A Grave side service or two

FLOWER OF THE WEEK

NAVAJO TEA

We often have different ones point out the Navajo tea plant to us but they are different plants. We were with Annie the other day and I asked her so she took us to her sisters place where she grows. They pick the plant, dry it in bundles and boil it up when they want their tea.

We had an interesting experience last Saturday. On Thursday a couple of people stopped by wanting the Elders to help with a funeral. The young Elders were at Window Rock helping out at the fair and none of the branch pres. would be here so Elder Lybbert offered to do it. Friday morning the common law wife of the deceased stopped by and we organized a graveside funeral. She also gave us a rough map of how to get there but told us to meet her at on the highway by the road where they turn toward Old Tree at 10:00 AM

We arrived and waited till 10:15 when a car drives up and asked if we needed anything. We explained we were waiting for the people going to the funeral and the hurst. She said she was on her way to the funeral and the truck with the body was coming so follow her. Sure enough a white suburban pulled in behind her so we followed. She led us to a farmyard full of people cooking so obviously a funeral was going on but we needed the graveyard. Elder Lybbert got out and asked the way to the graveyard. (On the Rez families have their own small graveyards)

The directions were to go back the way we came to the red hill and when you see a graded road to your right, turn off and it will take you to the grave sight.

Back we went but no road that looked graded and things just didn't feel right so back to the highway, no one there, so back to look for the road. We saw one that looked likely so took it and were soon passing a house where a lady came running out and called "Father, go that way down by the sheep corral those cars are going to the graveyard".  A little different but not unusual here to be called father. 

The graded road we could't miss but did. This is the good part. The rest still had sagebrush in the center.

Away we went off across the desert following a sheep trail. We caught up to the cars and followed them to a grave sight. We stopped and the car in front of us started backing up. Yikes! I honked the horn and he stopped, then moved forward, parked and got out. A Catholic priest all robed and ready to do the service. I looked at Elder Lybbert and exclaimed"We are at the wrong funeral." He got out and asked and yes, we were at the wrong funeral.
Away we went back down the so called graded road for three or four miles. Soon we saw dust in the distance. That must be our funeral. Elder Lybbert claims I was out of control but I claim angels were carrying us along. Eventually we caught up to the cars and dust. They stopped and once again Elder Lybbert asked if it was the right funeral, and it was. We followed at a more leisurely pace on trails thru the desert  for another 4 miles and eventually came to a grave sight up in a canyon. We were pleased to see our favorite funeral director get out of this white suburban because she always guides us on what to do when. I took the programs to the widow and she said, "We changed our plans and forgot to tell you".
Once the casket was placed we started the service. I said an opening prayer, the widow gave the eulogy, Elder Lybbert a short talk on plan of salvation and the rest of the prayers. Since I had no desire to sing a solo with my croaky voice we didn't do a song so the widow decided we could sing happy birthday to the deceased since it was his birthday in a few days. The pallbearers then lowered the casket into the grave and filled it in. Its hot, hard work so they change off with those present. Elder Lybbert  took his turn on the shovel.  By the end a light breeze came up and we were all covered in dust. We brought our lawn chairs so while this was happening I sat and had a good visit with the widow.  She asked if she could stop by our trailer and visit sometime. She invited us to the reception after but we had brought some food to a member in that area and ice cream was in the van so we had to leave It was a good day but we needed a rest when we got home.

The mortuary provides the shovels to fill in the grave. You can see the dust blowing. As we left we 'shook of the dust' (Mat.10:14) but it was not a testimony against them. They were such nice people and treated us so good.

As we were leaving the area we drove through a cloud of smoke. This is traditional with the Navajo which is a cleansing process. They have a fire going and when a car comes they put a green cedar bow on it to create smoke.
We have found that whenever we teach the plan of salvation which is quite often that the people except it and it brings them comfort and understanding.  We were asked by a mother to talk with a six year who was having trouble dealing with the accidental death of his older brother. As we taught the plan of salvation it seemed to bring the mother  as much comfort as her son. How grateful we are that we have been taught these truths from a young age.

Love to all,
Elder and Sister Lybbert