Is There a Doctor in the House?

I failed to mention in the last blog that a crown on my tooth just came off.  I had just popped a piece of candy into my mouth and suddenly I felt two pieces.  One had no flavor.  You can probably guess what that was. 

That happened a week ago last Monday afternoon at lunch.  I felt fortunate to find a dentist to glue it back on that same day.  I really felt fortunate to know he was Scottish and, obviously, spoke English.  I was happy with the experience.  That is until last Sunday.  We got out of church and were having lunch.  Again, the crown just came off again.

Monday morning I was on the phone calling the dentist, hoping he would fix it for free since it didn't seem to have been properly glued.  Well, this is vacation time in Europe.  That means that most people leave for 2-4 weeks and travel.  Yep, you guessed it.  The dentist office is closed for the next two weeks.

We talked to some other missionary couples and found a name of another dentist.  He took me in and, as of yesterday, everything seems fine.  The dentist told me that he used the strongest glue he had.  This dentist is German, but he spoke fairly good English.

Last Thursday we visited a chiropractor.  It is a little scary not knowing who is good and who isn't.  I've been to some chiropractors who did more harm than good.  Well, the Lord was really looking after us.  This guy was not only good, he was very thorough.  Most chiropractors focus only on the back. He checked my arms and legs, also.  Diane is now scheduled to see him in a couple of days. Oh, by the way, he is from California.

We've been working as closely with the young missionaries as we can and inviting investigators to be taught in our apartment.  We were even fortunate to have one guy, who was born in the Ukraine, come to dinner with the Elders.  He has talked with the missionaries in the past and is being taught by these elders.

Beginning of the 5-K

Coming up to the finish line.                   Two seconds later.

Saturday morning was the annual senior missionary 5-K.  Some of the church employees joined us.  It was called a 5-K run, but most of us walked.  Diane and I stayed in the rear the entire way until the last 10 feet.  Then a couple of Elders stopped to let us through so they could take the glory of being the last.  ("But many that are first shall be last and the last shall be first" - Matthew 19:30.  I don't think this applies here.) 

Just before stepping over the finish line, I acted like I was gasping for breath after a hard run.

5-K participants

Between October and November about seven missionary couples will be leaving back home and seven new couples will be coming in.  This will happen again in May of next year.  Diane and I have learned that most senior missionary couples only come for 18 months, instead of the 23 months we are serving.  There are couples coming in now who will be leaving before we do.