HOW QUICKLY WE FORGET

 Early Thursday morning, at 3:30 AM, Eileen’s phone sounded, noting that it had received a text message.  The elders were trying to be considerate and not wake us with a call, but worried enough to send a message hoping that Eileen might just happen to notice their message, if she were up.  Being light sleepers, we both woke up immediately and Eileen called the missionaries.They explained that one of the elders had been suffering with a headache, minor chest pain, and a few other odd symptoms for a few days.  But that night the elder had not slept at all because it felt like a heavy weight was pressing on his chest.  Eileen first thought he possibly had a chest cold or pneumonia.  However, the elder was not coughing up anything, was not running a temperature, and had a normal heartbeat.  After talking with the Area Medical Advisor and whoever was on-call at Missionary Medical, the decision was made to send the elder into the ER.  A few hours later, the diagnosis came back as Covid.  I had totally forgot that one of common signs of covid during the first year of the pandemic was intense chest pressure.

This morning a sister missionary had to go to the ER.  It has been a while since we have had two missionary ER visits in a week.

On Friday, the Church announced new mission presidents for 2025.  Eileen noticed two were from our stake back home (Centerville Utah North).  Mark & Shae Oligschlaeger, from the Greenfield Ward will be serving in the California San Bernardino Mission.  They live across the street from where our daughter Jessica lived before they moved to Oregon.  Brent & Lisa Robinson, from the Reading Ward will be serving in the Philippines Antipolo Mission. It is interesting that they will be serving in the mission in which we served with President Alder from our stake.

On the second Saturday of each month, the senior missionaries attend the 1:30 PM session.Yesterday was the last time Eileen would have the opportunity to attend with the other senior missionaries.  I serve as an ordinance worker during that time so I can’t attend with them.It did so happen that we were able to meet for just a minute near the end of her time in the temple.  It was a special blessing to be able to share that experience together.

                                        

Did we forget how we dressed for Zoom meetings during Covid?  Russell figured he would only be seen from the waist up, and dressed appropriately. 

                                     

It took Russell a couple of hours to dig our car out of the snow on Monday to go into the office. Our car was totally encased in ice.  We didn't have a snow shovel so he used a frying pan to clear the snow off of the ground that was blocking our car in. 

                                    

                             I (Eileen) sat in the car while Russell cleaned the ice off the car.  

                         

Russell likes this deli in Independence. I can take it or leave it. However since we met the owners who are from Korea and heard their stories, all of a sudden their food tastes better. 

I am hoping this vestibular PT will help this sister.  Vertigo is a difficult disease to deal with.

I am enjoying playing racquetball again (even if I am not losing weight).  I play with Russell in the morning and Sister Creer in the evening. 

Our APs didn't realize they were dressed alike. They even have matching ties on. 

Sister Creer had a dead battery. For her it was no problem. She pulled out her portable battery zapper and got her car going in no time. Russell said she should be the vehicle coordinator. 

We had 22 senior missionaries join us for dinner after our temple session. 

WINTER BLIZZARD

Late last week we started getting  news reports of a big storm coming.  It was forecast that the storm would start midafternoon Saturday with freezing rain and then about nightfall turn to snow.  The snow was expected to continue all through the night and Sunday until 10 PM.  So far, the weathermen have got it right.  They have also predicted that Monday through Thursday will be clear with low temperatures in the single digits and highs rising to 28 on Thursday after three days in the teens.  That layer of ice below the snow will have no chance to melt on its own.

Church meetings have been canceled today as public safety personnel are urging the public to stay off the roads.

Friday evening I (Russell) got word that my temple shift Saturday afternoon had been canceled.  The temple was planning to close by 1:30 PM, after the mid-day shift.  I felt a sense of loss not be I able to serve there the next day.

That evening we also had the opportunity to have dinner with President and Sister Sommerfeldt at Manny’s Mexican Restaurant, in downtown Kansas City.  I came away that evening clearly recognizing two of my favorite things about my time serving here.  I love serving in the temple and I love serving with President and Sister Sommerfeldt.  I am really going to miss them.

Since I was going to be home Saturday afternoon, and most things here were shutting down by midafternoon, I suggested to Eileen that we have a pre-blizzard party. We invited some of the other senior missionaries that live within close walking distance to us over for dinner, which I picked up from the Chinese takeout place near us before they closed.

Two photos posted on the news regarding accidents in the freezing rain. You think the road is clear and in reality it is a sheet of ice. In fact one video showed teenagers playing ice hockey in the street in Liberty.

Windchill factor of -4 degrees. So glad I am not a pioneer living in a log cabin.

Missouri doesn't get much snow. Compared to Utah this isn't much but there is a sheet of ice under that snow.

Our pre-blizzard party. We only invited people who lived close enough they  could walk to our apartment. 

Look at these cleats/treads Sister Dennison had on the bottom of her shoes.  Brilliant!