Pan de Azucar Mountain Conquered!

Thursday, July 23, 2015

We needed to do some fix ups in Pan de Azucar today so we also decided to hike the mountain.
The morning started by helping the Ness' with setting up a printer for them and also we helped them with some of their family history.
We also had errands to do along the way to Pan de Azucar. It is about an hour or so drive.
We looked at the hermana's house to see what items we would need to buy. We left Mike's tools at their house to avoid theft in the parking lot at the mountain.
Next, we bought the things needed for the repairs and then headed to the mountain.
We arrived ready to start our hike at about 4 pm.  For further details, watch the video that will describe our adventure.
It is really quite entertaining!

YouTube: Pan de Azucar Hike

Otherwise, here a few still pictures that are included in the video.

We finished our day at about 10:30 pm. 

Granddaughter in Primary Children's Medical Center

Wednesday, July 15 through Sunday July 19, 2015

After we got home from the hermana's conference, I noticed some imessages from Jones family and an email from Laura that says, "Call, me."  I immediatly facetime and Summer's face pops up on the screen and it appears that she is in a hospital!  From this point I will use Summer's post on Facebook and then share our feelings.

"hey yall. I know a bunch of you have been worried about me and this is my update to you. for those of you who dont know, I've been in the hospital for the past 3 days. they admitted me after some blood work came back kinda funky about my muscles. for the past 4 months, I've been getting progressively stiffer and weaker and when it got to the point where I couldn't bend my fingers anymore, that's when my mom took me in. we got blood work done, then that came back all wonky so I went into the rheumatologist on Tuesday. I got diagnosed with arthritis, and got more blood work done. then, when I went to girls camp on Wednesday, 2 hours into it my mother called and told me they called and wanted me admitted to the hospital because my muscles are so inflamed and they basically eating themselves (breaking down). so I got to go to girls for a whopping 2 hours. on Wednesday they took blood work and hooked me up to iv to keep my kidneys working full time to reduce the risk of them breaking. thursday I got an mri to look at the fascia in my body. fascia is the tissue that keeps things together. Friday, today, they woke me up and told me not to eat anything because blood work came back negative for mixed connective tissue disorder. so today, I had a muscle biopsy done on my left thigh, and then I got diagnosed with fasciitis(inflammation of tissue surrounding my muscles), myositis(inflammation of the muscle), tenosynovitis(inflammation of the lining of the tendon), and arthritis. anyway, that's just my super long update for anyone that was wondering. I should be going home on Sunday, I just need to get through 3 rounds of high dose steroids for my pain. I've got one down, 2 to go!  :) keep moving forward. being positive is key."

Laura (her mom) posted: Thursday, July 16

"Thank you for all the prayers and support we have received from everyone. Summer's in good spirits. For those who don't know she was admitted to Primary's for some further testing for a possible autoimmune disorder. We should hopefully have some test results back in the morning, then we can start treatment."

My thoughts through this long week:

Wednesday night the thought of Summer having "mixed tissue connective disorder" was heart wrenching as it would be for anyone involved.  Once again I felt that I was so helpless, being so far away.  Mike and I both cried.  We turned to our Heavenly Father and pled with Him to help heal our beautiful granddaughter.  We asked Him to wrap His arms around Summer and give comfort and

strength to Dale and Laura and Kira.  

Thursday we waited all day for test results of whether or not she truly had MTCD.  We were working 3 hours away from Montevideo, moving elders.  But, we received no answers on Thursday.

Friday we were still moving elders and Summer was scheduled for a muscle biopsy surgery in the afternoon.  After she went in, Laura and I finally were able to talk and she said that her test results from yesterday came back NEGATIVE!  Summer does not have MTCD.  Instant relief flooded me and I said a prayer of thanksgiving.  

What she does have is still very serious, but manageable with steroids and it is highly probable that this might never come back.  

My thoughts that came to me were this.  We probably will not know in this mortal life exactly how Heavenly Father intervened this week.  Maybe He did heal her of MTCD.  But mayber she never had it in the first place and His directing the medical staff to a quick diagnosis for a quicker healing was the blessing.

I know that the miracles of healing do not happen for everyone.  I also know that He is a Loving Father and will always help us if we but ask. But when we ask we have to also never doubt that He knows more than us and accept whatever He knows is best for us.  That is always the hardest question to answer.  Elder Bednar gave a powerful talk a few year ago, "Do You Have the Faith Not to Be Healed?"  As Summer so wonderfully stated:  Keep moving forward, being positive is key.

Thank you to all my wonderful family who helped with watching children and visiting with Summer. I knew the Jones' family was in good hands, even though my own hands could not be there.  

Working in the Lord's vineyard has been a wonderful blessing for us and our family.  We love our mission.

Summer went home with crutches today, Sunday July 19. 

At Least It Is Not a 7 Story Building

Thursday and Friday, July 16 and 17, 2015

Mike and I traveled 3 hours to move Elders into a new house.  I go mainly for moral support and I do some of the driving.  I also make sure mi esposo eats healthy food.  He works very hard when these moves happen.
We came home with 60 pesos to spare which isn't alot.  That won't even get you through a toll booth.
We had plenty of money when we left, but somehow the office didn't pay the first month's rent which is what is required to move in.  We didn't want to drive 3 hours back to Montevideo and then 3 hours back up, plus the Elders had already packed.  Fortuntately, Mike had most of what was needed and I carry spare cash for an emergency.  So we paid the landlord cash.  No problemo.  We can get cash with our debit card on Friday.... UNLESS the machine eats your card without giving you cash.  Most of the items he had to buy were paid for with his credit card which was good.  The bank didn't open until the afternoon and they did give us our card back but to our dismay, the card had expired and that is why the machine ate it!  I do have another card that is not expired but it is in Montevideo.  Anyways, we made it home late Friday night safe and sound and broke.

A "Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang" Truly Scrumptious Dessert

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Hermana Cook and I were invited to speak at the Hermana's Zone Conference today.  My topic was on safety in the streets and safety in the house.  I did a powerpoint with some basic ideas and mixed a "wheel of fortune" type game in it.  No fortunes other than m&m's.  If you guessed incorrectly, you  lost a m&m and if you guessed a letter correctly you won a m&m.  We also sang a primary song in a round, Listen to the Still Small Voice.  It was not in the Spanish Children's Songbook, so I translated it as best as I could, and then Mike put the finishing touches on it.
Hermana Cook talked about managing our thoughts, desires, and actions.
Hermana King and Hermana Bertuoli gave a great presentation on recognizing the Spirit.
Because Hermana Cook and I were busy preparing our talks, Mary was able to come and cook the lunch.  But Hermana Cook went all out on the dessert!

We did the conference in the mission home.
We were able to use this wonderful flat screen for our powerpoints!
I brought my HDMI cable just for such an occasion!

Hermana King and Hermana Bertuoli prepared a
sweet thank you for everyone.

Chicken, mushroom stroganoff, green beans, homemade rolls,
and fruit salad.

Brownie and ice cream, smothered in chocolate syrup with strawberries
and nuts sprinkled on top.

The hermanas were so overwhelmed by such a treat, that they
were all taking pictures before they ate Hermana Cook's
beautiful and scrumptious dessert.

The Elderes would have just wolfed it down without
appreciating the beauty of it all!

I Get Audience Participation from some Primary Children!

Saturday, July 11, 2015

What other work do we do on Saturday except our wonderful Capilla Abiertas!
This one was in La Paz.  We have really great weather considering it is winter.  It is so different than last year.
La Paz did a beautiful presentation for their capilla abierta. All of the organizations did exceptionally great things. They also brought their friends and family members. It was busy most of the night.  Two little brothers probably ages 6 and 4 brought their grandfather. They were so proud to have him their at their church. He was tugged around all night!

YouTube: Capilla Abierta de La Paz

15 minutes before we start, we invite the members into the chapel for
an opening prayer. The Bishop conducts. 

The children come in their Sunday best.

This was the best display I have ever seen done by the Elder's Quorum.

Baking skills were the highlight of this Relief Society display.
They had to use the kitchen and they did a beautiful "make-over" job.

Our great hermanas.

Sunday, July 12, 2015 

We did our capacitacion in Canelones and brought the Ness' and Andersons' with us.  It is always nice to share our Uruguay travels with them.  

We arrived a bit early so we toured the town a bit.
Every town always has a central plaza.
This was the biggest monument placed in a plaza that
I have ever seen in Uruguay.
It is a woman dressed for battle.
She represents protection for their flag.

The teacher for our Relief Society class.

 

                     

I always begin and end our presentation.

I had audience participation today, up front and personal!
My story includes a picture of La Tortuga and El Conejo.
 I asked the question, " Who wins?". La tortuga
o el conejo."  He came right up front and pointed to La Tortuga! 

Mike always gives the major part of our training, aided by a powerpoint
presentation that the area gave us. I did modify it a bit. I added some
uniformity and some background music and a video clip from Elder Ballard.

The Bishop.

Another young participant today. Her name is "Milagro" and
she wants to give these invitations to her 3 non-member friends.

A Very Happy Reunion

Friday, July 10, 2015

I had the most wonderful, happy day today.  We went to the temple today and sealed families together forever!  The Ness', the Anderson's and Mike and I did my family names.  They were all people that I had personally worked on to find records to be able to put families together.  Some were from my Stephens line, the Ackerley line and the Helm line.  I had decided through some more research I did this last month, that I had the correct brothers and sisters for Thomas Helm (3rd grt grandfather) and could seal them as a family.  We had a wonderful temple sealer and he spoke slow and distinctly for each person's sealing ordinance (in Spanish of course). Each one mattered. And because he spoke slow, I could understand.

As we were doing sons, he stopped when he saw the date of 1781 in England. He was amazed at how long this person had waited for this ordinance.  As he started the ordinance, he was visibly touched and tears came to his eyes and his voice trembled as he obviously felt what we were all feeling now, a great spirit of love and gratitude from the other side of the veil.  Mike shared with him the great effort that was made to even find this family after 50 plus years of researching and he also told him that we felt that my Dad (who had died) was very much a part of finding this family on the other side.  There is no doubt in my mind or heart that the spirit world exists and that the veil is very thin in the temple.  The family of my 3rd great grandfather were very happy today.  We all felt it!
As I was reflecting on these ordinances while sitting in the sealing room, a mental image came to my mind and I could see them running across a wide open field and jumping into the arms of their loved ones who had been waiting for them for a long time.
Today, we empowered them with the ordinances of the holy priesthood so that they could move forward with God's power to help themselves and their familes and friends progress.  And all of this is possible because of Heavenly Father's love for His children, that He gave His only Begotten Son, even Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.  Although I know I do not comprehend all, I do know that it is all real and it doesn't negate my profound gratitude for the opportunity of mortal life that prepares us for eternal life with our Maker, our Redeemer, and our families.  Of these truths, I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Thar She Blows! and The Casas are Returning to Their Casa

Thar she blows!  At least we think this is a whale.  They are running but usually you see them more up the coast.  This is outside our window apartment.

Monday, July 7, 2015

We sadly say good-bye to the Casas.  They were full time missionaries and worked in the temple.  They are returning home to Minas, here in Uruguay.

Hermana King and Hermana Garrido sing beautifully together.

The Ness's invited us over to say good-bye to the Casa's.

We had spaghetti, garlic bread, salad and dessert.

The Casa's.

A great group of devoted saints.

Closing a Chapter

WE HAVE A NEW NURSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are officially retired.  We have Hermana Paul who arrived with the last group of missionaries and she is a RN.  President Cook has asked her to field the calls now.  My, what a blessing for us and the missionaries.  I have felt very inadequate in this job as "nurse".  It was really more Elder Burnett's job because he could communicate better with the missionaries. I did the medical logging and offered weekly email tips for health.

RETIRED!

Friday, July 3, 2015
Mike and I were invited to speak about using Family History as a tool for missionary work.  At first we were given 45 min per session but then they found out that our Area Seventy (Elder Cabrera) would be joining our concilio and they wanted to give him time to talk.  So we prepared for 35 minutes instead.  After Elder Cabrera did talk, we were down to 25 minutes. We taught 3 groups. We wanted each person to be able to upload a photo of themselves, but time hampered us and only 1 person from each group was able to use our iPad, iPhone, and Android to upload a photo.  I conversed in Spanish off the cuff and it was okay.  At least they understood my efforts.  Mike said I did wonderful, but I know better.  It was the Spirit that taught and not my language skills, thank heaven!  This was the outline we tried to follow:

Group Activity: Share a photo and a story       5 min

 I showed them a picture of my Grandpa and Grandma Stephens when they were on their mission in 1950. 

Este es mi abuelo y mi abuela. Ellos fueron algunos de los primeros matrimonios misioneros. Sir-vi-er-on una misión de proselitismo en un mil novecientos cincuenta en el centro de Estados Unidos. Tambien, mis padres sir-vi-er-on una misión juntos y ahora estamos a la tercera generación servir en una misión con usted.

This is my grandpa and grandma. They were some of the first married couples to serve a mission in the church. They served a proselyting mission in 1950 in Central United States. My parents also served a mision together doing family history. Now we are the third generation to serve a mission here with you. 

(Divide into 3 groups) Comparte con nosotros su foto y un recuerdo en un minuto. You now have 1 minute to share your photos and story with your group. 

Group Discussion: Feelings we just received and why    5 min

¿Qué estamos sintiendo?  Por Que?

Las familias son eternas.  Esta es una verdad eterna.

Group Discussion: Define the Spirit of Elijah    5 min

Elder Bednar nos dio la definición del espíritu de Elías. Qué es?

 “una manifestación del Espíritu Santo que da testimonio de la naturaleza divina de la familia”

 ¿Qué más nos enseña Elder Bednar?

El espíritu de Elías es fundamental y esencial en la obra de proclamar el Evangelio.

El Libro de Mormón cambio de corazón, y el del espíritu de Elías en que se vuelvan los corazones.

Group Discussion: How to use this Spirit for missionary work. Elder Burnett  10 min

Hands On: Add photo and story to familysearch.org  10 min

HandOuts: How to create a familysearch account.

                 Oct 2014 Ensign Article from Elder Bednar

Sharing their photos and story.

Our hermana leaders.

Because of our time commitment here, I had the Anderson's come and help in the kitchen. Elder Anderson took this picture of Mary and Ana, who work for the church in cooking and maintaining the mission home. 

Saturday, 4TH of JULY!

We helped the Anderson's with more moving and then at around 4 o'clock we had everyone over to our apartment for a BBQ.  No fireworks though.  We did the traditional hamburgers and chips, and I made PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES!  I splurged and used some of the peanut butter sent to us from home.  We all loved them!  We had all the couples including President and Hermana Cook.
I listened to patriotic music all day via Pandora.  Hola.org will change your IP location so that Pandora thinks I am in the U.S. I even heard ads from Utah!  I loved Johnny Cash's "Ragged Old Flag".  Brought back memories of my Dad who liked to listen to Johnny Cash.  I wore red, white, and blue along with my Tinkerbell sweat shirt (remember it is cold here) and my Tinkerbell earrings.  I thought what could be more American that Walt Disney and Tinkerbell?