Sister Lara Elizabeth Stewart: Blame the Chapstick.

First off Mom, can you send me that photo from Sister Jones? I didn't get to see it.

Also, if you thought last week's adventure was thrilling, just wait...

We were managing, we had planned the best day ever for Saturday. We all woke up on time, we got dressed, each of us studied for nearly the full hour. I went to grab a headband and when I came back to the room we were going to start companion study. Sister Ray borrowed Sister Eyre's new EOS brand chapstick she had just received for her birthday the day before, and when she was done she tossed it back. Well, Sister Eyre got it and dropped it in the same second because just as it made contact sharp pains streaked up her arm. Quickly her arm and hand began to swell. Sister Eyre began screaming at this freak occurrence and began going into shock. Sister Ray and I had no idea what was going on but we laid her down, covered her with a blanket, elevated her feet, and called our mission president's wife (she may have us on speed dial by now). She told us to take her to Urgent Care in Picayune, MS and so when Sister Eyre was out of shock off we drove. When the doctor finally saw her she asked Sister Eyre what she did because her face said it all. She had no idea what was going on. Today Sister Eyre woke up with now sharp back pains, sharp arm pains, and lots of nausea and still swollen. President McDonough got her an appointment to see a specialized doctor in Hattiesburg and we were off again. He said it was probably a pinched nerve and if it didn't heal in time to come see him again.

I keep saying it because it's the only thing that keeps me calm over everything that has happened to all the missionaries in Bogalusa:

BOGALUSA IS CURSED.

Now I don't know that for certain, but it feels better to say it.

Now the rest of the week:

1. As Mom and Dad already know, I got my ears pierced! I have been considering getting them pierced for a few months now and thought I should wait till I got home. But then I realized that if I got an infection it could be good to be around other people who have gotten their ears pierced and so while we were in Slidell we stopped by the Icing at the mall and now I have holes in my ears. At first it was really strange seeing them in the mirror, but now I'm in love with the extra sparkle they give my eyes. The only problem is they get tugged on by my towel whenever I'm drying my hair. S'ok, I'm happy and still infection free.

2. Sister Ray got an ultra sound. She's not pregnant, they took pictures of her gall balder. We haven't heard anything from the doctor yet so hopefully everything is ok.

3. I broke a spoon eating ice cream. Now we have all broke a fundamental utensil in our house. Sister Eyre: fork, Sister Ray: knife, and me: spoon.

4. We celebrated Sister Eyre's 20th birthday. Yay! With no casualties... till the next day. It ended up being a super emotional day but I met Sequa! The Siamese cat that lives on our back porch. We named it from the movie "The Testaments" (watch it, it's a good movie).

5. I killed a 2 inch long roach on our fireplace. No joke. (*See photo). It was disgusting.

6. I made BBQ ribs, they were delicious.

7. We had dinner with a less actives family on Memorial Day. They made BBQ including ribs, yum. A water fight was involved but mostly I just helped fill the water balloons. I'm good at that, right, Heather?

8. I finished the Book of Mormon! It's the first time I've read it through on my mission and the 2nd time in my life. I've set a goal to read it once more through before my mission is over. I have 4 months. Anyone wanna read along with me?

I love the Book of Mormon so much. It gives so much insight to life, God's plan, my purpose, and a TON of peace. I always feel calmer after reading. The end of the Book of Mormon was sad because of the devastation of the Nephites but Moroni 10, the last chapter is very reassuring and comforting as Moroni challenges us to read and to pray for truth and to Come unto Christ. How have you chosen to come unto Christ today? We should be reaching out to him every day!

I'm praying you all are safe and well, I'm pretty fantastic (thought I can't say the same for my companions). Love you all!

Sister "Stewy" Stewart