Washington, Week 15

Well, this week was a challenging one for me. My back/neck/shoulders took a turn for the worse. I have been in a lot of pain and nothing provides much relief. I met with my orthopedist to discuss the result of my MRI: I have a bulging disc at C6/7, cervical spondylosis (degenerative osteoarthritis in the neck), and radiculopathy (the nerves are being pinched as they leave the spinal column). Prescribed treatment: physical therapy 2x/week for 4-6 weeks, and an epidural 1x/every 2 weeks. I cannot get into physical therapy until the 12th, and today I got my first epidural (not fun!).

Yesterday at church, I stood to give my Sunday school lesson, and by the end, my right arm was numb, my hand was purple, and I was nauseated from the severity of the pain. Nobody noticed anything though, and they loved the lesson, so that was good! :) After church I got permission to go to urgent care at the hospital, and the doctor gave me some pain medicine. It helped provide a little relief. My chiropractor today said that the reason it didn't help much is because pain meds don't help nerve pain. So that makes sense I guess.

My mom told me that many of you fasted for me yesterday. I can't thank you enough! That means so much to me. I'm so grateful to each one of you. I'm so thankful to have such wonderful family members and friends! :)

But besides all that excitement, our Book of Mormon class and both of our Member Missionary classes went SO well this week! Everyone is getting excited and feeling the Spirit! People have kept their commitment to "find someone who will say no to an invitation to learn more about the gospel". I know it sounds weird, but it works! ;) If you read the book, you'll understand what I'm talking about. :)

Also, we had transfers. My new companion is Sister Thompson. She's from Farmington, Utah and has been out 10 months. We get along really well and are so much alike! :) It's great!

I'm pretty sure I told you on Tuesday, but on Monday, Billy (Beth Eno's boyfriend) committed to baptism! :)

Those are the highlights of the week. Sorry this is so short!

I love you all, and thank you for everything! :)

Love, Sister Stanley

Washington Seattle Mission

Washington, Week 14

Well, not a whole ton happened this week. Today is transfers though, so we stopped at a library on the way to the mission office in Bellevue. Sister Redford is being transferred, which is a big surprise to everyone, as she only has 4 weeks left before she goes home, but I guess that's just Heavenly Father's will. Another sister who only has 4 weeks left is being transferred as well. Anyway, I'll be meeting my new companion in a couple hours.

One exciting thing that did happen is that we had our first member missionary class on Sunday! It was SO good! The Spirit was really strong and Bishop Havens told us that everyone told him that they loved it and they are really excited to be having it. Tonight will be our Book of Mormon book club again and then Thursday will be our first class of the member missionary class for those taking it on Thursdays. I'm excited and I hope my new companion is as excited about it as I am! :)

Also...Billy committed to baptism last night!!!!!!!!!!! Hooray! He is the boyfriend of a less-active member in our ward. Her son Nic committed to baptism last week. Both Billy and Nic will be getting baptized September 7th!! I'm SO happy! And after Billy said "Yes", that he would like to be baptized, he just couldn't stop smiling. The joy was all over his face. It was so wonderful, and I am just so excited for them! Laurielee is the 6-year-old daughter and she is just the cutest! She talks every time about how she wants to be baptized so she can be all clean! :)

Well, those are the highlights of the week. Also, I had an MRI on Wednesday, ordered by an orthopedist I went to because my nerves in my arms and hands have been all out of whack and I've had lots of pain. He thinks it might be a herniated disc in my neck. No news yet, but I'll let you know!
I love you all! Thank you for your prayers and support and letters! They mean the world to me!

Love, Sister Stanley