January 17 - Angels of Mercy

Today, January 17, 2015, is Laurel’s Birthday. So I hope she has a wonderful day, we are 9 hours ahead so she is just starting her day.

We have many things to report but I’ll just start with today.  Each trip out of the apartment is an adventure. In trying to locate a map of the city because we had just one such adventure. Brother Bullock asked 3 different men where the book store was. One man said, ‘Follow me’, as it seemed like a long way away, Carl said just tell me, we will find it.  The next man was much the same but in a different direction, the third the same, completely new directions. We walked around in a new part of town that is the oldest, looking much like VENICE or some cities in Spain. Very narrow walk ways and cobblestone paths (a different kind of cobblestone than the rest of Crotone with high walled buildings and doors opening right onto the walkway). 

Crotone is a city of hills so up and down the narrow paths we went. At times a challenge and fear of siding down the steep wet stones. By the way, when you see puddles, look up, laundry is drying.

The walls around the sea

Laundry day, no dryers here you hang everything up to dry, the spare room is the dryer!

After the adventure we found a policeman and he pointed to the area we should go, we found the map and it was free!

It was helpful to have been sidetracked earlier in the day because when Brother B drove to another area to pick up an Elder who’s companion went home today, I went with the Sisters to make visits. One sister lives in this very unique part of town. She is 85 and is maybe 4’ the sisters are 5’3” and 5’ 5” and they looked very tall next to her. We had an interesting discussion, the Sister repeated herself quite often. It was my first visit so didn’t know what to expect. She asked to say a prayer and after some 10 minutes and repeating and repeating one of the sisters ended the prayer and asked if she was well. Things quickly went worse. She has diabetes and she was going into shock. I hope you can see this picture of love in your mind, Sister Cluff knelt on the marble floor and hand feed her tiny teaspoons of milk with sugar and Sister Arnold held her hands and tried to claim and communicate with the sister. It was a 2 hour process to get her back on her feet. They had called her son, but because he ran a business and he was at the demanding hour, he gave instructions over the phone. I witnessed the sweetest, kindest and most tender love for this sister by these two angels. Sister Cluff cared for her grandmother with diabetes for a time and knew some of what could and should be done including giving her the shot. The sisters were gentle and patient and so in control I was completely unaware of the fear and concern they felt. When the sister was able to make sense, stand, walk, and saying she was fine, we left and that is when they turned pale with the strain of the events.

Brother B was looking for us and with no phone and no idea where we were he too was having a bit of a concern. I had the keys to the apartment and we were an hour and a half late. The day had a happy ending though, one sister saved, one elder delivered and the Lord in control!

Good byes, Elder in blue tie and the Sister in the blue blouse will be transferred.

(The Bullocks for once in their life look like short people next to these Elders!)