One great week!

     We have had a wonderful week with good news from the doctor and special visitors from El Salvador.  But first, today is the 40th birthday of our oldest child, Ginger.  We are not old enough to be the parents of a 40 year old .  We don't know how the years have gone by so fast.  Ginger is a special young woman and we are so thankful that she is ours.
     We went to see the doctor on Thursday the 20th.  We started with x-rays and then Dr. Amenabar examined the knee, pushing and pulling and bending.  He was very pleased at the progress.  I have a 90 degree bend in the knee.  I can now put all my weight on both legs and I am to really concentrate and
walk without a limp.

The Dr. has me doing a few more exercises to get the leg completely straight.  I am about 15 degrees from achieving this.  I have no other brace, no wheel chair, and will only need to use the walker for a few days till I am more steady on my feet.  With all the pushing and pulling and bending that the Dr. did, I didn't make it to the temple that afternoon.  I stayed home and iced and rested to I could go on Friday afternoon.

     But first, Friday morning we had visitors from El Salvador.  Our El Salvadorian granddaughter, Paola Figueroa came to Guatemala for a vacation.  Paola has had some severe back problems and has been flat in bed with a brace on for months.  It was so good to see her up and about.

     She is traveling with two friends, Aida Palacios and Hermana Gomez.  Aida serves in the office of the temple in El Salvador and is the Young Women's President in our ward there.  Hermana Gomez sang with us in the Stake Choir and was a regular in the temple, along with her parents and sister.

                                                               Aida Palacios

Hermana Gomez

     These three came by Pulman tour bus and are heading to Antique for two days.  We wished we could go with them, they are so fun to be around.  They will have a great time.  It was so good to see them and get those wonderful hugs.  We really love these girls.

 

Paola brought us a wonderful surprise also.

Home made pupusas and curtido from her mom's kitchen (the best in El Salvador)

and a supply of kolashapan, our favorite drink.  We have been so spoiled. 

     They left about 11:00 and we got ready for our afternoon shift at the temple.  I no longer need to go in the trench coat.

I used to think that our apartment was very close to the temple, but the walk over today was very long.  I was glad to sit down when I got there.  I lasted for 3 1/2 hours and then the walk home was even longer than the walk over.  But we are so happy to be rid of the wheel chair.

     We had another wonderful surprise at the temple.  Three men from El Salvador came to the temple and we were able go visit with them and get those brasos (hugs) from dear friends:  Hermano Montepeque,  an obrero and works in the office; Hermano Pena, a member of our ward in El Salvador; and Hermano Rivas who was the area seventy when we arrived here.  We are learning to love the people here in Guatemala, but our dear friends from El Salvador will always have a very warm spot in our hearts.  What a wonderful day.

     Well, today is Saturday and I stayed home to ice and rest these legs again so I can make it to church tomorrow.  My knee doesn't hurt at all today, just all the muscles that I haven't used for 6 weeks.  We are so thankful for the miracles that we have received.  Elder Thompson whipped us up another wonderful stew for today.  It is nice to be able to help him a little more now.  I actually did the dishes after he left today.  We will take each day and try not to overdue.  We are so thrilled with the progress and don't want a set back. 

     We are so thankful to be here in Guatemala, serving in this temple.  You are always in our prayers and we thank you for your prayers in our behalf.  We send our love, Lon and Nancy, Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma

5+ down and a few days to go

   I had just about decided not to do a blog this week as there really isn't much to talk about.   But then I remembered how disappointed we were whenever Tracy would miss a week while he served his mission in Finland.  It was a mission rule for him to send letters weekly, but as Senior Couples we have no rules like that. 
     We had a pretty quiet week.  Monday we attended the Spanish Family Home Evening because it was held at the Murri"s apartment just beside us and the English was held at the Pitcher's, across the street and much harder to get me to.  Let me explain our Family Home Evenings.  As there are 27 Senior Missionaries here, 12 couples and 3 single sisters, we can't all fit in one apartment for Family Home Evening together unless it is at the President's house.  We are divided into two groups, one Spanish and one English.  We are assigned to attend the English group, which is nice since Sundays are completely in Spanish and it is nice to study the gospel in our own language.  Each couple, or sister takes a turn hosting the FHE at their apartment, gives a lesson and has dessert.  It is a fun way to get to know the other missionaries better because we are also divided in two groups for our shifts at the temple and don't get to serve with everyone.  This week it is the Svensen's turn but their apartment is across the street and up a flight of stairs and the Spanish group is meeting at an apartment even farther away so we were just not going to attend.  But the English group has agreed to come to our apartment and hold FHE here.  I will attach a photo tomorrow after FHE to show you just how crowded our little apartment is with 13 people in it. 

  Elder Thompson stood on a chair and put the camera above his head to get everyone in, except poor Sister Dick didn't get her whole face.  Elder y Hermana Olson on the couch, Elder Svensen in chair beside Hermana Thompson.  The back row:  Sister Svensen, Elder y Hermana Pitcher, President y Hermana Burk, Elder y Hermana Barlow. 
 We were on the morning shift this week and found that a bit challenging to get us there on time.  But we made it and enjoyed serving.  I only went Tuesday though Friday and stayed 4-5 hours each day except Friday.  The temple engineer and guard brought me home each day.  Then on Friday I stayed the whole shift, feeling pretty "proud" of my accomplishment.  But you know the saying, "pride goes before the fall" and I paid the price on Saturday.  I spent the day in bed totally exhausted.  But after sleeping most of the day and night, I was ready for church on Sunday.  Again President Burk arranged for us to be taken to church in the temple van.
     Elder Thompson is taking such good care of me.  He mastered mashed potatoes this week and is finding out how hard it is to keep up with the dishes.  He is enjoying the cooking but with no dishwasher, he is constantly doing dishes.  I told him that as soon as I can stand on two feet, he can keep cooking and I will do the dishes. 
   Well, that is about all for this week.  We go to the doctor on Thursday morning so next week we should have some news.  We send our love to all.  You are in our prayers always.  Thank you for your prayers in our behalf.  We definitely feel the power in our lives.  Love Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma, Lon and Nancy

The Temple is open again

  Week four is gone and only two more to go!!! 
     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 

Home made Bread by Lon

  Our week was very quiet, not only because the other missionaries took a trip to visit the Xela Temple in Quesaltenango, but because we had no internet most of the week.  On Monday, the 27th, we heard a chain saw going and found out that some men were trimming the trees in front of our apartment house.  At about 4:00 in the afternoon, we lose our power and our internet.  A branch had come down on the power and internet lines.  We found out that we have no generator to restore our power like we had in El Salvador and two hours later we finally had power again.  However, the internet was out till Tuesday afternoon.  We think that we should pick up a few candles before the rainy season begins. 
     They are still trying to get the new fiber-optic lines installed in all the apartments (we are told that they are in place in the temple now).  The boxes are mounted on the walls and the tubes that will carry the lines are in place but still no new lines.  Our service this week has been so bad.  It will be such a relief when this work is finished.  We really do rely on the internet to stay connected to family and friends. 
     Now for the medical update:  Doctor Cameron and his wife came to visit on Saturday.  They checked out the left ankle and said to take off the boot and begin putting full weight on it.  It feels so much better having that boot off.  I think the boot was just so big and heavy that it was making the ankle hurt just carrying it around.  I now have a leg to stand on, YEA!!  He was very impressed with the mobility of the right knee, but I still can't put any weight on it.  He said that I have a very good nurse!  Elder Thompson exercises my knee every morning and evening.  We are icing both legs and taking Ibprofin 600 now instead of the tylenol.   We are now half way and only have 3 more weeks to be patient and let these bones heal.  Doctor Cameron is the mission doctor and he feels that all is well and I am healing great.  These next three weeks will be the worst for me because the temple opens again on Tuesday and it will be hard to be home when Lon is in the temple.  I miss being there already and it has been closed.  But---do not run faster than you have strength--I will behave myself and be patient, probably very impatiently.
     Elder Thompson had a great week.  He has been sharpening up his cooking skills.  Virgil and Mona Dodd sent him their favorite chile recipe and he decided that he could make it.  He went shopping on Monday with the other missionaries and found almost everything on the list.  He did have to substitute a couple of things like green bell peppers for red ones. So Kim and Bev, you won't believe this but Tuesday morning he dices onions, bell peppers, and garlic.  He gets everything in the pot then turns to me and says "you know that there is only two things that I like in this chile, beans and hamburger.  I sure hope that it tastes good"  Well it turned out wonderful and he and I enjoyed a feast for supper.  Thank you Virgil and Mona.  This recipe is a keeper.

      We have some in the freezer and it will be handy when we are on the late shift for a quick supper.

After having such a success with the chile, Elder Thompson tells me that "tomorrow I want to make bread".  You could have knocked me over with a feather.  I don't use a bosch to make bread.  Making good bread is about the texture and feel of the dough to know when you have enough flour and when it is raised enough.  When I looked at him, with that cute little boy grin, I couldn't say anything but OK.

  Getting the milk mixture scalded.

We like half whole wheat and half white. Mixing in the whole wheat

This was one of the toughest parts.  Trying to decide when he had enough white flour kneaded in for the right texture.  It will be easier the next time cause he had never even felt bread dough before.

 He went for his walk while the dough raised.  We weren't able to purchase any of the smaller loaf pans that I like, so we only had the bigger ones.  With the smaller pans we can make 5 loaves at a time.  We only could do 4 loaves with the bigger ones.  Forming the loaves was a bit of a challenge, but this Eagle Scout was up to the challenge.

 Job well done.  The loaves were beautiful and the taste and texture were great.  He did a great job.  He is anxious to do it again only this time he says that I am banned from the kitchen so he can really do it by himself and try to remember all that he has learned.  I had never realized just how little Lon knew about cooking.  He has now mastered grilled cheese sandwiches, spaghetti, crock pot roast with veggies, breakfast burritos, scrambled eggs, and any kind of cold sandwich.  I am being well cared for.  Elder Thompson says that it will be a relief to get to the temple.  He has not had any time to get bored these past three weeks, with all the cooking and cleaning, washing and nursing he has had to do. 

     Elder Thompson and I worked together with our setting and rental business for years and we learned to appreciate each other. Then we served our first mission and we learned to appreciate the talents and skills that we each had and we learned to appreciate each other more.  These past three weeks, we have truly learned to love and appreciate each other.  By serving one another, our love has grown and our appreciation for the talents and abilities of the other has grown.  We are so blessed to have each other and to know that if we are true to our covenants, we can be together forever.  We are so thankful to be here in Guatemala with the opportunity to serve in this temple.  We are thankful for the trials of these past three weeks because of the lessons we have learned.  Our Father in Heaven is aware of us and we feel His love daily. 

     We pray that each of you will have a wonderful week.  We thank you for your prayers in our behalf.  We send our love and our prayers in your behalf.  Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma, Lon and Nancy



Grocery Shopping in Guatemala

First, for a quick update on how the missionary "without a leg to stand on" is doing.  We went to the Doctor's office on Thursday the 23rd, and got the staples out.  Doctor Amenabar (with an accent over the second a) was very pleased and said that all was well and he will see us again in 4 weeks. 

Doctor Amenabar in his office

Elder Thompson keeping track of progress

Looking good and feeling better without the staples in.  Two weeks down, only 4 to go!!!

     Before President Burk came here a year ago, the Senior Temple Missionaries were on their own as far a grocery shopping was concerned.  They had to either walk to the nearby stores or hire a taxi to take them.  When President Burk became the temple president, he assigned two of the Senior Elders to drive his van, rotating each week, to take whoever needed grocery shopping.  Each Monday at 9:00 AM the van leaves the temple grounds for shopping at Walmart and Price Smart.  Whoever needs something can go.  If there are too many to fit into the van, then only one of  each couple can go.  We usually only need to go to these stores once a month to pick up case goods. 

This Walmart is bigger than the one in El Salvador and has a very good supply of everything.

This is like a Costco.  It is smaller than the one in El Salvador.

      We are very fortunate that we are young and healthy and can walk to three different stores locally whenever we are in need of something.  (as of two weeks ago anyway)  The loop that we walk goes past three different stores, depending on the way we take the loop.  We try to pick up a few groceries at a time so it is not so hard for "mi burro" to carry them home.  Lon puts on his back pack and away we go. 

This small mall is just about two blocks from us.  The Cemaco store is like an Ace Hardware.  This is where Elder Thompson found a kitchen sink sprayer and was able to hook it up to the shower so that he could wash my hair without getting the legs wet.  We bought his crock pot here also.  The mall has a small office supply store, a store called the Nauvoo where local people sell anything that they can make that pertains to "Mormons", a post office, a pharmacy, a Catholic store, a dry cleaners and several clothing stores.  In the parking garage in the basement is a small grocery store,  Yetro.

  This is the closest store to us.  They have just about anything, from groceries to cleaning supplies but not a big variety.  This is great if you just need a couple of things.  They seem to have the best variety of Campbells Soups in town. 

      If we need fresh fruits or vegetable, we like to go to La Torre

     It is the farthest from us so we try to be careful that Elder Thompson is not too loaded down for the walk home.  Their fresh fruits and vegetables are the best we have found and they have a very big selection.  Because it is so far from home, we usually only get the fresh things here as that is a big enough load. 

Paiz is the store that we use most often because it is closer.  It reminds us of Super Selectos in El Salvador.  They have a very good selection of most everything that we need.  It is located inside a mall, on the second floor.  We really haven't explored this mall yet, but they do have a POPS (ice cream), and a Pay Less Shoe store. 

     We have several pharmacies close by also and Elder Thompson has been able to find the prescriptions that I have needed these past two weeks.  We have the names and numbers of at least 5 taxies that are safe and reliable.  We feel like we are settled in and feel comfortable in the area we live and are looking forward to the temple opening again so we can get to know the people now. 

     Life is a routine for us, breakfast, exercise for me with the help of my dear companion, Lon takes a walk and does whatever shopping needs done while I read my scriptures and study my Spanish, lunch, Lon's turn to study and read while I either take a nap or read a book, supper, exercise for me again with the help of my dear companion, and bed.  Lon is not going stir crazy yet cause it takes a while to get me dressed, exercised and fed.  He is learning new cooking skills daily but will be ready for the temple to open on the 4th.  We miss it so when it is closed.  I know that I will not be able to start back until after the 6 weeks and then we will have to see if I can do a whole shift or not. 

     We know that our Heavenly Father is in charge and we are putting our faith and trust in Him.  He will guide us and strengthen us.  Life is good.  The road has a few pot holes and we have fallen into one of them but this trial will soon be over and we will have learned more about ourselves, each other, and our Savior.  We send our love to all.  You are in our prayers always and we thank you for yours in our behalf.  Love Dad and Mom, Grandma and Grandpa, Lon and Nancy

"You don't have a leg to stand on"

Well, we have made it to the one week mark and are very happy to have this first week behind us and look forward to a week from now with more mending and progressing.  With all the temple missionaries out of town or entertaining family we thought we would be on our own this week.  But with the Area Offices here and the CCM (MTC) we have about 50 Senior Couple Missionaries serving within walking distance of us.  Doctor and Sister Craigon, Senior Missionary Doctor for one of the missions here, brought in dinner for us on Tuesday, and checked up on us.  We had never met them before.  Doctor and Sister Cameron brought us the walker on Monday and checked up on us.  They are the Doctor for another of the missions here. 

 I am able to get to and from the bathroom much easier than trying to get the wheel chair down the hall.  By Friday, I am now able to get myself off the bed, into the bathroom, and back all by myself.  I'm growing up!

     On Thursday morning, Lon was concerned that my leg was real hot and worried about infection so he went to the CCM and had Sister Burbidge, the nurse at the CCM, come over to check it out.  She called the Doctor and they agreed that I should come in the next morning for him to look at it and ordered some antibiotics for me to start that evening.  You have no idea the fear that ran through me knowing that I had to get into a car and out of a car and into the Doctor's office and then back into a car and out again.  Lon worried all night about keeping my right leg straight as our wheel chair has no leg brace to hold it up.

    Friday morning we were ready at 9:30.  Lon figured out that he could use one of our trash cans to support the leg, and if I needed it, I also had my barf bucket with me.  Smart man!

I look like a missionary ready to go to work, don't I?

 

 Elder and Sister Burbidge picked us up and drove us to the Doctor's office which is right next to the hospital.  We had about an hour to wait for the Doctor as he was in surgery and it was fun to hear Sister Burbidge tell of some of the things she faces having to deal with all those young missionaries.  She thinks that futbol (soccer) should be banned along with basketball and a few other activities.  The Doctor was very pleased with the knee.  He said that there was no fluid under the knee cap and my mobility was good and to keep doing what we are doing.  Of course, Elder Thompson complained that when he did the exercises with me I complained and whined, but when the Doctor did them I was a perfect patient.  I don't think the Doctors believed him but he tried to get their sympathy.

 

This is Elder and Sister Burbidge from Murray, Utah bringing us home from the Doctors

Sister Burbidge thought the trash can was inventive.

Elder Thompson is becoming quite a good cook.  He made his first crock pot meal and we enjoyed it very much.  We may try spaghetti this week.  That sounds good to me.  Our neighbors brought in their version of Taco Soup tonight, George, it was nothing compared to yours. 

     The trip totaled me and I took a good nap while Lon went for a walk.  He took some photos of some of the rain gutters that we pass each time we walk.  The one that I fell into was one of the better ones.  It will ever remain a mystery how it ever happened. 

 

This is the one that got me!!

     We do walk on the road because as the next pictures show, you can be on a sidewalk when all of a sudden it doesn't exist anymore.

We have decided that this is the public restroom along the walking trail.  There is always someone using it.

     Well, that about sums up our week, not too exciting but all is well.  We are in good spirits and just taking each day as it comes.  We know that "though trials and tribulations oft have come my way, I can feel Him near me as I kneel to pray.  I've a testimony, sacred, dear to me. One that lies within my soul, something I cannot see".  I haven't sang that song for many years but those words are always a comfort to me.  Our Father in Heaven is in charge and we are definitely in His hands.  Thank you for your prayers, we are feeling the power of them.  We love you all and hope that you have a wonderful week.  May God bless you with those righteous desires of your heart.  Love Lon and Nancy, Grandma and Grandpa, Dad and Mom

Home alone 2

Dear Family and friends,
     Well our week has been busy with new adventures.  Tuesday through Friday the temple was so busy.  This is the last week we will be open for three weeks so the people have filled the temple each day.  We expected Saturday to be even busier than last Saturday, when we had 19 sessions.  The Area Office of the Church gave us back our passports just in case we needed them during the break so we hired a taxi Friday afternoon and went to purchase bus tickets for a weekend trip to see our mission family in El Salvador.  The other Senior Couples here have a few trips planned to sightsee Guatemala during the break.  We were excited to be able to go on a couple of these trips and get to know these people better.  And then the Reid Klutz Gene (as my sister Judy calls our gracefulness) attached me!!
     At about 3:00 we put the backpack on Lon and headed out to the store to get some bananas and milk.  We took the route that is mostly down hill from our apartment.  We had gone about a mile when I forgot the rule of "look down, look down" ( I love that song from Les Miserables).  The sidewalks are non-exsistant and the roads have lots of holes and manholes without covers and just rough so you have to watch where you are walking at all times.  Well, Lon and I are visiting about our wonderful day in the temple and our trips that are planned and I forgot to look down.  My left foot went into a cement rain gutter, twisting as I fell and my right knee came down hard on the uneven cement.  I went down very hard but sat up and rubbed the ankle and knee and had Lon help me up so we could continue and I have never felt such pain in my life.  I sat down on the curb  and then laid on the grass, we happened to be where there was grass.  After a little while, we tried it again, only to have to lay down again.  The pain was so intense.  Lon was trying to figure how we were going to get me home.  We had a mile walk, uphill, then the cross over with all the steps to go up and down, and we had no phone numbers with us and after the third time of trying to get up, I told him that without a car I was going nowhere.  Lon said a prayer in his heart and told our Heavenly Father that we were in trouble here and needed some guidance and help.  Just then a lady backed out of her garage and pulled over to ask if we needed help.  Our little angel helped Lon get me into the car and we headed for home.  She was such a sweet little lady.  I was in the front and she would reach over and pat my head and try to comfort me.  I started throwing up now.  Lon figures it was shock but I figured it was my Minears kicking up.  Which ever it was it was not good.  But thankfully he had his backpack so that was my bowl and I didn't destroy her car.
       When we got to the house, Lon ran upstairs to get President Harris to help get me into the house.  They got a kitchen chair and carried me to my bed.  President Harris couldn't get the mission doctor on the phone and they were trying to figure out what to do with me.  After they gave me a blessing they both knew that it was time to get to the hospital.  One of the temple guards brought down a wheel chair from the temple and the temple van and loaded me in to it.  That would have  been a fun picture to have, trying to get me up into a van with two legs that didn't want to work. 
     The ER at the Hospital Herrera Llerandi was wonderful.  The doctor, Dr. Castillo, took care of the throwing up first.  They started an IV with anti-vert medicine then the ex-rays of the feet.  It wasn't good news.  He called the orthopedic surgeon Dr Amenabar and they showed Lon the ex-rays.  The left foot has a hairline crack at the ankle and the right knee cap is broken in two pieces.  The only good news was that the two pieces were about even so the screws and wires would be easy to attach to put it back together again.  I was admitted to the hospital to have surgery the next morning, Saturday the 11th at 8:00 AM.
     My nurses were wonderful.  Sometimes it was sign language that we used, but I thankfully had enough words that I could tell them what I needed.  They took such good care of me.  Of course, there was not much sleep on that night, the pain was so intense and I had to lie flat on my back and I have never been able to sleep that way.  I told Lon to go home about 8:30 and the temple guard again picked him up and took him home.
     The surgery went great and this is how I woke up.

 

My left foot has the boot on so I can put some weight on it to get to the bathroom and back to bed.  The right knee is to be immobile for about 6 weeks and I can slide it along as we use a walker to get around.  The pain medicine is working great, but there is no sleep in a hospital.  On Saturday afternoon, a group of people are in the first part of the hospital room waiting for the patient to come from recovery.  I am in a two bed room.  The 23 year old girl has had a tumor removed and she has olverian cancer.  There is a lot of crying, conversation, and cell phones going off all afternoon and night.  They have come from 6 hours away and the mother, sister, and aunt spent the night with the patient, I think mostly because they had no other place to go.

  Sunday morning the doctors came in and I told them it was time to go home so I could get some rest.  Lon had taken a taxi this day to get to the hospital and we were trying to figure out a time to have a taxi there to take us home when the mission doctor and his wife walk in.  His internet had been down and he had just found out about all this and came straight to the hospital.  They brought us home and went to get the prescriptions filled.  They are going to get the walker for me to use also.

    This would have been a great picture too.  Lon is walking backwords pulling the wheelchair with me in it up to our door and the doctor is holding onto my leg to keep it out straight when Lon comes to the step up and trips.  Suddenly my leg is straight up to the sky and Lon is on the ground.  At the time it didn't seem funny but as I think of it now, what a sight that must have been.

     I am so thankful to be home.  We both slept great last night and I took about a two hour nap today.  Our missionary family here have brought in food and are taking care of us.  They don't all go anywhere at the same time until their trip to the Xela temple.  Yes, that is the very temple that we tried to visit twice while we were in El Salvador.  Just don't think it is meant for us to go there.  But we will wait and see how the recovery goes. Thank goodness we have these 3 weeks to recover before the temple opens again.  There is no plans to come home at this time.  The doctors are great and we expect a full recovery.

       Please remember me in your prayers and if you live near a temple, please put our names on the prayer rolls.  That is the best help you can be to us now.  We are in good spirits and Elder Thompson has promised not to feed me hotdogs every day.  He is taking very good care of me.  We send our love to all.  Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma, Lon and Nancy

Lon decided that as Sister Petersen always said, without a picture it didn't happen

my left ankle is turning real pretty colors