Every week I think life will be routine, nothing out of the ordinary. Then I am proven wrong.
Apparently, with this cold snap, there are several Sister Missionaries who want my job. Can't blame them, out there in the cold, cruel world at 18 degrees below with the wind chill factor. We just have to run from the parking lot into the warmth of the office---62 degrees this week. The grass is always greener.
A Sister missionary asked me this week, "What is your favorite part of your mission?" It gave me cause to reflect a moment. In order, I would have to say my three favorite parts of my mission are #1 Serving full-time, shoulder to shoulder with Elder Taggart #2 Serving these wonderful young missionaries #3 Being able to get on the computer and match missionaries with needs, no matter where in the world they are. This week I was able to match up Elders in Mexico with a lady dying of cancer who wanted a visit and a blessing. Last week it was Thailand and I am still waiting for Salt Lake to get back to me with the request from Vietnam. To me, that is a miracle.
I chuckle at our missionaries. The other Senior couple was out of the office Tues. serving lunch at the New Missionary Training meeting. As luck would have it, that's when the call came in. "Sister Taggart, our pipes are frozen. We have no water. We have called the landlord and the office and left messages but they don't respond. Do we just sit here and wait for the pipes to thaw?" A) In Chicago, that could be a very long wait. You could wait months for "the thaw." B) We are paying $1200 for that apartment, you better get running water with it---and an indoor toilet C) It's 1:00 in the afternoon. How long can you wait? We found another phone contact for her and he came right over.
We have had 2 sets of missionaries to dinner this week. I have pretty much proven they will eat anything I serve. Some meals are better than others. We just love having them in our home.
My right knee has been giving me fits since this summer. Walking became painful. Sewing 230 hands (yes, I just put 8 more on) on a quilt didn't help. Throwing freight in the supply room of our office doesn't help either. Finally, this week, the pain became unbearable. When you can't sleep--that's pain. So off to Dr. Goldstein we went on Wed. afternoon. How do we select doctors here, you ask? We go to Zoc Doc, find a friendly face that goes with a solid name, and see who has the first opening. So far we've found 2 really good doctors. Dr. Goldstein gave me several options, took x-rays of both knees, came back with fewer options. My right knee is bone on bone, my left knee is not much better. So how to buy me 4 more months before knee replacement surgery??? You guessed it, a shot in my knee. So behind door #3 is a new knee for me as soon as I get home. The cortisone shot didn't work for about 48 hours but when it kicked in (no pun intended) I was able to walk without limping and to sleep. This development opens a whole can of controversy as far as being careful with my knees my whole life.....every knee only has so many bends in it over a lifetime, etc. To the athletes in my family, I didn't have a running chance. (no pun intended) Thanks to arthritis, which is in all my joints, I may be singing this song again.
The neatest experience was having Elders W & W come over and give me a Priesthood blessing. I was promised I would complete my mission without surgery. I was also told this is my refiner's fire and this trial was given to me so I would be more compassionate and have empathy for the pain of others. I was also told this trial is mine because of my great faith and strength. So there you are.....I'm the chosen one for this particular roadblock.(don't trip over it with your bum knee)
We continue to enjoy our time in the office with the Abbotts. Compatible is a good word for us. Another office couple arrives in 2 weeks but still no replacement in sight for us.
THE QUILT IS DONE!!!!!!! 85 hours and 5 of my p-days plus countless hours in the evening. It is done. It is not a masterpiece but will be adequate. I plan on it being the last king-sized quilt I ever make. Pictures will follow when I ever get a place large enough to open the whole thing, which our apartment isn't .
So life continues. We try to do a bit of good every day. We try to lighten the burdens of others. We try to laugh several times each day, at ourselves and our circumstances. We know we get two notches on the belt for these two winters we have lived in Chicago. We are grateful for Celestial Marriages which can exist on earth. And like one Sister suggested, I find joy in the journey each and every day. Maybe you could do the same. It's worth the effort. We love you and miss you.
Sister Taggart
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