Week 63

Note:  We waited to hear from Holly for our semi-annual phone call with bated breath, and it was even more anticipated as Mother's Day was doubly exciting for us as it was also Colin's 18th birthday.  But alas, after waiting around for a long while, with no call coming in...we finally heard from a former companion of hers who kindly let us know that Holly was in the hospital and unable to call.  She had another bad bout with kidney stone pain  last week and had to be hospitalized, but apparently she was released and we've scheduled our make up call for tomorrow.  So at least we got a note today, as I wasn't expecting one.

Dearest Family,

Well, as we are skyping tomorrow and also you pretty much already know what`s been happening, this email will be V short. Also on account of the fact that I can`t think super well. Post IV lyfe.

Alright, summary: So this week is pretty well summed up by my #kidneystone. Hurt like a mother, wasn`t passing, had to go to the hospital, got admitted to the hospital, they gave me IVs and it was traumatic but I didn`t cry (much mature. so adult.) Then the pain passed after like 24 hrs of that, but then they wanted more blood tests, yada yada, I went back to the hospital today, but now it`s looking like I`m free. Although I still have two more kidney stones, wtfreak. But it`s been interesting to deal with a physical health trial, on account of I`ve never really had one of those. And it`s a whole other kind of hard. But I`m grateful that Heavenly Father is giving me SO MANY WAYS to understand the atonement better. See Alma 7:11-12:

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

Like, he suffered pains and afflictions and temptations of EVERY kind. So I guess at some point we all, in our personal Gethsemanes, need to pass through a large variety of those same pains and afflictions and temptations. To grow closer to the Savior and to tie our hearts to His on a more personal and need-based level.

In other news, we have a family we are teaching, Family Baez, who are going to be baptized on May 21. They are by far the most prepared family I have ever found on the mission, and they sit and listen attentively and answer perfectly and are just so ready to join the church. So more to come on them next week. We weren`t able to go to church yesterday on account of we were in the hospital, but the elders called us to let us know the whole family went :´) 

Ok, love you so much!!! 2 stoked to talk to you tomorrow! 4 realz this time #knockonwood

Love, Hermana Ross

She still has 2 more stones to pass...maybe in Paraguay, maybe not.