FORTY SIX YEARS!

Yesterday, Eileen and I celebrated our wedding anniversary.  I feel very fortunate and blessed to have now been able to spend over two-thirds of my life with Eileen.  When we got married, I could not have even dreamed of all the things that we have been able to experience together (posterity, traveling, serving in the Church, etc.).  I am grateful for my grandfather who introduced us to one another in the now demolished visitor center on Temple Square, and for the opportunity to be sealed as husband and wife in the temple for both time and all eternity.

In our last blog entry, Eileen related her visit to the hospital last Sunday and Monday.  There are two small things that I would like to add regarding that experience, one interesting and the other humorous.  

At the end of my temple shift the evening before Eileen had her medical issues, I stopped to enter a couple family members’ names on the temple prayer roll.  As I was doing so, I inadvertently also wrote down Eileen’s name.  As soon as I had done so, I chided myself for not being more focused on what I was doing.  But then quickly forgot about it as I returned home.  It was during the sobering events of the next day that I remembered entering Eileen’s name on the prayer roll.  I can’t help but think that it one of those small “rays of light” Elder Dushku spoke about in General Conference, where God was reminding me that he was aware of what was to come and that he cared.

On Monday evening I was trying to find something Eileen would eat.  She was still not feeling well didn’t want to eat or drink.  When I suggested egg-drop soup she agreed.  No, I don’t make it, but I do know a take-out Chinese restaurant where I can buy it!  With the food I bought that evening, I got a fortune cookie holding the following fortune, “Let Mondays be a reminder to live each day to the fullest.”  Amen!

Prior to Eileen’s hospital visit, we had thought that our blog entry for the week might be about an issue which came to a head in the mission that Friday. In a mission-wide Zoom meeting, President Sommerfeldt addressed an obedience issue which had been plaguing a number of our young elders.  The issue involved a local member of the Church and has evidently been going on for years.  Tragically, this has resulted in some elders going home early last week, with more leaving this week.  It is sad to witness, and even sadder to imagine all the pain that this will cause within their families.  

Since the stake reorganized the ward boundaries a month ago, we have been attending the Independence 3^rdWard.  Last week, as I went to church alone (Eileen was home sick, prior to our going to the hospital), and then again to day, I left church thinking what great meetings I had just experienced.  For the first time residing away from Centerville (Utah) since living in Belgium, I thought to myself, “I could live here.”  I’m not saying that I am having feelings like many who have moved here, who say that they felt inspired to move here.  At least not yet.

Elder and Sister Dennison and some young elders got everything moved out of the home in Mound City. It had large amounts of mold in it and was a source of great angst for me (Eileen)

Sister Parker and Sister Hunsaker surveying the map with our mission boundaries trying to find a location which would work for our senior couple who have been serving there. 

Elder Covington has been helping with some computer work in our office as a service missionary. He completed his mission this past week.

Fortune the day I was released from the hospital. It was a nice reminder to enjoy each day for the blessings which have come. 

This poor missionary has ringworm in the scalp area. It requires 30 days of medication taken twice/day.

Saturday while Russell was at the temple I did a wagon ride around Independence with some other senior missionaries. It was very interesting. We have a lot of history here. He stopped to tell some stories in front of Bess Trumans childhood home (the yellow house in the background). 

Sister Kearns, Eileen, Sisters Creer, Ponton and Braillier

It is difficult to see, but there are Christmas lights around the pillars of the courthouse. Hallmark has been filming a movie in Independence called "Holiday Touchdown, A Chief's Love Story.

Russell knows I love flowers and bought these orchids for me.

We tried a lovely new Italian restaurant to celebrate our anniversary.

NOT THE WAY YOU WANT TO EXPERIENCE A HOSPITAL

We are late in posting a blog this week.  Normally we post on Sunday.  Russell writes the text and I (Eileen) post the pictures.  As this blog basically is our missionary journal I  didn't want to neglect writing. 

It was a challenging week, with issues with missionaries, both health and behavior wise, unpaid missionary bills, a multitude of problems with the cars, and to top it off two hospital visits within 24 hours. Fortunately, we didn't have any responsibilities  with the vehicle issues other than to feel compassion for Elder Parker who is now working with them.

Saturday night I received two calls from a sister. During the first call she identified herself and said she was just fed something with peanuts. As she is allergic to peanuts she had taken two Benadryl and was calling to consult with me. She didn't have her epipen with her and I told her to go get it as it was a few minutes away and to keep in touch with me. An hour later she was at a baptism and called to tell me she was struggling to breathe. I sent her immediately to the ER and met her there. Fortunately, her issues were taken care of and she was released. I enjoyed the opportunity to get to know her and her companion better as she was being cared for.

Sunday morning I (Eileen) didn't attend church as I had some bad vertigo.  Unlike dizziness where you feel like you are going to faint, vertigo makes you feel like the whole world is spinning around you. Even though logically  you know things around you can't be moving, vertigo is very frightening.  It causes nausea, loss of balance, problems focusing the eyes. and sometimes dizziness. It is kind of like the feeling you get after the wildest  roller coaster you have ever been on, only it doesn't go away.  I have had vertigo before and know how to deal with it.  I assumed I would follow the self-care methods I have used in the past. When I started getting a severe right sided headache along with right sided weakness, I became really frightened.  I knew if I was having a stroke it was imperative to be seen immediately. I also knew that my life as I knew it would change dramatically.

Russell took me to the ER of the local hospital. Once the nurse looked at me she took me right back. She took me directly to get a CT scan.  From there it is kind of a blur. Russell said there were 6-8 people working on me. I remember someone putting an IV in, a doctor introducing herself and then introducing a neurologist. I thought how in the world did all these people get here so fast?  Russell said they had a video monitor and thought it was another neurologist from another hospital consulting with the doctors. I had a number of tests and then was kept overnight in the hospital for more testing.  Since all the rooms on the floor and in the ER were full, I was lined up in the hallway.  Fortunately, I had brought my earphones and listened to church music on my phone and tried to rest during the chaos that ensued. The hospital in Independence is not known for its upper class clientele.  Two nurses told me I didn't look like I come from here. After several hours of being in the hallway I was transferred to a room. Although it was obvious the staff in the ER were very frazzled, I got good care.  After a number of tests it was determined I most likely a hemiplegic migraine which basically manifests itself with stroke like symptoms. Since I have never had migraines before this was news to me.

Monday night I was discharged with some follow up visits requested with different practitioners. The vertigo still is there, but the weakness is gone.  The neurologist who examined me on the day of discharge said that I had a remarkable right handed grip. I told him I need to have a good grip as I play racquetball several times/week. It turned out this neurologist played collegiate racquetball. I think he was delighted to meet someone else who played. Most people in MO play pickleball.

I am grateful for a good husband who stayed with me during all of this craziness, good family and senior missionary friends and good medical care. I am so very thankful for my Heavenly Father who watches over me and helps me emotionally and physically when times get tough. 

These children decided that they wanted to see who was in my office.  They were definitely cute little kids. I think their Mom was at Family Services.

The best part of the week. Meeting Sister Creer's brother and sister in law and going out for BBQ. Notice the roll of paper towels at the end of the table. We needed them. My salad below was huge.

Is this supposed to be cool?  Riding on a motorcycle standing up?

Sister Megan and Sister Perez in the ER the night before I was admitted.

I was in the hallway of the ER for about 4 hours, then got moved to a room in the ER. I still needed to use the restroom in the hallway, so I passed the same patients in the hallway each time I used the restroom.  By nighttime there were  at least 20-25 people in the hallway, so I was grateful for the chance to get a room.

Sister Sheffield was kind enough to bring some roses for me once I came home. We have made some wonderful friendships as missionaries.

UNEVENTFUL WEEK ?

As I (Russell) sat down to write about this past week, I struggled to come up with anything that I thought was interesting.  In many ways this week was much like the week before it, and what I expect this coming week to be like.  The primary medical issue of the week seemed to be ingrown toenails, which, along with ticks and chiggers, take up a lot of Eileen’s time.

But then it occurred to me, how much better this was than “more interesting” weeks when I had to deal with automobile wrecks and missionaries with emotional problems needing to be accompanied home.  This week, my 91-year-old father had hip surgery and is recovering very well.  This week, Eileen stopped wearing the boot on her injured foot, and was able to go to the gym again with me.  On Saturday, our senior missionary district had its once-a-month temple visit, and my temple assignment schedule just happened to have me sitting in the same room as they were for their entire session.  Today we attended our new ward (Independence 3^rd Ward) in the Norfleet Road building.  Despite the ward membership having just been reduced by the recent reorganization, the chapel and overflow section seating was almost full.  Both the sacrament and priesthood meetings I attended were wonderful spiritual experiences, with welcoming members with whom I was previously unacquainted.

Clearly, I need to appreciate the slower and less dramatic pace, and just recognize how blessed I am.

President Forsyth of the Independence Visitor Center taught our Senior Missionary FHE on what the Book of Mormon teaches us about joy and happiness.

I finally took my brace off my hand and the boot off my foot after having worn them for over a month.  Saturday I played racquetball with Russell. He played left handed and I didn't do much running around but we still played.  I then did some indoor biking and swam some laps.  Trying to get back into shape a little at a time.  I may be old but don't want to appear dead yet!

We had just returned from the gym when Russell began making fun of the large size of this cantaloupe I bought at a road-side market.  He started quoting Mike Myers, "Move that melon of yours!" from the movie, So I Married an Axe Murderer.

                                 

Russell presented in district meeting on my favorite conference talk by Elder Alexander Dushku entitled Pillars and Rays. Elder Dushku  was our former stake president.

                                                            

We must have been doing a special in our mission on ingrown toenails. I (Eileen) had 5 missionaries call me within 36 hours with problems with ingrown toenails. I had a total of 16 ingrown toenails that needed to be treated just this week.     I also had a missionary with significant heart history who was having chest pain. That gave me a bit of a scare.  It seems like I can never foresee what each day will bring. This week has been a busy one.                                                                                                                                                 

I have the only window in the office which is front of the missionary's desk.  I love seeing the cardinals and hummingbirds outside in the flowers.

This missionary's little finger has created quite a bit of consternation for me. It was recommended she obtain surgery but it has taken quite a bit of my time to make that happen.

We had 27 senior missionaries go to dinner after the temple.  Russell was working for his second week in the temple. It was wonderful to see him serving in our session. It did mean however, he didn't join us for dinner. 

PERCEPTION VS REALITY

As I reviewed our past several blog entries, it occurred to me that what we have written about is in no way proportional to the time we have spent doing it.  Truly little of the verbiage written there reflects what we do in our primary missionary callings, and almost none of the pictures pertain to that.  While Eileen continues to get medical calls seven days a week, most relate to common illnesses and minor injuries.  Fortunately, the young missionaries are not having as many severe emotional incidents as they did last fall.  In most cases, it would be inappropriate to write about a medical issue that may identify someone, as we know some from our mission read our blog. And writing about paying rent, utility bills, missionary support funds, or reconciling credit card expenses just are not the kind of things that people look forward to reading about.  It is what we do each day, and we are happy to be able to serve, but unless we can find something unique or spiritual about our day-to-day work, we look for other things to write about.

Yesterday, while Eileen spent the day working on medical issues, I (Russell) was able to start serving as a temple ordinance worker.  The assistant shift coordinator is Brother Fielding, the man who we noted as speaking in stake conference on May 5^th.  It was his son that fell to his death while hiking in southern Utah last January.  During a few minutes of down time, he shared with me several incidents that helped him realize that God was aware of his suffering and desire to comfort him.  Brother Fielding also related to me his experience of going through the temple as proxy for his son in early March, and the joy it brought him.  I feel fortunate to have the blessings of the temple in my life, to know that I can be with my family forever, if I live worthy of the opportunity that the Gospel of Jesus Christ affords me.

Last week in church, they announced a change to most of the ward boundaries within the stake. Next week will be the first Sunday that members of the new wards will meet together, leaving today as the last Sunday for the members to be with their old ward family.  As mentioned in prior blog entries, the Blue Mills ward, which we have been attending, is predominantly Samoan.  So, when the bishop announced that following Sacrament meeting that we would all go outside to the Bowery for the second hour of church to “break the fast” (eat), and enjoy friendships and share testimonies, I thought that perhaps it was cultural thing to eat one last time with old ward members.  As it was only 10:00 am on Fast Sunday, Eileen and I decided to skip the party and attend the Sacrament meeting of the ward that going forward will encompass where we live, and which will be meeting at 9:00 am next Sunday in a different building.  Funny thing was that they too were going out to the bowrey following their meetings to “break the fast” together, but only after the second hour of church.  I guess it is a cultural thing, just a Missouri thing and not a Polynesian thing.

Our son-in law Steve purchased a ticket so that I (Eileen) could go with him and the kids to the Copa America Soccer tournament between the U.S. and Uruguay.  I have never been to something like this and was totally enthralled.  What a fun way to spend the evening with the grandkids. Russell stayed home with Jessica and her baby. The game was played at Arrowhead stadium, which is where the KC Chiefs play football. I think it was announced that there were 57,000 people at the stadium for the game. 

I drove the two oldest grandkids to the gym the morning they were leaving. When I came out the car was doing bizarre things and wouldn't start.  Jessica drove up to help. It was blazing hot (like 97 degrees) with high humidity. I am glad that the car started with a jump from AAA, as Russell had gone early to help with Zone Conference in Liberty. 

Some of the senior missionaries at Zone Conference. I did a presentation on hydration and medical processes. I will upload my presentation if I can figure out how to do it. 

Elder Besaw giving his departure testimony.  It would seem he is the happiest missionary on earth. Even with some health issues he would still always be reaching out to others to see how they were doing. 

We took a tour of the Vaille Mansion here in Independence on July 4th.  The cost to build this back in 1871 was equivalent to $4.5 million dollars in today's currency. 

The Sommerfeldts did a 4th of July BBQ at their home. All 28 senior missionaries came. We ate delicious food and shared thoughts about the blessings of being an American.

Most medical issues I can't discuss in my blog. These two senior missionary sisters were happy to let me take a blog photo showing their styes. That wild look in Sister Dennison's eyes is the norm for her. She keeps me laughing all the time.  She can't wait to see her photo in my blog. 

This is a photo of Darryl, aka "the Critter Hunter".  He has been coming to the YSA church meetings although is not a member.  He made the news when his three-wheel trike was stolen. There were enough donations to both replace his bike and provide some funds for future needs. 

Seems each week I always have a photo of the three amigas. I have really bonded with these other two senior missionaries and love them very much.

Sister Hildreth is from a ranch in Montana. She had no problems flushing this sister's eyes out after she had an allergic reaction to some trees.  She even pinned her down to make sure the water would get into her eye.

The fireworks in Independence on the 5th were magnificent. There was a band playing patriotic music in the background.

SUMMER SAFETY