Monday, April 27, 2009
April 18 - 27, 2009
Saturday, Gerry was pretty tender, and of course we were hopeful that the procedure was effective. But nothing seemed to result until the following Thursday, we had definite results then. He has continued to progress in his recovery and since the big stone passed he has had a stone pass almost daily!! We hope to have the results of the analysis on Friday and find out what we can do to prevent further situations like this.
Also, Saturday, we enjoyed our meeting with the missionaries over breakfast and then I attended a baby shower for Natasha that was very good.
Sunday, Gerry was released as Branch Mission Leader and called as counselor in the High Priest’s Quorum. We also had our branch council meetings and our Book of Mormon class.
Monday, I went to Coloma and had my hair cut and took Marian with me to visit teach Chris and we all had lunch with Kathy too. Great ladies! I had planned to visit Shelly too but discovered that she had been in the hospital and so I took her flowers and scheduled a visit for later in the week. In the afternoon we taught Sally again and taught her about the Word of Wisdom. Great time.
Tuesday was transfer day so we took the Elders to lunch at Red Robin and helped in the moving and ran some errands with them.
We used Wednesday as our P day this week. Cleaned, shopped and went to the chiropractor. Very grateful at the way my back has held up my whole mission.
Thursday was a glorious day! I had a very productive visit with Shelly, very positive. We are hoping she and Brian will go with us to dinner and the Saturday session of Stake Conference. She seemed very interested and has bought a dress! Then we went to the Rehab Center & they had a buffet for all the volunteers. Very nice. Then we went and visited Linda N. She has barely opened the door to us in the past but today she burst into tears when I gave her some violets, saying they reminded her of her mother. She has been having some serious health problems and was very receptive and open with us. Then se went to visit Sharron and that was a great visit too. Sadly, our visit with Candi & Henry was brief and cool. We don’t know why but will visit them again and hopefully get to the bottom of it. But overall a great positive day!
Friday, was project day at the branch. I helped two ladies with their piecing and we also slipped in a Relief Society presidency meeting. Marian showed me the basics of hymnal repair for our service day next month.
Saturday, after the missionary breakfast meeting Gerry & I went to meet a returned sister missionary from South Haven and we visited people all afternoon. A very productive time and fun getting to know this lady. When I returned I did preparation for Sunday and a couple of meals for new mothers in the branch .
Sunday was another good one and a Fast Sunday which is always good. We also really enjoyed our Book of Mormon class that evening. Then the Elders came over and finished off the strawberry pie.
Monday, we got a call from the branch president asking if we could take Linda N. home from the hospital. She called Him!!! We were thrilled to do that and ran a couple of errands for her. Got better acquainted with her husband and when we took her home she asked that we return in a few days and Gerry and the Elders give her a blessing for the sick. Happy to do so! Then again we had a great lesson with Sally and taught her the law of Chastity and we read some of the Book of Mormon. Her daughter Ericka joined us, she is also a nonmember, and we had a great lesson.
It is so good to be getting busy again and having Gerry feeling somewhat better. Spring is here and it is gorgeous out so traveling around the country side is pure pleasure! Of course seeing our friends progress toward the Lord & His gospel is the best!
Also, Saturday, we enjoyed our meeting with the missionaries over breakfast and then I attended a baby shower for Natasha that was very good.
Sunday, Gerry was released as Branch Mission Leader and called as counselor in the High Priest’s Quorum. We also had our branch council meetings and our Book of Mormon class.
Monday, I went to Coloma and had my hair cut and took Marian with me to visit teach Chris and we all had lunch with Kathy too. Great ladies! I had planned to visit Shelly too but discovered that she had been in the hospital and so I took her flowers and scheduled a visit for later in the week. In the afternoon we taught Sally again and taught her about the Word of Wisdom. Great time.
Tuesday was transfer day so we took the Elders to lunch at Red Robin and helped in the moving and ran some errands with them.
We used Wednesday as our P day this week. Cleaned, shopped and went to the chiropractor. Very grateful at the way my back has held up my whole mission.
Thursday was a glorious day! I had a very productive visit with Shelly, very positive. We are hoping she and Brian will go with us to dinner and the Saturday session of Stake Conference. She seemed very interested and has bought a dress! Then we went to the Rehab Center & they had a buffet for all the volunteers. Very nice. Then we went and visited Linda N. She has barely opened the door to us in the past but today she burst into tears when I gave her some violets, saying they reminded her of her mother. She has been having some serious health problems and was very receptive and open with us. Then se went to visit Sharron and that was a great visit too. Sadly, our visit with Candi & Henry was brief and cool. We don’t know why but will visit them again and hopefully get to the bottom of it. But overall a great positive day!
Friday, was project day at the branch. I helped two ladies with their piecing and we also slipped in a Relief Society presidency meeting. Marian showed me the basics of hymnal repair for our service day next month.
Saturday, after the missionary breakfast meeting Gerry & I went to meet a returned sister missionary from South Haven and we visited people all afternoon. A very productive time and fun getting to know this lady. When I returned I did preparation for Sunday and a couple of meals for new mothers in the branch .
Sunday was another good one and a Fast Sunday which is always good. We also really enjoyed our Book of Mormon class that evening. Then the Elders came over and finished off the strawberry pie.
Monday, we got a call from the branch president asking if we could take Linda N. home from the hospital. She called Him!!! We were thrilled to do that and ran a couple of errands for her. Got better acquainted with her husband and when we took her home she asked that we return in a few days and Gerry and the Elders give her a blessing for the sick. Happy to do so! Then again we had a great lesson with Sally and taught her the law of Chastity and we read some of the Book of Mormon. Her daughter Ericka joined us, she is also a nonmember, and we had a great lesson.
It is so good to be getting busy again and having Gerry feeling somewhat better. Spring is here and it is gorgeous out so traveling around the country side is pure pleasure! Of course seeing our friends progress toward the Lord & His gospel is the best!
Friday, April 17, 2009
April 9 - 17, 2009
Well, around the suffering of my husband we have had an eventful week. Fortunately, his pain has been controllable and sometimes barely there. So when Chris, Rachel, Allie & CJ; Greg & Jill arrived on Friday we enjoyed them and ourselves immensely. We had a great time playing on the slide and taking a walk with Allie & trying a small game of soccer with her. She also made a new friend of Phoebe who lives in the next apartment bldg. “A lovely day just has to be spent outside Grandma.” Then a lovely dinner out. We then gathered in our living room and visited & debated politics and everything else , with lots of laughter mixed in. Fabulous!!!
Saturday, after a nice breakfast, we left Gerry and headed for Kalamazoo for the monster 3-D movie and then some browsing in the shops. Home for more visiting and out to eat again. Then more visiting with Gerry and off to bed. Easter Sunday was lovely and all the meetings focused on the wonderful day. After an Easter feast we put Allie down for her nap and hid her Easter eggs & treats. When she awoke she did her traditional “hunt”. Then everyone took off for home. Hard to see them go. We are really spoiled.
Because of Gerry’s condition I focused on Relief Society service around his needs. I was able to get quite a few things done and be supportive to our very busy president. We had a few stake meetings too and I did my regular work at the rehab center. Went to district meetings without him and we all ( the elders & I ) missed him.
Friday, we arrived for the lithotripsy procedure and all apparently went okay. They were unable to have the ideal results for the stone had moved and lodged in a less advantageous place. But Gerry is happy to be home and is resting well and we hope to see the shattered stones in the next few days. We are eager to get back to our normal missionary work. But it is in the Lord’s hands.
Saturday, after a nice breakfast, we left Gerry and headed for Kalamazoo for the monster 3-D movie and then some browsing in the shops. Home for more visiting and out to eat again. Then more visiting with Gerry and off to bed. Easter Sunday was lovely and all the meetings focused on the wonderful day. After an Easter feast we put Allie down for her nap and hid her Easter eggs & treats. When she awoke she did her traditional “hunt”. Then everyone took off for home. Hard to see them go. We are really spoiled.
Because of Gerry’s condition I focused on Relief Society service around his needs. I was able to get quite a few things done and be supportive to our very busy president. We had a few stake meetings too and I did my regular work at the rehab center. Went to district meetings without him and we all ( the elders & I ) missed him.
Friday, we arrived for the lithotripsy procedure and all apparently went okay. They were unable to have the ideal results for the stone had moved and lodged in a less advantageous place. But Gerry is happy to be home and is resting well and we hope to see the shattered stones in the next few days. We are eager to get back to our normal missionary work. But it is in the Lord’s hands.
Friday, April 10, 2009
I love the Book of Mormon!
I have been really enjoying my study time here on the mission. So has Gerry. We do struggle to have really good companion study, but practice doing it especially with our study guide. “Preach My Gospel”.. We have missionaries here whose families used that book for their Family Home Evenings. What a great idea! Boy are they good missionaries!
Anyway, I always enjoy studying the Book of Mormon. I always feel my Heavenly Father’s love when I study it and always feel the confirmation from the Spirit of its truthfulness. I marvel each day at the inspiration of the writers as they council and teach the doctrinal precepts of the Lord’s gospel. I marvel at their experiences with the Savior and angels and revelations and all the miracles. And I always get chills as I read their council to us today. It truly is as though they actually see us. As I read I feel the desire grow within me to become good enough to have similar visions and revelations and my testimony grows as I realize more and more that this is what my Heavenly Father wants – to see me hunger to be like Nephi and Moroni and work to become worthy to have these gifts. I love that book and remember the miracle of seeing my boys improve in their reading as we studied it briefly before they left for school in the mornings. Even for that short while we saw improvement in their reading skills.
I marvel at the beautiful Spirit that comes as we read it with our investigators and how it always touches their hearts in such a sweet way. I love the chapters about the Saviors visit of course, but the whole book just hits your spirit partially because it is so clear. I appreciate the apostle’s counsel in this last conference when he said that if you pray for inspiration each time you read it you will see things and learn things you never saw or learned before. That is SO true. I have read the Book of Mormon at least 40 times and I still love reading it and learn each time. Recently, we were reading about Aaron and the shepherds with a 12 year old boy. He felt the spirit and got so caught up in the story that he had to tell people about it. I am SO grateful to Heavenly Father, the Savior and the ancient prophets who obeyed and worked so hard to write these holy words for us today.
I am also growing to love the Old Testiment as I never have before. I am using “The Old Testament for Latter-Day Saint Families” as a companion study guide and it is wonderful. I am finally internalizing the sequence of things and understanding the language better. Another book I am enjoying is “The Holy Secret” by James Farrell. I really loved his first book , “The Peacegiver”, and this one is almost as good. He has a gift for helping one understand the Atonement in a more personal way.
Just some of my feelings about what I am enjoying studying right now.
Anyway, I always enjoy studying the Book of Mormon. I always feel my Heavenly Father’s love when I study it and always feel the confirmation from the Spirit of its truthfulness. I marvel each day at the inspiration of the writers as they council and teach the doctrinal precepts of the Lord’s gospel. I marvel at their experiences with the Savior and angels and revelations and all the miracles. And I always get chills as I read their council to us today. It truly is as though they actually see us. As I read I feel the desire grow within me to become good enough to have similar visions and revelations and my testimony grows as I realize more and more that this is what my Heavenly Father wants – to see me hunger to be like Nephi and Moroni and work to become worthy to have these gifts. I love that book and remember the miracle of seeing my boys improve in their reading as we studied it briefly before they left for school in the mornings. Even for that short while we saw improvement in their reading skills.
I marvel at the beautiful Spirit that comes as we read it with our investigators and how it always touches their hearts in such a sweet way. I love the chapters about the Saviors visit of course, but the whole book just hits your spirit partially because it is so clear. I appreciate the apostle’s counsel in this last conference when he said that if you pray for inspiration each time you read it you will see things and learn things you never saw or learned before. That is SO true. I have read the Book of Mormon at least 40 times and I still love reading it and learn each time. Recently, we were reading about Aaron and the shepherds with a 12 year old boy. He felt the spirit and got so caught up in the story that he had to tell people about it. I am SO grateful to Heavenly Father, the Savior and the ancient prophets who obeyed and worked so hard to write these holy words for us today.
I am also growing to love the Old Testiment as I never have before. I am using “The Old Testament for Latter-Day Saint Families” as a companion study guide and it is wonderful. I am finally internalizing the sequence of things and understanding the language better. Another book I am enjoying is “The Holy Secret” by James Farrell. I really loved his first book , “The Peacegiver”, and this one is almost as good. He has a gift for helping one understand the Atonement in a more personal way.
Just some of my feelings about what I am enjoying studying right now.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
March 29 - April 8, 2009
Since the 29th Gerry has been suffering from kidney stones. The pain has come and gone and he has had fever & sweats. Then the pain has receded and he has gotten hopeful that the stone is passing. But finally yesterday ( the 7th) he was willing to go to the emergency room and get some answers & help. True enough he has a 1 ½ centimeter stone trying to pass and several other small ones in his left kidney. They did a C-scan & blood work and his kidney is still fine and they plan to blast the stones. He has an appointment with the urologist today and hopefully will be blasted by Friday. The pain is worse today but the percochet is helping.
Around his health issues we taught Sally again and she is progressing nicely. Angela’s baptism was very special. We really felt Heavenly Father’s love for her and happiness that she has taken this step when she was baptized. It was a very happy event for the branch and Angela. Nick is very happy and progressing since his baptism. Tara has set a baptism date of April 25 along with the Moon family of 4. Good time to be baptized. Michel, a senior has invited a boy friend of hers, Zachary, to have the lessons. He seems like a wonderful guy.
We had a great visit with Cory this week and he has asked for information on the history of Lehi’s family’s journey to share with his family. He is always touched when we read the Book of Mormon with him. We also had a great day with Rachel B. & with Myra & Bob. I worked on Relief Society things too. So I can report that even with the health problems, little time was lost that wasn’t productive.
And after the baptism, the highlight of the week for me was General Conference. What wonderful messages from the prophet and apostles and other leaders!!! I especially loved President Monson’s talks and Holland’s, Eyring’s, Oak’s, and Bedner’s. A spiritual feasting.
Other golden moments were letters from some of my grandchildren, and phone visits with some of our children. We are excited that Greg & Jill & Chris and Rachel, with children, are coming to celebrate Easter with us.
Around his health issues we taught Sally again and she is progressing nicely. Angela’s baptism was very special. We really felt Heavenly Father’s love for her and happiness that she has taken this step when she was baptized. It was a very happy event for the branch and Angela. Nick is very happy and progressing since his baptism. Tara has set a baptism date of April 25 along with the Moon family of 4. Good time to be baptized. Michel, a senior has invited a boy friend of hers, Zachary, to have the lessons. He seems like a wonderful guy.
We had a great visit with Cory this week and he has asked for information on the history of Lehi’s family’s journey to share with his family. He is always touched when we read the Book of Mormon with him. We also had a great day with Rachel B. & with Myra & Bob. I worked on Relief Society things too. So I can report that even with the health problems, little time was lost that wasn’t productive.
And after the baptism, the highlight of the week for me was General Conference. What wonderful messages from the prophet and apostles and other leaders!!! I especially loved President Monson’s talks and Holland’s, Eyring’s, Oak’s, and Bedner’s. A spiritual feasting.
Other golden moments were letters from some of my grandchildren, and phone visits with some of our children. We are excited that Greg & Jill & Chris and Rachel, with children, are coming to celebrate Easter with us.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
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