As some of you know, this week has been emotionally and mentally challenging. But i have learned so much about myself and the faith i do have. I have learned so much about Jesus Christ and what it means to me to have the restored gospel back on the earth today. So before i get into the crazy story..First i will talk about an amazing appointment we had.
Ansen. He is wonderful. We went to visit him and teach him the Stop Tobacco program. Because as he said, "The only thing stopping me from being baptized is me chewing. I don't feel appropriate." We had a really powerful lesson and he was really excited to stop and to follow the program. Part of the program was to drink grapefruit juice after every meal. He said he could do all of it but that. And he wanted us to show him a scripture in the Book of Mormon that said grapefruit juice was bad for you. He is so funny!!!! So that is the only lesson i was present for this week.
Now for the emotional trainwreck of a week. A few weeks ago, Sister Shumway called me and told me that she had a bad feeling about my toe and she wanted me to go and have it looked at again. So after emailing last week, we went to the doctor to have another x-ray and to just make sure everything was okay. The xray machine was down, so we had to go back Wednesday.
Wednesday came and we went back to the doctor. He took the x ray and panicked. He said, "That doesn't look good at all. It looks like you have a bone infection. Can you come back tomorrow and get an MRI and possibly a surgery? By this point i was a little scared, but we called Sister Shumway and told her and she said it would be okay. Wednesday night came and she called me again, she said, "Sister Ritter, I am so sorry, but if it is what they are thinking, you cannot stay on a mission for the surgery." I instantly broke into tears. My worst nightmare was coming true. I have never been told anything that hurt that bad in all of my existence. I want to stay on a mission more than i have ever wanted anything before. So then President talked to me and told me a few stories. He helped me calm down. They sent President and Sister Isabell over to come by and give me a blessing and find out what has happening. They got to our house Wednesday night about 11:30 and they brought the Zone Leaders. President Isabell did a devotional about priesthood blessings and continued to ask me questions and everyone else there. I received a blessing. The most powerful blessing i have ever receieved. By the end, everyone in that room was in tears. As Sister Booms said, "The Spirit just punched us all in the face." I can't begin to explain the incredible night it was. The spirit was there. It was amazing. Most powerful night of my life.
Thursday, the MRI came. I went, they had to give me an IV with dye in it, so they could see what was happening. I felt peace. I felt Christ with me the whole time, telling me that it was going to be okay. That it was going to be well and that this was part of Gods' plan for me. We went to Masakos birthday after that. And in the middle i got a call about my MRI results.
Friday: Surgery day. The MRI wasn't as bad as they thought it was going to be, and Sister Shumway got my surgery approved while still a missionary. It was such a sweet tender mercy. I can't believe even still that all of this happened in 48 hours. It was a shock and i was emotionally exhausted. I went in for surgery at 11 and was home in bed about 2. It was scary. Sister Booms is amazing. She has served me more than ever these past few days. She has dealt with me crying about pain, crying about my fears of having to go home, fears about what i am supposed to be as a missionary. She has been there.
Sister Booms is an incredible example of Christ-like service. She has blessed me in more ways than she knows. After my surgery i had excruciating pain where i was just screaming and yelling because it hurt so bad. She sat there and endured. She said, "Don't scare me like that." And she has just said some really amazing things during this whole thing. I have been blessed so much by her. I know she will always be there for me.
And through it all, and most importantly, Jesus Christ has been with me right by my side the entire time. I haven't felt him leave me. Even in the middle of the night when i was facing the chances of leaving my mission early. He was there. He was assuring me that no matter what happened i would have peace. And i do have peace. I know that this is part of God's plan. It isn't my plan and not anything i had ever imagined would happen. But Christ is here and i know he has blessed me so much. This has definitely built my testimony so much on the Savior.
The results and the solutions are still up in the air, but i know it will be okay, no matter how emotional the next few days will be.
Much love,
Sister Ritter
pictures:
1)Happy Birthday Masako(:
2)We are Party Animals (;
3) Pre Surgery. I promise, the only reason i look terrified is because my only fear is coming home.
4)My Dad and Gen sent flowers(:(: Sister Booms: "Why is there a sketchy man walking up our driveway with flowers?
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