It has been a pretty routine but quiet week. We have had a virus causing sore throat and sinus congestion making its way through the mission but I guess it is to be expected. Some have asked if the cold weather makes them sick. I have always taught that the weather doesn’t make you sick but I wanted to confirm so I did a Google check. This is what I found out:
From Cleveland Clinic: Every year it’s the same, as the calendar transitions from fall to winter. The brisk winds sweep in, the temperatures drop, and suddenly, you’re besieged by sneezing and coughing. First comes the cold weather, then the cold.
While the annual change from warm to cold weather can seem to lead to illness, it’s helpful to know how that might happen and why, and what we can do to prevent it. To get some answers, we talked to family medicine expert Neha Vyas, MD.
How does the weather affect your health?
First, it’s important to make a distinction: “The change of temperature doesn’t make you sick but changes in weather conditions can predispose you to getting sick,” says Dr. Vyas. And there are three main factors that feed the rising rates of illness during these weather changes.
• Drier air: “Winter means colder, drier air that dries out the mucus membranes and that can allow viruses into your body quicker,” Dr. Vyas says. “Cracks in the mucus membranes can allow those viruses to settle and access your body.”
• The cold: “When the air gets colder, it weakens our immune system, making us more susceptible to infections,” she says.
• Exposure: Besides exposure to cold air, there’s also exposure to other sick people. With the colder temps of winter, we’re indoors for longer periods of time around more people, and that gives viruses ample feeding ground. “There are more germs indoors and ventilation isn’t as good as being outdoors,” says Dr. Vyas, “so when you’re around more people, viruses spread more easily.”
Winter is also the peak season for certain viruses, particularly influenza, that typically don’t survive as well during the warmer months.”
This helps me to understand how and why missionaries are getting sick with viruses right now.
Tuesday I was involved with interviews with President and Sister Cornelius for the Eugene zone so there was no travel involved. In the evening I was blessed by the opportunity to take sisters to dinner. You know how I love to be with them for a meal.
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| Sisters Palmer, Wahlquist, Crouch, and Wood |
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| We like our green |
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| I love starting any day with deer in the neighborhood. Met these ladies as I was leaving my apartment complex Wednesday morning. |
Wednesday was mission leadership training. I helped Sister and Elder Barker and Sister and Elder Crump with the luncheon served prior to the training. Sister Barker organizes and manages these functions. I really didn’t help much. I had some calls and work to do so by the time I got to the chapel, the two couples had set up the tables and chairs for 80 sister training leaders, zone leaders, and district leaders.
President and Sister Cornelius cooked teriyaki chicken. Elder Crump cooked the rice and I helped with the frozen vegetables. I was late getting there as I mentioned, so I barely made it to get the veggies prepared. Elder Crump and Sister Barker helped me or I would never have made it. Next time I’ll make sure I get there earlier.
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| Only pic I got at the training session. I complimented Sister Thompson on the color of her dress so we had to get a pic together. |
I walked every day as normal. Beautiful skies as the weather changes.
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| Barely showing some light through the trees but it was really blue almost purple |
Friday my friend, Jeri Maughan, from my home area came to visit for the weekend. Fun times. That evening after dinner we walked by the river and through the rose garden.
Saturday morning we drove to Bandon. I love staying there, and as you know, walking on the beach. We arrived at lunch time, had lunch and walked around the pier and some of the shops in Old Town Bandon before heading to the beach.
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| People fishing and crabbing from the piers in the town harbor |
Every time I go there, the beach is the same and yet different. It was a cloudy day so it makes the color of the ocean different and the wind nearly blew us over a few times as we walked.
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| Back into town at sunset looking across the harbor at the Coquille River Lighthouse |
Sunday we attended church in North Bend where I attended last week. I think the people thought I was a new missionary assigned to their ward.
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| Missionaries at the chapel in North Bend: Sisters Sutherland, Mead, Richins I don’t know the name of the missionary wearing glasses. He is a young man from North Bend who will be leaving to go to the MTC this Wednesday. He will serve in Mexico. The last two elders are in my mission, Elders Dansie and Christensen |
It rained all day Sunday but even with the rain, the drive over the coastal range back to Eugene was gorgeous. The pines were green and the foliage on the deciduous trees is changing to yellows and reds. Because I was driving I couldn’t take pictures so you’ll have to use your imagination.
We ate some good food over the week end but, for Lori Burnet, I did manage to take a few pics. We shared the shrimp cocktail and fish and chips so you see only half a serving but we each wanted our own bowl of clam chowder. YUM!!!
I thank the Lord daily for my many blessings. My great blessings include my family and the privilege of serving this mission. The friends I have, my health, this beautiful world, the opportunity to travel and enjoy my surroundings, the food, and the car to take me places are just a few heavenly gifts I can mention. Everything I have is a gift from a loving Father in Heaven. I thank Him daily.
I thank my Savior for His love, teachings, sacrifice and Atonement.
I love my Savior.
I love you my family and friends.
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