Personal Journal
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March 18, 1998 Mathew J. Stucki Page 1
I am impressed to write in my journal this evening and include my tender feelings of gratitude and love of my Heavenly Father. Today, I learned the tremendous value and importance of a ward family and a lesson regarding the practical blessings of being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
This morning, the family members woke and arose from their beds to get ready for church. Everyone cooperated such that we were able to arrive at church well ahead of the beginning of the meeting. We met friends and ward members in the parking lot and hallways and greeted them warmly. Moving into the chapel, the family found a place to sit, and the Marsden family joined us on that row. Our two families filled the entire pew. I was sitting next to Jim and two of his children he held on his lap and shook hands with each and conveyed my pleasure in seeing them. The Anacortes Ward is growing so.
Melanie came and sat on my lap. We joined the congregation sang an opening song and bowed our heads in prayer. Then with very little warning and after nearly three years of being seizure free, I experienced a grand mall seizure. Of course, at this point I was only partially conscious of what was happening around me. Still holding Melanie, I tipped over and fell to the floor. Arleen Hansen later told me that I continued clutching Melanie as though protecting her best I could, who despite the commotion remained calm.
I recall a voice asking if it was all right for them to take me out into the foyer. Although the fleeting thought crossed my mind that this would reduce my privacy and increase the likelihood of becoming a spectacle, I must have given permission for this to happen because members who had gathered around to help stood me up and tried to help me walk to the foyer. I didn’t have reliable control of my legs at this point, so I think they pretty much carried me to the foyer couch.
When I was placed on the couch, I felt much more comfortable and no longer was concerned about embarrassment. Someone called the paramedics, and another suggested that I be given a priesthood blessing. Bro. Don Bowker (ward mission leader) anointed me will oil, and Pres. Dave Meeker (Elder’s quorum) sealed the anointing and gave me a blessing. Both these men are dear friends and uplifting persons. I am very fortunate they honor their priesthood and live righteous lives that they can come to my aid when I am in need of assistance.
Soon the paramedics arrived. They were kind and professional. They began checking my vitals and asking questions regarding the incident. I was placed on a gurney and rushed to the Island Hospital. Linda came with me, Sis. Arlene Hansen followed along in her car to comfort and support Linda. Others in the ward comforted the children. Their friends came to offer support and love. Steven particularly took the incident hard, and friends gathered around him to offer encouragement and comfort that all would be well.
When we arrived at the Hospital, doctors and nurses continued checking me and asking questions regarding my health history. A blood sample was drawn to check my dilantin level. The results showed a level of 3, rather than the recommended 10-15. They administered an intervenous version of dilantin directly in the IV in my arm, following which I began feeling better and gaining strength quickly.
Arlene stayed by Linda’s side and comforted her. She expressed her love and appreciation for our family. Various sisters came to the hospital to encourage me and strengthen Linda. We felt a great outpouring of love and support from our ward family, which was welcome and needed, particularly in the absence of immediate family members. We spent about two-and-a-half hours in the hospital. Arlene drove us back to the church to gather the children and collect our things. When we arrived, Linda asked me if I wanted to go in or remain in the car. I felt impressed to go on into the church and thank those who had come to my assistance.
Everyone was so accepting and sincerely offered their love and support. The children had been invited to spend the day at friends and eagerly accepted the invitations. I thanked all those I could and expressed my love and appreciation for their acceptance and support. Primary children had made get-well cards for me in their primary classes. Some were adorned with pictures, and the older children included kind get-well messages. All were made in the spirit of love. I read each one with joy.
I was touched by the love and kind words that the children expressed in their get-well cards. I felt impressed to share a story with them next week to express my love and thanks for them. Leprosy was a devastating disease and those who we afflicted were outcast and rejected. When Jesus went to Jerusalem, He passed through Samaria and Galilee. Ten lepers came to Him and said “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” The Savior had compassion on the lepers and instructed them to go show themselves to the priests. As they obeyed Jesus’, they were healed. Of course, they were overjoyed at their good fortune, but only one turned back and gave thanks. Jesus answered him saying “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?”
Linda drove me home, and I rested in bed. I began second-guessing whether I had really taken my medicine or not the previous night, but when I checked my dispenser at home, it showed that I had. Why my dilantin level was so low, I know not, but the outpouring of love and acceptance by church members gave the family great strength in our time of need. The children were already at their friends, so when the Relief Society sisters brought over a home-cooked meal, the two of us ate together. Bottles of homemade applesauce and jam were included with a note of love and support. Linda later went to choir and again the ward offered their service and support to comfort and help her.
Returning home later that evening, the family ate the dinner the ward had delivered and then gathered in my room to talk about the events of the day.
of
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March 18, 1998 Mathew J. Stucki Page 1
I am impressed to write in my journal this evening and include my tender feelings of gratitude and love of my Heavenly Father. Today, I learned the tremendous value and importance of a ward family and a lesson regarding the practical blessings of being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
This morning, the family members woke and arose from their beds to get ready for church. Everyone cooperated such that we were able to arrive at church well ahead of the beginning of the meeting. We met friends and ward members in the parking lot and hallways and greeted them warmly. Moving into the chapel, the family found a place to sit, and the Marsden family joined us on that row. Our two families filled the entire pew. I was sitting next to Jim and two of his children he held on his lap and shook hands with each and conveyed my pleasure in seeing them. The Anacortes Ward is growing so.
Melanie came and sat on my lap. We joined the congregation sang an opening song and bowed our heads in prayer. Then with very little warning and after nearly three years of being seizure free, I experienced a grand mall seizure. Of course, at this point I was only partially conscious of what was happening around me. Still holding Melanie, I tipped over and fell to the floor. Arleen Hansen later told me that I continued clutching Melanie as though protecting her best I could, who despite the commotion remained calm.
I recall a voice asking if it was all right for them to take me out into the foyer. Although the fleeting thought crossed my mind that this would reduce my privacy and increase the likelihood of becoming a spectacle, I must have given permission for this to happen because members who had gathered around to help stood me up and tried to help me walk to the foyer. I didn’t have reliable control of my legs at this point, so I think they pretty much carried me to the foyer couch.
When I was placed on the couch, I felt much more comfortable and no longer was concerned about embarrassment. Someone called the paramedics, and another suggested that I be given a priesthood blessing. Bro. Don Bowker (ward mission leader) anointed me will oil, and Pres. Dave Meeker (Elder’s quorum) sealed the anointing and gave me a blessing. Both these men are dear friends and uplifting persons. I am very fortunate they honor their priesthood and live righteous lives that they can come to my aid when I am in need of assistance.
Soon the paramedics arrived. They were kind and professional. They began checking my vitals and asking questions regarding the incident. I was placed on a gurney and rushed to the Island Hospital. Linda came with me, Sis. Arlene Hansen followed along in her car to comfort and support Linda. Others in the ward comforted the children. Their friends came to offer support and love. Steven particularly took the incident hard, and friends gathered around him to offer encouragement and comfort that all would be well.
When we arrived at the Hospital, doctors and nurses continued checking me and asking questions regarding my health history. A blood sample was drawn to check my dilantin level. The results showed a level of 3, rather than the recommended 10-15. They administered an intervenous version of dilantin directly in the IV in my arm, following which I began feeling better and gaining strength quickly.
Arlene stayed by Linda’s side and comforted her. She expressed her love and appreciation for our family. Various sisters came to the hospital to encourage me and strengthen Linda. We felt a great outpouring of love and support from our ward family, which was welcome and needed, particularly in the absence of immediate family members. We spent about two-and-a-half hours in the hospital. Arlene drove us back to the church to gather the children and collect our things. When we arrived, Linda asked me if I wanted to go in or remain in the car. I felt impressed to go on into the church and thank those who had come to my assistance.
Everyone was so accepting and sincerely offered their love and support. The children had been invited to spend the day at friends and eagerly accepted the invitations. I thanked all those I could and expressed my love and appreciation for their acceptance and support. Primary children had made get-well cards for me in their primary classes. Some were adorned with pictures, and the older children included kind get-well messages. All were made in the spirit of love. I read each one with joy.
I was touched by the love and kind words that the children expressed in their get-well cards. I felt impressed to share a story with them next week to express my love and thanks for them. Leprosy was a devastating disease and those who we afflicted were outcast and rejected. When Jesus went to Jerusalem, He passed through Samaria and Galilee. Ten lepers came to Him and said “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” The Savior had compassion on the lepers and instructed them to go show themselves to the priests. As they obeyed Jesus’, they were healed. Of course, they were overjoyed at their good fortune, but only one turned back and gave thanks. Jesus answered him saying “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?”
Linda drove me home, and I rested in bed. I began second-guessing whether I had really taken my medicine or not the previous night, but when I checked my dispenser at home, it showed that I had. Why my dilantin level was so low, I know not, but the outpouring of love and acceptance by church members gave the family great strength in our time of need. The children were already at their friends, so when the Relief Society sisters brought over a home-cooked meal, the two of us ate together. Bottles of homemade applesauce and jam were included with a note of love and support. Linda later went to choir and again the ward offered their service and support to comfort and help her.
Returning home later that evening, the family ate the dinner the ward had delivered and then gathered in my room to talk about the events of the day.
