First, I got the symptoms. Sister Reed had a 3-4 day cold before she was transferred, so I knew what to expect: sore throat, headaches, lethargy, congestion, body aches. BUT. I really wanted to go to District Development meeting because Sister Bradshaw's new companion is from Australia. Plus our Zone Leaders are angels from heaven and made chocolate covered strawberries. So Sister da Silva and I did what any missionary would do in our situation: Saturated ourselves in hand sanitizer (from Bath & Body, of course) and wore surgical masks. It was so FUN.
...And then we were in because my bones hurt too much to move.
Once I started feeling a little bit more like myself, Sister da Silva started getting the 3-4 day cold too! We were preemptive in our attack against the symptoms, but we discovered pretty quickly that Sister da Silva didn't have what we thought! She had a fever, something I didn't experience, and her symptoms were taking much longer to appear. We called Sister Mullen and the Mission Nurse and were sent to Urgent Care. It was there that we found out she had an EAR INFECTION! She isn't contagious, but she feels like... She feels terrible. We were in our apartment a little longer than anticipated, so I kept my tradition alive of drawing a picture for President and Sister Mullen when we're sick. (I don't know if they've gotten it yet. More updates next week!)
General Conference was exactly what this Sister needed. I wept, I laughed, I received so much spiritual nourishment and I can't wait to read all of the addresses again in this month's Ensign! I know this Gospel is true. I know that God lives and loves us regardless of what we've done in life. Watch it, read it, ponder it.
Saturday evening during the priesthood session, we had an interesting experience. We were sitting at home when an unknown number calls us. I answer it, "Hello! This is Sister Turner!" There's a broken voice at the other end, "Hello, Sister. We need your help." This woman is a non-member, but she was calling on behalf of her mother who is a member of the church and a member of our Eastvale ward before she moved to Ontario. Ours was the first number she could find, and she asked us in tears if we could find a priesthood holder to go to the hospital where her mother was at to give her a blessing. Of course, the only time when every priesthood holder was in conference! We asked for her information and promised her that we'd send help soon. The first person we'd call would be President Mullen, but that wouldn't work. So we called his wife! The woman asking for help was outside of our mission boundaries in Redlands, and we had nooo idea how to send help to her! Sister Mullen got in contact with President Mullen who got in contact with someone who knew the Bishop of the ward that had the hospital within its boundaries! Help came to them, and though we don't know the outcome, it was so thrilling to know that no matter where you are in the world, you are never truly alone. Heavenly Father had given us all resources of strength. All we need to do is reach out.
I love all of you! I played soccer for the first time since high school, so my body is achy but my spirit is full of joy! Hugs and kisses and handshakes!
Sister Turner
I am grateful life isn't fair. We all will receive more than we deserve, more than we can ever earn, and more than we could ever hope for. - Dale G Runland