March 23, 2009
Hello! I am feeling better! The antibiotics are working on my arm and I’ve been able to work and teach Institute. Our Ward Mission Leader was substitute teaching for me the last couple of weeks while I was sick with a couple of infections. The ward was really kind to visit me. Two members even played a board game with me on Preparation Day. One of them, our Ward Mission Leader hates board games, so I’m thankful for everyone’s sacrifices on my part.
Before I was admitted to the hospital we were in the Emergency room starting at 3:00pm. We had hoped to be out of the hospital in time for a dinner appointment with an engaged couple in our ward, but there were a lot of people waiting to be seen. We called the couple and we all decided to just have dinner at the hospital. It was kind of them and a lot of fun! It was a good thing we ate, too, we didn’t leave the hospital until 1:00am the next morning!
I got a call from someone on my hospital phone and I answered, ‘hello, this is Elder Walters.’ I heard a familiar chuckle and voice say ‘you can run, but you can’t hide!’ Sister Gwyn came to see me in the hospital! She was in Chapel Hill for Visiting Teaching, but we don’t think it was a coincidence that the appointment was canceled, giving us the opportunity to visit.
While I was still in the Emergency Room President and Sister Wallis came to visit. Sister Wallis got in a little bit of trouble with my doctor for taking off my bandage to look at my arm’s infection. President Wallis said, ‘Well, they’re either going to have you arrested or hire you.’ I have appreciated their love and support so much on my mission. Somebody said that God does watch over us, but it is usually through another person that He meets our needs. I have found that to be very true on my mission.
President Wallis also talked with some Stake and Ward leaders to let them know I’d be willing to speak at firesides. I’ve had a couple of great opportunities to do so already. Our last second counselor in the Bishopric in the Singles Ward went to another ward as the Young Men’s leader (he’ll do GREAT!) and asked me to speak to the youth there. It was a great opportunity to meet people and feel their testimonies and spirits. I also had the chance to speak last night in Roanoke Rapids. What a friendly, amazing group of people! Everyone was so kind, and I got to meet a lot of them. I have loved the opportunity to bare my testimony to many different people on my mission, members and non-members alike!
I thank you all for your support and prayers! Thanks for the get well cards and packages, too!
Love, Elder Walters
Monday, March 23, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Medical Update
Dear Family and Friends,
We wanted to give you an update on Elder Walters last couple of weeks. Since Elder Walters has been in North Carolina we have taken great comfort in knowing that he hasn’t been hospitalized for the last 20 months. About a week ago he noticed his forearm had swollen up like it did when he had the brown recluse spider bite a few months ago. After culturing the sore on his arm, the doctors determined he had a staff infection which is resistant to many antibiotics.
Medical Description: Staph skin infections, including MRSA and ORSA, generally start as small red bumps that resemble pimples, boils or spider bites. These can quickly turn into deep, painful abscesses that require surgical draining. Sometimes the bacteria remain confined to the skin. But they can also penetrate into the body, causing potentially life-threatening infections in bones, joints, surgical wounds, the bloodstream, heart valves and lungs.
After spending an average of 7 hours a day from Thursday through Sunday in the emergency room to have the sore cleaned and drained, Elder Walters was admitted to UNC Hospital so he could have IV antibiotics on Sunday and was released on Tuesday. Originally they were going to give him a pick line so he could receive IV antibiotics at home for the next two weeks but opted for an oral medication. He will have a nurse visit every day for the next two weeks to clean and dress the wound. We are very thankful the emergency room doctors decided to hospitalize him and for the infectious disease doctor who cared for him.
The antibiotics make him extremely tired but I think the worst part for Elder Walters has been the missed teaching opportunities. His companionship is teaching a young man who has a sincere desire to learn more about the Gospel. Elder Walters first introduced himself to this young man on campus several weeks ago. His ward members have been wonderful to visit him at the hospital, as well as President and Sister Wallis and Sister Gwyn. Thank you for caring about our son!
Please keep Elder Walters in your prayers for a safe and speedy recovery.
With your love,
Bridgette and Barry
We wanted to give you an update on Elder Walters last couple of weeks. Since Elder Walters has been in North Carolina we have taken great comfort in knowing that he hasn’t been hospitalized for the last 20 months. About a week ago he noticed his forearm had swollen up like it did when he had the brown recluse spider bite a few months ago. After culturing the sore on his arm, the doctors determined he had a staff infection which is resistant to many antibiotics.
Medical Description: Staph skin infections, including MRSA and ORSA, generally start as small red bumps that resemble pimples, boils or spider bites. These can quickly turn into deep, painful abscesses that require surgical draining. Sometimes the bacteria remain confined to the skin. But they can also penetrate into the body, causing potentially life-threatening infections in bones, joints, surgical wounds, the bloodstream, heart valves and lungs.
After spending an average of 7 hours a day from Thursday through Sunday in the emergency room to have the sore cleaned and drained, Elder Walters was admitted to UNC Hospital so he could have IV antibiotics on Sunday and was released on Tuesday. Originally they were going to give him a pick line so he could receive IV antibiotics at home for the next two weeks but opted for an oral medication. He will have a nurse visit every day for the next two weeks to clean and dress the wound. We are very thankful the emergency room doctors decided to hospitalize him and for the infectious disease doctor who cared for him.
The antibiotics make him extremely tired but I think the worst part for Elder Walters has been the missed teaching opportunities. His companionship is teaching a young man who has a sincere desire to learn more about the Gospel. Elder Walters first introduced himself to this young man on campus several weeks ago. His ward members have been wonderful to visit him at the hospital, as well as President and Sister Wallis and Sister Gwyn. Thank you for caring about our son!
Please keep Elder Walters in your prayers for a safe and speedy recovery.
With your love,
Bridgette and Barry
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Message from Sister Wallis, Elder Walters' Missionary Mom
Dear Family and Friends,
We just returned from speaking in the Fayetteville Stake Conference and it's raining again today - hasn't stopped for two days - so much for all the hyperventilating about another drought! It's just a little unsettling when they announce on the news that we have 100 more days of water, and you feel like you're living in a jungle - but what do I know!
February has been a full month with the addition of using one of our preparation weeks to take the missionaries to the Temple. It takes four days and nine sessions to get them all in, but we all look forward to the opportunity to go every quarter. That same week was designated as another "Week of Miracles" where the missionaries park their cars and spend the week walking or riding their bikes. Last week we held Zone Conferences and it was incredible to hear their experiences as they exercised their faith and looked for miracles.
One of our Assistants, Elder Jensen was on exchanges with two missionaries in the Wake Forest area. As they were biking down a country road, they noticed a street sign that read "Miracle Lane." The Elders did a double take and decided there must be a miracle waiting to happen. Parking their bikes, they began to knock on doors. A Spanish speaking woman opened her door and said, "Habla espanol?" As Elder Jensen testified, in the little Spanish he knows, about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, the woman's husband walked up and said in English, "I have a surprise for you!" He then held up a Spanish copy of the Book of Mormon and explained that a friend had given it to him at work the previous week, and told them how much he was enjoying reading it! He asked if there were Elders who spoke Spanish so his family could understand too. The Elders wrote down the Gonzalez family's information and gave the referral to the Spanish Elders! What an amazing miracle, on "Miracle Lane", during the Week of Miracles.
While one of our newly arrived missionaries was still in the MTC, he made a confirmation call to Roxboro, NC to make sure that a young man named Jeremy had received the media item he had ordered. Jeremy replied that he had, was meeting with the missionaries, and was attending church. Elder Anderson replied that maybe he would see him when he finally got to North Carolina. As it turned out, Roxboro was where Elder Anderson would first be assigned. He and his trainer met with Jeremy the first night he was there, and a baptismal date was set. Even after encountering some resistance from his family Jeremy still had a strong desire to joing the church. He was baptized by Elder Anderson and confirmed by Elder Rowe.
Ashton is an 11 year old boy who is terrified of water. He's not just had baptismal dates, he's actually been in the water four times, panicked, and backed out. Missionaries have worked and worked with him trying to help him overcome his fear of water. Another date was set, the Elders gave him a blessing, got him into the water, and when the same panic began to overcome him again, Elder Birrell, simply "kicked" his legs out from under him and put him down. He went down screaming, but was so happy and relieved when it was over. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.
I could go on and on and perhaps the biggest miracles of all are the ones that take place in the lives of the missionaries. As they have the faith to open their eyes, and open their mouths to teach everyone they see, they become successful instruments in the Lord's hands.
Elder Walters belongs to a Wheel Chair Rugby league. We have watched him play before and recently we attended a tournament his team participated in. This is a very fast paced, competitive game played in special chairs that are designed for stability and contact. That being said, it's not unusual to see them crash so hard that one tips over, and its driver has to wait patiently for someone to come and get them back up on their wheels so they can go at it again. It is a very fun sport to watch, and was not hard at all for me to get into the fray of yelling and screaming - especially when Elder Walters got the ball. I suddenly had this image of myself as Eliza Doolittle at the horse races and decided I better put on a little more dignified face since I was there in my official capacity. The whole center section of the bleachers was filled with students from the Durham 3rd Ward who had come to watch and cheer for their favorite missionary.
During our interviews this time I asked the missionaries to bring pictures of their families to share with me. I've done this one other time and it's always fun for them, and for me as I try to pick out their siblings vs in-laws etc. It's always enlightening to see them in their family setting - and as always - a picture is worth a thousand words.
One of the highlights of each Zone Conference is hearing the testimonies of the missionaries. Their wisdom and insight always touches me - especially when I'm aware of struggles they might have had. Here are a few from last week.
Elder Olsen, whose father passed away last spring: My mission means everything to me. It has changed my life. I feel like I'm being selfish as I strive to be selfless.
Sister Smedley (the greatest miracle of our mission - going home): I thought I was making sacrifices - this is only the beginning. I love the Savior. He is my friend, I am teaching His Gospel, He is a part of my life. I hope I shared the message with the ears that were supposed to hear.
Elder Atwood: Knowing that God knows me and loves me has made all the difference.
Elder Farnsworth: I'm thankful for trials. When everything goes smooth we can't appreciate the good.
Elder Carrick: Show gratitude to God for miracles, show humility and He will continue to bless us.
Elder Nelson: This is the happiest work we can be doing in spite of discouraging, hard days and times. A change takes place when His image can be seen in our countenance.
Elder Campbell: Most men have the face they deserve at the end of their lives because of the things they've gone through. What kind of face will we have at the end of our mission? Our change will be based on our commitment.
I am so grateful for the missionaries; for their commitment, for the things they teach me, for their example, and for their love and service. I knew in the beginning the easiest part of my job would be loving them, I was right! I thought I came to help strengthen them and their testimonies, but they have strengthened mine.
Love to all,
Linda Wallis
We just returned from speaking in the Fayetteville Stake Conference and it's raining again today - hasn't stopped for two days - so much for all the hyperventilating about another drought! It's just a little unsettling when they announce on the news that we have 100 more days of water, and you feel like you're living in a jungle - but what do I know!
February has been a full month with the addition of using one of our preparation weeks to take the missionaries to the Temple. It takes four days and nine sessions to get them all in, but we all look forward to the opportunity to go every quarter. That same week was designated as another "Week of Miracles" where the missionaries park their cars and spend the week walking or riding their bikes. Last week we held Zone Conferences and it was incredible to hear their experiences as they exercised their faith and looked for miracles.
One of our Assistants, Elder Jensen was on exchanges with two missionaries in the Wake Forest area. As they were biking down a country road, they noticed a street sign that read "Miracle Lane." The Elders did a double take and decided there must be a miracle waiting to happen. Parking their bikes, they began to knock on doors. A Spanish speaking woman opened her door and said, "Habla espanol?" As Elder Jensen testified, in the little Spanish he knows, about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, the woman's husband walked up and said in English, "I have a surprise for you!" He then held up a Spanish copy of the Book of Mormon and explained that a friend had given it to him at work the previous week, and told them how much he was enjoying reading it! He asked if there were Elders who spoke Spanish so his family could understand too. The Elders wrote down the Gonzalez family's information and gave the referral to the Spanish Elders! What an amazing miracle, on "Miracle Lane", during the Week of Miracles.
While one of our newly arrived missionaries was still in the MTC, he made a confirmation call to Roxboro, NC to make sure that a young man named Jeremy had received the media item he had ordered. Jeremy replied that he had, was meeting with the missionaries, and was attending church. Elder Anderson replied that maybe he would see him when he finally got to North Carolina. As it turned out, Roxboro was where Elder Anderson would first be assigned. He and his trainer met with Jeremy the first night he was there, and a baptismal date was set. Even after encountering some resistance from his family Jeremy still had a strong desire to joing the church. He was baptized by Elder Anderson and confirmed by Elder Rowe.
Ashton is an 11 year old boy who is terrified of water. He's not just had baptismal dates, he's actually been in the water four times, panicked, and backed out. Missionaries have worked and worked with him trying to help him overcome his fear of water. Another date was set, the Elders gave him a blessing, got him into the water, and when the same panic began to overcome him again, Elder Birrell, simply "kicked" his legs out from under him and put him down. He went down screaming, but was so happy and relieved when it was over. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.
I could go on and on and perhaps the biggest miracles of all are the ones that take place in the lives of the missionaries. As they have the faith to open their eyes, and open their mouths to teach everyone they see, they become successful instruments in the Lord's hands.
Elder Walters belongs to a Wheel Chair Rugby league. We have watched him play before and recently we attended a tournament his team participated in. This is a very fast paced, competitive game played in special chairs that are designed for stability and contact. That being said, it's not unusual to see them crash so hard that one tips over, and its driver has to wait patiently for someone to come and get them back up on their wheels so they can go at it again. It is a very fun sport to watch, and was not hard at all for me to get into the fray of yelling and screaming - especially when Elder Walters got the ball. I suddenly had this image of myself as Eliza Doolittle at the horse races and decided I better put on a little more dignified face since I was there in my official capacity. The whole center section of the bleachers was filled with students from the Durham 3rd Ward who had come to watch and cheer for their favorite missionary.
During our interviews this time I asked the missionaries to bring pictures of their families to share with me. I've done this one other time and it's always fun for them, and for me as I try to pick out their siblings vs in-laws etc. It's always enlightening to see them in their family setting - and as always - a picture is worth a thousand words.
One of the highlights of each Zone Conference is hearing the testimonies of the missionaries. Their wisdom and insight always touches me - especially when I'm aware of struggles they might have had. Here are a few from last week.
Elder Olsen, whose father passed away last spring: My mission means everything to me. It has changed my life. I feel like I'm being selfish as I strive to be selfless.
Sister Smedley (the greatest miracle of our mission - going home): I thought I was making sacrifices - this is only the beginning. I love the Savior. He is my friend, I am teaching His Gospel, He is a part of my life. I hope I shared the message with the ears that were supposed to hear.
Elder Atwood: Knowing that God knows me and loves me has made all the difference.
Elder Farnsworth: I'm thankful for trials. When everything goes smooth we can't appreciate the good.
Elder Carrick: Show gratitude to God for miracles, show humility and He will continue to bless us.
Elder Nelson: This is the happiest work we can be doing in spite of discouraging, hard days and times. A change takes place when His image can be seen in our countenance.
Elder Campbell: Most men have the face they deserve at the end of their lives because of the things they've gone through. What kind of face will we have at the end of our mission? Our change will be based on our commitment.
I am so grateful for the missionaries; for their commitment, for the things they teach me, for their example, and for their love and service. I knew in the beginning the easiest part of my job would be loving them, I was right! I thought I came to help strengthen them and their testimonies, but they have strengthened mine.
Love to all,
Linda Wallis
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