Monday, January 15 to Sunday, January 21, 2018

Monday, January 15, 2018

After the office meeting, we spent the day helping three missionaries with doctors appointments, feeding 4 of them and taking 2 to the bus stop. 

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

We listened to the First Presidency Broadcast and news conference this morning, when President Nelson was announced as the President of the Church with Elder Oakes and Eyring as counselors. We whole heartedly support and sustain them. We love these men and know they are men of God. It was interesting to watch how they interacted with each other during the press conference. It reminded me a little of Moses and Aaron; Moses the leader and Aaron the spokesman. Elder Oakes and Elder Eyring as did Aaron of old, helped President Nelson answer the questions and did so with a lot of clarity.

We spent the evening (until 11pm) at the hospital with another sick missionary. 

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

John skyped us this morning, telling us that he is going into the hospital for his transplants. We were not prepared for this. It came too soon. We ate breakfast then began a fast. We have felt peace throughout the decision and approval process and continue to do so. We hope that Heavenly Father's plan is for the surgery to be successful, but we know what ever happens is the will of God and we can accept that. John is our miracle son. He was not supposed to live very long, but has had a long wonderful life. We are proud of him and proud to be his parents. We have learned a lot from him and dealing with CF, that has blessed our lives and helped us grow. Life would have been much easier if we were inspired to heal him when he was first diagnosed, but we were not inspired to do so. Now after all these years, we see the wisdom in that. We are a stronger family and more dedicated disciples because of the experience we have had to deal with CF. We notified the President this morning. He is including John in his prayers today. He is having interviews with the missionaries in Chinandega and prays in each interview. We also called the Ogden temple and put his and Isa's name on the prayer rolls. Our thoughts and prayers are with John and Isa….

We kept John and Isa in our thoughts and prayers throughout the day. We talked to him several times as well. He is calm and positive and surprised with the love and support they have been receiving all day. They have dedicated Home Teachers, who took them to the hospital this morning and spent most of the day with them, until Isa's family began to arrive.  

We got a call from John about 11 pm. They found infection on the donor lung, so the transplant is off. We are relieved but also disappointed. Paul and Kim were preparing to fly to Houston, but John called them just before they were to leave. Both their flights were late, thus they were not in the air when John called them. Another tender mercy. We love our children. They have bonded together and are such a strength to each other.

We met with our landlord today about the electric bill. She came to our house and sat around our table. It was a very cordial conversation. She understood the problem with the light bill and was accepting of our proposal to her to pay a portion of the bill. We outlined the history, what was done and made a fair offer, which was accepted. She will write up a letter authorizing us to reduce the amount agreed upon from next months rent check.

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Since John was home, we decided to continue with our P-Day adventure with the Helbergs. We picked them up at 6am and headed to La Dalia, about an hour north of Matagalpa. We were going to the White Waterfall and the Escondido (hidden) waterfall. Climbing out of the Escondido waterfall, I slip on the trail and slid about 30 feet down the side of the mountain. I started on my belly, but quickly turned on my backside. Fortunately, nothing serious was hurt, other than a little pride, a rip in my pants and my tailbone is sore.

Cascada Blanca

Cascada Escondido

Our guides. They cost us C$30 each. They took us to the edge of the trail, where it drops off. They did not go with us to the bottom.  Smart children.

Friday, January 19, 2018

We got up a little late this morning, about 6 am. I slept well, for which I was glad after yesterday’s adventure. My backside still hurts but not as much. We went to the office. Sister Bell needed to review reimbursement requests with Elder Howell. We made a quick stop at Villa Flor. Then we went back to the office so that Sister Bell could finish her task with Elder Howell. We got home about 2 pm, made lunch and then worked from home. I might even take a nap this afternoon (I did).

Saturday, January 20, 2018

Sister Bell taught Maria Clara a piano lesson in Trinidad. We were pleasantly surprised to find Carelys and Marcos, the Cruz’s oldest daughter and her husband in Trinidad. They have moved back from Guatemala. She is pregnant and expecting a boy in March.

We then met up with Elders Carico and McCord in Esteli. They were on divisions. We took them to visit with a young lady (17 yr old) who is preparing to be baptized. Then we went with them and the Rosario Sisters (Hermanas Pacheco and Pozo) to Villa Cuba, a rural neighborhood outside of Esteli. While Elder McCord gave a baptismal interview, we showed a video about families and then had a wonderful discussion about how the Church helps families. The spirit guided the questions and discussion. I first talked about how the church programs help families. We then talked about the primary, RS and Priesthood. This led to the giving of priesthood blessings to two sick members of the family. Elder McCord and Carico gave wonderful blessings. When we arrived, there was not a very good spirit in the house. But when we left, there was a wonderful spirit.

We then took the 4 missionaries, all crammed in the back seat of our truck, to the Church where the other sister missionaries (Hermanas Aleman and Pimental) were decorating for a wedding. Elder Simpson and Elder Fankhauser had gotten back from Dario, so we took Elder Carico and Simpson back to Condega.

We first visited with Freddy and Virginia. It was good to see and feel the spirit back into the life of Virginia. She had been angry at another member for almost a year. Freddy and Virginia are planning on going to the temple in April. We talked about the temple. We also talked about Mormon Funerals, because Virginia’s mother had recently passed away. She was Catholic and had a Catholic burial. She said it did not give her much comfort. She was concerned that Freddy’s family would insist on a Catholic Burial for him and she wondered how that would affect his eternal life. I assured her that if Freddy was valiant in keeping his covenants, that if the family insisted on the Catholic Funeral, that this would not affect his eternal progression.

We had a Noche de Hermanamiento at the Elder’s house tonight. The familia Ramirez attended. We showed President Nelson’s announcement to the members of the Church, from last Tuesday. We talked about how a new President is selected. There was a sweet spirit there.

We stayed at the Hex… we miss the king size bed at the Koellikers.

Sunday, January 21, 2018

We picked up President Alaniz at his house and went to Pueblo Nuevo. When we arrived, everyone was quietly sitting in the chapel, patiently waiting for us. We quickly set up the piano and we began. Javier, Nubia’s brother was there in a white shirt and tie. I was very happy to see him walk up to the Sacrament Table to help bless the sacrament. He has been struggling for a long time with some habits. Repentance is a wonderful thing. I talked. I had Nicole read the parable of the 10 virgins. I then explained that the 10 virgins were members of the Church, but only 5 of them were ready when the Savior came. I explained how and why it is important to keep our lamps full of spiritual oil. Elder Ponce also talked. President Alaniz ended with his talk. He has really grown the past year as President of the branch. He gave a wonderful talk about the Priesthood, telling how he gave a blessing to a friend who was sick, who felt immediately better after the blessing.

For SS, we showed President Nelson’s message to the members of the Church. Only 2 or 3 had seen it. We talked about President Nelson afterwards. There were 25 people in attendance. Hilario was set apart as the assistant group leader and another recent convert was ordained a Priest.

We then stopped in Esteli and talked with Sister and Brother Acevedo. We asked them to help us get the deposit back from Claro for Koellikers internet service.

We gave another lesson to Yasser and Marilyn about communication. We gave them an assignment to spend the rest of the day together, just having fun and then to end the day with a family Prayer.

We got home about 6:00.