I did not receive a "normal" letter from Chris. We were able to chat back and forth for a few minutes, and this is how that went:
Chris: We found 3 new people to teach. 8 member (lds) present with us to those lessons. 5 other lessons without members with us. Awesome week of teaching. Number one thing we are going to try and do this week is have the investigators to come to church. Me: Great. How's your foot (he's been in a walking boot for 2 months)
Chris: It's still connected to my leg
Me: can I get the whole week's info?
Him: Ugh - I hate writing the whole week out
Me: share a miracle you've witnessed this week
Him: I woke up on time every morning.
I guess this is not my week for a full update. Some weeks are like that.
JULY 14, 2014
So, yesterday, July 14, I was hoping for a better week of writing. Katy and I were back east in Palmyra, so I knew (time difference) that it would be 7pm or so before I heard from Chris. Well, 7pm came and went. 8pm came and went. I just assumed that he was off doing something fun for his P-day activity and maybe I'd hear on Tuesday.
At 9:00pm, I received an email from a man named Walter Parker with no subject. The body of the email said "Elder Udall's unfortunate tow" :-(
Now, I wondered if this was actually an unfortunate car situation or his toe, with a typo. I clicked on the email and found a most disgusting photo of Chris's toe. The picture is NOT for the faint hearted, but it's at the bottom for those who want to see.
Then, immediately after, I received a second note from Walter Parker that said:
Elder Udall also mentioned that he only had time to send one email today, but not to worry.
I wrote back to Walter Parker:
Um, so I'm not "worried", but is it possible to get some details about this?
Thanks so much,
Karen
Walter Parker:
Hi Karen,
7 sets of companion missionaries came over to the beach that is in front of where me and my wife live. On low tide, there are some mud flats that everyone loves to play "mud football" at. We helped clean up his toe as best as we could, but he still needed 7 stitches. If there is anything we can do just let me know.
Walter
Me:
Walter,
Thank you! I'm sure he had a great time, until the injury. That same toe has been damaged over and over. When you see him, please tell him I simply and strongly suggest that he keep it clean and take all of his antibiotics. I hope there are more photos. It's kinda cool looking. You can also tell him that his sister had to zoom in to see it closer and thought it was "sick!". We appreciate your help and the additional info! Thank you so much.
Karen
Walter:
You are very welcome. We will let him know your concerns. My wife has more photos and I will ask her to send them off to you soon.
Then, at 9:55pm, a letter from Chris:
Hey so I only have about 5 min to get on email and get off so we can get to dinner on time. We have had a crazy day. This morning we went to a member's house (the Parker's) where we ate lunch and played mud football. Mom you will receive all photos from that. But the most important part is that at the end of the game (I think) I got a pretty nice cut on my toe...guess which one!!!! YEP the right big toe!!!!!! :) Mom you prob got a email from brother Parker with a picture of it. No worries it doesn't look like that anymore. That is actually the reason I only have so little time is because I had to go to the urgent care and was there from 230 to 6! They were very urgent to get us in. Not. we waited awhile. 7 STITCHES!!!! :) She wrapped it before we could get a picture. I will make sure to snap one when I go back on Wednesday. Nothing to worry about.
2 things!
First - I am in the US where this kind of treatment is possible!
Second, I got a priesthood blessing and one thing he said was to have a speedy recovery to get back to the work and that the trial itself wasn't caused by God but that He will help me out of it and through it.
The doc came in and said that I will be healed and the stitches will be taken out probably in 12 to 14 days.
I do have to stay in the boot until then though! I love you all SOOOO much! I am sorry I didnt get time to write! LOVE YOU!!
LOVE,
Elder Udall
P.S. I am in good hands........specifically Jesus Christ's!
Now - is anyone besides Katy and I wonder WHY he wasn't in the boot to begin with!?!? Ahhh….20 year old elders are still just 20 year old boys.
Update 7/15/2014 -
Received a letter from Walter Parker's wife:
Here are mud football pictures as well as a few of your son playing with our 6 month old English Mastiff...as you can see he feels right at home here.
One of the awesome things is in photos 2.6, 2.7 and 2.8 where your son helped our special needs daughter score her first ever touchdown! We really appreciate how nice he is to our 10 year old son with autism and our developmentally delayed 19 year old daughter. We hope you enjoy the photos.
Update 7/15/2014 -
Received a letter from Walter Parker's wife:
Here are mud football pictures as well as a few of your son playing with our 6 month old English Mastiff...as you can see he feels right at home here.
One of the awesome things is in photos 2.6, 2.7 and 2.8 where your son helped our special needs daughter score her first ever touchdown! We really appreciate how nice he is to our 10 year old son with autism and our developmentally delayed 19 year old daughter. We hope you enjoy the photos.
PICTURE: WARNING…it's GRAPHIC!
