13 July 2020

Elder Clayton and I have wanted to serve a mission since we were newly weds 44 years ago. I  must say, there has been nothing normal about the past 10 months we have been serving in the "Land of the Big White Cloud". I love everything about this country. The flowers, the birds, the green grass, the rain, the fruit, the fresh fruit ice cream, the creme buns, the incredible landscape, the ocean.  We drive down the road and know without a doubt that this is where we need to be right now. My very favorite thing is the people. The beautiful Pacific Islanders. They are real, they know how to love, they know how to care, they are faithful, they are choice. I love the people I get to work with every day. Our counter parts, the Follands are the salt of the earth and I look forward to going to the office each day to work along side of them. All of our MLS couples stayed when Covid 19 reared it's ugly head. I learn so much from each one of them and admire their testimonies. We have one MLS couple from Billings, Montana, and love to share stories from home. I feel exceedingly blessed to be working along side President and Sister Erekson. They are from Idaho. Sister Erekson has a good, kind heart. One late afternoon, I recieved a call from home. It was one of my daughters telling me she was in the ER with another daughter. President Erekson walked out of his office to ask for some Post it Notes at the exact wrong moment the problem was being explained.  It was about time to go home, and shortly after, Sister Erekson arrived at my door with dinner. I KNOW, THAT SHE BROUGHT THE DINNER SHE HAD PREPARED FOR PRESIDENT AND HERSELF to Elder Clayton and I that night. They probably ate McDonalds and we had their Chicken Cordon Bleu. President just plain "gets" me. Even to the point of stocking his little frig in his office with Vanilla Coke for me. He always knows when I need one!  Each one of the Senior Couples serving have left loved ones and precious grandchildren and made sacrifices to come out and serve a mission. Many are in the same place we are. Not sure where home will be and what to do when our mission ends. 

We had 6 months of normal. 

2 months of lockdown.

1 month of recieving 83 reassigned missionaries from New Zealand

and 

1 month of hip replacement recovery. 

What a ride!

Yes, I had my "good" hip replaced. Yes, in New Zealand.  Yes, the doctors are exceedingly capable. Yes, the hospital care was amazing. Yes, I am recovering at an amazing super speed. No, I did not have to eat lamb in the hospital. It all happened so fast, but I am on the road to recovery. 

This has been Elder Clayton's role for the past 10 days. Not only has he been taking care of the missionaries, but has taken care of me. He worked from home the first week after surgery, but went to the office this week. I don't know what I did to snag this guy, but he's one in a million. He does it all. I sits and eats. I'm really glad I get to grow old with him. 

I have been very well taken care of.  Isn't this sign beauthiful? My friend Shauna hand painted it! Kia Kaha means, "Stay strong" or "Be Strong". Angels have come to my door with their arms full of food each day. I don't even know who most of these sisters are. It has surely lifted Dwight's burden to have to feed the lame. 

I have received so many beautiful flowers. I have to smile each time I look at them. Because we live in a missionary flat, I didn't have a chair that would have been comfortable to convalesce in. Sister Erekson came into the office before my surgery and said I needed to take the love seat out of her lounge--(living room) I told her I would not. The next thing I know several missionaries showed up at my door with her love seat in hand. She insisted I use her electric reclining love seat. I am so grateful for her. It has made my healing faster to be able to have my legs elevated. 

The day before my surgery I saw this on the ground in front of the office. It was like a sign that all was going to be well. When I checked in for surgery, I was taken to my room that I would be staying in during my hospital stay. I was told to unpack and get comfortable. Dwight waited in my room for me to come back from surgery. I had a spinal block and was awake through the whole surgery. In one respect, That that was a good decision, because my recovery was so quick! On the other hand, I had watched Hip replacement video on You Tube--WARNING: DON'T DO THAT! and was envisioning every thing they were doing. I felt the first cut and screamed OUCH! and the doctor told the anesthesiologist to give me more cocktail. I heard the saw cut my ball from my leg bone, I heard the drill into my bone, I heard the bam bam bam as he lodged the new piece into my leg. Pretty intense. But I did get out of the hospital 3 days earlier than they predicted. And the total cost of this procedure was $14,000 compared to $87,000 for my last hip replacement. I should be back in the saddle working next week. At least part time. 

This is the only picture I got from the hospital stay. I ordered fruit yogurt. Does that make you think something like Strawberry Yoplait? Only ordered it once. I got unsweetened yogurt with pumpkin on top. It was sent back to the kitchen the same way it came out.

I have to share this picture with you. It is winter time here. It gets cold. No snow, but it freezes. This is our Mission President with two of our Tongan missionaries in Tongan Winter Gear! Such great missionaries!

Right before my surgery, we went to Taumarunui. I just love the unique scuptures in New Zealand. 

I don't know if these videos will open. Several of our missionaries came by one afternoon to sing to me. Just enjoy the beautiful Polynesian music. I had so many prayers said in my behalf. When you have a whole mission praying in your behalf, prayers are heard and answered! 

Meanwhile back in the US, life goes on. Little Annie was baptised last weekend. I'm so grateful for facetime. It was almost like being there. I'm also very grateful for our children that support each other and take such good care of each other in our absence. Family. Being together. Thats what it's all about. Congratulations, Annie Lea. You chose the right! 

Last but not least, Happy Birthday Mother. You have been gone 15 years. Oh how I would love 3 minutes with you to get your take on what is happening in the world today. I'm sure you would have lots of wisdom to share with me. Thanks for raising me the way you did. Oh, and I have caught up with you on # of hip replacements...Not that it is a race...

As we look at the US, I'm not sure what we will be coming home to. Certainly nothing like what we left. It somewhat reminds me of "Back to the Future II" when Marty went back to Hill Valley, Biff style. I'm anticipaiting Toxic waste to be flowing through the streets, shotguns in the hands of everyone, broken down smoldering fire gutted buildings on every street corner. One thing for sure, we are a bit closer to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ than we have ever been. 

Stay well. Read your scriptures. Listen to the words of our Prophet, Russell M. Nelson. Help your neighbor. Find peace in the Savior. Hold on tight to your loved ones. Have hope and know all will be well. 

Elder and Sister Clayton