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   This week has been filled with healing!  I am feeling so much better!
   
   

   This is Los Alamitos Church house were we attend every Sunday.  The members of this ward are wonderful people and have provided meals, cards, flowers, visits and been true examples of Christians.

   
   

        Last Sunday I went to Sacrament meeting.  It had been less than two weeks since my second surgery, but it felt sooooo good to be able to go to church!  I felt the spirit so strong and soaked up the wonderful feelings.  Many people made me feel good as well.  One sister came up to me and told me I had changed her life.  I am not sure about that, but it was such a nice compliment.  A missionary can hear no better compliment!  Our first hymn that we sang was  this: "Improve the Shining Moments".  The words touched me and I needed Kleenex.  Lonnie wants to fix me, so that I don't cry, but sometimes a girl just has to cry.  It touched my heart so I decided to share the words with you.

   
   Improve the shining moments;
   

   Don't let them pass you by.

   Work while the sun is radiant;

   Work, for the night draws nigh.

   We cannot bid the sunbeams

   To lengthen out their stay,

   Nor can we ask the shadow

   To ever stay away.

    

   Time flies on wings of lightning;

   We cannot call it back.

   It comes, then passes forward

   Along its onward track.

   And if we are not mindful,

   The chance will fade away,

   For life is quick in passing.

   'Tis as a single day.

    

    As wintertime doth follow

   The pleasant summer days,

   So may our joys all vanish

   And pass far from our gaze.

   Then should we not endeavor

   Each day some point to gain,

   That we may here be useful

   And ev'ry wrong disdain?

    

   Improve each shining moment.

   In this you are secure,

   For promptness bringeth safety

   And blessings rich and pure.

   Let prudence guide your actions;

   Be honest in your heart;

   And God will love and bless you

   And help to you impart.

   Text and music: Robert B. Baird, 1855-1916

    

        Lonnie and I started going back to the gym this Wednesday.  My workouts are not very strenuous, but I feel it is helping me to heal.  My emotional status is much better when I exercise.  I want to be prepared for the next big hurdle and stay mentally stable for answering our missionaries' questions.        

       We talked with the doctors in radiation and they said that I definitely need radiation on the left side of most of my chest and armpit.  The right side is -"probably not needed".  BUT  I need to finish chemo first.  We talk to those doctors on Monday to find out when we start that.  My daughters, sister and missionaries  have provided me with hats and scarves to keep my bald head warm and covered.  I am so thankful to them.

   

   Neli is 2 years old and she took pictures of me. She would not move her finger from in front of the lens.

        Sara and kids drove home straight thru for 14 hours last weekend.  They stopped a few times, once at "Uncle Bill's".   They were a big help for the week they were here. 

   

   Quin, our acrobatic guy

   

   Maci and Sara

   

   Quin and Avri

   

   Neli

         By the end of this week, I was ready to go back to work!  I realize that I have to pace myself and short days are probably going to be my normal, but I can do my calling from my motor home and chart on the computer there as well.  This next week is transfers and it is always a very busy time so Elder McOmber is busy at the office and setting up new apartments.  He has 4 new apartments that he is setting up this week.  He recruits missionaries to do service to help him.  I think he has finally decided he can not do it all himself.

   

   Elder McOmber and Elder Pollard in his "bike room".

   

   In my office  I see Elders and Sisters to check on their medical concerns.  This is Elder Eto..

   

   The AP's are dividing the areas again.  We keep getting more and more missionaries.  They are by a map of our mission discussing with zone leaders about how an area can be divided.

   

   Sister Hamilton is helping Sister Barlow get the boxes of pamphlets and newsletters ready for the zones.

   

   Friday was a busy day with leadership meetings and training meetings.  The office is a beehive of activity.

   I am so thankful for the healing that has happened so far and for being able to return to my missionary work.  It is awesome and so are all our missionaries.

    

   "The gospel of Jesus Christ is true. It has been restored to bless our lives in these latter days. It contains all the truths, principles, and ordinances contained in our Father in Heaven's great plan of happiness, which is a plan for us to return and live with Him in the eternal realms beyond."

   —L. Tom Perry, "The Past Way of Facing the Future"