3/20/2008

Hey! I have had the most amazing week so far! So I have a couple stories I want to share, and I hope I have the time I need.

I wrote in a letter I believe last week about Elder Barclay injuring his thumb playing volleyball? Anyway, he did, and we had to take him to the doctor because a few days later it was still huge and puffy so the MTC doctor was worried and sent him to a hand specialist. The hand specialist freaked out and said that he tore the ligement in his thumb and that the muscle went in the place where the ligement belongs and so he needed major surgery to open up his hand pull out the muscle, re-attach the ligement and replace the muscle, and that the surgery would require 10 weeks of recovery and rehab. So, we were worried because that would have held us all back an extra FOUR weeks. (because remember how there is just 3 of us.) Well, the doctor wanted us to come back the following Monday for an MRI so he could plan exactly what would be needed for the surgery and then schedule it as soon as possible. So, all of us were obviously a little distressed because 12 weeks in the MTC is a little much. So, Elder Hale (who happened to be the one who inflicted the injury) gave Elder Barclay a blessing Saturday night, then Elders Barclay and Bailey fasted on Sunday and we all prayed and prayed that the will of the Lord would prevail and that if we were meant to stay 12 weeks we would do it, but if He wanted us to go on time we asked that He heal Elder Barclay's hand. Well, Monday came along and he had the MRI and we went back Tuesday afternoon to findo out what was to be done and the doctor was like, "I don't know how this is even possible, but there is nothing wrong with your hand anymore." Yep, the ligement "magically" mended, moved back to where it belonged and the muscle was laying on top of it like it was supposed to. Its a MIRACLE! That was seriously the most amazing thing ever! It totally floored the doctor too. So, as far as we know we are still leaving April 28th!

Also... so all the other Romania missionaries left Monday and so now it is just me the the two elders left until like April 9th (or whatever is a Wednesday) its kinda lonely and sad singing in Romanian just the 3 of us. And now its just me and Sister Shawcross in our room. Sometimes its really frustrating not to have anyone to really study with at night, but I am sure that things worked out this way for a reason. Good thing I like my companion.

Anyway for the other story, I wanted to tell you about my last experience in the TRC (teaching resource center). We were working on lesson two, the Plan of Salvation, and we splitted up parts between the three of us and so we only really studied our own parts, mine was our earth life and how the Savior died for our sins. But Moday came around (which is our TRC day) and we got there and there were 3 volunteers because they are used to having a gigantic group, but since the other group left, there is just us 3, so Fratele (bro.) McKeeth made us teach individually. And he gave me the real Romanian, as opposed to the RM's. I totally butchard the language part, but Viorica was understanding. But then we got to the teaching part, and I wasn't sure how well I did, because I was teaching in English and she barely speaks it. But then we went back to class and Fratele McKeeth gave us feedback on our lessons. He started with what we could work on and he told me that I needed to work on asking better, more soul searching questions, (which in my defense is hard to do with someone who doesn't really understand the questions to begin with, so I simplified. but its not really an excuse because there will be a language barrier when I get there) but then when he gave me positive feedback, he said that I was amazing and that he could tell that I really cared about the investigator and that I really wanted to understand where she was coming from, and that is such an important thing to have when working with Romanians. And he said he could feel how much I cared about her through the screen (he watchs from a hidden camera). And he said my lesson was so awesome that he didn't want to turn the channel to watch the other two because he was so into the lesson! Yeah! It made me feel so good about myself, because its hard to get much positive out of Fratele McKeeth. His praise is always well earned. He told me that even though people may not always understand what it is that I am trying to say that I will be a great missionary anyway because they will sense my sincerety. So, that was pretty fantastic. It was the first time I think I did well with the lesson, and all on only studying 2 of the 6 parts! But yeah it was amazing!

Well, I have to go because time is running out. I love you all! I hope you have fun on the family vaction without me... :)

Love,
Nicole

PS. don't just e-mail me, its depressing to not get letters!
PSS. Have a HAPPY EASTER!