THE QUEZON QUIBBLER: Miracles in the Mission

Dear Hermana e Elder,

This has been a long, hard week for both of us. I was sick last Saturday, so when Stewart felt sick Sunday, we assumed he just had a 24-hour flu, like me. But he was still sick on Monday and asked me to stretch my 30-min presentation on the sacrament at zone conference to 60 minutes so he wouldn't have to talk so long, and then he had to keep leaving because of his symptoms. But he made it through the day and then an interview at the mission home afterwards, and then crashed. Early Tuesday morning he was worse -- he could hardly move because he ached so much! And he had other symptoms that involved quick trips to the CR (bathrooms here are called "Comfort Rooms). I prayed, and asked your siblings to pray for a miracle that he would be better by 7:30 or 8:00 when we had to leave for the next zone conference. When it became apparent that he wouldn't be able to go, I suggested we cancel the zone conference, but he wanted it held, so I went without him.

The second day I could only make my presentation last for 45 minutes, but the office elder who spoke, the assistants, zone leaders and STL's all went a little long and we ended at the same time as the day before except that Yours Truly had to give the closing remarks. They were short! When I got home he didn't seem much better, so our nurse called Area Medical Advisor who is an ER doctor and he said it may be dengue and told me what to watch for. The next morning his fever broke he was a little better, but still not well enough to go, so I left early and Dennis took me to Malolos for the third zone conference. The missionaries were so disappointed when I walked in alone. I did my best, but it just isn't the same without Dad. We started one hour late due to traffic, but we finished on time and I gave what I hoped would be my last closing remarks ever. When I got home that night he was even better and had eaten a banana, the first food in a couple of days.

Thursday we had a break from zone conference to host the senior couples for Thanksgiving, but they were supportive about me postponing it until next week and we went to a nearby clinic for a blood test for dengue. Fortunately it was negative, so he went back to bed and rested, eating a little chicken broth. I cooked the Thanksgiving turkey and carved and froze it and hope it still tastes good next week. And spent the day being thankful that Stewart was improving.

The next morning he came with me to zone conference! He taught in the morning session and gave good instruction, but went home at lunchtime to rest, not eating anything again. So I had to give the closing remarks at the last zone conference, after all. When I returned that night he had a little turkey soup and took the antibiotic the doctor prescribed for him. By Saturday morning, he could really feel the effect of the antibiotic and felt pretty good, heading out to a baptism in Baliwag and then to Manila to visit two elders hospitalized with dengue. The trip took him the entire day, but he was still feeling well and even had a Jollibee hamburger at the baptism!

I stayed home and went back to bed. I was exhausted and dizzy (from the stress of the week?) and stayed in my pajamas all day. (It could also have been my stress eating Friday night -- an entire package of cinnamon rolls Sister Cole gave me.) Dad agreed I deserved a rest! I was fine today and spoke the entire 15 minutes assigned me at stake conference and learned it's always best to stop early instead of filling the whole time you're assigned. Dad did that and gave a great talk, although we may be sent home for his non-prophecy of a temple in San Jose Del Monte. He said twice, "this is NOT a prophecy, but it could happen because you are so faithful" and after a man came up and thanked him for his prophecy!

It is still hard for me to talk in stake conference--I knew I should stop today but had to keep reading my talk!--but I love the stake choirs here. The women always where matching blouses (same color) and the men the same color ties, and they prepare so well and sing so beautifully--it really is amazing.

Even though the miracle I hoped for -- Dad being healed Tuesday or Wednesday -- didn't happen, there were still plenty of miracles. During my ZC presentation, I had lots of comments from Filipinos (usually it's just the Americans/Aussies) and I was able to think of things to say in the very moment during my closing remarks. I know the Lord blessed me and blessed everyone who participated. I felt the prayers of you and the rest of the family for me. The STL's were assigned to talk on companionship unity, and with each companionship of STL's taught the lesson so differently. The assistants took care of everything--I'm sure they could have done it without me. And the missionaries were amazingly reverent.

Another miracle is how patient Dad has been this week with disobedient missionaries. There is one companionship who are so bad their bishop asked Dad to take them out of the ward! Dad met with them today and was so patient and full of love as he taught them the importance of being a good example all the time. I felt like twisting their necks, but he was totally section 121 in his response.

We met a family member today at stake conference Mark taught when he was here in San Jose Del Monte about 20 years ago. She was a toddler then, but her parents joined the church and she was recently married in the temple. It was wonderful to see the fruits of Mark's labors and how much good they are doing in their ward now. I also saw the16-year-old girl, Jessa, I went with the missionaries to teach a couple of weeks ago--she is getting baptized next Saturday.

Love,

Mom