Stomach flu outbreak sickens 250 at Provo MTC

So many sick missionaries!  Here is a report from KSL channel 5:  You can see the link HERE.

"PROVO — A suspected stomach flu that hit LDS missionaries in the Missionary Training Center has been nearly contained, Utah County health officials said Thursday.

Lance Madigan, spokesman for the Utah County Health Department, said samples are being processed and the department should know Friday exactly what is ailing the sick missionaries, preparing to serve around the world for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The health department suspects an outbreak of Norovirus, an extremely contagious and fast-moving virus with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and sometimes fever, Madigan said. Many people who believe they have caught the "24-hour flu" have actually contracted Norovirus, he said.

"People (with Norovirus) are just really sick for 24 to 48 hours," he said. "Once it passes the system they get over it and recover rather quickly."

Approximately 20 cases were initially reported to the health department by the MTC's clinic on Dec. 31, jumping to nearly 140 the next day, Madigan said. The number of missionaries being treated was down to about 20 as of Thursday night.

Scott Trotter, spokesman for the LDS Church, said approximately 250 missionaries were affected over several days. The MTC is working to prevent the illness from spreading, and all missionaries must be well before traveling to their assigned missions.

"Sick individuals are being treated by skilled doctors and are receiving the best care available. The MTC is taking steps to keep others from getting sick," Trotter said. "MTC officials continue to emphasize precautionary measures for staff, teachers and missionaries such as hand washing, proper hygiene and limiting contact with others."

Norovirus is easily spread, making a community like the MTC a perfect target, Madigan said.

"It takes very little of the virus to actually pass on and make another person ill," he said. "People all kind of congregate in the same areas, eat in the same place and it's very easily spread."

Madigan commended the MTC's efforts to reinforce precautionary measures and stop the virus' spread.

"The numbers have dropped off significantly," he said. "We think they're getting ahead of it."

By McKenzie Romero"

Here's to hoping the "health" care package we sent Hermana Sanders will help her and some of the other missionaries going through this.  

A Little Note From Hermana Sanders!

 

She wrote:

"Ang & Grandma!

Thank you so much for your gifts.  Very special!  Sadly, I can only use email to write mom & dad but they'll post it for everyone.  Life here is so crazy busy and there has been so much snow (nieve).  Your Christmas sounds like it was fun!  Grandma, the program sounds like it was awesome.   Thanks for the book &$.  Ang, your Christmas card was so cute!  Oh I wish I could tell you everything that's been happenening here... but that would take forever.  The highlights are when we teach our investigadors (espanol) in spanish.  I feel a strong Spirit there because we teach like children ha ha.  I (heart) MTC chior!  It's so beautiful!!

TE AMO

(heart) Hermana Sanders

Yo se que Jesucristo vive!

P.S. Thanks for the Blog!  That's awesome!  Open it to everyone!  Thanks!"

    

"Health" Care Package!

 

After Whitney's last letter, Grandma Elke and Angie threw together a "Health" Care Package for her!  

We threw in some things Angie still needed to send for Christmas and hopefully some flu prevention equipment.  Clorox wipes, hand sanitizers, vitamin C drops, some oranges and then some things, just in case she's coming down with it- and what she can share with her companion and room mates.  Flue meds, chocolates, cookies, lotion, vasaline- everything we could think of!

 

Gotta keep our girl healthy!  Angie mailed off the package right away and it should arrive tomorrow- Jan. 3, 2013! 

Love you, Whit!

Letter #2 From Hermana Sanders!

Buenos dias.. Its my p-day! Yay! We have been so excited to do our laundry and to actually sit on the toilet for more than 1 minute. ha ha! All is great here this week has been super amazing since we have been in a routine after the holidays and have an organized learning and studying system. Spanish is coming slowly but surely. Some sad news is that we dont have our visas yet so we wont be going to Peru MTC until we get them :( but I love it here and its okay for now ha ha. Some other news is that we may only be in the MTC for a total of 6 weeks intsead of 9 like we thought. They aren't for sure but our zone teacher told us that , its possible we may leave early. So in anycase prayers for our visas would be much appreciated! Also everyone in the MTC has been sick mi companera and I have been blessed with health so far but our poor roommate had the stomach flu really bad and many in our building have been throwing up which really is bad when we all share bathrooms. They have even put a restriction on handshaking and touching your face. Please pray specifically for the health of the missionaries. Its the worst place to get sick because there is so much you can miss in one day and your companion has to stay with you.

Anyway, wow there is so much to tell you and only a few minutes are left for me!

Our district had a meeting on Sunday where we all gave small talks on faith. One Elder's testimony really touched me. Elder Clement's said that he had a friend in highschool that would sincerely say everyday... "this is the best day ever". He said he would say it everyday and was so happy because he believed what he said. Elder said one day he decided to ask his friend why he felt that way. He said every day has its challenges and trials and every day has its joys, but those things help him to become closer and more like his Savior. This truely touched me. Everyday should be the best day ever and we can have every day this way if we have a strong faith in Christ like this highschool student. I know it is possible. In this short time my faith in Christ has really increased and everday I see more room for faith in my life. The blessing is that by helping others come unto Christ, I become that much closer too.

I love you so very much. I hope the holidays were the best ever. I'm going to try to get my pics on here.

Oh yeah on more funny thing . My companion and I teach every lesson to our "investigators" in spanish and its difficult but we can get a message through with the Lords help and guidance of the spirit. Well this was just a funny accident. My companion felt strongly to say we care for you but instead she said "Queremos usted" " We want you" ha ha his eyes got big and a little later he understood what we were trying to say haha! It was awesome!

Best experiences of my life. Wish I could share more!

Te Amo!
Hermana Sanders

Happy New Year 2013!

Wishing you a VERY happy new year, Hermana Sanders!

We love you very much!

(Please feel free to leave Hermana Sanders a comment to wish her a happy new year!)

"In Peru, New Year's Eve is not only about the party, it's about making sure you start 2013 with the right food to eat. Don't be surprised if after midnight you start seeing people running around the block with a suitcase - they aren't lost - it's one of our several New Year's rituals. Apparently, if you go round the block, you'll be blessed with travelling somewhere fun in the new year. A little tip though: its easier if the suitcase is empty.
Then, there is the food. Here is the shopping list that you'll need:
• 12 grapes (6 red and 6 white)
• Lentils
• Cinnamon sticks
• Wheat
• Limes
• Yellow underwear
And keep the change... you'll need that too!
Here is the how and the why of it all:
Whatever the dress code, wear yellow underwear to attract good energy. Here is the tricky part: some say that you should wear it inside out until midnight and then change it. Now for the shoes, put a coin inside one of them to ensure you are blessed with wealth.
New Year's Eve decoration in Peru is all about the colour yellow. In Lima you'll find specific stalls in the market where you can find everything you need. Mainly, yes, in yellow. But when setting up the party mood in your house, don't forget the limes. It is said that if you put half a lime in each corner of your house it will draw the bad energy away from you.
In Peru, more important than the midnight's New Year Eve kiss, is when the clock hits 12 - that's when we all hide under the table. You need to have six red grapes and six white ones with you. Every grape eaten will grant you a wish. Make a list - you only have 12!
If you are thinking that the lentils, cinnamon and wheat are for preparing a traditional New Year's Eve dish, you couldn't be more wrong. Hopefully people will come and fill your pockets with them. Lentils represent money, wheat is for prosperity and cinnamon is for love. Remember to take them out of your pockets the next day, as you need to keep them safe all year around.  ..."

(You can read the rest of the article HERE as well as watch a great video and recipe on how to make the perfect Don Ceviche!)

Can't wait to hear of your New Year's in the MTC as well as your next new years adventures in Peru!  :oD
Love, Angie & Blake

Where Shepherds Lately Knelt

Letter From Whitney. December 25, 2012

Letter from Whitney!
Oh yeah I've also seen Elder Hatanaka and Elder Church and a few people from home and thats been very comforting we all have a connection because of that.. If you see any of their family members tell them they are doing great!

On Tue, Dec 25, 2012 at 2:38 PM, Whitney Sanders <wsanders@myldsmail.net> wrote:
Mom and Dad

Feliz Navidad! Hope you have enjoyed your Christmas as I have mine. Though I miss you SO much! I can't believe tomorrow is a week since I entered the MTC! It's been so crazy busy that it went by so fast. The spirit here is incredible and I can't believe how much I'be learned in this short amount of time. I'm grateful to be serving the Savior at Christmas where I'm really beginning to understand what the Savior has done for me and am so grateful for the opportunity to serve and giv this wonderful gift to others. Russel M. Nelson and his wife gave us our devotional this morning and it was a wonderful message for the missionaries. Hermana Batman and I were in the MTC choir which consisted of about 500 missionaries. This week was the first that the MTC recieved the younger missionaries. We sang "Where Shepherds Lately Knelt" listen to it .... its so beautiful and spiritual. The director that directs the choir is the one that directs the "Forgotten Carols".

Hermana and I mostly pray in spanish now and we've taught 3 lessons to our "investigator" in childish spanish. I've never recognized how much the spirit can guide us until I've come here. The spirit is the teacher not me.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE RING! I love it and it makes me cry because it reminds me of you. Thanks Olivia for the gifts miss you and tell Pat and Jonah I miss them lots. I'm a very spoiled missionary. There is one Hermana in my dorm that has not recieved a letter or anything from her family and there are lots more. I can't tell you how grateful I am for your support it means so much to me. Thank you.

There is so much to tell you but I only have 20 mins to write so that all of the missionaries can have a chance to email parents. Please if you can send my shampoo and stuff and also a little stash of personal items. Please use dear elder so I can get it the day you send it to me. Email is just for parents here at MTC so please notify people.

Yo se que Jesucristo es nuestro Salvador y Redentor.
Yo se que El ama nuestro y que El vive.
Te amo muy muy mucho

Love
Hermana Sanders
I have a few extra minutes. Class is always in spanish. I'm lucky because Heavenly Father helps me understand alot ... it just have to learn how to respond without feeling like a four year old. Wish I could tell you everything. So much happens in our 6:00 am to 10:30 pm days. I wish I wasn't so lazy before. Make pat go to mission prep! and Jonah should to or else they will be very overwhelmed with MTC

On Sat, Dec 22, 2012 at 9:57 PM, <daveandjoel@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hi whit
We have been thinking about you a lot today. We sure do miss you. This seems like some sort of cruel punishment not being able to talk to you, but I'm sure there is a reason for it. ;) I can't wait to hear how you are doing and if you have enjoying it. I'm feeling so lost without that information.