MY LACK OF PROPER PERSPECTIVE

This past week has been an interesting one, not one we particularly want to repeat, but eventful.  Last weekend we had a record (during my short tenure) of five cars in the body shop at the same time. And this week another first, three accidents (Mon, Thurs. & Sat.).  Usually, we have only 1-2 a month.  Not exactly the type of records that I’m proud of but perhaps revealing on my last week.  The sisters’ car got hit while it was parked and unoccupied.  The two cars driven by elders suffered from the same problem, drivers thinking that the gap they wanted to get through was wider than their cars actually were.  While just an inconvenience if approached slowly, at 30-35 mph it creates quite a mess. I totally get why car insurance rates are higher for young males.

I’m not sure when it started happening (I (Russell) would never have thought to call my son’s mission office) and perhaps it’s just because we are in the U.S. where phone calls are free and mission office phone numbers are only a Google search away, but some missionary parents feel they need to call the mission nurse to both complain about their missionary’s health care and to ask why they are not getting better.  Eileen got two of those this week.  One went so far as to demand “blood work” be done, only to call back a few minutes later and say her bishop said no need for the blood work but suggested two medications.  The missionary has already been seen by a local physician and has been prescribed a different medication.  The mother told her missionary to take all three.

It was with this backdrop that Eileen and I discussed what we might write about in the blog this week. Between these and other challenges at home and in the office, Eileen suggested maybe we just skip writing.  However, another thing happened this week that has reminded me how minor my problems are and how myopic my viewpoint is.  Yesterday a funeral was held at the building where we attend church.  A young man, Jonathan Fielding, whose family lives in a neighboring ward, passed away tragically after falling while hiking in Southern Utah.  My heart goes out to his family, particularly his parents.  Their loss has reminded me of what a great gift life is, and how fortunate we are that none of our accidents in the mission have resulted in serious injury.

Our office staff during transition.  Sister Kearns (in the purple), is having brain surgery the end of the month and needs some time off. Sister Welbern (front row, left) lives locally and taught Sister Kearns how to do the office job. She has very graciously agreed to serve as the secretary to the mission president until a new missionary can be assigned. 

We needed to go to Tipton which is 2 hours away to pick up some appliances. We took Elder Barlow and Elder Paul out to lunch.   

Eileen had a zoom call with some members of her family and her sister Chris on Friday night. Chris is the one who was in a medically induced coma for a couple of weeks fighting ARDS.  She is now in a rehab facility trying to gain her strength back. It is remarkable how well she is doing. Three different doctors  told her she is indeed a miracle patient, as they truly didn't expect her to live. Chris sent the photo below  today of her standing on her own without a walker or oxygen. Just 9 days ago she was scheduled to have a tracheostomy and was so weak it took 4 men to lift her