Elder Coburn's Arm is Out of Socket!!!

Elder Dustin Thelander
Sep 28, 2015
4 min read

On Monday, September 28, 2015 12:31 PM, Dustin Thelander <dustin.thelander@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Well, a week ago today we were having a fun time as a zone playing volleyball. I happen to love volleyball, so I was super excited. It was about 15 min into our game and on about the 10th point when Elder Coburn went up for a spike. It was a bit out of his reach, and straining to hit the ball, he heard a pop. He is all too familiar with this noise as he has dislocated his shoulder before. It was again out, and the zone went into overdrive to attempt to help. We called around to everyone we knew with medical experience, but due to legality issues none could do it at the church. We finally decided to make an ER visit. This was after about 30 min- the whole time he is in a great deal of pain. Then we discovered he had left his wallet with his insurance cards at the apartment, so we had to backtrack to get there. Every turn and bump the car hit was causing pain. So we finally get to the ER and get all of his info put in. After 45 min, and watching people with the blessed sniffles go in before him he was helped. So at this point the arm has been out of socket for about 2 hours. Then they needed to get x-rays to make sure the bone was all intact. Finally, they began with the process of putting it back in. Luckily for Elder Coburn, they heavily sedated him, and he doesn't remember a thing... But I do. As missionaries, we don't leave sight or hearing of your companion, so I was by his side the whole time. The doctor, who was pretty funny, came in and with the help of a nurse literally tugged and pulled with all of his might. He did this three times then said, "ok I got it on this one". He gave one last tug, all the while Elder Coburn is moaning, and then I heard a rip and a pop, and it was back in. The look of relief on his face was fantastic. We spent a total of threeish hours there to wait for the drugs to wear off, then we were on our way. A super cool miracle happened though while we were leaving. A man had just been wheeled in by the EMT's and he just looked and said "Elders?". He had been a memeber at some point, but had fallen away and is a heavy drinker. He asked for a blessing, and I was able to give one to him. The look of thanks on the man's face was heart melting. I probably won't see this man ever again, but I'll never forget the day I gave him a blessing in the hospital. We now joke that Elder Coburn had to dislocate his shoulder so we could meet this guy. A painful price to pay.

The next day we were confined to the apartment. The mission nurse didn't want us to leave, so it was a bit of a drag. I read a whole book on the history of the church and watched the Testaments a couple of times. It was really good. Elder Coburn was sleeping most of the time as his medication makes him really tired. That night I went on splits with Elder Bentley and taught Pam and Larry Campbell. They are really progressing well. This lesson was the Word of Wisdom. It is really just a guideline to a good and healthy body. Pam already lives it, so that was no issue at all. Then we went and taught one of the other elder's investigators.

This week we weren't able to meet with Paul, Mikalah, or Devin. Paul was sick and then they were down in the valley for the weekend. It was a bummer, but we still think we can get them ready for an October 17th baptism. Pam is now for sure good for that date, she has been to church enough, taught all but two of the lessons, and is really excited for it. She was at church with Larry which was amazing. They had a great time, and they heard some really good talks in sacrament meeting. We also this week got to meet with a few of our recent converts. Juan and Jocelyn and top notch. They are at church every week, and in two weeks Juan is getting the Aaronic Priesthood. It will be so good to have a priesthood holder in their home. Then we met with Bill Jenson. He is the words busiest man, and he made it to church as well this week. He has a 7 year old son who he loves so much. It was really great to hear him talk about him with so much love. Then there is Cole Greathouse. He was baptized 4ish weeks ago, and we got to travel to the YSA ward in our area to participate in ordaining him to the Aaronic Priesthood.

In other news, since Elder Coburn hurt his shoulder, it is impossible for him to ride a bike.... So we got a car. This was, unfortunately, at the expense of the sisters that live super close to us. So now we have their car, and they have our bikes. We feel like monsters, and Elder Coburn is trying to heal extra fast so we can get the sisters their car back. It is nice though to have a car- we can visit a lot more people in a shorter amount of time. I love you all so much and miss you like crazy. Oh, and general conference is this weekend!!!!!!!! I am so excited to hear from our prophet, and to see who the new general authorities will be. If any of you have questions about our church, please watch this conference. It is amazing how the words these men of God speak can touch each of us in the way that we need it too.

Love,

Elder Thelander