January 7, 2013 Strengthening a Weakness

Elder Bryce and Elder DeFigueiredo

Elder DeFigueiredo, Cristofer, Gabi and Elder Bryce

Elder Bryce and Elder Leonardo in Paleca with the Diaz family

Dear Family,


Well, to start off, my hip has been bothering me. Actually a lot. It has been getting progressively worse. I can't do my exercises because it hurts really bad. Well, I can do one of them. I did get to go to a physical therapist and he said that the ligaments and joints were swollen in my hip. However, I am wondering if it is also contributed with arthitis. The doctor said that the streaking was nothing to worry about, so that's that case with that. Yeah, my hip really hurts to walk, sit, and lay down, but life goes on. It feels a lot better lying down, but I can't do that all day. The physical therapist put me on some medication, celebra (for inflammation) and mio-citalgan (a muscle relaxant). I just hope that there aren't any side effects with these medications. We are hoping that this will help. We don't know what the cause of the pain is from, but I don't think it is a rotated hip. The other day I had Elder Defigueiredo check my level without doing anything to get it in line, and he said I was off like a 1/16 of an inch. So, that is the story of the hip problems. Just taking it one day at a time. We are going to see if the medicine works and also how the physical therapy goes this next week.

Well, I did get to meet with Carlos on the New Year. He is really great. He drove an hour and 15 minutes to bring my package. I felt really bad and tried to reward him, but he refussed. He told me that we (our family) were part of his family now, and I really feel the same way. He is a really great man, and I hope that all goes well with him and his family.

I thank you for the package. I really enjoyed the stuff. I love the ties! They are super cool. I thank you so much for everything.

Well, we have been trying to work the best we can this past week. It has been really difficult though with my hip problems, but oh well, life goes on and the work continues. I just hope that I don`t have to have surgery or anything like that.

Well, I am really enjoying the weather here. It is nice and warm, and sometimes really hot. I thank you for the scriptures too, they really touched me. That was really nice to hear about the story of Hermana Glazier and Elder Leonardo. They are really great. I honestly miss Elder Leonardo. He was a really great companion. I pray and hope that I will be able to be his companion again, but the will of the Father first. I really like my companion now. He is a lot like me, as I have come to find out. He has had some really challenging companions but he is a really great missionary.

Well, I thank you all for the prayers and everything that you have done for me. I hope that we can solve this problem soon. President gave me a blessing today during our interviews, and it was really nice. It helped comfort me. This is just one mountain that I am going to need to climb. The Lord knows our abilities and what we can overcome. I hope that He will be with me every step of the way. Like it says in Ether 12:27, the Lord gives us weaknesses so that we will humble ourselves before Him. Then, if we humble ourselves, our weaknesses will become our strengths. My health has always been my weakness. I just hope that the Lord will continue to help me, as long as I put my trust and faith in Him. 

I love you guys so much and I hope that all is well at home. That is really sad about Uncle Jerry. I will definetly start praying for him. May we continue forward in the strength of the Lord.


Love,

Elder Bryce Rodney Hales

Messaging back and forth:

Hey Mom. At first I was really, well, frustrated a little that you talked to Hermana Glazier about my hip. But, I realize now that it is for my own good. I am also grateful that I told you a little bit about what was going on. I mean, if you didn't talk to her, I probably would have just kept on pushing through, being stubborn as I am. My hip has been hurting for several weeks, but it was bearable. Now, it is really getting bad. I started my exercises as soon as you sent them. But I couldn't do them without it feeling like a knife was getting stabbed in my hip. We are going to do all that we can to work things out here. However, I don't want you to worry. Everything will work out. Everything is in the Lord's hands. He knows what this trial is for. So once again, thanks for talking to Hermana Glazier.

So, today I told Hermana Glazier about basically my whole health career. I only can visit the PT for 3 visits, and I've already spent one of these. So, I think that they are going to have me go to him for 2 more times and see how I improve. After this, if I don't have signs of improvement, I will be going to a different doctor to find out what to do from there. However, if I need to have a lengthy amount of time for PT, or anything like that, I will be coming home.  I will do whatever is required of me.

Symptoms:

Sitting and lying down it is a burning feeling. Also when I walk. But it also has quick sharp pains as I walk. The streaking is on the sides of my hip to the rear area. Sorry I didn't say anything earlier. I just thought it was something natural and that it would go away. I also thought that it was just because I wasn't level. But apparently it is something different. Or at least I think it is. It also hurts straight down to the core of my joints. My hips have been popping and cracking and stuff a lot more lately. Also my shoulders. Man, can I just say that I am excited for the Resurrecion (I can't remember how to spell it in English!). To have a perfect body without any problems.

We will just take it one day at a time. I hope that this feeling and thought is just me, but we will see. So, the area that hurts, is basically my whole hip area and my lower back. The purple areas are more on the right side of my hip than on the left, but they are just little streaks and in random places. I knew that the streaking couldn't be good, but being the stubborn self I am, didn't say anything. But, the doctor said it is nothing to worry about.

Yes, Hermana Glazier is really amazing. She has really helped me a ton. Well, I think that I need to go. I love you a ton and I hope that all is well at home. We will keep working down here and try to get this problem solved. I love you so much.


Love,
Elder Bryce Hales


I love my little toots. She is really great. Tell her thanks for the prayers, and that I love her too.

Elder Matthew T. Hales


What is happenin my brother? Well, this week has been a really challenging week. I have been having hip stuff going on you know, and it has been really difficult. However, we have continued to work hard. But not as hard as before unfortunately. I thank you for the Spiritual insites, they have really helped. Yeah, the lessons that you learn on the mission are amazing. Well my brother, I thank you for everything that you have done for me. I pray that everything goes well at home and that you have a great time. Learn to enjoy life, so you don't have any regrets. Just like President Uchtdorf's talk. Well, I love you a lot and will talk to you later!


Seamos fieles, pues!


Elder Bryce Rodney Hales


Yo Tyguy!
Well, everything here is going alright. As you know, I am having some problems with my hips, but nothing that can't be healed. That is awesome that you went on your first date! You'll have to tell me about it. Yeah, I can't wait till you have Video Productions too. It is one of the best classes ever! You'll love it. Just make sure you get your projects in on time, unlike me and Matt. Well, bro, I love you a ton and I hope that everything goes well at home. Keep up the great work and learn to enjoy working too, You'll need it for your mission.
Love,


Elder Bryce Rodney Hales