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

We finished another 9 weeks of the Old Testament.

They are quite the artist, but I am not so sure about

Elder Parkinson's contributions.

Well, this didn't work!  This is the family from Guatemala.

Ty painted Grandma a picture!!

How fun to have him on the Rez.

YW made Gingerbread Houses.

Sister Curley with Lettie and Buzz Logan.

So Cute!

Neil in his scarf, Sister Tsosie, Ty (forgot his vest),

 Gus (in vest) and Becca with purse.

Sister Tsosie made them all.

Fuzzy again, but Sister Tsosie's little arthritic hands.

Spider Rock in the winter.

Livy at the Canyon.

Here comes Ty.

The Beleganna's attempt fry bread.

I think I am making a mask.

Santa came to the Christmas party with the

"Parkinson's, Staten's, Curley's and the Begay's.

Shaycee and Gus share Santa's lap.

Gus needs a better look.

Shaycee and Livy sit on Santa's lap. 

Gus is staying close.

Luke and Livy with Santa.

Here they are again.

Gus and Santa.

Shaydon and Shaycee with Santa.

Tivona and Shaycee with Santa.

Evelyn, Tivona, Santa, April, Trent, Shaydon.

Katie is all smiles for Santa.

She must be getting what she wants.

I know what Neil wants.

    Please Santa, give Neil a good job!

 

The Neil Parkinson Family with Santa 

Santa with his Navajo Children:

Kayla, Marvin, McKay, Grace and Kelsey Curley.

Sister Parkinson just loves Santa Claus!!!!

Sister Parkinson?

Livy opens her present.

Gus gets one too!

When you come home Grandpa, I want to go fishing!

I bought loom to make some hats for our seminary

girls.  The minute I walked in they were taken over.

Ryan and Luke are wearing their hat, but Ty's

hat fit Livy's doll.

The Wheeler's and Nicholas Greybear

with the presents from Utah.

The Logan's with their presents.

Sister Yoe and Selena with their presents.

Oh, how we love these two.

And our Christmas, Many Farms 2011!

Best of the Rez Week 49

Best of the Rez     Week 49     December 12^th to December 18^th

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-4^th and Thursday morning went back for 5^th -8^th.  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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Yeii Becheii Dance (both clips)

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!