My dear family and friends,
Well, as you have probably noticed I am emailing a day late again. This week was great, but one of the craziest on my mission so far! Perhaps I'll list the events in order of craziness...
First, I have now ridden in another Dutch ambulance, which makes the second in my life- both while on my mission! Zr. Whittington has a couple of crazy health problems, and last Thursday while we were riding our bikes she suddenly felt light-headed and out of breath, so she stepped off her bike and Zr. Manning and I went over to help. Then Zr. Whitting started hyperventilating and didn't stop for 4 1/2 hours... it was a little crazy. It wasn't true hyperventilation because the oxygen and other gas levels in her blood were actually normal, but she was breathing rapidly and was conscious but not really responsive for that long. I am again impressed by the kindness of the Dutch people- when she first started bystanders stopped to help, and after the first 20 mintues when we couldn't get her to snap out of it someone called an ambulance. The medical professionals tried giving her minor sedatives, but she is extremely resistant to them so really we just had to wait in our in the emergency room. Funny parts of this story: 1) she's ok now, which is most important, 2) she was really funny when she became responsive again but was still under the influence of sedatives, and 3) Zr. Manning and I recognized one of the doctors in the ER from when we were there last transfer with Zr. Reeder. Haha, I think we've spent too much time there! :)
The next crazy part was on Sunday, when President called us after church and told us that we needed to go around and collect medical records from all the hospitals Zr. Whittington has been to in the Netherlands and then get to the mission home as soon as possible so that she could stay there for a few days and figure out all this medical stuff. So, we went home and had my birthday dinner (we tried to make spaghetti and browned butter, but we couldn't find mizithra cheese so we guessed on some Dutch cheese... turns out it was really soft and not at all similar. It was still pretty good though!) and then we packed super quick and took a 2 hour train to Breda, where we crashed for the night with some sisters there. Then we left early the next morning on our quest, although it turns out to obtain medical records here you have to fill out forms and mail them in so after visiting several hospitals we ended up all going home anyway. Whether Zr. Whittington will still be staying in the mission home for a few days in the future remains to be seen.
In other news, which will be quick since this has become a saga, we had exchanges this week which were great, our apartment sink is not draining so we did dishes in a bucket last night, and I'm now 20!! Haha I promise amidst all the craziness, I did have a wonderful birthday. Thanks for all the good wishes from everyone and thanks to my family for the packages, I will make good use of the sweaters and hot chocolate! ;) It's funny, I think at home I would be freaking out about being so old, but all I really wanted for my birthday was my investigator to come to church and the emails from my family I get every week anyway. I know that Lord helps us, even as we see our weakness and feel as though we can't overcome them, if we're doing our best He is working inside us to turn us into selfless followers of Him, including changing even our very desires. We must all truly become converted to him, and then help others along the way. In fact, something I've been thinking about the last couple of weeks as Zr. Whittington (a convert with a pretty dramatic story) and I (a life-long member) have both borne testimony to our investigators; lifelong members should share their conversion story as often as converts. When you think about it, we all have one - and each is as personal and valuable as another's. Share your testimony with somebody this week, and take a moment to recognize just how much Christ has done, can do and will do for you!
Love you all!!
-Zuster Jensen
P.S. My next preparation day is this Saterday (our time), so expect my next email then! Sorry it´s so crazy... I guess the craziness needs to continue for just a little while. :)
Well, as you have probably noticed I am emailing a day late again. This week was great, but one of the craziest on my mission so far! Perhaps I'll list the events in order of craziness...
First, I have now ridden in another Dutch ambulance, which makes the second in my life- both while on my mission! Zr. Whittington has a couple of crazy health problems, and last Thursday while we were riding our bikes she suddenly felt light-headed and out of breath, so she stepped off her bike and Zr. Manning and I went over to help. Then Zr. Whitting started hyperventilating and didn't stop for 4 1/2 hours... it was a little crazy. It wasn't true hyperventilation because the oxygen and other gas levels in her blood were actually normal, but she was breathing rapidly and was conscious but not really responsive for that long. I am again impressed by the kindness of the Dutch people- when she first started bystanders stopped to help, and after the first 20 mintues when we couldn't get her to snap out of it someone called an ambulance. The medical professionals tried giving her minor sedatives, but she is extremely resistant to them so really we just had to wait in our in the emergency room. Funny parts of this story: 1) she's ok now, which is most important, 2) she was really funny when she became responsive again but was still under the influence of sedatives, and 3) Zr. Manning and I recognized one of the doctors in the ER from when we were there last transfer with Zr. Reeder. Haha, I think we've spent too much time there! :)
The next crazy part was on Sunday, when President called us after church and told us that we needed to go around and collect medical records from all the hospitals Zr. Whittington has been to in the Netherlands and then get to the mission home as soon as possible so that she could stay there for a few days and figure out all this medical stuff. So, we went home and had my birthday dinner (we tried to make spaghetti and browned butter, but we couldn't find mizithra cheese so we guessed on some Dutch cheese... turns out it was really soft and not at all similar. It was still pretty good though!) and then we packed super quick and took a 2 hour train to Breda, where we crashed for the night with some sisters there. Then we left early the next morning on our quest, although it turns out to obtain medical records here you have to fill out forms and mail them in so after visiting several hospitals we ended up all going home anyway. Whether Zr. Whittington will still be staying in the mission home for a few days in the future remains to be seen.
In other news, which will be quick since this has become a saga, we had exchanges this week which were great, our apartment sink is not draining so we did dishes in a bucket last night, and I'm now 20!! Haha I promise amidst all the craziness, I did have a wonderful birthday. Thanks for all the good wishes from everyone and thanks to my family for the packages, I will make good use of the sweaters and hot chocolate! ;) It's funny, I think at home I would be freaking out about being so old, but all I really wanted for my birthday was my investigator to come to church and the emails from my family I get every week anyway. I know that Lord helps us, even as we see our weakness and feel as though we can't overcome them, if we're doing our best He is working inside us to turn us into selfless followers of Him, including changing even our very desires. We must all truly become converted to him, and then help others along the way. In fact, something I've been thinking about the last couple of weeks as Zr. Whittington (a convert with a pretty dramatic story) and I (a life-long member) have both borne testimony to our investigators; lifelong members should share their conversion story as often as converts. When you think about it, we all have one - and each is as personal and valuable as another's. Share your testimony with somebody this week, and take a moment to recognize just how much Christ has done, can do and will do for you!
Love you all!!
-Zuster Jensen
P.S. My next preparation day is this Saterday (our time), so expect my next email then! Sorry it´s so crazy... I guess the craziness needs to continue for just a little while. :)
Comps made this-during my shower as we rise at same time, haha:)
Bday dinner and cake, haha we only had 14 candles in the flat :)
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