The Week I Got the Stomach Flu.....Seriously!

February 25, 2015

So, the last time I wrote was Thursday. Let’s recap since then. 

Friday we ran around shoveling driveways for older people/members before the second storm was going to hit Saturday so they could get to the store before it was too late. And we SHOVELED. I hurt so bad after.

(Side note) I never realized how much I took for granted the fact that there is ALWAYS food and supplies in the stores on the West Coast. That's where everything is made so it never runs out. EVERYTHING runs out here all the time.

(Back to the grind) So we did that all day and then saw a few people before closing up for the night. 

I started feeling icky right before bed, but nothing too serious til I woke up at 1:30 and ran to the bathroom. And ran back and forth every 20ish minutes til 10:30. I didn't sleep at all and was sitting on the couch crying all night. I haven't been sick like that in a REALLY long time and I felt like I was dying.

As soon as the alarm went off at 6:30 I called the District Leader and got the Elders over to give me a blessing. It had already started snowing so they came over and got me all situated and then got stuck at the other Elders’ apartment all day :)

So I lay on the couch just staring at the wall because even watching the snow and listening to music made me feel like I was going to throw up again (you know Sister Packard is really ill when she can't even read). I started feeling pretty good by 6 at night, when we found out church was canceled because of the snow! OUR LAST SUNDAY!

But then the Zone Leaders got permission to hold a special missionary Sacrament meeting at the church so we got to go to that, but the roads were absolutely fine so I don't know why church got canceled. If we could get there anyone should have been able.

I woke up feeling perfectly fine so we figured it was just a 24 hour bug or food poisoning. But then by the end of the night I thought I was dying again and went to bed with a lot of stomach pain. And Monday I couldn't move again. I was dead on the couch. Not packing or cleaning like we needed to, and planned on. I cried for hours because it's so dumb! I feel like I can't stop being sick. And it's not very fair to my companions, President Salisbury, the people in my area, or anybody! I've been very frustrated. Sister Maddox was able to get a lot done though.

Yesterday we packed and cleaned all day (very slowly I might add). But then dear Cheryl took us out to lunch and we finally got to teach her about the Restoration of the Gospel. I'm going to miss Cheryl. I have no doubt in my mind that she was the reason I came to Forest.

(P.S. she got on my Facebook to add herself as a friend. I'm not sneaking on to Facebook. I promise. Don't freak out.)

We went home and packed more. We gave the Elders all the information about everyone we've been teaching and tried our best to prepare them :) We had several appointments set up for these last few days that didn't get to happen because of my sickness. At the church I found out where I'm going!

Drum roll please. I'm going from the bottom East tip of the mission to the most North East tip of the mission. Fairmont #3 in Morgantown, WV. So it'll be cold.

I'll also have 2 companions..........you can all start laughing now. It gets better. They're both Sister Training Leaders. I know. I almost died too. All the Elders were laughing hysterically. President's email to me this week said, "I can't wait to see how you grow and excel this transfer." So we'll see what happens. The cool thing is, that even though I'm not a Sister Training Leader I still get to go to the Missionary Leader Conferences.

Also! Elder D. Todd Christofferson is coming March 21st to Charleston and we're having a mission wide conference with him! I'm stoked. Sister Maddox is upset :)

We also got to see all the youth at the church because they were having mutual. So we finally got to say goodbye to some people!

We went home and got more stuff done then collapsed in bed. My stomach started hurting really bad 2 hours after lunch and got worse and worse throughout the day. I woke up at 12:45 last night and ran to the bathroom and once again puked my guts out. You grossed out yet? Yeah, how do you think I feel, or Sister Maddox for that matter.  But now I'm feeling much better and hoping I stay that way. Because I've got a REALLY long drive tomorrow. Like leaving at 4 in the morning and arriving hopefully by 9 at night. I CALL SHOT GUN!

I'm ready for the cold. But good golly miss molly. Two companions. My personality is such that I have a ridiculously hard time being around ONE person 24/7. What am I gonna do with 2?

YAINIHAHFOIADHOF! (That was not a swear word I promise!)

That really is the hardest part of being a missionary for me. It'll be ok.......it'll be ok......it'll be ok.......

So if ya'll could start praying REAL hard on my behalf that'd be great. For mental AND physical well-being. I've GOT TO STOP BEING SICK! We'll also see what happens tomorrow because there's supposed to be some NASTY weather.

-Sister Packard

Best:

1. The Elders can come up with some really good jokes when they know how bad you've got Cabin Fever and ANYTHING will make you laugh.

2. No one tried to kill me this week :)

3. I'm still alive. What more can we ask for?

Worst:

1. It's going to be so cold up North...........

The Week of the First Attempt on My Life. And it Snowed. And Our Area Is Closing.

February 19, 2015

SO! It started snowing Monday and snowed all day. They don't know how to plow here. And it's been really cold. So we've been shoveling a lot. And we're really sore. And now the Library is finally open.

 

I got a ride to go to Dylan's baptism in Radford.....and then we found out last night that we are closing down and the Elders are going to take over the whole ward so I'm leaving and I'll have to find a new ride in my new area :)   Maybe I'll be even closer!

 

On Fridays we go to a Senior Assisted Living home for people with memory loss and other issues. So we play games, go on walks, or whatever is up for the day. George is the sweetest old man.......most of the time.

 

We were walking and Sister Maddox was right behind us. He tried to go into a lady's room so we stopped and started to go the other direction. He started forcing all of his weight on me and pushing me down the hall. I didn't know what was going on so I just tried to hold him up and he kinda swiped at my face so I held out my arm and he grabbed my wrist and started squeezing.

 

He looked at me very intently and started pushing me down the hall and around the corner. It hurt and I could tell something was wrong. So I yelled out, "He's hurting me. Can I get some help?" There was a guy in a uniform........ and he ran off to get help.........instead of helping.

 

So Sister Maddox comes over and tries to pull the old man off of me and he just keeps squeezing tighter and shoving me down the hall. Finally he looks at me and yells, "I know I can't kill you but I'm sure gonna try!" I realized that I was in trouble, because it took all my muscles keeping him where he was, it was tiring, and he was really hurting me.

 

So Sister Maddox really starts grabbing at him and it was getting worse so I told her to stop and get help. I asked him why he wanted to kill me and tried to help get his head back. But he just kept pushing me and hurting me. Til finally the nurse aids came running around the corner and pulled him off me and took him to his  room. He broke free for a second and came after me again, but they got him under control.

 

It hurt. It was really scary actually. If he had been just slightly stronger I would have really been in trouble.

So yeah......all the Elders think I'm really cool now.

 

I haven't sent home any pictures for a while so I decided to do something exciting to take pictures of.......so I pulled a Mom move and tried to cut my finger off. There was a lot of blood and it was REALLY deep. But it's ok now. The pizza turned out wonderfully and was worth the blood, sweat, and tears. Quite literally.

 

We had a Zone Conference in Lexington, VA and got to drive on the National Landmark the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was beautiful because there's no leaves so you can see for miles. It was pretty awesome. Also, in that Zone Conference I recited Doctrine and Covenants section 4 at the beginning of the meeting and I cried......I'm THAT Sister Missionary.

 

Monday we got stuck home around 2 because of the blizzard. Tuesday we weren't allowed to drive because of the road conditions so we spent the whole day shoveling driveways for our neighbors. It was the first time I've ever shoveled snow! Maybe the last....jk.

 

But really. I am so sore. It was a lot of shoveling. There was so much snow we had to sled just for a little bit after a long day of shoveling so we grabbed the laundry basket and ran outside. I did the first "run" and pretty much just scooched inch by inch because I sunk right to the bottom and couldn't go anywhere. But after I cleared that path you could go pretty fast! It was mostly exciting because our path led right in between 2 cars in the lot and you really had to aim to make sure you didn't hit them.....it was so much fun! I even practiced my long boarding so one day I can be a pro at going down Provo Canyon.

 

And I ate it every time.

 

Obviously the Lord REALLY has something he wants Sister Maddox and I to learn from being stuck indoors. Because he will not let us get outside! It'll all be ok though. You just have to laugh through it! But now the roads are clear enough to drive, but Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday we have to pack up our apartment and completely clear it out......yikes. It'll be fun and it'll be great.

 

We've been spending a lot of time with our neighbor because her Dad passed away and she's been really struggling with it. I had a really strong feeling we would be leaving at the end of this transfer so I knew I would never forgive myself if I didn't share with her what I know before I left. She tends to avoid the subject and refuse to listen because she's really stubborn....maybe that's why we like each other so much :)   Anyways. I love her and I'm going to miss her loads. So I made her promise to come to church and listen to us just once before I go and she said yes. GOOD!

 

Somebody rat out my Mom. Is my blog updated at all? Yeah, I'm worried about it!

 

-Sister Packard

 

Best:

1. My Valentine's cookies that are so fancy. Just open up a bakery Sal!

2. The view of the valley.

3. Playing in the snow with members in the neighborhood.

4. Gorilla cookies. They are so good.

5. People are coming to church!!!!!! Now that I'm leaving......

    thanks a lot guys ;)

6. A new adventure is ahead! And I know way early! And I totally called it!

 

Worst:

1. Oh it is cold.

2. I didn't know if I would be able to email at all this week!

3. Sorry there's so many pictures this week. And I have to send them so stupidly.

When the Library is Closed Because it is a Holiday...

February 16, 2015

Note from the Missionary's Mom:

I'm guessing a letter will come tomorrow or the next day, but I did get a few texts and pictures from families in Virginia.

Valentine's Day

Watching the snow fall

Her first time ever shoveling snow.

The Week of Thinking All Was Clear, And Then It Wasn't....But There Was a Baptism!!!

February 9, 2015

So this week was fun because I got the all-clear to start going to work again, but then Saturday my tummy was upset from the drugs I had taken and now I'm trying to get that cleared up. Sister Maddox has been desperately bored this week. Because I can't leave the house for more than 10 minutes at a time :)

Sorry there's still no pictures. The walls of the house are quite boring to take pictures of. I would know. I'm bored of looking at them. Just kidding. 

I've been STUDYING! I read the Book of Mormon in 3 days...... BEAT THAT MOM! 

(Is my deal with Uncle Mark still going? Cuz if so he's gonna owe me a lot of money when I get home)

I also read Jesus the Christ this week and that book is amazing. It took me a few pages to get  used to the language. But it really bugged me when I had to get out a dictionary a few times because I couldn't figure out what the word meant.....

But Friday Hunter got baptized! The Elders got to teach him but we met him first and they wanted us to teach him! His best friend is a member and one day they started talking and gave him a Book of Mormon. He read the first chapter and the next day asked his friend when he could get baptized.......

Dear youth, talk to your friends. 

Anyways, it was really awesome because he invited so many family and friends there were more non-members than members. I've never seen that before and it was awesome because most of them live in Forest!!!! He's very missionary minded :)

And that's pretty much that. We made it to Sacrament yesterday and left immediately after, but there was a Sister there that I never thought I would see come back to church. She lost her Mom recently and then there's been so much going on in her life. But she told us she realized that she had been blaming God for everything when she really needed him more than anything else. And now she's trying to reach out to him again. That was really cool.

This ward is awesome. They take such good care of me with all my issues. And they never cease to be patient.

We did get to see Jake Thursday and we talked about commandments. It was interesting that his Dad came in at the end for the closing prayer. He was so surprised that his wife prayed and asked her how she knew what to say. So we're interested to see his interests in the Gospel change as he sees his family change. We gleaned from that lesson that he's never heard her pray, and that "church" has been a mute point between them for years. So we're hopefully going to get him excited to learn as well and start to have a relationship with his Heavenly Father. We love their family. They're so cute and funny!!!!

-Sister Packard

Best:

1. The scriptures.

2. Carrot apple soup. I finally made it because I was told to eat lots of carrots and apples so I figured it was the way to go! And Sister Maddox told me I now need to start a restaurant called "Carrots and Apples". And I'll only make foods that have carrots and apples in them....I LIKE it! Not gonna lie. That soup was absolutely the bomb. Best I've ever made.

3. It was cold all week and then yesterday was 73 degrees! And today's looking to be  the same!

Worst:

1. I'm in pain and don't feel good!

2. I forgot to do best and worst last week.

3. No pictures, sorry you don't get to see my beautiful face.

4. Some peeps have fallen off the road map. Are you still alive? I can't love you if I don't know what's going on in your life! Because knowledge is the key to love. That's why we have to learn more about Jesus Christ. So we can love him more.

Hi Mom

February 2, 2015

I've been resting and reading the Scriptures, Jesus The Christ,  and anything else I can get my hands on. 

Mom! The Old Testament is freaking awesome! Why did we never talk about the stories in the Bible. There's a talking donkey in there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's my favorite story!

I eat everything. At first I made sure to chew it lots and that it was still fairly soft but I have no more pain. The scabs are still coming off bit by bit, but I can eat everything. Also, I KNEW you would send me Slim Fast. And it's been wonderful :) That stuff doesn't exist out here.

Since Thursday I've been out once or twice a day. And it completely wears me out. This is my last week of recovery and I'm using it. I'll teach once or twice a day but that's it. It actually kinda makes us more productive because it's special time and we use it the best.

Pain is gone.

I stopped taking the narcotics Monday morning because I hate the way they made me feel. There was still about a 1/4 of the bottle but I dumped it because I didn't want anyone to rob me for my drugs (the nurses and Doctors mentioned that SEVERAL times). And it wasn't that expensive anyways sooooooo I don't get it.

I saw Sister Salisbury Wednesday when we had interviews with President. I'm doing fine. Recovering REALLY well. I still just get REALLY tired and take lots of naps.

The Week of Surgery

January 26, 2015

I'm on narcotics.

I feel really queasy today.

I get to wear pants all day every day!

Apparently I was talking to my nurses about the church while knocked out and before coming back to earth......

I sleep all day, and then sleep all night. I'm like a little baby! I sleep, and only wake up to eat and use the potty. Sometimes I fall over on my way to the potty.......I get really dizzy.

I'm doing pretty good. Sorry there's not much more this week.

-Sister Packard

Best:

1. Popsicles.

2. I ate a cheeseburger the day after surgery.....it was so good.

3. I have not thrown up yet!

Worst:

1. I'm never warm enough.

Quick Update

January 23, 2015

Just wanted to let you know how I'm doing. I'm high as a kite but surprisingly, and disappointingly, not loopy or any fun. 

Just tired. 

I'll write to you Monday.

-Sister Packard

P.S. I got your package today! Thanks!!!

The Week of ... stuff

January 20, 2015

So I'm getting my tonsils out this upcoming week and I'm finally getting nervous because people keep telling me it's gonna be absolutely brutal and terrible........that's nice. 

But it's been the running joke with other missionaries that I'm getting aliens zapped out of my throat.

So I had my pre-surgery consultation thingy and I asked if I could keep my tonsils (I just wanted to know!), but the nurse lady said no, they actually incinerate them with a laser ...........

I was immediately ok with it because they are literally getting zapped and that's awesome.

But it was very sad to have to say goodbye to good friends. Sometimes I wonder if I would ever be friends with them if we didn't meet in these circumstances. Most of the time I think I definitely would, but other times I'm just really grateful that we get to know each other in such a cool way that we'll all be best friends forever! Missonaries are the best.

Sorry yesterday was a Holiday so there was no emailing. I know you all missed me lots.

This week we got to teach Jake and talk about the Restoration and baptism! Now every time he sees us he asks what we're gonna teach him. He truly is adorable. When we asked him to think of when he wanted to be baptized he said, "Well Monday I have..." yada yada. 

The point is, the kid was ready for this week. He makes me laugh. He's so eager and excited to do this and learn more. The parents are needing some encouragement to get to church and other activities, but the whole Ward is on board.

We were able to meet with Michelle for the first time since before Thanksgiving. We had a member come with us and it was really good. Michelle was asking us how we didn't know we were wrong and was trying to convert us! We talked about miracles and the Holy Ghost, and I didn't know people believed the Holy Ghost had no role at this point.......a member of the Godhead has no role? That's....interesting. 

So we'll see her today and talk about where it says that in the Bible..... She's very invested in living her life exactly as the Bible says. Also, she said 

"If God could perform miracles he would. Wait, if he wanted to he would. He can do anything." 

So God doesn't change, but he took away Prophets and the Holy Ghost and miracles from us.......Some people's logic....is not logic. I'm so not describing this well enough. ANYWAYS! The best part was when our member said what we were all thinking, "That's......that's really sad."

It was awesome. I love when people are blunt/blunter than me :)

Good ole Blair has started texting us again. And it feels weird. And he won't read the Book of Mormon, and he doesn't want to really be taught. So we're planning on dropping him.

That was pretty much our week. Life is good.

Surgery will be great, even though I'm paranoid I'm going to get the flu right after surgery and throw up blood everywhere....cute right? I dreamt about it, and now I'm terrified.

But the members are ready to take good care of us. Prayers would be nice though.

-Sister Packard

Best:

1. Hearing from friends at home. Ya'll are awesome.

2. Popsicles in the freezer.

3. Members are excited for us to come over and be able to play games with them (they love us!), but they're even more excited to go teach with Sister Maddox while I'm out of commission.

4. Our new Zone Leader made me cry the first 2 hours of knowing him, and he felt TERRIBLE! And now he's so nice all the time hahaha.

Worst:

1. Scary dreams.

The Week of Us Being So Confident We Were Staying Together We Totally Forgot It Was Transfer Week

January 14, 2015

And then we woke up this morning and there was snow on the ground! It's been cold this week.

So it's transfers. And Elder Stoddard is coming to Lynchburg! I love that kid. I love serving with my MTC Elders.

Life's a doozy. I can't take any medication for the upcoming surgery so it's been lots of fun this week, but next thing you know I'll be medicated a LOT! And it's going to be funny. The kids in the Ward were asking when Sister Maddox would bring me to their houses so they could laugh at me....they really do love me.

I found the best house in the world. It has a wrap-around porch, with a built-in gazebo........I almost peed my pants. It's amazing. And beautiful.

We sang in Sacrament meeting and I totally started crying and just stopped. And the pianist stopped and it was just quiet for a full 5 seconds before Sister Maddox realized I was crying and carried on. It was my solo part.....so embarrassing. But everyone said it was beautiful and the Spirit was strong, so that's good, cuz we were praying like crazy that it would be the case.

So pretty much everyone we're teaching is done meeting with us and we dropped pretty much everyone. So we've been praying to find people to teach who will make covenants. And the answer I kept getting was,

 "You won't."

 But I was confused and annoyed, because going tracting when you know nothing will come from it in the freezing cold is not very much fun. But we kept going thinking I was just crazy and miracles happen.

Then Sunday it all made sense. It has to come from the members here. With the wealth and the life-styles in this particular area everyone is comfortable and has no "reason" to change. It will only come as the members do their missionary work. 

As often as you pray for the missionaries to find someone to teach, do you ever pray that you will find someone for them to teach? Think about it. And then go change your prayers.

I firmly believe that the time is not too far distant when tracting will be banned from missionary efforts and we will rely almost solely on the efforts of members to have people to teach. It's a change they're working towards. 

So once we recognized what our focus should really be everything changed. We started praying for the members. And even in the past 2 days it's been a big change. 

They're coming to us with names of people they've never thought of before. 

They're taking us to visit their neighbors. 

We went to a 10-year-old's basketball game and met the team's parents while sitting with the family. And there was one lady who kept looking back at us just beaming. 

We're being a little more unconventional as we explore these new ways to put members in positions to answer questions. And it's fun. And it's already been working.

It took me forever but I feel like I finally figured out the "key" to this area!  WOOHOOOOOO! 

Especially since this is Sister Maddox's last transfer so I'll probably be here one more after this as well......that's a lot of Lynchburg......PRAY FOR ME :)

-Sister Packard

Best:

1. We did a role play with our District. And Elder Lopez and Elder Zazueta are just hilarious. They make great 5 year olds. And really could be brothers.

2. A 9 year old was playing with my earings and I told her they're my favorite because they sparkle and I LOVE sparkles. She looked at me intently for a few seconds and said, "Then you must love your eyes." DAW!

3. It snowed!

Worst:

1. Elder Lopez is leaving. I have to say goodbye again!

2. My throat will be like raw meat.....that was the visual I got. And for the first time I'm like nervous about the surgery. YIKES. There's a reason for everything.