So
the beginning of the week we did lots of finding and teaching. The
amount of people we're meeting with here is very comparable to some of
my most successful transfers in that aspect. It's been wild. Especially
because the size of this town is comparable to Melville and I think we
can all say Elder Mikesell probably taught 3 lessons there. BUT,
anyways, That was the beginning of the week. I'm finally getting the
hang of getting around Ghetto Lake. (Sidenote on Meadow Lake: the
nickname I have for it I'm realizing is apt for what it's like. I don't
think there's a section of road here that doesn't have a hole in it or
have dirt trying to fill up a hole. It's rough on the car. (there are
other factors in this but this is one of the most prominent))
Moving
on. One of the wildest things happened this week. To really give the
full import it needs some back story. About a year ago. Elder Tippets
and Peck decided they were going to go out on the back roads to trackt.
While doing this they found Walter (I don't usually use people actual
names but, I'm going to be attaching a news story that has his name)
When they found him it seems like they became good friends with him or
something along the lines because they told us down in Battleford all
about him. Fast forward 8 months. He's been in the hospital this entire
time because when Tippets and Peck found him he had a mechanical heart.
That got infected and he miraculously was able to get a heart
transplant. Thus, being in the hospital for more than six months.
Anyways Elder Peck told me I needed to go find him. And so we did. He
had gotten out of the hospital not too long before then. It was almost
coincidental. But, Shout out to Elder Thompson, it turns out its a
Godcidence. Because not only had I caught him right as soon as I got
back to the area and he miraculously survived. But, I found out on Sunday
from a members mother Who Usually Isn't In Town but was because of a
unknown allergic reaction. He had been worked on by her to look at the
church. Coincidence? Nay nay Godcidence? Yea yea.
Now
for the Natives doing native things. One of the big things we do here
in Meadow Lake is do service for this lady that is the mother of a
member here. She is very native and still is fluent in her native Cree
language. But, Anyways we went up to her land in Waterhen F.N. and
helped out with whatever she needed help with. This time it was
repairing roads. I suddenly had much more of an appreciation for ancient
civilizations that built roads out of rock. They didn't have a truck
and all the fancy things that help us now to repair and build roads. So a
lot of that day was spent taking 5 truck loads of old Sweat lodge rocks
and dropping them in muddy tracks so that it wouldn't be so mushy. It
was good hard work.
The next day she invited
us to a Sundance feast. For those of you who don't know what that is. I
didn't either. But, I now know. Basically there's a few Sundance feasts
that happen from winter to summer before the Sundances happen. At the
feast you sit in rows males with males and females with females with all
the Elders sitting together. (not us Elders. Native Elders) And while
you're sitting on your mat, or as a lot of them brought: couch cushions,
you get a bunch of food placed in front of you by these guys who come
around with their big pot of whatever they have or with bannock pieces.
And you just eat and eat. it was nice. But, after that's all over they
get out the drums and sing for each Elder there. They would sing the
same 4 or 5 songs and each Elder in turn would lead them. I forgot to
mention. While this is all happening they've got sweat grass burning
like incense and the peace pipes are going around. For those, like us,
who don't smoke we just touched the mouth part to our chest around the
heart area. So after that I was smelling like a Native for sure. It was a
good time. We were pretty lucky to get invited to that because I don't
think there was a single member there. It was an interesting
experience.
I think this is all I've got time for. But, thank you all for your support. I love you all.
love, Elder Mikesell
https://northernprideml.com/2017/03/heart-recipient-heading-home/
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