Baby Steps

 Sister DeVictoria writing:

I'm not sure if Elder DeVictoria will write today or not.  Actually it would be me writing for him while he dictates.  He can't use his left eye much.  He has double vision and it is blurry.  If he feels up to it later I will let him dictate to me.

I have seen a lot of improvement in Elder DeVictoria, although he is still struggling to get over this virus.  He is eating more this week which makes me relieved.  In the hospital he could only eat about three bites of food at a meal.  I am sure that good nutrition will help him build stronger immunities, so I try to find things that he would like to eat.

This week was also his birthday.  I asked him what he would like me to get him for his birthday dinner.  He finally decided on Indian food.  There is a little restaurant in the Shida night market that we have often gone to.  I was telling the owner about Elder DeVictoria's condition, and that it was his birthday, so I guess he felt sorry for him and gave us free naan bread!  One of the other senior couples, the Clemons, bought him a rolled cake and brought it over to celebrate with us.  They are the ones who helped get us to the hospital and back.  We really appreciate their help!

I taught institute again this week but only one student came.  But we went ahead and had class anyway and had a great discussion!  I forgot to send out a reminder text, so hopefully when I do that this week I can encourage more students to show up.

Last weekend was our church's General conference, but because of the time difference, here in Taiwan we are having our conference weekend this week.  They will make the videos available at the church, but we will just stay home and watch it.  We have already watched the Saturday morning and Saturday afternoon sessions.  Elder DeVictoria just listens.

I have started training another senior missionary sister in case we have to go home to America.  There is so much to teach it is overwhelming.  I always say that I have a thousand things to think about and remember.  I took her to immigration this week so she could see how it works and know how to get there.  I have to go again on Monday to renew the tourist visa of one of the Whiteley's sons.  I'm not sure why Taiwan wouldn't give him a permanent resident visa.

Elder DeVictoria had another opthamology appointment this week.  While we were there at the hospital, we saw this woman playing the guzheng.  It was really beautiful!

 

I haven't really taken many photos this week.  I did take this photo of Elder DeVictoria to document his beard.  He is keeping his eyes closed because the light was too bright for him.  In our married life, this is the longest he has had his beard!  

We had zone conferences this week.  The mission is now divided in to 4 zones.  Two of those zone conferences are held here at the chapel across the street from the office.  Sis. Clemons made a taco casserole for all of the conferences.  They also had salad, and she ordered some cake for dessert.  Ahh to be young and have that much energy!  She is about 15 years younger than us.

Elder DeVictoria writing:

This past week has been controlled by drugs.  I'm on about 11 different medications all at the same time.  It has reduced the severity and pain of the headaches.  They are practically gone.  But on the other hand, I've been knocked out, not able to really think or do anything, kind of like a vegetable.  From the articles we can read online it appears this Shingles/Herpes/Zoster can be really extreme and I think I got a very extreme case.  During the peak pain periods it was frankly unbelievable.  The most pain I have ever felt in my life.  I'm glad that phase seems to be over.  

Sister DeVictoria writing:

I found this quote by Neal a Maxwell this week and loved it's message:

 "The cavity which suffering carves into our souls will one day also be the receptacle of joy."