Thankfully I’m healing from my fall

Monday and Tuesday were pretty normal days. I worked from the office and prepared papers and interview materials and things for the 24 new arriving missionaries who would come on Wednesday.

Tuesday morning, Sister Felila who had been serving for several months while waiting for her visa, flew out to her assigned mission in Bolivia. She came by the office to pick up her passport and other papers and I was blessed with a goodbye hug.

Wednesday morning, I wasn’t able to help much other than put a few napkins and forks on tables, because of my arm and brace, as we prepared to serve missionaries who would be training this transfer.

The trainees come to the church and have a training session at 10 o’clock in the morning. Sister Cornelius wanted to feed them breakfast so they came early. There were a lot of helping hands in the kitchen to prepare waffles, sausage, and hash brown potatoes.

Then the tables were prepared for the lunch that would be served for the new missionaries who would be arriving. The trainers helped put around napkins and forks and when it was time, brought food to the table. 

Sandwiches, chips, watermelon and cookies were served to the new missionaries

The trainers and we waited about an hour and a half after the training meeting ended because the flight coming in bringing the new missionaries was delayed so they didn’t arrive when we expected them.

After lunch or during lunch, President Cornelius, President Hopkins (first counselor in the mission presidency), and I interviewed each Missionary. I did my usual Health questions in order to get to know them better.

After lunch and interviews, the trainers and their new companions met together for a session of training with President & Sister Cornelius and President & Sister Hopkins. Then they all departed to their assigned destinations.

That evening the 20 departing missionaries met at President & Sister Cornelius’s home for dinner. They were served smoked brisket, scolloped potatoes, coleslaw, fruit salad and chocolate cake with ice cream.

It was a long but wonderful day being with new and departing missionaries.

Thursday I went to Costco for an eye exam so that I could order new glasses as my glasses were scratched badly in my face plant when I fell. So I’ll have new glasses next week.

Thursday, the departing missionaries were taken to the temple by the president and his wife and when they returned, Elder and Sister Crump, Sister Barker, and I had a late lunch, at about 3:30, prepared for them: pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw and fruit salad with chips.

Something came up at home and I needed to go home and take care of it because it couldn’t wait until I return in September. I received permission to go back to Utah, so Friday afternoon I left for Sandy. 

Before leaving, however, I went to the orthopedic doctor for a follow up visit. My elbow was x-rayed to make sure that everything was healing properly. Good news! All looks good. I can remove the brace when I’m at home or office and not out moving around. So I only need to wear it at night, when I’m walking or out in a crowd, etc. I’m to do arm exercises to get range of motion going back. It’s been very nice to have the use of my arm again.

When I scheduled my flight to Salt Lake, I didn’t think about the missionaries departing for home on Friday, but it ended up that we were on the same flight. What a joy it was to spend a few more hours with them before they went to their homes. It was really fun to walk through the exit of the airport and see all the families waiting for their missionaries.

I was able to get outside the plane and video them coming off the plane. I missed a couple who didn’t make it out in time, but it was a joy seeing them off.

I got home in time Friday evening to organize a quick dinner. Some of my family were able to come join me. After the meal, we sat out on the lawn and chatted while the kids played in the driveway.

Unfortunately I didn’t get all of us that were together included in the pictures. It was a pleasant evening.

Saturday I was able to spend a little time with family, although I didn’t get pictures.

I went to my home ward for church and Relief Society Sunday morning. It was nice to see friends again.

Some of my family came on Sunday evening for dinner. It was great to see them once more before leaving Monday morning to go back to Eugene.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve and work with our missionaries. I am blessed with a wonderful, loving and supportive family and mission leaders.

I send my love to all.

I love my Savior

I love you my family and friends.

What a memorable week!

Monday started out as normal as could be. Went to dinner with two great sisters. 

Sisters Zollinger and Davis

My Tuesday morning walk was the beginning of a most unforgettable week.

Saw this beautiful heron 

Close to the end of our walk, I did a face plant. On the way down, I put out my left arm to catch myself and jammed my lower arm, causing a radial head fracture. Sister and Elder Crump were so worried as were many people walking by. Of course I didn’t realize that I had fractured my arm at the time. I got up and didn’t really seem to have too much problem other than the bleeding on my face that I couldn’t get to stop right away. 

I got home and got the bleeding stopped and realized that it was painful to bend and straighten and rotate my left arm from the elbow down. I cleaned up myself and called to see if I could get into an orthopedic center that has some same-day appointments for people with an “emergency”.

Sure enough, after x-rays, the doctor confirmed the fracture. Here’s a link if you’d like to learn about radial head fractures. 

The x-ray showed a subtle crack with the bone pieces staying fitted together. I was put in a brace and given a sling and I’m to return on the 26th for additional x-rays to make sure that the bones haven’t shifted out of place.

I was to help with interviews Tuesday, but I stayed home and iced my arm and babied myself.

Several months ago, I had invited my friend Kate Lucas, who lives in Tempe Arizona, to come spend a few days. She arrived Wednesday morning. I stayed in my apartment again and iced my arm. Kate pampered me.

Thursday morning, we left for Newport Oregon to spend two days on the coast. It has been hot here in Eugene so the cooler breezes and temperatures of Newport were very welcome. We had lunch in Florence. 

We walked on the beach as soon as we got into our vacation rental. Kate and I met while we were serving our missions in New Zealand and walking on the beach became a morning ritual as we walked Takapuna Beach every morning except Sunday. Kate was the area mental health advisor and I of course was the Mission nurse. We lived in the same apartment complex so it was convenient for us to meet every morning for a walk. So you can see why we headed straight for the beach. It’s one of our favorite places. 

Jelly fish, acres of sand, rocks and Kate

Friday morning, we got up early and went down to look at the tide pools. 

Love the flowers we pass on the way to the beach

We found some sea stars and anemone, and a lot of shells and sea creatures stuck to the rocks. 

Flowers and view along the path to the beach

Then we went over and walked around the harbor area, where one can usually find sea lions lying on the docks, but there were none there. Bridge seen from the harbor and sign on the dock

After finding no sea lions, we drove out to Yaquina Head Lighthouse. 

While we were at the lighthouse, we noticed a stairway down to tide pools. The tide was already in so not good to see while there. We talked to a ranger who said that we should come back tomorrow, Saturday, and that low tide would be early so we should be there as soon as they open at 8 o’clock. 

Since we couldn’t go to the tide pools, we decided to climb a trail that went to an overlook. The trail wound around a little mountain where we saw flowers and looked down over the lighthouse and point. 

Before we got all of the way to the top, the mist/fog had settled over the area but we opted to go the rest of the way anyway. We could see maybe 20-30 feet ahead of us but we were denied the “spectacular” view we had hoped to see. At least we made it to the top.

For dinner that evening, we enjoyed sushi and salad at Asiático Waterfront Sushi.

We had to check out of our vacation rental Saturday morning, so we got up early, loaded our things in the car and left our vacation rental and went to see the Yaquina Head tide pools. It was a beautiful area and the tide pools were inviting, but it was very rocky. The rocks would roll out from under our feet and I didn’t feel secure walking there with my arm in a sling and unable to keep really good balance because of it so I waited while Kate walked around. The bigger rocks around the pools were slick as you got out onto them and she was afraid she would fall as well. We were told that a man had fallen the day before and was quite injured. 

Views of the tide pools and cove from above. Murras (big black birds) on the haystacks and sea lions on the rocks.

Since we couldn’t explore the pools, we went back to Newport to the tide pools we had seen on Friday and enjoyed them very much again. We then found a café where we could have breakfast before heading back to Eugene. Kate had to catch a flight back to Arizona that afternoon. 

Kate took very good care of me on our short trip to the coast. She helped me ice my arm, carried suitcases and pampered me in every possible way. I am so spoiled to have such a great friend. I hated to see her go back to the 110° weather that she would be facing after enjoying temperatures in the low 60s.

Here I am being spoiled with my feet up, ice on my arm, drink by my side and surrounded by chocolate!!

Saturday evening I went to a ward picnic at a park with my friend Diana. It was 93° and after being in the cool coastal air, I was pretty warm, so we didn’t stay too long.

I did my weekly report and sent it in before heading to bed. I had a good night’s rest and a good day at church Sunday morning

Sunday evening I had invited Sisters Palmer and Sterzer to dinner. With my arm in a sling and not able to lift or bend it a lot we had a simple meal of cold cut sandwiches and salad. Sadly we got so involved talking that I neglected to get a picture 

Sister Sterzer crocheted this beautiful blanket and brought it to me I love how soft it is what a thoughtful and caring sister she is.

Having my little accident has given me a deeper appreciation for a healthy body. I’m grateful that I have family and friends who support and care for me. And I have a loving Heavenly Father and Savior who lift me when I’m down. The pain and discomfort has been minimal. I feel fortunate that I’m still able to function and do the things that I need to do. I’ve discovered I’m not a quick one finger typist, but I have managed.

I know that through trials and difficult times the Lord gives us the opportunity to learn and grow. I like this 2010 conference talk By Elder James B. Martino titled “All Things Work Together for Good”. Elder Martino says: “We may never know in this life why we face what we do, but we can feel confident that we can grow from the experience.” 

In contemplating my embarrassment at falling, my broken arm, my bloody face, my desire not to have others wait on me, I realize that this incident is teaching me patience and giving me humility. It gives me a deeper appreciation for others who struggle. I appreciate more a healthy body and realize what a gift we have in miraculous bodies that heal. 

I’m rambling but I want you all to know that I recognize that everything I experience and have in this life are gifts from God 

I love my Savior

I love you my family and friends