On Monday, the 3rd, our Family Home Evening was held in the house of our Temple President, President Burk. It is right next door to us so we decided it was time for an outing other than to the doctor. I was so excited all day. The Temple Presidency and all the temple missionaries were there, except for the Olson's who went home to Eastern Idaho for the three week break. We had 25 in attendance, 11 couples and 3 single sister missionaries.
It felt so good to be away from this apartment and enjoy an evening with friends. I think that I am getting a little cabin fever.
Tuesday, the 4th, was not a good day for me. Lon headed to the temple at 2:00 PM, he had to be there an hour early as his assignment this week is the recommend desk. I hadn't realized just how this would effect me. I had a good book to read, Spanish to study, scriptures to read, and movies to watch but I found myself watching the clock. About every 10 minutes I would look up, thinking that an hour must have passed only to find that it had only been 10 minutes since I had last looked. It was the longest afternoon I can remember. At 6:00, I got the sandwich out of the frig that Lon had prepared for me and was eating my supper when President and Sister Burk called and asked if they could come and visit. After I hung up, I just started to cry because I just knew that they were coming to tell me that they were sending me home cause I was so useless. I realized then that I didn't have cabin fever, I was totally depressed. Those three weeks were taking a toll on my spirits.
Well, the Burks sat down and told me that they had decided that it was time for me to get out of the house and get to the temple. They had talked it over as a Presidency and had several assignments for me at the temple that I could do from a wheel chair. I just sat there and bawled. I told them that I was sure they were coming to send me home, and instead, they were there to let me know that I was still needed and wanted. What a blessing for me.
Sister Burk took my white dress home to iron it and brought it back with her black trench coat. Usually we go to the temple, then change into white clothing to serve there. But Sister Burk told me that it would be too hard for me to change with this leg so she wants me to dress in white at home, then put her coat over the dress and come to the temple ready to serve.
Wednesday was a wonderful day. It took most of the morning to get everything done so I could go to the temple. I don't use the wheel chair in our apartment cause it is too small for the chair. I use the walker to get around. Here I am, ready to get into the wheel chair and head to the temple.
It is the first day that I have worn shoes in three weeks. Lon wheeled me to the temple and I was able to serve from 2-6. At 6, my body hit the brick wall and said , "take me home". Lon wheeled me back home and fed me, then went back to finish the shift. I know that it would be easier on Lon if I just stayed home, but I really needed to feel whole again. It was a wonderful 4 hours. I got to help recertify a few of the workers. They put me in the Brides Room, with both legs up on a cushioned bench and brought the workers to me to go over all the procedures of the temple to make sure that they knew what they were doing. I really slept good that night.
On Thursday, again we got to the temple at 2:00. The plan was to have me do the same thing as the night before, but we didn't have any workers come except for the 6 missionaries assigned to the evening shift, and I was one of the 6 so we were really short workers. I was able to help with the laundry, greet patrons, and direct traffic. I hadn't thought about taking my medication with me so about 6:30 I was hurting and needing to go home, but no one was around cause everyone was busy right then. Finally at 7:00 Sister Burk came to check on me and I told her that I needed to go home. Lon had been put into the 7:00 session so he couldn't help but a temple employee and one of the temple guards took me home. I won't forget pills tomorrow!!
Friday went great. I had my pills when I needed them and at 8:00, Sister Cordon and the temple employee and the temple guard took me home. It felt much better to have a woman with me instead of two men to take me home. Again Lon was on the 7:00 session. I had thought that I could make it the whole shift, but I must have looked tired cause I didn't even ask to go home, it was just arranged. What a wonderful week. It felt so great to be serving again, even if it was from a wheel chair. Sister Burk and her counselors were so in tune and had plenty for me to do. Again, it would have been easier on them if I had stayed home, but they knew how much I needed this.
I didn't go to the temple on Saturday. Saturdays are so busy and our little temple is just not big enough for a worker to sit in a wheel chair. The hallways are just too narrow. I was totaled from the three days and took a two hour nap. It is amazing to me just how quick a body turns to marshmellows when all you do is lay around letting your legs heal. I am so out of shape. But my spirits are high and I feel alive again. We will try a few days again next week.
President Burk also arranged for President Harris to get the temple van and take us to church on Sunday. Wow! What a week. It was wonderful to be able to attend. We had three wheel chairs in church, one man with a big leg brace on, and a blind lady. I fit right in.
So, all in all, it has been a wonderful week, full of new challenges and experiences. We are thrilled to be here serving in Guatemala and are enjoying getting to know the people. They treat us with kindness and love. I just love the hugs. We send our love to you all. You are always in our prayers and we thank you for your prayers in our behalf. May God Bless you this week Lon and Nancy, Grandma and Grandpa, Dad and Mom
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