Miracles Never Cease
As we ponder on this last week, we are utterly amazed and grateful at the preservation of one of our young missionaries, Elder Ryan Bartlett, from Lincoln, California. He is one of our zone leaders and supervises, with his companion JT Sheridan, 18 missionaries in the Sunderland Stake / Zone. On December 3rd he was beginning to feel feverish and like a cold / flu bug was coming on to him. He followed normal protocols and took cold/flu medication. He began to get much worse over the course of a couple of days and then when his fever reached 105, his companion Elder Sheridan took him to the A&E (Emergency Room). They gave him a couple antibiotics and sent him home. Over the course of the next day his body began to have a severe reaction to the medication. His skin and throat and other areas of his body became inflamed and blistered everywhere. He was rushed to a London hospital five hours away where it was determined that he had Stevens Johnson Syndrome.
(Elder Bartlett on left with his companion JT Sheridan)
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare condition arising from 'over-reaction' of the immune system to a trigger such as a mild infection or a medicine, leading to blistering and peeling of the skin and surfaces of the eyes, mouth and throat.
The hospital he was sent to was Chelsea & Westminster hospital in London. They just happened to be one of the world authorities on dealing with Stevens-Johnson syndrome. He was given additional medication and remained in the intensive care unit for several days.
The word went out to the missionaries in the Leeds mission and the London mission as well as his home stake. Everyone began to fast and pray for him. At one point President Clare, the Leeds mission president, sent out an alert to all the missionaries in the Leeds mission to get on theirs knees NOW and pray for Elder Bartlett.
Normally the recovery from this disease is at least 30 days in the hospital with very close monitoring for another 30 days. The Lord answered the prayers of these missions and his stake. Elder Bartlett was released in just 6 days from the hospital. The doctors were stunned, amazed and in awe of his rapid recovery.
He said as he laid there in his hospital bed, his whole body began to tingle and he recognized this as the prayers of many on his behalf being answered. He felt the healing power of prayer, faith and Priesthood blessings and bore an amazing testimony that miracles have not ceased. He was indeed miraculously healed. He still has signs of the disease around his mouth but he is back doing missionary work and we are eternally grateful for his recovery and testify that miracles have not ceased in God's great work.
Moroni Chapter 7:27-37 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of God, to claim of the Father his rights of mercy which he hath upon the children of men?… Behold I say unto you, Nay…And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me...And now, my beloved brethren, if this be the case that these things are true which I have spoken unto you, and God will show unto you, with power and great glory at the last day, that they are true, and if they are true has the day of miracles ceased?...Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought…
Elder Bartlett a week after he was released from the hospital:
The Family Christmas Tree
We received a wonderful package from our children and grandchildren. One of the items in the package said, "Open Now". It was a family Christmas tree with ornaments made by our children and grandchildren. As we eat our meals we can glance up at the tree and see the signed ornaments of our wonderful grandchildren. Thank you family for making our flat bright with your love and decorations!
What are Red Squirrel Babies Called ?
Not far from our new flat is a sort of Red Squirrel nature reserve. Baby red squirrels are called kittens. We haven't seen on of these critters yet, but they sure are cute from the pictures we saw at the reserve.
Trauma Teddies
Sue Arkley, a sister in our ward, (also the one that Scott Edgley found as a missionary here over 40 years ago) has developed the craft to make a specific knitted teddy bear design. They have become known as "Trauma Teddies" and are gifted to the hospitals here in the area. Sister Betteridge and Elder Betteridge, along with our sister missionaries, Sisters Barnard and Moss, are certified Trauma Teddy assembly specialists. We spent an afternoon preparing these adorable little creatures to give lots of love to those who need a little hug.
Ashington Colliery Brass Band
When the performance venue for the Ashington Colliery Brass Band fell through, the leader's Chiropractor Brook Pauna, and Ashington Branch President came to the rescue and invited the band to perform at the Ashington LDS Chapel. It was an amazing performance and included many Christmas songs as well as Tina Turner's Proud Mary. The Coronet players were world class.
One of the numbers they performed was the theme song of the Newcastle United football (soccer) team and is broadcast at every Newcastle match. It was written by a local artist. Here it is:
Peter Pan Panto
Local Pantomimes are a popular form of entertainment here in England. (Definition in the dictionary: A British theatrical entertainment, mainly for children, that involves music, topical jokes, and slapstick comedy and is based on a fairy tale or nursery story, usually produced around Christmas). One of our young adults, Rachel Potts, was one of the 'lost boys' in this production.
Festival Hosts
We were asked to be the official hosts of the Sunderland Stake Festival of Nativities.
It was wonderful to see all the many different nativities. We really liked the Brugge lace nativity, hand maid and beautiful!
Hawaiian Football
Every transfer cycle (6 weeks), the elders and sisters in our zone get together for a Stake P-day. They have fun and usually play games. This last Monday we held this stake p-day and played Hawaiian football. And of course, if you play Hawaiian football, then you have to have Hawaiian Haystacks for lunch.
View from our New Flat Bedroom Window
The Sunsets in England at this time of year are stunning!
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