Dear Family and Friends:
Our week has been busy at the temple as many Stake Relief Societies came to the temple to celebrate the Relief Society Birthday Anniversary. We even had to turn some away as we had too many for our little baptistery. On Saturday during our shift, President Jose Alonso, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy and the Second Counselor in the Area Presidency, asked President Thompson and I to meet him after Sacrament Meeting on Sunday for an interview.
What a sweet, humbling experience to be able to sit down with one of the General Authorities of the Church and feel of his love and support for us.
He told us that the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve know who we are and that we are in their prayers. He told us that he had been given the assignment to extend the call to President Thompson to become the First Counselor in the Guatemala City Temple when President Roberts leaves in one month.
We knew that this was going to happen as it is a pattern that when the first counselor leaves, the second counselor becomes the first and a new second counselor is chosen.
We noticed that a couple who serve in the temple were also there for an interview and we have been told that the second counselor has been chosen and he has accepted the calling but we can't say anything until the official letter from the First Presidency arrives.
My calling as one of the assistants to the Matron does not change as there is not a first or a second assistant.
Well, now we only have one question left, whether we are going home on Sarah's birthday or on Mindi's birthday. We have been asked if we would extend our mission 5 months if the need arises. We have not been asked to do this, only if we would. President Burk now has time to concentrate on who to call as the second counselor when we leave in 3 months (the new second counselor in April will become the first counselor in June). Our prayers are with him that he will be able to find the man and his wife that the Lord has prepared for this calling. It will be wonderful to have native counselors in place and trained when President Burks time ends in October. It is all in the Lord's hands.
Elder Gardner continues to improve, slowly. He seems to take two steps forward and one back but that is progress.
We sure do miss his joyful personality in the temple. He was our trainer on the AM shifts and everyone misses his teaching and guidance.
The new CT scan showed that there is still some swelling of the brain so they can't reattach his scull yet. His left side has more strength than the right and he actually raises it to shake hands. He has had a touch of pneumonia but it is clearing up fast. He was able to go outside in a wheel chair and enjoy some sunshine this week. He can keep his head up almost all day now without a brace on. They are baby steps but they are steps in the right direction.
The new CT scan showed that there is still some swelling of the brain so they can't reattach his scull yet. His left side has more strength than the right and he actually raises it to shake hands. He has had a touch of pneumonia but it is clearing up fast. He was able to go outside in a wheel chair and enjoy some sunshine this week. He can keep his head up almost all day now without a brace on. They are baby steps but they are steps in the right direction.
Hermana Gardner comes to the temple in the evenings to serve when she is not too tired and is keeping her spirits up. She has great faith, hope and determination and is facing this trial head on. We feel sorry for their boys who are in the States. It is hard on them to not be here for their parents. It has been a month now and we can see that it will be a long and slow healing process.
The accident with Elder Gardner sure brought back memories of Lon's heart attack and head injury. Tomorrow we will celebrate his 7 year anniversary of that event. We are so thankful for his recovery and health now. We know that miracles can and do happen.
Another of our guards that we have grown fond of is Manuel Chol Chol.
Well, that is about all for this week. We are looking forward to the next few weeks as we approach Easter and that usually means lots of patrons in the temple. We pray that you have a wonderful week. We send our love to all. Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma, Lon and Nancy
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