Santa Maria - a pretty, nice place!

Hi to all!  I am sitting here with an ice bag on my arm, then on my shoulder, then on my neck, then on my wrist, then start the whole process over again!  Ah what fun ~ I will explain shortly.

We went to Santa Maria to give the Career Workshop at the Stake Center there.  We had 26 people in our class!  It was fun to do, and fun to meet some good people!   One of the attendees was from a ward Sister Morris had been in 15 years ago!  It is funny how many people she knows, or knows that other people know.  I haven’t even tried to count the times this has happened!  I’ve known one or two people, and it is fun!

Here is a picture of the group.  I couldn’t fit everyone into the picture all at the same time as we had tables everywhere. 

The person who invited us, Brother David Marquis, is a member of the Stake High Council over employment in the Santa Maria Stake.  One of the counselors in the Stake Presidency attended the class and at the end, asked those there to evaluate the class, which they thought was great, (YAY!), then asked if it should be held again, and they all thought it should, and held quarterly was the consensus.   I don’t know about that!  We’ll have to talk with our acting manager and discuss things with the Santa Maria Stake too!  The Counselor didn’t come out and say WE were to come down quarterly, but we shall have to see what transpires.

Back to the arm – it turns out Brother Marquis is “David Marquis, DC” and a holder of Level 4 certification of laser therapy.  I snapped my fingers in class, trying to explain something, and boy!  did that kill my wrist!?!  So Brother Marquis, at lunch, asked what I had done that it would hurt to snap my fingers.  I gave a quick (me? quick?) synopsis of what had been going on.  He said he was a Dr. and he offered to take a look at my arm after the workshop.  I told him that would be great!

After class, he offered again, and I told him if he had the time, I would really appreciate it!  We drove to Arroyo Grande where his office is, and he started poking and pushing, like doctors always do, and found some really tender spots.  One of the problems with this is that there were tender spots all over my arm, in my shoulder, and in my neck!  The tendons all up and down my arm are inflamed, and the bones in my hand were stuck together.  My neck was out a bit, and the muscles in my arm had tension points, and my shoulder, front and back, was inflamed!  My arm was/is a real mess, and I didn’t even know it was that bad!  He did laser treatments on practically my whole arm, shoulder, and neck for 1-1/2 hours, and did some adjustments!  I felt really bad we were taking so much of his time, especially when we found out it was his son’s birthday!!!

He wouldn’t let me pay him. 

I said to him, “I don’t know how to even thank you!”  He said, “You just did!” 

It is so humbling to have people do such nice things for me.  It isn’t even ANYTHING I have done of myself – it is the name tag.  There are so many good people out there who will serve, and give love, and help however it is needed, especially to missionaries.

I am …. SO SORE! …. But with exercises, herbal muscle relaxers, and anti-inflammatories, I will feel 70% better in about 3-4 days!  He suggested I continue with physical therapy, or at least, have massage therapy.  I am grateful the Brother Drysdale in our ward here is so willing to have me keep coming.  I certainly will!  I can honestly say my wrist does not hurt like it did, as I can twist it, and move it up and down!  That is remarkable!  I am so blessed!  I see Heavenly Father’s hand in this; in having me meet Brother/DR. Marquis so he could help me.  There ARE no coincidences!  Heavenly Father’s plan for each of us is as intricately woven and put in place as is every fiber, muscle, tissue, and cell of our bodies.  He knows ALL things!  All things!  It is up to us to choose which way we will go – will we follow all that is good and right and put into place for us for our eternal good, or will we not?  Which way gives us the greater happiness?  We choose!

We went to the ocean on the way to Santa Maria – walked on the beach for a bit, got our feet wet and picked up some sand dollars!  We stopped and took some pictures of Morro Bay – and the big piece of rock out in the ocean!  It was cloudy at first, and in the 1st picture you can sort of see it, but then as we went further south, it cleared up, and we have a couple of good shots, but I will only put in one.

                      

You can kindof see the mound just straight across from this sentence.  If I could circle it, I would!

The rock at Morro Bay - pretty cool!

Isn't the ocean just beautiful! 

We ate dinner at Applebee’s in Santa Maria, and as we walked in, we saw the young Elder missionaries with their host, waiting to be seated.  This town is in the California Ventura mission!  They were very nice young men, and their host was a nice man, a convert of about 5 years. 

Church was good.  It just seemed a little weird to have an ice bag, but that was the only way I could survive it!  Things are much better this evening, so I am, again, blessed!  We went to temple prep class with Becky.  It was an interesting class time, with the Fall, the Plan of Salvation, etc. being discussed.  Britta invited our friend Becky over for dinner, so that was nice.  We all love Becky!

Time for bed!  I showed the pictures of our workshop at the office because we were asked to return and report.  I had to delete a few as we, both, had funny looks on our faces!

I am so grateful for the blessings I receive from Heavenly Father – for prayers offered in my behalf – for being able to bring my telephone and call people to see how they are, and to have help with recipes, quilts, faith, pride, and gospel questions!

It’s all good, everybody!  It really is!  May our Father bless you and keep you.  I pray for you, and thank you for the prayers offered in my behalf.  I do feel of the strength I receive from them.  Love, Sister Ure