sister "happy" bunker

we have an elder serving in our mission from wallsburg, utah (where is that?). his name is addison taylor. we have a couple of elders with the last name taylor. this one got dubbed with the nickname "happy". i guess he has never had a bad day in his life! outstanding. while we were at zone conferences this week, i heard jon ask the other elder taylor if he was elder "happy" taylor. he smiled and said, "no". they all know who he is. the next day, we met the famous elder "happy" taylor. as i got home that night, i thought, maybe a good goal for myself would be to try to become sister "happy" bunker. no whining, no complaining, never another bad day in my life. we'll see how that goes...i just got out of bed! jon got quite a kick out of it when i nicknamed myself. i didn't understand his hysteria :(.

what a week. what a totally great week. i can't believe how the Lord can bless you when you are doing His work!

tuesday we woke up early and headed for napa for my first zone conference ever. it was great! the Spirit was great. i loved every minute. while i was sitting through those four hours, i kept having the urge to cough. no big deal, just coughing for no good reason. we left quickly afterward and headed to fairfield for my second zone conference ever. another great meeting. again the Spirit was great! president was on his game! the temperature outside was close to 110 degrees. the older folks out in the parking lot checking the elders cars were dying. one sister definitely got heat stroke. we got home about 8pm. still coughing.

wednesday morning we woke up early, and headed for my third zone conference ever. it was great! still not bored, enjoying every minute, totally committed to our purpose! cough is getting a lot worse today. i don't sound so good. again, take off pretty quickly so we can drive another hour to ukiah to interview that zone. while president is interviewing, i am chatting with the elders and sisters, checking their planners, asking about their investigators, getting a run down on their health, seeing if they are getting along with their companions, finding out about their families. president comes in to complain that i am too chatty! can you believe it! we are all scared of him, so we break it up, and they hustle on to their interview. drive home another hour, it's around 8:30, i feel sick. really sick. the cough sounds like i am trying to cough up my lungs. president puts me to bed, tells me i can't come tomorrow, i'll infect everyone, and i feel bad.

thursday, send president off with instructions on birthday cookies, setting tables, taking pictures, and writing checks for those who have provided meals. sound horrible. go to the doctor. it is a virus. he says if i don't kiss them or share drinking glasses, and be smart, i won't infect them. so i take off for ukiah, so i can be there to interview/chat with the lakeport zone. i really feel like it is my only chance for a while. next conference/interviews hailey will be here needing me. they all think i am a warrior because i came even though i wasn't feeling well. who am i? actually, the only time i feel good is when i am with the missionaries. it's better than feeling sick! finish interviews around five, grab a bite to eat, president goes to some stake meetings. leave for eureka around 8:30. i am S.I.C.K. it is a three hour (at least) drive. get in about 11:30. feel like i have been hit by a mac truck.

friday, start fifth zone conference at 8. again, it is wonderful. president has mellowed a little. not sure if the Spirit is moving him that way or if he is just tired. :) i think this particular group of missionaries are very motivated. maybe they don't need the other speeches about being "men" and "giving it everything they have" and having "no regrets" when it is time to leave. a great meeting about our purpose, practice inviting people to be baptized, hear some testimonies. all is well! eureka zone interviews. leave the church around 5-5:30, head for home. home around 10. i still sound like my lungs might come out in pieces. cold starts going to my head...ohhh the joys of a virus. advil has been my best friend.

note about interviews: president interviews each elder and sister each transfer (or every six weeks). we have 157 missionaries. 157 X 15 minute interviews. you do the math. scary amount of time, plus the driving to and from. (sort of freaks a person out if they think about it!)

saturday, p-day. can't sleep. body won't let me. work to clear my desk, inbox, lots of things, ALL day. get direct tv installed. getting ready for rebel basketball (mountain channel). first things first!

i am exhausted. totally spent. in a really good way! tomorrow we drive an hour and a half to a 9am sacrament meeting. we are meeting elder trythall there. he is our area authority. then we drive over to fairfield for an interview and i don't know what after that. i think i better head to bed. life is good.

now, if i can just get over this virus...
i know. i have to take the "happy" off the bunker...
too much complaining. bummer!
maybe i can try again tomorrow.
before i get out of bed :).