Patient, Prank, Parasite

Patient: able to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious. 2,  a person receiving or set to receive medical treatment.

Prank: a practical joke or mischievous act

Parasite: an organism that lives in or on another organism and benefits by deriving nutrients at its host's expense.

Last week I mentioned that I had never spent a night in the hospital before. Now I can say that I am highly familiar with the accommodations of a hospital couch. I thought I knew what patience was, but having my companion become a patient taught me so much more. I learned the importance of self-sufficiency... as I became completely dependent on others. (The Relief Society to bring me food, to go on splits so I could grab things from the piso [apartment], etc.) I lived as a parasite from Monday night to Saturday afternoon. I learned the difficulty of the life of a shut-in, how every visit means so much, how it helps keep you sane. I learned my own strength... and how much I needed to rely on the Lord's. I learned how hard it is to be consecrated and focused from a hospital, but how important it is no matter the situation. I learned SO MUCH. And just when I started to shrink, when I started to despair... We were out.

"I've been shot" 

We spent Kings Day in a hospital. The Elders (thanks to a leprosy-recovery in a slightly-delayed new arrival (Elder Woodmansee), there are 4 again) came and visited several times in our 6 days there. I somehow managed to make it to the Zone Meeting in Zaragoza... alone. Let's just say it took the six elders in our district to replace Hermana Ingram as my companion. ;)

The Elders visit for Three Kings Day

By Saturday Hermana Ingram was feeling fine, but they wanted to keep her longer without running any tests or giving her anything more specific than an anti-nausea pill. So we talked with the mission President and among ourselves and decided to sign the thing to leave against the doctor's orders. It was a great pleasure to wave the little paper and say, like in LOTR, "You have no power here!" Our sudden departure into freedom ("Doby is a free elf!" or "We made it, we're going home!") provided the perfect opportunity to repay the Elders for the prank they pulled with Élder Pixton on Christmas Eve. We'll say that the reunion was ever-more sweet that Sunday morning, give Hermana Een two thumbs up for over-the-phone acting skills, and leave it at that.

You have no power here!

"Doby is a free elf!" or "We made it, we're going home!"

So I've had a lot of time to think (claro [of course]). I've also had a decent amount of time to watch church-related movies (the best). And I had this thought while watching the Bible videos.

In Luke 22, we have the story of Christ's intercessory prayer.

40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,

46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

Carl Bloch's painting of this moment is both beautiful and saddening. God sent an angel down to comfort Christ, in this, his moment of greatest agony. But I can't help but think that the angel wouldn't have been necessary if the apostles had just stayed awake, had "watched with him one hour." I've had many angels come to me in this week, in the form of the Elders, a saintly Relief Society President, and other loving and faithful members.

When we take seriously our responsibility to uplift and minister to others is when we can see heaven on earth.

We had a great contact last night that helped recharge my faith, and we're out here ready to work again.

Be the Angels.

Love you all, and hoping you have a great week full of calendar-worthy miracles.

Hermana Een

I love this, Alayna's study desk.  I love to see the things we have sent, the things she chose to put up,
the glimpse into her world.

'Cup Song Challenge'