Many Miracles as Zion Grows

Sometimes the miracles God provides are so close to us, we hardly recognize them, but last week an answer to thousands of prayers was realized as the new Monument Valley Chapel was dedicated Nov. 18.  We drove down on Saturday for the Open House, taking Neldon Holt with us.  It was a beautiful day, and the monuments never looked better.
   Jim Dandy Jr. is the Branch president, and he and his wife along with the Stake Presidency, and missionaries were there to welcome everyone and show them the new building.  The chapel is huge, and was filled to capacity and even more came Sunday for the dedication.  While we were there, many community members who were not members came over to see the building and to visit. 

President Jim Dandy Jr. and Lynette Adams great visitors

Lynette and Jerry Adams have been serving in the Mexican Hat branch for 6 years, and they were there to help as well.  We visited with several missionaries who had served there earlier, as well as Jim Dandy Sr. whose foster father, and brother drove clear down from up north for the big weekend.  Raquel Dandy really seemed to appreciate the effort we made to be there.  Brother Holt also visited with the Parrish family whom he had helped to teach many years ago while serving as a stake missionary.  We also visited with Toni Dee, whose son Jonathan lived with us one summer. This was the last activity we did with Neldon as
he died Feb. 2, 1913.  He's been a great
friend over the years.

    I took down a southwest flower arrangement for the chapel, and photo holder with Navajo weaving objects on it for Pres. Dandy's desk.  I'm glad I was inspired to do so, for there was no other decorations in the chapel or office.  They have a good sized Primary and Relief Society room, as well as a baptism font. There is a kitchen, and probably 8 classrooms as well.  I am sure this building and its members will be a beacon to the whole valley.  The branch was also moved into the Kayenta Stake this summer, which is closer for them, and will have more ties clanwise, than being with the Blanding stake.
     Now for the miracle.  Craig Zwick's construction company built the chapel this past year, and it had been ready for utility hookups for nearly four months.  But the wheels granting permission move mightly slow on the reservation.  In fact, the large conference center build across the highway was finished and stood locked up three  years waiting for permission from the tribe.  Our stake presidency asked us all to fast and pray, two different fast Sundays, and within three months the utilities were hooked up an ready to go.  What a blessings this will be for our Navajo brothers and sisters!