3rd Month Anniversary

Three months ago today we became missionaries.  Wow! Where has the time gone?  In some ways it seems like yesterday, but in others, it seems like we've been gone a long time.  It has been something we've talked about doing throughout our married life, and then all of a sudden it happened. . . .  and here we are, being missionaries in a country we probably would have never seen otherwise.  Life has been good to us!

Today was a rather normal day in the office, except for some problems I was having with the Registro de Bautismo (Baptismal Registers).  I can't believe how the missionaries can fill them out perfectly some weeks, and then leave off much required information the next. I spent most of the day calling to fill in the blanks. It is a very time consuming job every week to enter all the baptisms when I have to track down the missionaries to correct the information.  This requires me to leave other tasks undone. Tomorrow will be better.

Rich spent the day doing what Financial Secretaries do. He talks to some missionaries each day, particularly the zone leaders, answering their questions, and making sure they have the funds they need for the responsibilities they have. 

Probably the hardest thing we have had to deal with the past few days at work is keeping warm. We can't believe how COLD it is in the office, or anywhere, for that matter. We are warm while the heat is blasting out of the wall heater, but when it turns off, the cold walls just suck the heat right out of the room.  Then we have to pump up the heater again so it will come on. We are doing this all day long. When the heat is off, we are just freezing. We don't know how we will stand it when the cold weather really hits.  Even the Elders complain about the cold office.  I am going to buy a small heater to put under my desk to blow on my legs and feet, or I may have to wear tights everyday to cover up my legs. We certainly appreciate furnace systems with forced air. Why can't other countries "get with it", like the US?

Since our apartment is small, the wall heater we have is sufficient.  It does a pretty good job keeping our living room warm.  However, the heat doesn't travel around the corner to our bedroom.  Good thing we like that room cool at night.  

Rich is returning from the lavadero after picking up our sheets and towels.  It is just across the street from us.  I think he likes going there because the owner greets him every time with the usual Argentine hug and kiss on the cheek.  She doesn't get it that he is a missionary.  He is waiting for the opportunity to talk to her about the church.  You never know!!

It is funny that he has had so many compliments on the hat that he is wearing.  It is like people haven't ever seen a hat like that.  He gets quite a few comments about it when he wears it.  

I decided that I would try my hand at baking cookies again.  Elder Clegg's mother, Laurie, sent me three bags of chocolate chips in a package she sent to him. That was so nice of her, and they taste heavenly. I had great success tonight. I baked them at a low temperature, and took them out before they were done.  My girls would have been proud of me (taking them out early).  The bottoms were not burned this time, and we don't have to dunk them in milk to eat them. They are actually soft.  I was so proud of myself.  I promised the Elders I would make some to take to the office. 

The bell shaped thing on the counter is a squash.  I can't remember the name, but Sister Argyle told me how to cook it.  She said it is her favorite squash from here.  I will report how it tastes when I finally get it cooked.