Sorry that the blog has laid idle for awhile. We continue to be very busy and we travel a lot. I did take some time off for a few weeks after having surgery on September 22. I had a diagnosis of probable thyroid cancer, went in to have the thyroid partially removed, cancer was verified, and so the entire thyroid was removed. I had a week to lay around, then had to get busy and prepare for the next round of transfers.
Two weeks after surgery we were welcoming new missionaries and sending a batch home. Then we had zone conferences around the mission. I had an amazing amount of strength and was blessed a bunch. We have a great office couple who have worked very hard to keep us on top of things. We traveled the mission for interviews and speaking engagements. The incision has appeared to heal well, though I am very aware of the inner scar tissue and feel like a string is tied around my neck sometimes.
We had another transfer week with comings and goings and another round of zone conferences. I had radioactive iodine treatment the day before Thanksgiving to kill off any remaining thyroid tissue that was left inside, and am now taking replacement thyroid to get back to normal. We have had another trip around the mission for interviews. Most days I do very well, but I get very tired, even exhausted. It seems like I fall asleep whenever I hold still for a few minutes. I even get cold some times. I am hoping to be more faithful with the blog as I begin to feel better.
I have been very thankful for our daughter, Lisa (who has been here for Christmas and her birthday), who has helped me with the shopping and preparations for transfer week which begins again tomorrow. She also made it possible for us to hold 3 Christmas Devotionals with all the missionaries in three locations around the mission. She entertained them with piano performance, helped prepare and serve the meal and treats afterwards, and kept us awake on the way home. We couldn’t have done it without her!
Incoming missionaries 17 November 2008:
