NEW CALLING, FLU SHOTS, EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Hurrah for Israel!!

My first opportunity to Preside at a Baptism.

Last week President Craig asked me to serve as his 2nd counselor in the Mission Presidency.  I told him I am honored to serve him and the Lord in whatever way I can.  This calling gives me many new opportunities to work with the Missionaries and members of the church.  I am thankful for this.

The thumb is healing nicely, however, I now realize that this injury may have a lasting impact.  I must relearn certain keystrokes on the keyboard.  Not because of pain or sensitivity, but because I no longer have any feeling on the outside portion of my right thumb.  The nerve was severed and it may be a long time before feeling returns, if ever.  Sometimes surgery is needed to reconnect the severed nerve.

During the recent round of Zone Conferences, we administered flu shots to all the Missionaries who were willing to receive one. 

Bravery from the "Army of Helaman"

 We did have some who declined; mostly Americans who will be returning home soon.; but I was impressed with the bravery of many of the native Missionaries who were willing to get the shot even though the fear of needles and pain was evident. 

 Most Filipinos are not accustomed to vaccinations.  One little Elder did his best to avoid me because he didn't even want to be asked if he would get one.  When he could hide no longer, he bravely submitted and got the shot.  He was glad, as most were, to find that it was not as painful as he imagined.  Getting a qualified nurse to the Zone Conference to administer the vaccine was an adventure.  They were supposed to start at 8:00AM.  One didn't show up until 11:00AM which meant that we had to shuttle Missionaries in and out of the training meetings all day.  I kind of serve as the coordinator/administrator for these type of events and I am always relieved when they are done.

Sister Roberts and I also were able to provide training to the Missionaries on the importance of being prepared for weather-related, and other types of emergencies.  We are entering 'typhoon season' in the Philippines and want to make sure the Missionaries know where they should go if they were required to evacuate.  We also warned them to make sure their 72-hour emergency kits are fully supplied as well as necessary cash and working phones.  We made a fun little video showing what it might be like if they got the call to evacuate and were unprepared.

The Primary Colors