2/18/13
I can't believe I'm already half way through my second week! We
are busy all day and the time flies. First to answer a few of your questions:
get the bigger of the two bikes, trust whatever they suggest for me because
they probably know more about bikes than both of us. But Thank you so much for
the see's candy, it was delicious :) Also please tell Aunt Sharla and Uncle
Brian thanks for the package of Food! I love it! Also please tell anyone that
has sent me letters that I really appreciate them but I can only respond on Mondays.
Also, someone sent me a package of cookies and chips and salsa but I don't know
who it was from. I loved it though. Me and my companion have so much food that
we're not able to eat it all (and this is true of almost every companionship in
my zone, we all feel so loved). Anyone can use the DearElder option of sending
mail. I hope that answers the questions you had. Only 20 minutes left to write!
Okay so this week everyone in my district got sick. The initial
excitement seemed to be wearing off and people started to realize they're in
for the long haul. My companion got a sharp pain in his lower right abdomen
starting sometime Tuesday. We thought it was maybe just part of the illnesses
that everyone had but we got it checked out anyways. We went to the MTC clinic
and then they directed us to an Urgent Care down the street from the MTC. He
got his blood and urine tested for appendicitis. It tested negative. By
Wednesday the pain had increased. We stayed home most of the day and he rested.
I really proved my integrity to myself during that day. I figured I wasn't sick
so I still needed to stick to the missionary schedule as best I could while we
were in our room. So even though I was exhausted, and the light was off while
my companion was sleeping, I continued to study by lamp light throughout the
day. By Wednesday night my companion was in a lot of pain and he was nervous
that it could be something serious. I told him I was willing to do anything I
could for him. He requested that I give him a blessing. Elder Johnson (who
leaves for France in an hour! We will miss him and Elder Peterson,
they're outstanding guys) anointed and I sealed the blessing. It was a
great learning experience for all of us. The spirit was very strong in the room
during that time. Elder Fivas, my companion, was calmed and he
slept decently well throughout the night. But throughout the day Thursday
the pains stirred up again. We went back to the MTC clinic, and then
to the urgent care. He was throwing up a lot (but the whole time he was
cracking jokes and being his comical self). They took blood samples again and
sent us back to the MTC. We ate dinner then went back to the dorm. Elder Fivas
read a few letters from his family and friends which made him very emotional,
saying "I'm so blessed", crying for joy while still feeling sick
(what an example!). Then a call came to our residence, he tested positive for appendicitis.
Before we knew it, a van was taking us both to the hospital. We checked in
and a doctor confirmed that he needed to get his appendix out. Elder Fivas
continued to throw up and nerves were building again. Around 11 PM, shortly before
he went under operation, I gave him another blessing of comfort. Since I only
have 3 minutes left I'll just say this, it was an emotional and spiritual
experience. We got to visit him a few times for the 2 days he was at the
hospital. Even his family came down from Tooele and visited him on Friday.
Despite this trial, there have been so many blessings that have come from it.
Well my time is up. Love you all! I love it here. The spirit is so strong and
it's been so incredible!
