I believe you all have heard a little
about my exciting week by know, if not, I have a kidney stone. And as such, my
name is now Elder Shoop-Stone. Definitely has been an adventure, getting to
spend a night in a hospital in Miskolc, and also a bit of a pain, because its
lame having to stop working for a bit. However, theres some cool stuff I'll tell
you about and I will give more details about stuff later in the letter. A note
for Mom, since there are no major updates Im just sending this email for now and
will not be calling. If anything major happens or changes though, Im sure Pres.
Smith, Sis. Smith or myself will call.
As you all know by now, probably, I like
to start with a spiritual though. Something I personally learned or studied
during the past week. Well this past week my companion and myself got tons of
people asking why bad things happened if there really was a God. Why life is
hard or sad things happen, or people do bad things if there is a God. Its a
great question, and one that I now love people to ask us. Because, we have the
answer and we can help, and we have this answer, in large part due to the Book
of Mormon. So, thats what I studied a lot this last week, why bad things happen.
I studied it in the MTC, but I studied it more and with more intent because I
need to find a clear answer for these people.
What I want to share with you isnt the full explanation or answer to
what I have found, but a few scriptures that I think also aply to my situation.
The first is Matthew 5:45 "That ye may be the children of your Father which is
in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and
sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." I love this scripture, I think it
helps to clearly help people understand that bad things didnt happen to them
necessarily because they did something bad. For, rain falls on everyone.
The next is 2 Ne. 2:24 "But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom
of him who knoweth all things." Thats the number one thing right there, I think.
God is in charge. He knows what is best, and as long we have an understanding of
the plan of salvation and have faith in Christ, we can come to peace with
anything hard that comes our way. We just need to understand who we are. We are
really children of our God, of our Heavenly Father, Who is all knowing, and
perfectly loving. He has all power, and what ever happens is under His
control.
The final one is 2 Ne. 2:25, very well known I think, if you dont know what
it is, go read it maybe :) One of our purposes in this life is to have joy. And
we can really find that. God wants us to be happy no matter what goes on. The
question is not whether bad things will happen to us or those we love.
They will. This life is not easy and is not meant to be easy. The question is
how we react and respond when those challenging things do happen, and with faith
in Christ, and holding dear to those we love around us, we can get through all
things, for then we can have Christ with us, and He already has gotten through
all things.
Alright I know you all want more details,
but one more thing, this time no scripture though. I am really very greatful for
all that has gone on. I am not gonna lie, there have been some really pretty
painful times. But, Im still greatful for these experiences. I think alot of
times, people see us missionaries as perfect with no challenges, while they
strugle and work as hard as they can and still sometimes cant seem to make ends
meet, or have other challenges they deal with in life. Or both. Then us
missionaries come in there and I think its hard for them sometimes to really
listen because we seem so trouble free I think. So I am greatful that I will be
able to show our investigators, or atleast some of them, that I am a human too.
Not that a kidney stone is anything like their challenges, but it shows Im human
I hope. And I hope and believe this experience will help them.
So, Friday I had some pains, but figured it was because I ate Hungarian
peppers the night before. Saturday I felt a lot better. Then, Sunday we had
twice or so a year district conference in Miskolc (pronounced Meesh-kolts). I
got to Miskolc and then found myself in lots of pain. This turned out to
actually be a huge blessing. BECUASE... 1. Mission President and his wife were
at the conference, it was so wonderful to have them there for everything, Sis.
Smith even skipped her talk at the conference to help me, as that was when we
decided to go to the hospital. 2. I was in Miskolc. I serve in Eger, but Eger
does not seem to have a great hospital, one that would have helped me, Im sure,
but the hospital in Miskolc is apparently known as one of the best in Hungary so
that was awesome. 3. We were at the district conference and an American living
in Hungary, who speaks fluently both languages was attending, him and his wife
went with us to the hospital which was a huge help. 4. The zone leaders for my
zone are in Miskolc and they have a car and drove me from Miskolc to Budapest
and were a huge help in the whole thing. Im sure there are more miracle about
the whole thing, but to the main point, Ive had this kidney stone growing in me
for about a year doctors say. Over the almost 2 months I have been here that
might have been the best or one of the best instants for me to have needed help.
The zone leaders and my companion stayed with me until pretty late a night
with me in the hospital and then came back the next morning and helped me with
everything and then got me to Budapest. I am SO greatful to the 3 of them, they
were so awesome and supporting and loving and all that good stuff.
On a side note, go Hawks!
Anyways, MIssion president and his wife, the finantial senior missionary
couple, and just everyone has been so supportive and helpful. This really isnt a
huge deal, but they have helped it be the best experience it could be.
So whats going on right now? Well, There is a machine which will give me
shock therapy and hopefully help break up the stone so it comes out easier, but
I cant go in for the therapy until Thursday. So, I am staying here in the
misison home until then. To be safe, and nice, mission president is going to
just have me do some light office work on computers or answering phone calls or
something, and I will be able to go up to my room and rest whenever I want if I
have any pain. The main thing they are watching is to make sure I dont get a
temperature which could mean that I have an infection. They have me on 3 or 4
medications.
1 is for pain, 1 Im really not sure excatly what it is because the doctor
couldnt describe it great in English, something about muscles and pain and
stuff, 1 is an anti-biotic just to make sure my body is safe because they really
dont want me to get an infection, and 1 is an extra pain relief thing in case
the pain gets too severe.
So thats whats going on, and I am sure we will let you all know whats going
on if anything changes, my guess would be that Pres. Smith calls Thrusday after
the appointment but dont get your hopes up too high because I really dont know.
What I do know is that I am in good safe hands over hear. I appreciate all of
your prayers and wish you all the best.
Before the incident the week was actually going way awesome. Me and my new
companion get along really well I think and we were doing some great work
together. We were finding a lot of people and having a lot of way awesome
experiences with that and the lessons were going well with investigators.
I wish you all the best and pray for you all as well. Dont worry about me,
Im wonderful.
Sok szeretettel!
Elder Shoop
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