17 - 31 August

Our last couple weeks have definitely been different for these two missionaries.  Our weather is still beautiful, had a "heat wave" as the weather forecaster called it, but now back to normal temperatures of 65-75 degrees, but not much rain which is always needed. 

If anyone serving in the office has a birthday during the current month, we have a little celebration, singing happy birthday and enjoying a some treats together. The August birthdays include President, Elder Dunlop, one of our assistants, and Sister Arseneau. The Henderson's had just returned from a road trip along the coast, and shared some macadamia nuts, plain and chocolate covered with us. Sandy brought in some Costco enormous muffins, which were quickly grabbed up and Sister Parsons added a fruit plate.  President was a really good sport to wear one of the birthday crowns, but everyone has to a sport to put those crowns on their heads!

Every so often, Arlo tweaks his back, but after trying to pick up and move a rather large, heavy duty paper shredder, he went down to his knees in pain.  One of the senior couples helped get him home in our car.  Later that evening, after some meetings, President came to the flat with two of his assistants to give Arlo a priesthood blessing.  Elder Pu anointed and Elder Greening pronounced the blessing. This was a great experience for us to be part of a learning process for Elder Pu and to see the humble, but powerful blessing come from our Maori elder.  The next morning (Friday), our kind and so compassionate, but very firm mission doctor came to the flat and after examining Arlo, strongly recommended that we all head to the emergency room.  A CT scan confirmed a herniated disc and we left with some pain meds, an appointment with a neurosurgeon the next week, and instructions to be flat down.  This wonderful doctor and his wife helped get us to the medical office for the appointment and then they came again for the requested MRI.  It has been great to have Elder/Doctor Madsen at our side to explain or clarify some of what the doctors have told us.  On 8 September, we will go in for another consultation with the neurosurgeon about the MRI results and to make a plan for the future.  During this past week, Arlo has come to know our lounge couch very well while trying to lay low.  Despite being in a horizontal position he is able to be a regular player in the running of the mission office.  Before the accident, Arlo had been able to get all of the web based office applications running on our laptop.  So between the mobile (cell) phone and our computer, the mission now has it's own satellite office! 

Sandy has not needed or wanted to drive here in Australia, and appreciates the fact that the office is two blocks from the flat, a grocery store is across the street and the chemist is down another block. The chemist knows Sandy's face when she comes in to refill prescriptions for meds and is always concerned with how the progress of her husband is coming.Brisbane has a great public transportation system, which if needed, would get her anywhere else she might need to go. 

Now Sandy walks back and forth to the mission office and home three times each day and passed this sporty guy, complete with his own goggles, waiting patiently in the side car of a motorcycle.  The owner was headed into a popular restaurant called Grill'd which serves the best chips (french fries) sprinkled with coarse salt and dried rosemary and burgers that are to big to get your mouth around!

Signs of spring are showing up everywhere.  Trees with new blooms and lots of flowering plants are beginning to be seen around the city. This geranium on our patio has looked half dead for months and suddenly flowers have popped out all over, with more on the way.  The temple grounds are beautiful with the flower beds overflowing with red, pink and white geraniums, plus golden marigolds.

Arlo is making progress and prayers have been felt from our family and the missionaries.  As phone calls come into the office, and Sandy answers, the first question most of the time is "how is Elder Mickelsen doing?"  Hopefully there will be heaps of progress by the next blog entry.