Felices Pasquas (Happy Easter)

Today is Easter Sunday, our first holiday apart from family. We should have colored Easter eggs and hid them. We wouldn't have remembered where they were, so the challenge of finding them would have been entertaining. We never saw egg dye in the stores, so we don't know if that is a tradition here or not. One family we talked with said they didn't do that. But they do observe the holiday because Thursday, Friday, and Saturday were declared holidays. Businesses were closed, barbecues were burning, some people were washing and vacuuming out their cars, while others were doing yard work (on the little patch of lawn and flowers they have). So it was a busy weekend for many Argentines. The only thing we could identify in the stores that represented Easter was some kind of cellophane wrapped container that probably had candy in it and most likely chocolate.

When we arrived at church today, one lady rushed up to us and handed each of us one of these chocolate eggs. After opening it, we think it was homemade. It was hollow inside and had a few M & M type chocolate candies in it. The outer shell was made of thin chocolate sealed together with frosting. It broke apart easily (very fragile), but tasted good. So this kind gesture and the singing of Easter hymns in church were the only things that represented the holiday for us.

Earlier this week we had received an invitation from a family in the ward to have dinner with them after church. The wife came by the mission office and rang the buzzer and asked for us to come outside. We didn't know them, but they obviously knew who we were. They had invited Elder Whitmer and his new companion (of 5 days) too. This was our first experience of eating at the home of members. They are a lovely family, but oh so poor, according to the standard we Americans are used to. They have six children who are beautiful and so well behaved. It was a pleasure to be with them.

Going around the table starting at the left is Luciana 11 yrs, mother Ines, holding Mateo 1 yr, father Sergio, Samuel 2 yrs, Sariah 3 1/2, and Natalia 14. She served Milanesa, which is thin slices of meat (she had chicken and beef) dipped in egg and bread crumbs. It is either baked or fryed. It resembles breaded veal, but much thinner meat. Then we had mashed potatoes and bread. A hugh bowl of Flan was served for dessert. Rich was in seventh heaven. It was really good. The Elders said that the only thing bad about accepting invitations to eat with members, is that they leave church early to go home to prepare the food.

This end of the table shows Elder Whitmer and Elder Peterson (fresh from American Fork), their son, Santiago 13 yrs and Hermana Kroff. Elder Peterson had already acquired some sort of bug in the five days he's been here and was sick this morning, so he didn't eat much. We all brought our bottled water, but they did have purchased drinks that were okay to have.

Other than a piece of cake or some sort of pastry we've been offered at an investigator's home when we have been out with the missionaries, this is the first food we have consumed that has been prepared by the local people. So who knows how it will agree with us. Time will tell.

Aren't they a cute family! The two younger sons were napping, so they missed the picture. This family has been members for a few years. The father's line of work is like a sub contractor, or a handyman type person. He does odd jobs in repairing, remodeling, etc.

Before the missionaries leave a home, they give a spiritual thought and prayer, so when Elder Whitmer announced that Elder Peterson had a spiritual thought to leave with the family, the father said, "No, I want Elder Kroff to give it." So, of course, Rich rose to the occasion, and then Elder Peterson gave the prayer. It was funny.

Today, Rich gave the priesthood lesson at church. He was excited to teach again rather than just sit and listen. He prepared well and they loved him. All the Elders told me what a good job he did. The lesson was on accepting adversity, and members came up to him and told him that they appreciated his words of encouragement. One man had lost his wife to cancer, and now his daughter has it. Elder Kroff relates well to these people, as he does to anyone, right?? His cute personality is endearing and they warm right up to him.

I have friends too at church, even though I can't say much to them. But I do communicate a little. But the Relief Society President hugs me all the time and calls me her friend. I think she really likes me. She has been a member for 23 years. She is taking English classes at a college two days a week. She tells me I can only speak in Spanish, and she can only speak to me in English.

I have another friend, named Myriam (pronounced Medium) She is an investigator and we have been with the Elders while she and her "husband" have been having the lessons. They are getting married in May, and will be baptized a week later. She tells me I have to come to her wedding. I take her under my wing and sit by her at R.S. so she will not be alone. We communicated today about my daughters and grandsons. I did pretty good.

Well, yesterday was our one month anniversary since arriving in Argentina. A lot has happened in the last 30 days. We are getting used to this life, and enjoy getting up in the mornings to see what is in store for us.