Fort Collins - Week 13

Hello Everyone!

So this has been a hard week for Elder Shearer. We actually went to a chiropractor who had us go and get x-rays that night to see if it would be safe to do any adjustments. We took care of that; had a slow day Tuesday and on Wednesday we went back in for an adjustment. That all goes well but a few hours later Elder Shearer is in horrible pain and we don't know why. The chiropractor calls that afternoon and says that he took a better look at the x-rays and thinks he saw something. He double checked with a radiologist we confirmed that he has a fracture in his spine. At our Mission President's orders, the chiropractor sets up a CT scan at the hospital within the hour. It was weird actually being a patient rather than a visitor, the receptionist was pulling out the book of patients listed by their religion like she usually did before we said we needed to check in. Thursday, Elder Shearer is still stiff and in pain so I don’t remember doing much that day. Friday is when the chiropractor gives his opinion which has since been proven false. Anyway he said things like Elder Shearer wouldn’t be able to run long distance ever again, that his dreams of running a marathon and an ironman were shot and that surfing back in California would be painful. You can imagine how that went over. Well after all this we visit a real orthopedic doctor who calms all of Elder Shearer's fears. So it has been an interesting week.

Well I can say I loved watching conference and I think I took more notes than I ever remember taking before. I learned a lot and we even got some investigators to come to some of the sessions. Also we hear about transfers this week and its starting to look like Elder Shearer will need to be moved to a car area so it looks like I might remain in my greeny area for another 6 weeks. Either way I still love the people that live here and it has been so much fun. I can’t wait for us to get back on our feet and get back to work. I love being a missionary and I am so thankful for every blessing I receive. Thank you for all your support!       

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-Elder Peterson

Fort Collins - week 12

Okay, this has been a pretty intense week. We have been out of commission for most of the weekend because Elder Shearer got hit by a car! He is perfectly okay right now besides the whiplashes in his back so don’t worry. Well last Thursday we were at a crosswalk and we were waiting for the signal to cross. We did exactly what we were supposed to and we even waited for a few seconds before we hopped on our bikes and started to cross. Well this was a bigger street with five lanes and the middle was a turning lane. Anyway the cars in the first lane to our right had stopped and Elder Shearer was proceeding when this little old lady in the second lane was running the red light. She didn’t see the light, didn't see the lane of stopped cars next to her, but luckily saw Elder Shearer at the last second. She hit her brakes which gave Elder Shearer just enough time to get his body out of the way of the car. She did however clip his back wheel and sent him spinning on a full 360 off to the side of her car. I was behind Elder Shearer and the 90 year old lady when right between us. She eventually comes to that a stop in the middle of the intersection.

So you can imagine the first thing that went through my mind as I heard the collision. "Oh crap, my companion is dead" pretty much sums that up. Well luckily that thought only lasts less than a second since he lands on his feet pretty much standing on his fallen bike. I suddenly realize how crowded the intersection is and look toward the trembling old lady who can barely speak after all that happened. I felt pretty bad for her but I’m so happy that the whole thing wasn’t a lot worse.

Later that day we marveled at how blessed we are. If Elder Shearer did move as fast as he did he could have taken the full blow of the car. If I had been a couple feet closer I would have had a similar fate. Elder Shearer's bike just needed a couple pieces replaced and is still in good working order. All that he is dealing with now is the whiplash in his back and the 24 hour flu he had on Saturday. Yeah, I felt really bad for him because he was drugged up, with back pains and throwing up with a fever. I did start teaching myself to play the piano with my days off. I can now read from the simplified Hymnbook without looking at my fingers! I even got to go on some exchanges and teach a lesson to an investigator with a member.

 Okay back to our blessings. Elder Shearer said "I’m so glad we said a prayer this morning" and I felt the same way. We are blessed beyond what i we can actually imagine and I know that. I love being a missionary and being able to be a servant of the lord. I love all the great things I get to do and all the people I am able to serve. I miss you all and I hope you have a great week!   

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-Elder Peterson