Oh No!!

A shorter (and pictureless) blog this week.  We spent a couple of days last week trying to secure an apartment in San Rafael for a senior couple coming to the mission mid September.  Simply unbelievable what rent is going for in San Rafael for a two bedroom, two bath apartment (y'all can look it up).  We don't know how people afford it.  We believe we found a place in Larkspur (near San Rafael) and waiting to hear back on our application.  

We also traveled up to Ukiah to start outfitting a senior couple townhouse up there and to clean out / close out a young missionary apartment.  A few weeks ago we filled 8 large garbage bags full of junk from that apartment plus we hauled away a lot of other larger items.  When we returned this week to close it out we hauled away another 5 bags of trash.  Missionaries abandon quite a bit when they transfer out of an apartment.  The mission had that apartment for quite some time (a picture of Howard W Hunter was on the wall) so lots of things accumulated over time.  If there is time, we ask the missionaries to go through all the items to see if they, any members, or any of their friends could use them; otherwise we throw it away.  That always seems like a waste but it would take literally forever to go through it all.   By the way, Ukiah is an hour north of Santa Rosa while San Rafael is an hour south. 

The real story of the week is with Sister Cawley.  While doing all the above she started to feel pain in her back, neck and arm.  The pain increased to the point she went to Urgent Care.  The diagnosis was a torn muscle.  They gave her a sling, some meds, and told her if not feeling better in two weeks to come back.  She is in pain and pretty immobile at this point - no more lifting or anything for a couple of weeks at least.   Elder Cawley developed tennis elbow so we are both a wreck.  We are not worried as there are plenty of other senior missionaries that can help us out, if needed.  No complaints from us, we feel blessed and happy to do what we can.  We have faith all will be well and the work will go forward!