This has been a most interesting and busy week

Have to begin with thanks for the beautiful walks I had on Monday and Tuesday mornings. Those were the only days I was able to walk so I appreciate them more.

Last week a missionary began to have a fever.  As the week progressed, other symptoms began to appear. 

On Monday, this week, it became apparent that something “sinister” was going on.

I drove about an hour and a half south to accompany them to the ER.  They were admitted and given IV fluid and treated for an infection through Wednesday.

The “Pink Moon” over the mountain as I drove south early Wednesday morning.  Google “pink moon” and read about it.

I drove back and forth from Eugene daily to be with the missionary and to hear the doctor’s orders and prognosis.  There would be a fairly lengthy recuperation period so on Thursday they flew home for care and recovery. 

On Wednesday another missionary began with some severe pain that required an ER visit on Friday. I drove two and a half hours south to be with them.  (This time I packed a bag to stay over.)  They were admitted and started immediately on IV therapy and antibiotics.

Beauty by the hospital sidewalk

 
A very kind and understanding doctor came in and advised that surgery would be necessary but antibiotics needed to be given through the night before surgery.

He came in on Saturday morning to perform the surgery.

As you can see, on Saturday mornings, the pre-op rooms and waiting room are empty.

Saturday mid morning in the foyer and halls of the hospital first floor entrance

The doctor came back to the hospital in the afternoon to check on the patient. He was very thorough in his explanations and care. A tender mercy.

Because of privacy, I can’t say more, but this doctor and the circumstances were an answer to prayers to help with an ongoing, long- time health issue.

Friday evening, another missionary stayed with the patient and I  stayed at a hotel on the banks of the Rogue River. It was nice.

Riverside Inn

The Rogue River view from the balcony of my room

Saturday night, I stayed in the hospital to help with the needs of the patient. I got my weekly report done and sent in and truly had a good night’s rest.

Sunday the patient was to be discharged but began vomiting and not feeling well. It remains to be seen when they will be discharged.

It has been a walk down memory lane this week. I remembered my days of being a CNA on weekend nights at LDS Hospital  in Salt Lake City while I went to school during the week.

After graduation and passing the boards, I worked for about 4 1/2 years as an RN at that same hospital.

After my second child was born, I stayed at home until all of my children were in school.  Then I took a refresher course and went to work again part time at Greenwood Clinic.

I worked there for a few years, I can’t remember how many, before I started working at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital.  I worked there for over 10 years before I retired. 

Wow!  I’m sure you are thinking too much history here!  I tell you this because I have been reliving these years as I have spent this week daily being in the hospital. I’ve loved every minute.

Serving the Lord and working with these wonderful missionaries is such a blessing and brings me joy!

I read a conference talk given in October 1984 by Elder Russell C Taylor titled:  The Joy of Service.

My thoughts echo those of Elder Taylor. He says:

“ I can say unashamedly, I rejoice in the service of God. My experience teaches that the highest goodness attainable is a life of unselfish service to mankind.

It has been wisely said, “Service is the rent we pay for our own room on earth.” We should know that the rent is due on a daily basis and know that the receipt is never stamped “paid in full,” because the rent, service in God’s kingdom, is again due today and due tomorrow.

Some mistakenly think that a commitment to service comes after a great spiritual experience. This is like the man who is cold, standing before the stove, and saying, “Give me heat, and then I will put in some wood.” The joy and blessings of service follow the rendering of service.

There comes a time in the life of all people when they must certify with their actions what they believe. Jesus said of his own life, “The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” (Matt. 20:28.)”

 

I want to be more like my Savior.  Serving others does bring me joy and blessings and brings me closer to my Savior and Father in Heaven.

I love my Savior.

I love you, my family and friends

I think the world is glorious and lovely as can be.

Every day, rain or shine, I can’t believe how beautiful the world is around me. Greens of every color as leaves emerge. Flowers beginning to bloom. Birds singing and squirrels playing in the trees and grass. I could go on forever listing the beauties of our earth.

Looking across this field at a distance, it looked like frost on the grass but up close you see these pretty little daisy-like flowers

A squirrel raiding my neighbor’s bird feeder

This is a nutria or if you prefer, a river rat. We hadn’t seen any nutria along the river since the ice storm and we worried that they had all been frozen to death. As ugly and awful as they are, we were really glad to see them again this week.

Great blue heron

Tuesday was MLC, Mission Leadership Conference (training) beginning with lunch.

Wednesday was Springfield Zone interviews here in Eugene at the office, but on Thursday, we traveled to Roseburg for that zone’s interviews followed by a dinner for missionaries and the leadership of the stake and wards in the area to build better working relationships.

Between interviews and the dinner, I went with Sisters Cornelius and Hopkins (front seat) and Sisters Palmer and Eastman (back seat) to Costco

Friday we drove to North Bend for Coos Bay Zone interviews.

Drive to North Bend along the Umpqua River

Sand dunes along the coast just north of North Bend

Waiting for interviews

Saturday, I had a lot of computer documentation to catch up on as the traveling this week did not allow me to do it daily. I had quite a few calls and spent a lot of time on the phone. I made notes in my phone but then needed to transfer to the Church medical system, Missionary Medical. I also had a report due Saturday night. 

Saturday morning I needed a break so Sister and Elder Crump walked with me at the prairie.

In case you can’t hear it on the video, this great blue heron catches a fish

I had invited Sister and Elder Barker and Sister and Elder Crump to come to dinner at my house, but Sister and Elder Crump sensed that I was feeling overwhelmed with the work I needed to do Saturday, so instead of me fixing dinner for them, they insisted that they take me and the Barkers to dinner. I felt bad but the Crumps demanded that we needed to celebrate my “half birthday” by going to dinner. What great friends and support I have around me! (By the calendar, it wasn’t even my half birthday)

We went to Saigon Café. It was really good. I had a rice plate. It came with pork, rice and fried egg.

I was able to get my work done and my report sent in before 10:30 PM. 

This is a wonderful world full of loving people and glorious and lovely surroundings. Makes me think of my gratitude to my Father in Heaven for all I have been given. I love this Primary song. It says it all:

I think the world is glorious and lovely as can be.
The birds and bees and blossoms bring sweet messages to me.

[Chorus]

I sing, and sing, and sing, and sing
A song of joy and love.
I sing, and sing, and sing, and sing
My thanks to God above.
I think the world is glorious and lovely as can be,
For I have teachers kind and true, and parents who love me. 

[Chorus]

I sing, and sing, and sing, and sing
A song of joy and love.
I sing, and sing, and sing, and sing
My thanks to God above.

I would add a verse to the song that says the world is glorious and lovely for I have friends and family whom I love and they care for and love me.

I love my Savior.

I love you my family and friends.

Traveling for interviews this week.

 

Nothing like starting the week right!! Lunch with Elders Israelsen and Ashby and Katie at Dairy Queen. I shared chicken and fries with Katie followed by my favorite Reese’s peanut butter cup Blizzard with extra Reese’s candy bar. Now you know my weakness! Elder Israelsen plays the harmonica and gave us an impromptu musical concert. 

Tuesday morning I was sad to say goodbye to Katie as she headed home. The past week with her was really fun. I headed off to Klamath Falls with President and Sister Cornelius to interview the missionaries in that zone. I’m sure you know by now how much I enjoy being with the missionaries. I love visiting with them and learning about their families, what they are doing in the mission, and what their plans are for the future. Always a delight.

Along the road to Klamath with snowy peaks in the distance

Sisters Tippetts, Cornelius, and Lunt

After the interviews we drove to Medford. Wednesday was interviews with the Central Point Zone.

In the afternoon, when the interviews were winding down, Sister Cornelius and I walked around the Medford Temple grounds enjoying the sunshine and the flowers.

Thursday was interviews with the Medford Zone. I have mentioned before the mistletoe in the trees. It is in abundance in the area around Medford. 

We walked outside around the stake center with Sisters Blackham and Bullock to admire the flowers and enjoys the blue skies and sunshine. 

See what happens when you give your phone to someone with a long arm to take a group selfie. LOL

Elder Toone helping to put away some of the chairs we used

Thursday evening we went to Ashland to go to dinner with the Medford Stake president and his wife. We had pizza but didn’t get pictures. Nice evening.

Friday morning we drove to Grants Pass for interviews there after which we drove back to Eugene. The drive through the mountains was beautiful. I love the many shades of spring green on the hill sides and valleys.

Saturday was a fun filled day. I went hiking with Sister and Elder Crump at Wild Iris Ridge. There are always beautiful wild flowers along the paths but the wild irises are starting to come out more now that it is warming up a bit.

Hanging moss in the trees and wasp nests/balls

Sister and Elder Barker picked me up and then picked up Sister and Elder Crump. We had tickets for My Fair Lady at the Hult Center at 2:00. The Hult Center has a huge theater. We arrived early but by show time, the seats were mostly full. Great musical!

Curtain call

We went to dinner afterward at Ubon Thai Restaurant.

I love weeks like this where I can be so directly involved in person with the missionaries. I feel of their spirits and it fills me with joy. At each interview, the missionaries are asked to memorize a scripture and recite it to Sister Cornelius and me. This round of interviews the missionaries have memorized Joseph Smith History 1:17

“I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son, Hear Him!”

Some of them deliver it with such emotion that it touches my heart and the tears flow. 

I love my Savior

I love you my family and friends.