The 5 PM piano showed and I asked her mother if she wanted to come in and wait.  “No, I am waiting for the police.”  I asked if everything was alright and she said yes and left.  Half way through the lesson, EP comes in and tells me to follow him.  He points toward a man without a shirt running through the field across the street.  EP had been in the house when someone knocked at door.  He answered it and there stood a ward member just staring at him.  “Parkinson,” he says.  EP said, “You are drunk.”  The man got up in his face a minute and then turned to run.  Then he ran back and said “the police are after me.”  Then he turned and ran again.  We called his mother but he was too far gone.  His mother just stood there and cried.  I am here to tell you this woman has tried.  She is raising 2 of her husband’s auntie’s children because the mother is a drunk.  She tries to help her mother who lives out of town without water, but the mother won’t come in.  She said she was tried and is going to leave to work with her husband in Houston once school is out.  The other piano students didn’t come—4^th week in a row.  ARP came and we had a good lesson there.

We drove out to a Recent Convert and found her home.  We had a good lesson and EP went and got the elders and they gave her a blessing.  We hoped some good would come of that.

3)      Another new experience on the Rez—we woke up to a power outage.  Get this everyone.  Johnny Depp is here filming ‘The Lone Ranger’ and somehow his crew blew the power for about 4 hours.   We went ahead with seminary and fixed pancakes on our gas stove.  Then we played Farkel.  I had been awake most of the night so I crawled back into bed.
One of the assignments senior missionaries get is to GPS all ward members.  We have not been given any kind of template to place our numbers in so we started making one up.  It was not a good experience.  I thought we were really getting around and meeting the people.  I am putting NEVER FOUND on way too many.   Yikes—not many days left now.  However, if you will remember, the addresses leave something to be desired.
Kelsey had a piano recital at school so we went to that.  She was ABSOLUTELY the star of the show.  She played ‘Think of Me’ from ‘Phantom of the Opera.’

The family of 4 showed up for piano and I almost got a lesson in with all of them.  Then we went over to another house near the Recent Convert we had worked with the night before.  Remember—we gave her a nice blessing.  Well, it must not have worked because she was holding a revival.  The house was a rocking and the music a pouring out.  A daughter saw us and came out to talk.  If it wasn’t for one little girl, we really feel it is time to give up there.

4)      Seminary and exercise and back to the computer.  It is going to take me forever to type in the GPS numbers with an updated address.  Oh for – 54 South 2^nd East.  Have you ever considered how wonderful it is to have an address?  Someone knocked at the door and I ran to get missionary dressed while EP answered.  It was the bread people from Chinle.  Fun story here-their father used to play ball for Brick (Brad’s dad).  They decided to go into bread delivery on the Rez since as they said, “There is no recession in food on the Rez.”  We see them a lot in Chinle and they are always offering us old bread.  Well, today’s visit was more than old bread – it is an ABSOLUTE MISSION MIRACLE.  They are moving into our ward with their daughter and her husband.  They have bought the Rough Rock (our favorite) Trading Post which is in our ward.  They are so excited.  He said, between the 2 of us we have been everything is there is to do in the church and we are all here ready to serve.  We talked to them for over an hour.  It was wonderful.  We were just giddy with excitement.  We can leave and feel good.  Okay maybe not good, but at least more comfortable.  The ward is going to have help. 
My 5 PM lessons showed up but the 6 PM lessons and missionary lesson didn’t show and neither did the 7 PM – our most faithful.  Our 8 PM rescheduled so we sat there and looked at one another, sad from the night before but ecstatic with today’s news.  “Want to cut my hair?” I asked EP and he agreed.  He said I couldn’t cry harder than I did at Wal-Mart.  It was a riot.  I had my little mirror trying to show him how to hold the hair in his fingers and then cut.  He cut himself almost on the first snip.  But, I think it looks just great.

5)      Seminary was pretty fun as we started Daniel today.  After we took the girls home they left for Las Vegas where they dad is going to run in some big cop run.  Then we walked, got cleaned up and typed.  We went out and did a few more GPS numbers before piano started at 3:30 PM.  Buzz and Tivona and had great lessons.  Then we ate a bite and taught Logan’s a lesson.  It went great—13 Articles of Faith.  They have so many questions and are very excited as he is getting the Melchizedek Priesthood this weekend. We rushed home from that and met Sister Yoe and Selena.  EP and Sister Yoe made all the plans for tomorrow and Selena and I played the piano.  It was a fun lesson with Selena’s sister there watching.

6)      Can you say early?  We got up and headed out of town at 6:30 AM.  We picked up Sister Yoe where she had already fed all her animals.  Snowflake Temple here we come.  We made it to the distribution center and got the clothing we needed.  Then to the temple.  It was wonderful.  We had a great time with one rather funny experience.  Sister Yoe is always so calm and thoughtful but she was so happy to be at the temple.  She wants her mother and father to come back.  He does not come to church because he is deaf and cannot hear what is going on.  Sad! 
After the session we headed to Holbrook where she met Sammy to buy feed.  We got McDonalds take out and headed right out to see if we could make the 4 PM Priesthood session in Chinle.  We have never seen so many horses and cows on the road but we finally pulled in just one time.

It is almost unfair because every time the men have a priesthood meeting the wives get together and laugh till the trailer rocks.  This time was no different.  We have a new sister from Coeur d’Alene-Sister Grimmett.  Oh, what fun we had.  We would laugh till tears were coming. 
After the meeting they had Subway sandwiches for us.  That was nice so we could have a quick bite before the adult session of Stake Conference.  The meeting was just wonderful; if only anyone would have been there to listen.  We had 4 from our ward: the Bishop and Sister Benally, Brother Simpson and Sister Davis.  It could make a grown person cry.  If it wouldn’t have been for the 18 missionaries, the place would have been almost empty. 

7)      Sleep in day.  We got some rest.  Breakfast was even left over’s so it was a relaxing morning.  Then we headed to conference.  We picked up Sister Tsosie and I took her near the front.  The first 3 speakers were great but #4 had not timed her talk and took 30 minutes.  That cut the rest rather short.  The temple president and his wife spoke which Sister Tsosie just loved.  President Brown’s talk was also very sweet and most sincere.  After the meeting Sister Baldwin, our temple president’s wife came down to Sister Tsosie.  Sister Tsosie had made her 2 sets of hot pads – one with the famous Bluebird flour symbol.  It was really sweet.  After the meeting I had to run her home and missed EP confirming Brother Logan and Brother Yazzie in the Melchizedek Priesthood.  Home, dinner, nap and GPS. 

It truly seemed like a very long week.  Having Sister Yoe at the temple meant everything to us.  She is the most wonderful lady and we dearly love her.  She told us the story of how she adopted Selena and we had no idea.  Selena’s birth mother couldn’t make her stop crying and Selena didn’t gain any weight so she brought her over and gave her to Sister Yoe.  It has been a very could match.  Teaching Sister Yoe has been a very good match to us.  She has made this mission for us.

The Church is True,

            The Temple is Worth It,

                        Our faith and prayers,

                                    Elder and Sister Parkinson

Elder Giles in on his way home.

I think he is coming to BYUI.

Brother Ahasteen was waiting for his kids at YM-YW

and drew this on the Primary chalkboard.

This may be interesting to some.  The church helped set

up a big farm here.  Irrigation was establised from the

lake and all that.  Here is a picture of the shed they

used for produce.  There is a circle sprinkler over to

the side.  All just sitting now!

Kelsey at her spring piano recital at Many Farms High School

auditorium where she played 'Think of Me',

EP says one of the happiest things about going home will

be Tammy, my hair cutter in Ashton.

Buzz and our pear tree in blossom.

Buzz at her lesson where she did not play

'A Partridge in a Pear Tree.'

Our precious Sister Yoe after her temple session.

Best of the Rez 66 ** 66 ** 66

Best of the Rez     66 ** 66 ** 66     April 9^th to April 15^th

66 ** 66 ** 66    What a week!  EP is now 66 years old and it was our 66^th week in the mission field.  To celebrate we went to Gallup, NM, and drove down Route 66.  We even stopped and bought a Route 66 T-shirt to mark the time in history.   Can’t beat that can you?

And true confessions.  I am somewhere between extreme joy and blushing embarrassment.  For the faithful followers, you know that I have been having a bit of health problems plus feeling a little frustrated over hitting a wall in our missionary work.  Paula Criman, the lady across the hall from me at BYU-Idaho, wrote and asked about my health and mood.  I kind-of unloaded on her, telling her about how frustrated I was.  Low and behold, here comes a wonderful care package.  She had others in the department write me ‘cheer-up’ letters, sent us tons of goodies, the book If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn’t Be Hard, and the cutest plaque in the whole world.  It says, “Courage isn’t always a lion’s roar.  It’s sometimes the heart at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’”  I absolutely love it and look at it every night before I go to bed.  Yes, I was embarrassed that I acted like a baby but I was so thrilled that people would care.  I am only going to say one thing in our defense.  A normal missionary comes in and works real hard, and may or may not get success.  Then they are transferred away to a new branch/ward and new people.  Their commitment to the area is only temporary.  As a senior couple we are stationed in one area for all 18 months; so we are stuck with things we cannot change, and are around long enough to watch things/people unravel where we had so much hope.  When you love them, it hurts.  President Jones told me if I loved them like the Savior loved them, then it wouldn’t hurt.  I am so sorry to say that I do not know how.
Also, this week I received some essential oils for my headache’s from Elder Openshaw’s mother.  Isn’t that the sweetest thing?  They must also fend off headaches because I haven’t had a headache in 6 days. 

1)      Monday was normal.  The missionaries came over after seminary and they didn’t finish till after12:30.  Then we got ourselves ready and headed to Rock Point to teach piano.  It was a fun lesson today as I finally think they are catching on.  They all told me Washane would be a problem so just let him do the best he could.  He was my top student today and boy, did he enjoy the fuss I made over him.  (I didn’t have any teachers today because they were all in the library making signs to protest the fact that Concordia Charter School system is pulling out because they cannot get along with the Lutheran minister that is at the school.  It is rather fun to watch the locals stand up for their beliefs.)
We headed straight back for our temple prep class and that went great.  They asked so many questions and seem very excited.
Then we went over to Wheeler’s and read The Book of Mormon with them.  That was also very good.  I hope it helps their little family.  We also had a good chat with Logan’s so we were happy with our day.

2)      Seminary, breakfast, out for a walk, and back again.  It was a beautiful day.  The main day was rather calm so we just stayed around here and prepared for seminary and all that.  Piano started at 4 and 3 of the 6 showed up.  One called later to tell me she was sick and could she come tomorrow.  The other 2 have me worried.  We have been calling and trying to find them but no luck.  ARP came and we had a good lesson there.  Then we went to teach our lesson.  Okay, now this is what I am talking about.  I am not going to list details, but there was an adult family fight that ended up with a 7 month along pregnant girl in the hospital.  Joy! 

3)      Seminary, breakfast and a walk up the Mesa.  We found a new trail that went straight up and boy did it ever.  Wonderful walk.  We took some nice pictures if you blog.  As we drove back in the yard the wind started to blow.  WOW did it ever blow.  It blew the eves right off the church.    It was too windy to do anything so we stayed in our comfy little trailer.  Today is the day I got my ‘care package.’  So sweet!  Brandii and Tessa came for lessons but the other 4 were no shows.  Our lesson for tonight was affiliated with the same family as the night before and the mother was now in the hospital so that did not pan out either.  We stayed and helped YW-YM where they played games and had pop-corn with white chocolate. 

4)      Seminary was a special treat today as EP got his birthday present – President Packer’s bird book.  It has an amazing DVD in it and we showed it for today’s lesson.  Then we were scheduled to go to Chinle for Margaret and fix lunch for the Tsosie’s.  Well, Margaret called and had a change in plan as she needed stuff hauled away from her Many Farms house.  EP got the young elders and headed over and did that.  Then Tsosie’s said they thought they were doing something with her sister so that was another no show.  (We cannot even get them to come for food.)  We went over and bought some groceries and headed home.  EP went to Round Rock with the young elders to give a blessing.  The Wheeler’s came for piano and missionary which was great fun.  Then we taught Selena and Sister Yoe which is always good for our hearts.  Next we went to Logan’s and gave them a Home Teaching lesson.  It was great and their family is really coming along.

5)      Friday we had waffles at seminary and sang ‘The Books of the Old Testament.’  EP played the piano and the girls were thrilled.  Then we jumped straight in the car and headed to Gallup for our ‘last’ seminary meeting.  For the spiritual thought we all did my Isaiah reading.  That was fun.  Brother Watts is also leaving so we gave him a card and a Christmas ornament Neil Ahasteen painted just for him.  It was great.  Then all of us went to Sizzler to eat.  That was really fun too.
Afterwards, we went shopping and found a ‘Nativity’ scene and EP’s T-shirt.  We looked around other stores as well and had a fun time.  Then we headed home.  We didn’t get in till about 8:30, unloaded our groceries and purchases and collapsed.

6)      Saturday—can anyone say COLD.  It was snowing and blowing something awful.  We had a garden meeting over at Chinle so I taught piano while EP was gardening.  This one went a little better.  They explained the irrigation system and handed out the seed.  Everything was indoors as the snow was just a blowing outside.  After the meeting we helped clean up a bit and then went to Vogel’s for lunch.  Now I am totally serious here.  This is the all time funniest woman I have ever met.  They come from Michigan where for a while they were in our Katie’s ward.  Anyway, we had a wonderful lunch and then the two of us had a party while the men went over and did some genealogy. 
When we got home we went to the church and hid candy (belated Easter Egg hunt) and set up a movie.  Tivona came for piano and the party.  We only had 5 families with 6 children show up.  Sad but we had fun.  We popped pop corn and showed the movie ‘Up’.  Then one more clean up and home to fix supper.  We were beat.

7)      Sunday started early.  Selena is playing all 4 songs today and I told her I would make her Chow Mein and peach cobbler.  I was up and chopping veggies and EP was doing the program and all that.  We had 61 at church so that was a little better.  The bishop was there with one child.  His family hasn’t been around much lately.  The minute Sacrament meeting was over you should have seen the exodus.  We did have 5 for primary so that was a little more fun—other than one counselor and the secretary didn’t stay and the president walked in and sat down and looked at me.  We actually did okay, but I was tired to start with so I was not at my best.  And the room was SO hot.  It just makes me sick.  Anyhow, we did pretty well and then I showed them a video about Christ and ran home to finish the rest of the meal since Sister Yoe was getting her stake president temple recommend interview at 1 in Chinle. 
Here is the good part—Selena, the one this dinner is all about, said she was tired so she went home with her ‘daddy’ after sacrament meeting and did not stay for the dinner.  I was told that if you would feed them they would come—not so with us.  Maybe our reputation for cooking preceded us.  We did feed the young elders as it is Elder Giles last day in the mission field.  He heads out tomorrow morning for his home at Tremonton, Utah. 

EP was really nervous about the interviews so he wanted to head to Chinle as well.  It was a very good thing as the Melchizedek Priesthood interviews did not have their paper work.  We had to go back to the bishop’s house to get them signed and head back to Chinle.  What a day!  Anyway, finally it was accomplished and we headed home.  I got a small nap and then we went out to make some visits.  We found one family home and had a nice chat.  Another family had the children home but the mother was out gambling.  We did find the Tsosie girls and mother home and had a great lesson with them. 
We came home and did our seminary lesson.  Then the elders came over for their final visits.  We had some laughs and pictures and our 10^th elder departs.  This is our second to die here (they leave the mission field) but he didn’t burn his suit. 

And there you have our extra-ordinary week 66 ** 66 ** 66.  We made it.  “Courage isn’t always a lion’s roar.  It’s sometimes the heart at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’”  I just hope I can sleep restfully until tomorrow comes.

The Church is True,

            It is the boring things that end up being the most fun.

                        Our love,

                                    Elder and Sister Parkinson

The view from the top of the Mesa looking east.

We are actually looking at the church and our trailer.

The view looking southeast.

The view looking southwest - towards Black Mountain.

The view looking mostly north.

We met a little friend on the trail that was enjoying

the sun too much to move aside for us.  He was

all to happy to pose as long as we didn't block his view.

A view of the windstorm.

This picture is pulling out of NHA Housing.

Our little seminary group. Clockwise from Brother Watts,

the Roberts, the McNeill's, Sister Larry,

EP, the Droddy's and the new supervisor, Brother Miller.

Brother Watts reading his good-bye card.

Brother Watts holding the Christmas ornament

we all had Brother Ahasteen make for him.

66 year old EP, in his Route 66 T-shirt,

with his Route 66 sign he bought on Route 66

during his 66th week of his mission.

Best of the Rez Week 65

Best of the Rez     Week 65     April 2^nd to April 8^th

Okay, so this is the big question, I didn’t get anyone to readily accept the position at Many Farms but did anyone accept New Jersey?  Way to go Elder Webster!  I am sure everyone is well aware that it is a huge concern that another senior missionary couple is ready to take both our places -on the Rez and in Jersey.  At our last district meeting, they must have read at least 10 couples that are coming to the Rez and one in July.  They are a perfect fit but she doesn’t play the piano.  We will just have to see what happens between now and then.

1)      Monday was Monday.  Seminary is Jeremiah—so sad.  The missionaries came for the computer and then it was just housecleaning and laundry.  The elders headed to Gallup for a 3 day conference so we are on our own.  We drove up to Rock Point for piano and that was fun.  Then we headed home for our 2 sisters and temple prep.  That went really well.  Then prepare more Jeremiah and to bed.

2)      Tuesday was not so great.  Last year they put a gate on the church property and it fell apart so we fixed that.  Then it was a calm day preparing for seminary and doing the blog thing.  Then piano and I had one of my families not show for the 2^nd straight week.  ARP fell through and our lesson fell through.  A rather fell through day.

3)      Today was a little bit better.  Seminary was good and then we had a nice walk up the Mesa.  We had a really calm day and then waited for all the no shows at piano.  EP went out with Brother Draper to do some visits.  My last 4 came and since they are a family – they all came together.  We had some really good lessons but I just can’t do them justice with trying to run from piano to piano. 
Wahoo!  We taught a lesson.  We taught Tivona’s family and it was great and horrid at the same time. The lesson went fine—but the father said that Tivona used to be a straight A student and now since she joined the church her grades have dropped.  He blamed it on the church and her piano.  I literally had tears rolling down my face.  Tivona was trying to help me which made it worse.  (Not to mention she has missed church for 3 weeks and piano lessons 2 different weeks.) Anyhow, we made it through the lesson and home where hot baths are supposed to make everything go away.

4)      Better!  Seminary was almost fun and then a day off of exercise.  EP went to Round Rock to umpire a girl’s softball team but I stayed home in case a piano lesson came.  My first people arrived about the same time EP got back.  I taught 5 piano lessons and we did one missionary lesson with Clancy and Sissy.  They were to be baptized in February but we do have faith it will happen before July. 

5)      Fun Day!  Well, it didn’t start so great.  I made the German Pancakes wrong and they were not so good, but EP made regular pancakes to go with my peach syrup.  Then we headed to Chinle.  We picked up the Lybbert’s serving in Pinon (from Canada) and we went down to walk the Canyon.  Sister Lybbert made it about 2/3’s of the way down but was nervous of her arthritis so we stopped to rest.  We came up very slowly and stopped on every bench to talk with the German tourists.  Actually we saw 5 couples from Germany and one from Holland.  Fun day!  Then all the senior couples from our district met at Garcia’s for dinner.  GREAT TIME!  After we were stuffed we went to our district meeting and that was also good.  We have a new couple that will be stationed in Tsalie/Lukachukai that was introduced.  They are the Wright’s from Jerome, Idaho, now but spent most of their life in Nevada.  They are the most precious couple ever.  When I hear people say “I couldn’t be a missionary on the Rez” I just want to scream.  Here is this dear little precious woman that is here and committed to make a difference on the Rez.  I have no idea how old they are but they don’t move real fast.  But their smiles and hearts are very young.  Their trailer is not hooked up yet so they are serving in Dulcie over in NM and have been really working hard to get people out over there.  I promise that at the next meeting I am going to get some pictures.
We rushed home to teach piano and I had 2 of 5 show up.  We called Sister Yoe to see if she could come in with Selena and she was really sick so we took dinner out to them. 
The rest of the evening was calm.  Our copy of “War Horse” came so we popped it in and tried to enjoy ourselves watching a war movie.

6)      Now this was interesting.  Sister Gene showed up for help with her Sacrament meeting talk even before I was ready.  I worked with her and before she left the Benally’s 5 showed up for piano lessons at the same time as the carpet cleaning people.  I had laundry, ironing and mending strung across the trailer floor so I couldn’t send them over here either.  (First off, why weren’t we told and second why didn’t they start at the young elders?)  Anyway, I lost one of my pianos but eventually we finished and I was exhausted.  EP had put most everything in the trailer away, so I hurried and finished the mending and the carpet cleaners took over our place.  We thought we would drive around and try to see people but they ran their hoses in front of our ride, so we just went back to the church and played the piano. 
Once we could get in our trailer we got cleaned up and tried to find people.  No luck.  Easter celebrations had already started and we couldn’t find anyone home.

7)      Now this will totally floor all those of you that read consistently, but the bishop didn’t show up for church today.  He went to a family party about 30 miles from here.  We had 47 (counting 6 visitors) show up for church BUT it was a happy day!  Teresa and Junior were there and Junior even played for Priesthood meeting with only one lesson.  I didn’t get to hear it but I was sure proud of him.  AND Joe Sam came.  He had promised us he would and he did.  He wore his Medicine Man necklace but he was there and I was thrilled.  The Primary Presidency spoke in Sacrament meeting, so that meant I had to speak.  Guess what?  I got a nose bleed right in the middle of my talk.  It was not so bad, so I could just hold a tissue and keep going.
Oh and this is the best/WORST!  The Primary was going to sing an Easter song.  You may recall that we have been having a horrid attendance.  At our last meeting before conference we had 3 boys show up and the week before that – no one.  I taught them the song and said we would do it.  Two of the three showed up but I figured we would do our best.  The pianist didn’t show up so I showed Elder Openshaw what to do and he handled it fine.  So, we stood up there and I invited any other primary children or anyone who wanted to come up and sign with me.  Yes, sign.  I had 3 visitors and 2 girls that were not there last week so there was a total of 7 of us.  I then showed everyone the signs for ‘It Shouldn’t Be Hard to Sit Very Still.’  Even some of the adults were signing in the audience.  So then I said, “Okay, Elder Openshaw will now play it for us so we can sing and sign for you.”  The music started and I sang a solo while all the children signed.  I could have killed them.  There I was making a fool out of myself.  I told EP that I couldn’t even look his way because I knew he would be laughing.  “Oh, no, I wasn’t laughing—I was crying.”  So much for my talent! 
After church we had to wait a while for EP.  Brother Simpson came in and told Tivona what a good little player she was becoming.  He then asked me how she came to and from church.  I told him her parents usually brought her and then we would take her home.  “But,” I said and then stopped.  We just stared for a minute and then he said, “You are leaving.  Who then?  This little girl is just like your own.”  I just stood there till he finally walked away.
When we dropped Tivona off at her house, her Grandma, Evelyn came out to talk to us.  We baptized her the same day but she stopped coming in January sometime.  She is really having trouble walking – has lost her balance and a lot of her motor skills.  EP gave her some blessings and we thought she didn’t think they worked so well, so she went back to her ceremonies.  Well, she walked up to our pick-up best she could, laid her arms down on the side and started to cry.  “I miss church!”  We talked for a while and I hope it felt good.  We have an appointment to teach them on Wednesday.  We will see if we can get in.  I love that woman dearly so I am really hoping for the best there.  Things have not been going right lately—so we will see.
Home and left over pancakes but we did put a roast in for a real Easter dinner.  We had a bit of a nap and then our real meal and then we decided to just take a walk.  It was wonderful and we talked with the motorcycle man down the road with all the ‘keep out’ signs.  They had a Mormon garden so we asked about that and ended up having a really fun chat. 

So week 65 is now in the past.  Having Joe Sam come to church was a true delight.  The numbers were still way low but I felt good that something positive happened.  I do not think we will be close to 88 when Elder Callister comes but we cannot let that ruin the good things we see happen.  It is also amazing to be around the other senior couples and grow from their testimonies and positive attitudes.  We have made such wonderful friends here.  Life is always full of mystery and surprises on the Rez, but there is plenty of love here as well.

The Church is True,

            Listen Right,

                        Our love, faith, and prayers,

                                    Elder and Sister Parkinson

Elder Parkinson and Elder Lybbert at the bottom

in front of White House.

A pretty flower on the way down.  It is fun to see color

on the Rez.

Sister Lybbert and I waiting at the top.

Notice the green trees behind us!

Elder Lybbert and EP reach the top.

Now can you believe he did it in a white shirt and tie.

He said it was easier than changing clothes.

He would have never made a PE major!

Best of the Rez Week 64

Best of the Rez     Week 64     March 26^th to April 1^st (No Fool’s)

Well, I did have a bit of fun this past week announcing that we are down to our last 100 days of the mission in Many Farms.  I was, however, rather disappointed that I did not get several applications to fill the position.  In fact, I received a few rather pointed refusals.  

This past week has felt a tiny bit like a house of mirrors experience.  I guess I need to try harder to sugar coat this experience, but the mission is life.  A couple of times this week, we have not been sure which mirror we should be facing to walk forward.

1)      Seminary, exercise, elders on the computers and housework and then we tried to get a little nap.  As our heads hit the pillow the phone rang.  Oh my!  A recent convert was asking for help because their family is in a ---- mess with another recent convert’s family.  I am sure these things happen all over the world, but I was in shock.  What now?  We called the mission counselor for help. 
Sister Tsosie met us at Evelyn Sam’s and we had the peach cobbler for her birthday.  We really enjoy visiting Evelyn and Joe.  They are very nice to us and they loved the peach cobbler.
We drove to Rock Point for piano but our home teaching people were not home.  We were also able to teach one of our temple prep ladies that night.  Wow! Is she ever on fire and ready to embrace the gospel?  She just sat and cried that she left the church for over 30 years.

2)      Tuesday started calmer.  After seminary and exercise we did the new bishop’s board.  What a delight!  When we came there were 3 men and 4 women holding jobs (one other woman was called but she was not functioning).  It looks a little different today!  It is not time to relax but it is good to find joy in the journey.
Piano was fun/sad that night.  I had 4 out of 7 show up.  EP taught a temple prep while I taught piano.  ARP was our next no show but we went to a lesson with the young elders with Sister Tso’s grandchildren.  Then EP taught Brother Logan how to garden.  He loved that.  He came in to shower and the young elders showed up and came right in and sat down.  What’s up?  Which mirror am I looking in now?  Two of our elders got an emergency transfer because there were problems somewhere else on the mission and they were called out to help.  That means we are down to 2 elders again.  This was extremely sad news to all of us.  The foursome was having quite the time.  They split each pair so everyone was equally sad.  During all this, bishop’s family called and needed a blessing (he is in training somewhere).  After EP got out of the shower we all headed to bishops.  Their 13 year old daughter has got to have gall bladder surgery tomorrow.  Someone needs to do a study on Navajo gall bladders out here—something is definitely wrong.

3)      We decided to do one last hurray with our foursome so we had them to breakfast at     5: 45 AM.  It was fun but not.  They ate lots of pancakes and then Elder Eging and Elder Bankhead were on their way about 6: 15 AM. 
Seminary and back to bed.  We finished Isaiah which I am very excited about.  For our last day of Isaiah we are doing my Isaiah reading which I love.  It is tax time even in the mission field so we got everything ready there and headed to Chinle to send it all off.  We bought a pizza and goodies for the bishop and dropped them off on the way home and rushed home for piano no shows.  My first students to show came at 7 and we had a 7 teaching appointment.  I made one attempt and we were off to Begaye’s.  Tivona is so excited about the church but her family is not so sure.  We told them about conference and she wanted to see the prophet.  We told her she could come with us.

4)      The Isaiah reading—except we ran out of time so we will finish tomorrow.  EP is out of his Activia and do we believe in it—YES!  We headed to Gallup to buy more and a few other supplies.  I think it was our first trip we did not see one other missionary at either Wal Mart or Sizzler (all missionaries get ½ price at Sizzler).  Then we headed straight home for another piano no show.  We drove out and taught Selena piano and Sister Yoe temple prep.  Our other lesson fell through as well.
Okay—big news—nose bleed free for first day in months.

5)      French Toast and Isaiah – fun morning.  Elder Parkinson worked out in the garden.  We tried to get one couple to lunch but couldn’t find them.  We had another family coming to supper so all is well.  We cooked and got things ready and then I taught piano from 4 to 7. 
The Ahasteen’s came for piano, supper and to watch ‘The Testament’.  I think it was a fun evening.  They certainly can eat.  He is the most amazing artist.  He drew the Snowflake Temple on the chalk board and it is just wonderful.

6)      CONFERENCE!!!!!!  We headed to Chinle about 9: 30 AM.  Two ward members came along with the 16 missionaries from the entire area.  Oh, was conference wonderful!  EP and I had Chinese between sessions and then a very nice nap as I had been up most of the night with a headache.
Afternoon session – just as wonderful.  We were SO excited about the new seventy – Elder Larry Echo Hawk!  The first American Indian since – the problem.  We both had classes with Larry at BYU and have always held him in high esteem.  I kept the article about him in the Church News and had it with me at conference.  He is actually from Farmington but is a Pawnee Indian. 
After conference the 4 senior couples headed out to eat.  We went to Thunderbird –okay.  Then the woman sat and chatted/laughed while the men went to Priesthood session.  So much fun.  Then home.
We cooked for the next day and hit the bed.

7)      We finished our dished, picked up Tivona and headed to Chinle.  The biggest thrill of our day was reading Tivona’s notes on conference.  She is 10 years old, has been a member since December and she took notes like a pro.  Let me write a few things she said.
Elder Uchtdorf: (She first drew a picture of 2 children fighting and repenting – then a heart  that says – our heart is filled with goodness and our grateful Father). “Stop it!  God is our Father.  Our Father is our leader.  Be kind to one another-forgive each other-don’t sin.  Stop it!  Now!!  Everyone is our brother and sister.  We care for one another!  Overcome evil with good love and kindness.  We are NOT perfect.  We have anger, madness and we sometimes sin.”
Elder Nelson: “We were created by our lovely Father.  We have love somewhere in our heart – FIND IT!!! Our Father paid for our sins, our hateness.  He paid for mostly everything that was bad.  Be thankful that he paid for those things, do good, no more bad.  STOP SINNING NOW!!!!  Be happy!!!! Our spirit and body needs to be together again so we can actually see him in person.  We have food, a house, a family, clothes and a Bible to read.  Most of all we have Father.  Believe that he created us.  Believe that everything is true.  That is our #1 Father, God and Jesus Christ.”
So what do you think?  There is more—she was wonderful.  I must admit that my deepest fear in leaving is ‘my children – my Navajo children.’
After the morning session we fixed lunch and the 16 missionaries and Tivona had a wonderful dinner.  It was so yummy—Lasagna, bread, Caesar Salad, cabbage salad, fruit salad, and oatmeal cake.  Of course, we had to have a few stories as well.  It was a very fun day.
Then the afternoon session and it was over.  We went to give Sister Tsosie a blessing; drove Tivona to her uncle’s and headed home.  We were beat but it was too late to nap.  We sat a minute and then prepared for seminary.  I have great fear in teaching Jeremiah – I think he has one of the saddest of stories.
Neil left for Las Vegas where he is going to try to work for Katie’s husband selling motorized wheel chairs.  Becca and the boys are staying in SLC until school is out.  Our prayers are with them as they are with all our children.  Brian has 2 weeks of tax season left and that always scares me.  He drives home from Idaho Falls so late at night and he must be exhausted.

Week 64 – some unexpected surprised for sure.  And some wonderful delights.  Conference was just wonderful and being with the other seniors for a couple of days was a delight.  Sister Vogel from Michigan is a RIOT.  Sister Lybbert from Canada is so quiet and just sits to our side and laughs.  Sister Roberts is the doer and tries to keep control of all of us.  Good Luck to that! 

The Church is True,

            Don’t judge me cuz my sins are different than yours,

                        Much Love,


                                    Elder and Sister Parkinson

I think this is interesting.  They have workers go

along the sidewalks and shovel the sand out into

the street where a scoop truck comes along and cleans it up.

They do it about once a month.

Just the skyline driving up to Rock Point on a stormy day.

The Bishop's board with all the ward callings.

A few more than 7!

The final foursome being served pancakes by EP

at 5: 45 AM.  Out last good-bye.

Elder Openshaw, EP, Elder Eging,

Elder Bankhead and Elder Giles.

Elder Bankhead and Elder Eging are leaving.

Elder Giles and Elder Openshaw are left behind as

new companions.

Elder Bankhead always tries to portray the mature one.

The others are just in tears.

Kayla going through the obstacle course showing

her trust in following Kelsey's directions.

Do we trust our Prophet enough to follow him?

They told us how to put our garden produce in containers

and bury them in your garden.  We just dug up our

potatoes and they made it through the winter.  GREAT!