Tender Mercies of the Lord...

After hearing Elder Firl passing out on the bus and having two dislocated jaws, my mind kept wondering what could I do to help him? I have spent a lot of time praying and I felt like I needed answers and I was beginning to worry. I am sure many of you have felt the same thing when you have read Elder Firl's letters.

The tender mercies of the Lord this week while I was at Utah at the Jesperson Family Reunion...
My Cousin John Jesperson returned home from serving as Mission President in Guadalajara with his dear wife Diana. They only stopped by the reunion for a short time and I got to spend some time with him and asking him questions and in return both of them comforted me with their words and also with getting me in contact with the Church's IFR(the church only has 10 of them in the whole world). And the IFR sent me this message that same evening.


Friday 7/27/2012 @ 7:30PM
Sister Firl:
I managed to contact Dr. Jones, the Area Medical Advisor, in Sao Paulo. I explained the situation with your son and first thing in the morning he'll find out what's going on and let both of us know. Then we can decide how to help your son.
Thanks,
Ed Platt, IFR
Missionary Department


So when I woke up in the morning I found this email from the Brazil Medical Representative...I just cried...as this was the information I was needing to calm my spirit and give me comfort. I felt so blessed that the Lord knew what I needed and put people in my path to help me...thank you Heavenly Father for hearing my prayers and answering them!


Saturday 7/28/2012 @ 6:00AM
Hello Sister Firl,

I have spoken with your son, Elder Firl, and he is under good medical care. Currently seeing a specialist who deals with TMJ syndrome and other jaw problems. Elder Firl as you know has had some pain and discomfort in the Temporomandibular joint for several months and in recent weeks the problem has been getting worse and causing generalized headaches. He has an appointment next Tuesday with the TMJ specialist to review all the X-rays and MRIs and recommend a treatment plan. At this point we don't know what that treatment will be, but surgery is not part of the discussion at this point and you can be sure that it would be unlikely that he would ever have surgery here in Brazil. The condition is usually treated with some kind of mouth splints or bite plate.

Today is the first contact that I have had with your son, but I can send you additional information after Tuesday regarding his condition and treatment.

Thanks, Elder Jones
Brazil Area Medical Adviser


I now have a more clear picture of what Elder Firl is going through and what kind of things they are doing for him.