Well, this week was just full of adventures. Maybe not the kind I will want to repeat (ever) in my life, but at least these pages of my journal will be nice and complete. And I will have something to tell my kids about. Just make it to the end of this email because it may seem as if I am complaining, but I promise I am not. There is a moral behind this story!!
So my ear is still totally annoying. This whole week I took pretty strong antibiotics exactly as the doctor recommended. Remember when I used to have an iron stomach? Yeah not anymore... With all this medicine the smell of raw meat makes me queasy. One morning was especially bad, but we had already planned to learn to make Coxhinas with a recent convert and she was so excited!! We could not back out. So I said a little prayer and we went on our way. Coxhinas are made with shredded chicken and lots of oil so as she taught I tried to seem interested, asking lots of questions and such. Just about the moment when I told her I would impress my future dates how to make coxhinas and thanked her for helping me with my post-mission dating life, I ran outside and began to puke. I came back in and pretended like nothing was happening. The other sisters managed to ask a member to pick us up and take us home because the thought of taking a van was painful, but with the motion of the car I once again started puking. Only this time out of his window. Imagine the sight... me up-chucking out the window as we whipped through the favelas. All the kids gathered around, probably thinking that I was dying. Sister Frandsen tried to help by finding napkins but when that didn´t work she ended handing me pass-a-long cards to clean my face. Yeahh. Not my brightest moment.
Anyway, the antibiotics ended and my pain was stronger than ever. I hopped it would pass and tried to go on with our daily activities. Sunday morming we had lots of people at church and I tried to keep my self busy integrating everyone. Until I finally could not stand it. Not to mention, I was not really hearing out of one ear. I called Sister Del Guerso in panic and she told me to come to São Paulo immediately. We went straight to the hospital and a specialist chiseled out dried blood and pus. Let´s just say, it was not the most pleasant of experiences. Good news... I no longer cry when I see a needle!! I barely even cringe actually.. I am growing up. Long story short, we ended up returning home (President´s home) at 11 PM. But, how many missionaries have this opportunity?! To spend the night and eat breakfast in presidents home?! Quite the experience if I do say so myself...
So, for the moral of the story... I could not help but feel a little frusterated this week. We have so much to do. Currently we are planning a wedding and teaching lots of people with big potential and even bigger problems. They all need our help! And I felt like I was letting everyone down and not doing my very best because I was not feeling great. I expressed this to Sister Frandsen and she said something I will never forget... ``God created your body. He knows, better than anyone, your weaknesses. He knows that you are not perfect and he still called you to do his work. Do your best and he will compensate for the rest.´´ Inspired words that I was needing.
So, whereever you are and however incapable you may feel, just keep going. Do your best, don´t get discouraged, focus on the good, and let everything work out how God wants it to be. And I will try to do the same. God is good and he helps us.
Mom, don´t worry. I am being taken care of and already feel much better. One day i will laugh about this.
On a side note, Alexandre recieved the priesthood and is now preparing, ever so earnestly, his names for the temple! He loves this family history stuff! This week he spent most of his time off on LDS.org and is now quoting Thomas S. Monson on a daily basis. I love our recent converts!
love you all,
Sister Lauren
p.s. Happy birthday mom!! Have a wonderful trip! I love you! I sent a card but it probably won´t arrive for a little while...
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