Broken Bros, Cracked Companions, Dinged up Duo, etc.

Elder Martin's letter July 25, 2016

They are both so skinny, no wonder they are breaking bones.

(Before the wrist was broken, he made a one handed Odell catch and made a touchdown.)

 

A few of my questions, that were answered.  

Who's socks were used for the splint?  They were his. He had extra sock because they were using them for 'flags' in the football game.  And yes, they were clean.  One of the Elders is trained as an EMT/paramedic, so he is the one that took care of him immediately after it happened, and fashioned that awesome tree trunk splint. And yes, it hurt but he said it was better than just having his hand hang.

Why was it so late when he was having it taken care of? (almost 9pm) Because the nurse was in Santa Clarita tending to someone that had their head split open.  Sweet Sister Farrimond has been busy this week.

It is always such a joy to get his emails and pictures. We love seeing that big smile, he is so happy.

"The gospel is not there to prevent hard times from happening but to make those hard times easier and doable."   

Al Carraway

Broken bones...part 2

 Allen and I were so sad to hear about Elder Jensen's injured elbow.  I kept wondering how his mom was doing.  The nurse had tried to call when it happened, but didn't get in touch with anyone.  His family learned about it the same way we did, on facebook.  It was great to hear from Elder Martin yesterday.  They were in good spirits and he was doing everything he could to help Elder Jensen. (He's not ready for a new companion.)

I, on the other hand, did not miss the call from the mission nurse, Sister Farrimond.  My phone rang Monday night, just after 9:00.  I didn't recognize the number, but I answered it.  (Which sometimes I don't.)  

"Is this Sister Martin?'

"Yes, it is."

"This is Sister Farrimond, the mission nurse in San Fernando."

HEARTBEAT INCREASES, MIND IS RACING (which it doesn't do a lot lately)

"Hi?"

"I'm here with Elder Martin. He has a broken...."

NOT A LEG, NOT A LEG, NOT A LEG

"a broken right hand.  He broke his hand playing flag football."

"Is he ok?  Is his hand going to be ok?"

"Yes, he's fine.  He's mostly frustrated that he played full contact football for 10 years and never had an injury, and now he has a broken hand from playing flag football.  We have to wait for the swelling to go down, then he will see the orthopedic doctor in a few days."

"But he really is ok?"

"Yes, he's just standing here smiling.  We gave him some painkillers and some ibuprofen."

I really stayed calm through the entire conversation, I didn't even ask to talk to him, but I can't remember any details or all the medical terminology she was giving me.  I don't know exactly how it happened, what is broken, or why he was just getting it taken care of at that time of night.  I don't even know if I can hope to get details in the email next week.  Can he type left handed?  Can he and Elder Jensen each get dressed and feed themselves with only their left hand?  What happens to the car now?  Are they going to be walking or quarantined their apartment?


Sister Farrimond did send me some pictures.  Guaranteed to make me smile, she said.

" Eagle Scout ingenuity... the doctor was impressed."  Sister Farrimond said about this picture.  Looks to me like it would have been less painful to just hold up his hand, instead of being splinted with fresh tree branches and... WHO'S SOCKS ARE THEY???!!!  Not Colby's, he has his on.

First broken bone for this kid, and he did without me.

"Heaven is cheering you on, today, tomorrow, and forever."  Jeffrey R. Holland

Baptismal Dates and Broken Bones

Elder Martin's email 7/18/2016

This is a bit of the email he sent to me and Allen.  As parents, this is what we want to be hearing.

I asked Colby why he had to go on exchanges with spanish speaking companions, his entire district, except for him and Elder Jensen is spanish speaking.  Elder Jensen is the district leader so that is the reason.

Also, I looked up the filipino word; balut.  I told him he absolutely did not have to eat it!  It is a developing bird embryo that is boiled and eaten from the shell.  It was a common street food in the Philippines.

These pictures are from the internet.  Rude or not, I would not eat this. Ever!

"We draw closer to the Savior as we, out of pure love, serve others for Him."

 President Henry B. Eyring

Zone conference

This is a picture from Zone conference.  Can't wait to hear about it in his next email.  

As per Martin tradition, Elder Martin is on the back row. ( left corner) 

"You're killing me, Smalls"

Elder Martin's letter, July 11, 2016:

"After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the gospel." Joseph Smith

No details, unless you ask

We love getting emails and letters  notes from Colby (Elder Martin), especially when he shares details of his experiences.  But I'm finding out that I have to ask more questions, or the right questions.  After being there for 2 weeks, I'm just hearing that he and his companion share an apartment with the zone leaders. And I'm not even sure what roundabout way I got that info.


Elder Martin's letter;

A little info about the chicken/egg salad sandwiches- our family loves chicken salad sandwiches. Everyone that is, except Colby.  We have tried for years to get him to even try them, he has refused. We actually joked about it before he left, I served chicken salad at his farewell luncheon.  And he hates eggs of any kind, so I'm pretty sure he didn't eat the egg salad sandwiches.

I asked him what he did to help poor Elder Jensen, did he get him some ice or something?  No, he just laughed until he cried.  Everyone should have a friend like that.

Before he left, I wondered how I would handle him being gone.  I can say that I have been very blessed with comfort and peace, since he became a missionary.  I miss him, but I have not been worried, and I am a worrier.  I am so grateful for Heavenly Father's tender mercies.  I know that he is exactly where he should be.  Colby has always been so kind and obedient, and I think many will reap the benefits from his huge heart.  We are so grateful that he has chose to serve, and we know he and all those he meets will be blessed.

He said several times that he "loves" Burbank.  It was making me a little nervous.  What if he loved it so much he moved there?  So, I asked.  He doesn't love it that much.  Whew!

The view from his church

Fireworks- from his balcony

" It is impossible for us to fail when we do our best  when we are on the Lord's errand."  

M. Russell Ballard