Hello to one and all!!!!
Before you freak out because of the subject line, I am going to tell you that I am fine, and all is well. In the words of Elder Dittmer “Alles klar.”
Well it sounds like all of you are dealing with some sort of sickness, and I can tell you that you can add me to the list. Although I would say that mine was a bit more than just a cold. Here is the saga……….
I went out and worked all day Tuesday (the day before zone conference), and was feeling great until dinner. As we were walking to the bus station however my stomach started to not feel so good. I just kinda ignored it, and went on my way because we had an appointment. The pain didn’t go away in fact it got worse. If felt just like normal gas pains, which I get occasionally. I instantly ruled out my appendix, so that was a relief, but still a worry.
I ended up going to the appointment but it fell through. By this time however I was in a lot of pain. I was not able to concentrate while talking to people, and my stomach was killing me. We went to a members house who lived close and I crashed on his couch for a bit until I decided that I had to go home. The member and E. Dittmer gave me a blessing, and we went on our way. The pain was not going away at all, and I was heading straight to bed. We got home and I curled up into bed for about 45 min before I had to go the bathroom and throw up. I did that and went back to bed for another 45 min or so until I had to throw up again. That is where all the fun began. For the next 2 hours or so I was in absolute agony. I was throwing up (or at least trying to) every 10 min. after that I never felt any better through out all of that. I actually felt worse. I have never been that sick before in my life. At one point I was sprawled across the bathroom floor screaming because I was in so much pain. May I take this time to remind you now that this was the night before my LAST zone conference, where I had to give my departing testimony. I could not miss this! By this time the other elders were back along with the Elders from the Isle of Man, and here I am dying in the bathroom. Many phone calls were made (president, mission doctor, district, etc) and the call was finally made that we had to go the hospital. I wasn’t too happy about that because being back in the hospital was not my idea of a good night, but I submitted (humility I know). I had no idea how I was going to get there though, cause I could not move. I asked all the elders for another blessing though before we left. Picture this….. one elder dying on the floor of a cold and dark bathroom being surrounded by 5 other elders. An amazing sight I am sure. If you want to know what pure brotherly love looks and feels like, you should have walked into our flat on Tuesday night. Anyways the blessing was said and we slowly made our way out to the car. I am glad that my comp is big and able to carry a lot of weight. He helped me out a lot! I am also glad that the zone leaders have a car. We made it to the hospital and we checked into A&E (ER). I plopped down on a seat and just hunched over and tried to get comfortable. I am not sure what happened next except that I fell asleep and woke up to the nurse calling my name. I stood up and instantly felt much better. I went and saw the first nurse, and she said that everything was fine, but she wanted me to go and see another doctor, so I did. By the time I got to that doctor I felt a whole ton better. I felt as though I had totally wasted their time. I was in and out of the hospital within an hour, and I was in bed asleep at 12:15.
Is God a God of miracles? I submit that he is. He knew that I had to be at the zone conference. He honoured my faith and the faith of the amazing Elders around me that night, and I was able to be healed by the power of the priesthood. The blessing that E. Dittmer gave me said that I would be able to go to Zone Conference, and I made it there. The blessing that E. Rowley gave me commanded my body to be healed, and a hour later I was. The priesthood has amazing power, we must never forget that! I am so grateful that I have a loving heavenly father, that always honours the faith of his children! I am perfectly fine again, and I have been since Thursday! I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me. The atonement was on my mind many times that night.
Zone Conference was great. It was very sad to realise that it was the last time that I would be standing up in front of all my missionary friends. It was the last time that I would be directing the special musical item as well. We sang “Abide with me tis’ evn’ tide” and it was amazing. I am really going to miss doing those musical numbers. People always ask me where I come up with the things that we do for those songs, and how do I get it to sound good. I always say to things….. There are great singers in the mission, and my parents taught me well! President and Sister Bullock always compliment me on them. I am sure that they will mention something to you in the mission home. It hit me this time though as I was singing the song that that was going to be the last one. It was a double hit when I had to give my departing testimony right afterwards. It was a sad day, but a good one as well. I got to see some of my great mission friends as usual, and we all had a laugh. I was hoping that Elder Nielsen was going to be there, but he is still out in Wales somewhere I think. I am really hoping that I will get to see him before I go. I think of the three comps that are still in the mission that I love the most, and I think of Elder Nielsen, Lloyd, Llaguno, and Dittmer! They are great men, and I know that you will get to meet them someday! My time is running short, but I know that our friendships will last forever.
We are continuing to plug along. The clocks moved up on Saturday for us and so the nights are no longer dark as early. That is really nice for tracting. We are still in the finding mode, but what can you do. I think that Satan is just trying to pull us down because at the same time that we have no investigators, no one seems to want to listen to us, I get sick, and I am going home soon. It is time to put all the attributes that I have learned on my mission to the test and “concur the enemy of all righteousness.” I know that I can, and I have my big German enforcer to help me! We will do it!
Today we are going to Blackpool for a district activity so we are way excited about that. We were going to plan football on the beach, but I don’t think that the weather is going to allow that. We have been praying though. Next week is a bank holiday, but we are still planning on emailing. There is an internet café that is open so we will use that. It will probably be a short one, but it is the last one so there won’t be too much to tell. I can just fill you in when I see you. We are also going to be going to the temple next week. I couldn’t really think of a better way to spend my last p-day and E. Griffeth agreed. I am really excited. That is going to give me the strength that I need to push through the final week. I am grateful for this time that I have had. I am looking forward to conference next week. I have really grown a great love for conference on my mission. This is going to be E. Dittmer’s first conference so I am hoping that he will enjoy it as much as me!
Know that I am healthy and safe, and I am working hard. Satan can try all he wants, but he is not going to slow me down. I have a labour to perform and I am not done until I am done. I love you all so much, and I am looking forward to seeing you very soon! Time moves too fast. I was reading in Jacob today and in verse 26 of chapter 7 he agrees with me…. Go read it!
I Love you all So much…..
Elder Neal
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