CHANGE OF PLANS

Last week I (Russell) mentioned that our daughter Jessica had been diagnosed with a serious and fairly rare kind of tumor in her back.  Eileen and I have been concerned about how Jessica and her husband Steve would be able to do all the things necessary to deal with this ailment and also care for their three small children, especially since they are now living in Oregon away from other family members.  We have felt torn between serving as missionaries and wanting to help our suffering child.  I in particular have had a hard time knowing what I should be doing.  During a discussion with President Alder and again during a blessing he gave me, President Alder mentioned things that made clear to me that if needed we should take care of Jessica.  I also felt that we would not be released early from our mission because of it.

On Tuesday afternoon we had a mission-wide conference in Antipolo with Elder L. Whitney Clayton (President of the Seventy) and Elder Steven R. Bangerter (Seventy and second counselor in the Philippines Area Presidency).  Rarely do they let all the missionaries in a mission assemble together, but for a visit from an apostle or president of the Seventy they make an exception.  Prior to starting the meeting they stood in a line and shook hands with each missionary.  As we went through the line, Elder Bangerter said to Eileen that they had been praying for our daughter.  We were both touched that they knew of our plight and were concerned and praying for our specific need. 

On Monday our daughter Jessica had a third MRI of her back in preparation for her visit to see a neurosurgeon on Tuesday.  During the visit on Tuesday, Jessica and Steve learned that Jessica had a large tumor on her spine which would need to be removed as soon as possible.  Fortunately, Steve’s mother was visiting and able to take care of their children during this difficult period.  When Jessica called us to inform us of the surgeon’s recommendation (surgery the next Tuesday) it was early Wednesday morning for us and we were on the road in Taguig, stuck in traffic (it took us 2.5 hours to go the 15 miles to our first appointment) on our way to do our planned six housing inspections.

When we got the news from Jessica on Wednesday morning, I felt the right thing to do was try to get there in time for the surgery and stay until other family members could help.  I called President Alder, who then asked Elder Taniela B. Wakolo (first councilor in the Area Presidency) if we could have a leave-of-absence.  Elder Wakolo’s answer back was two-fold; first, that he was praying for our daughter, and second that he approved our going to Oregon to help Jessica and her family.  That started a process for us to leave the Philippines.  If we left on Saturday we could be there in time for her surgery.  I never imagined that it would prove to be so hard to get things arranged through the Philippines immigration for us to exit the country quickly.  It turns out that once you have your long-term visa, which we do, that you have to have a specific exit permit which we did not yet have.  The process on Friday was one that I never want to repeat.  First, being told that we would not be permitted to leave on Saturday and sharing that news with Eileen; and second driving to immigration in the heart of old Manila and then home in rush hour traffic.  But what we experienced Friday afternoon was truly a miracle.  Something only one person in the Area office Travel Department thought might be possible.  We met Juancho when we stopped by the Area office Friday afternoon and picked him up on our way to immigration.  Attached below is a letter of appreciation I wrote to his boss later the next day. 
  

Russell, Eileen and Brother Juancho Gallano-an angel of mercy when we really needed one

Dear Brother Notarte,

My wife and I are currently serving as full-time missionaries in the Antipolo Mission. Last Wednesday we were informed by our daughter that she had just been told by her neurosurgeon that she would be going in for surgery to remove a tumor on her spine, something that she had just been diagnosed with the week prior.  For the last month she has been experiencing pain in her feet, legs and back.  In the last week it has extended into numbness in her arms and hands.  She has three young children and lives in Oregon, away from other extended family members. 

On Wednesday we discussed with our mission president, President Alder, our desire to go help our daughter.  He in turn asked Elder Wacolo for permission for us to travel to Oregon, which request was granted that day.  We notified the Travel Department, in person, that day of our intent to travel on Saturday in order to be there in time for the surgery on Tuesday.

We were notified on Friday (through our mission president, who heard from the IFR, who had been told by Area travel department personnel) that we would not be able to fly out on Saturday because we had yet to be granted our ACR cards.  We contacted Immigration directly and learned that our ACR cards were actually “ready for pickup.” Accompanied by Brother Gallano, we drove to immigration Friday afternoon and were able to secure the cards and board our plane on Saturday.

My wife and I both recognize that it was only through the efforts of Brother Gallano that we were able to secure our ACR cards in time to leave for our daughter’s surgery.  We regard it as a miracle and that Brother Gallano was “God’s hands” in that miracle for us and our daughter.  His efforts to not just secure our ACR cards but to also see that we were able to find our way home Friday night were evidence of both his professional capabilities and compassion for those he works with.  We are very, very grateful for Brother Gallano’s help and hope that he is rewarded both by God and you as his employer for his outstanding service.

Best regards,
Elder Healy

ANSWERS TO PRAYERS

This week we witnessed answers to our prayers, showing us once again that God is involved in the details of our lives.  Last Sunday we decided to fast and pray for two specific things.  First, that Lance and Grace (the couple from our building that are taking the missionary discussions), would continue reading in the Book of Mormon, attending church with us, and receive answers to their prayers about the truth of what they are being taught.  Secondly, we were concerned about our daughter Jessica who has been experiencing pain in her feet, legs and back.  We prayed that she might be comforted and get the proper medical care she needed.

Last Monday night Lance was working a second job and was unable to attend the next discussion but Grace and her seven year-old daughter came to our apartment to meet with the sister missionaries again.  The lesson was on the Plan of Salvation, answering the questions of why are we here on earth, where did we come from, and what happens to us after this life.  It was timely as the Relief Society lesson she had heard the day prior in church was on genealogy and doing ordinance work for our deceased ancestors.  With both of Grace's parents having passed on it was something she was interested about.  Just the week before was the holiday here similar to Memorial Day in the U.S. and they had gone to visit the graves of deceased relatives.  During our meeting, the sister missionaries invited Grace to be baptized next month.  Grace was concerned about her worthiness to be baptized.  It lead to a tender discussion of how God wants us to change and have the opportunity to repent.  I (Russell) suggested we give Grace the list of questions that are asked in the baptismal interview.  I believe Grace felt better after looking at the list and realizing that God did not expect her (or any of us) to be perfect today but that she just have a sincere desire to strive for perfection through the atonement of Jesus Christ.  When we parted Monday night Grace said she would pray about being baptized.  Today, after she attended church with us, she brought up being baptized next month.

It was just a year ago later this month that our daughter Jessica and her family moved to Oregon.  Her efforts to get in to see a primary care doctor, much less a specialist for her back pain, was a challenging process with the next available appointment weeks or months away.  Fortunately, one of her friends from church brought in a meal, learned more about her issues and then said she would ask her husband to help out.  The friend’s husband happens to be a neurologist.  He got Jessica in to have two MRI tests this last week and another on Monday, and set up an appointment for Jessica to meet with a neurosurgeon on Tuesday.  Our prayers that Jessica get the proper medical care were answered more quickly than we expected.  While I am sure this is just the beginning of what may turn out to be a issue which takes several months (or longer) to resolve, it is clear to me that God is looking out for His daughter Jessica.

As I thought and prayed about Jessica’s situation recently, it occurred to me that perhaps her moving to Oregon had just as much to do with her being able to get the medical care she would need quickly as it did about Steve’s job.  The neurologist in her ward has functioned this last week like her own personal primary care physician.  The neurosurgeon which she will meet on Tuesday is very highly rated, is experienced in working with Jessica’s issue and is usually difficult to get an appointment with.  As I was pondering about God’s being aware of Jessica’s future medical issue well over a year in advance and making arrangements for taking care of her, it also occurred to me that it was just two months after Jessica moved to Oregon that we felt that it was time for us to serve another mission.  In fact it was while we were in the airport waiting to fly up to see Jessica that I read about President Alder being called to serve in the Philippines and my feeling that I should write to congratulate him on his calling.  I all but knew where my email would lead us.  The past few days we have worried about not being home to help take care of Jessica and her family.  I think this was God’s way of telling me that he loves Jessica and is looking after her better than I could; that God wanted us here in Antipolo knowing the family issues that would come up during our absence; that he will let me know what I should do in the future regarding Jessica; and for the time being that I should just be still, know that God is in control, and recognize the miracles happening around me.

Sister Bradshaw, Grace and Sister Lulab in our home after discussion

Eileen and Russell in Manila temple after session with departing missionaries. The prayer said that day was very touching to me. During the prayer for those that were sick the officiator prayed for those with needs, that they might have an improvement in their health, the wisdom to know how to proceed to make their adversities more tolerable, the strength to deal with their struggles, and hope in the knowledge that God is aware of them.

Departing missionaries after the visit to the temple. 

Their final meal-Mcdos (or Macdonalds)

Sixteen new missionaries arrived this week and were greeted by President and Sister Alder while being serenaded by Elder Olivas, Elder Thieriault and Sister Wilson

President and Sister Alder with the new missionaries

During apartment inspections this sister got the award for the best made bed in the mission

Sister Wilson helping Russell assemble wardrobe closets

Sister Wilson cooking a pretty good meal of beef and green beans. She has a dance scholarship and tries really hard to be healthy.

Many of the fridges have the freezer door broken off. The freezers get pretty disgusting even when the missionaries try to clean them out. This freezer door is replaced by cardboard. Russell got permission to buy new fridges for those in this kind of condition.

EARTHQUAKE

Early Thursday morning, a few minutes before 5 AM, I (Russell) was lying in bed having just woken up.  I felt a soft shaking of the bed and thought for a second that perhaps Eileen was trembling in her sleep.  The epicenter of the 5.7 earthquake was about 100 miles east of us in the ocean.  The only damage we experienced was that our clock fell off the wall and broke.

On the medical front, Eileen had some issues to deal with other than Dengue Fever.  Our last elder hospitalized with it left the hospital on Saturday (8 days ago) and this week he got bit by a dog and is now getting rabies shots.  Another elder, while playing basketball a week ago Monday (the young missionries’ preparation-day), tore the cartilage in his knee and will be going home early this week.  A none too subtle reminder that your life can change quickly and unexpectedly.

We found the last two houses we needed for the upcoming transfer on Wednesday, when we will get 16 new missionaries.  One house we were able to move into on Friday and the other won’t be vacant until the 21st of this month.  As we have been unable to find anything else in the area where it is located, we will have to put two elders in with another set of elders for 10 days.  Not ideal but still an answer to prayer.  The house we moved into on Friday was very much an answer to our prayers and it turns out the prayers of the owners.  This is the house they raised their children in and they don't want to sell it for sentimental reasons.  I told Eileen the reasoning sounds kind of familiar.  When we moved the sister missionaries in, we found a note on the wall from the landlords which read, “Dear Sister Day and Sister Payot, Welcome!  We hope you find peace and prosperity in your new dwelling. Our family did as it was our first home.  Please feel free to call or text me for any concern.  Live Jesus in our hearts forever.  Oabel Family.”  It is now clear to me why all the other potential places I thought we had found for the two sister missionaries failed to materialize.  When the other locations were failing for various reasons President Alder told me, “The Lord will provide.”  It is clear I need to trust in the Lord more.

Yesterday, on our preparation-day, Eileen and I went to the Taytay Public Market.  It is a covered open market encompassing several blocks.  Most of the vendors were selling either clothing or food items.  Since parking would be very hard to find, we rode a bus there and a jeepney home.  

Grace attended church with us this morning.  She was one of half-a-dozen investigators at church today.  Lance had another obligation with their two girls.  They will receive another lesson from the sister missionaries in our home tomorrow evening.  On the way home Grace told us that Lance showed the picture of them being taught by the missionaries to his aunt and mother in Idaho.  Grace said the aunt asked when they were going to get baptized.  It is good to know that they will have family support in their journey learning about the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It was just three weeks ago today that Lance and Grace first met the sister missionaries in our home.  Grace told Eileen today that she has now read through the first few chapters of Mosiah in the Book of Mormon.

It rained so hard this week that the streets flooded. I (Eileen was taking a missionary to the dentist for a root canal and had to walk through several inches of rain water. Good thing I had my Crocs on. I came back to the office and washed both my feet and shoes off with soap. Lots of hidden surprises come out when the streets flood.

The Elders after Russell moved two of them into a new apartment in Bagon Nayon.

This Elder had the toenail on his left foot removed 3 weeks ago. Another  ingrown toenail is occurring on his right foot. He never complains, yet I know it has got to hurt

The Elder was instructed not to wear closed toe shoes with his ingrown toenail. He was wearing his "slippers."  They ripped so he duct taped them, and then that tore, so he hand sewed them together.

We let the sister trainer leaders choose their own drapes for their new house.

I wondered how this picture got on Russell's phone. He said Sister Bronson picked his phone up, took a selfie and said Sister Healy will understand this.

Homes built along the river on our way into Pasig for Zone Conference

We moved these sisters last week. They made us some brownies in their  toaster oven as a thank you.

Sister Payot and Sister Day in front of the "miracle house," The price was less than what we are paying for some of our tiny apartments. We will be putting 4 sets of bunk beds in here to house 8 sisters during transfers.

A beautiful handwritten note was on the wall for the sisters.

There are hundreds of little stalls at the market where you can buy clothes and other household goods.

Fish stand at the market

Crabs for sale

Anyone want a pigs head for dinner?

Pigs intestines

Chicken feet 

Pomelos are delicious. We soaked them in clorox water before eating

Papayas are plentiful here, healthy and delicious, we also bought a coconut from the vendor in the movie below

LIFE IS FRAGILE

This week has been so busy with our core duties of nursing and housing that we had to miss the thing that we have enjoyed most in recent weeks - the teaching of another missionary discussion to the couple from our apartment building.  Due to the holiday, All Saints Day and related out of town obligations, Lance and Grace were only able to meet with the missionaries midday during the week; on a day that Eileen and I were so busy that we had to split up in order to get everything done.  Eileen was taking two elders into Quezon City to see a doctor and I was buying supplies for the new apartments.  

With other elders in the hospital and moving four sets of missionaries into new apartments over a 10-day period we have not had as much time as we had hoped to look for two additional apartments that we need before the next transfer date on November 13th.  Fortunately, last Thursday the missionaries were able to locate two potential units for rent.  We will be looking at them this coming Tuesday and Wednesday.  Hopefully, we can rent them and get things moved in on Friday and Saturday.

Last Wednesday, the day Eileen and I decided to “divide and conquer,” through our separate experiences we were reminded of two important points.  First, we do better when we are together.  And second, life is fragile and can change in an instant.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the two days before the holiday, traffic was crazy.  It reminded us of the traffic the day before Thanksgiving Day, when everyone is hurrying to go be with relatives.  It took Eileen four hours to travel back from a hospital just eight miles away.  When traffic gets that congested, somehow a three lane road (one direction) finds itself with five or six “lanes” of vehicles.  All vehicles were traveling either very slowly or stopped, just inches away from each other.  It was in this mess that Eileen found herself between two commuter vans (like small busses), one in front and another on her side. In this congested mess the driver of a vehicle in front of Eileen jumped out and claimed she had hit him. He called a policeman over who looked at both vehicles and shooed the driver on. Unfortunately about 30 seconds later Eileen heard a crunch and found that another passenger van had come in contact with our car from the right side and actually did cause damage.  Fortunately, at speeds of 1 or 2 miles an hour, while you can dent things you are much less likely to get hurt although it rather rattled Eileen.

After this too close encounter, just down the road a kilometer or two, one of the missionaries says to Eileen, “Is that a body laying in the road?”  On the other side of the road, only a couple blocks from where we live, a jeepney had pulled over to the side of the road to let passengers on and off.  Since traffic was not moving in the lanes to the left of the jeepney, a truck decided passed it on the right (on the sidewalk) hitting a young man and killing him.  

Between this event, seeing the woman in the hospital arrest and die six weeks ago, and then the little girl drown in the pool in Indonesia, Eileen says in all her years of nursing she had fewer patients die than she has seen die on our missions.  It has been a clear reminder to us that life is fragile.

When we couldn't get all the Elder's belongings in the van, we resorted to moving things on a trike.

When we served in the missionary department a mission president told me he wanted a senior missionary who was built like King Kong to be in charge of housing. I told him most seniors aren't in that kind of condition, but Russell is doing his best when moving missionaries.

Russell and Elder Douglas moving in

The missionaries love this  restaurant in Pakil. We treated them as a thanks for taking their  Pday to move the other missionaries in.

View from the window at the doctor's office  at Medical City.

This Dad has put a block of ice on the back of his motorcycle. I hope it doesn't end up in someone's drink.

We are hoping to get this house for the sisters. Sister Scanlan and Day are so excited. 

This was on the door of a house we looked at to rent this week, "Life is fragile, handle with prayer." The landlords said we were an answer to their prayers, We  responded that they were an answer to OUR prayers. It still seems too good to be true. We are hoping to sign the papers this week.

Fridge delivery in Kapitolyo. We bought the fridge and they immediately put it on a trolley and walked it to the apartment. They weren't allowed to go up the elevator as it was just for clients. The delivery boys hauled this fridge up 4 flights of stairs.

Sister Day and Sister Riggs, showing their old fridge and comparing it to the new fridge. The landlord couldn't figure out why the small fridge wasn't sufficient. We have coolers bigger than that fridge back home. I told them they looked like synchronized swimmers.

Eileen getting her first facial (less than 10 dollars).  My phone rang 3 times in less than 5 minutes during the facial. Needless to say it didn't offer the relaxation I was looking for. It was difficult  trying to text with this goop all over my face.

Putting a wheelchair on a trike after church.

OOPS, that crunching noise was our car.