El Dia de Padre (Father's Day)

Today was our last Sunday meeting with the San Fernando ward. We were suppose to switch to the branch in Tigre today, but because the choir number we have been practicing for weeks was scheduled to be on the program today, we had to be here to sing with them. Elder Kroff was the only bass singer, and most Sundays, was the only male voice in attendance at practice. Today another brother came to sing with the choir, so there were two men. If they don't recruit more men, it will be a soprano/alto duet from now on.

Then, since we were leaving the ward, they had us bear our testimonies with Rich translating for me. That is a difficult thing to do. It was hard for me to say something and know when to stop so Rich could take over. And it was hard for him to remember what I said and convey it to the audience. When we get to Tigre next week, we are sure they will have us come forward and say something (they always do when new missionaries move into a ward or branch). So I will have to write something down in Spanish and use notes to deliver my thoughts. I have a brief testimony written that I have used before, but I need to add to it. Someday I hope to be able to say something without notes.

Father's Day in Argentina is celebrated the same Sunday as it is at home, but Mother's Day is not. So attention was given to the fathers in church today. A wrapped gift was given to each father by the Relief Society. We held on to it and Rich didn't unwrap it until we got home from church.

We were surprised to find a fleece neck warmer in the package. It is pulled over the head and stays snug around the neck. Then they pull it up over the chin, mouth, and sometimes up over the nose to block out the cold air. It will be great to have if and when the weather really gets into winter. The Relief Society sisters must have made them all. . . . and wrapped them. Quite a project, we thought.

It is interesting here how these people cannot tolerate any cold air, or any cool air for that matter. When we are thinking that the temperature is cool and pleasant and not cold enough for heavy coats, or lots of layers, we see people all bundled up in parkas and hats and all kinds of winter garb. They wear lots of big turtle neck sweaters and shirts so they can pull the extra fabric up over their face should a breeze come up. They would die living in the cold, wet, Utah winters.

Since it was our last Sunday with the ward, we are posting pictures of some of our friends and the people we have met. We will still see them at baptisms and at different events that happen from time to time, but we won't get to associate with them on Sundays. That, we will miss.

This is Silvio and Gabriela Bolentini with their daughter Antonella. He is the handyman that has been hired by the mission and works with Elder Valente on all the apartments. She cooks every week for the office elders. She makes them enough food to last for two days. He is on the High Council. She works in the Primary. I think she is the president.

This is Sergio. We had Easter dinner with his family a while back. He is a cute father and has a cute family of 6 children. He really likes Elder Kroff.

The Elder's Quorum President is sad to see us leave. He really liked having Elder Kroff teach the Joseph Smith lessons.

Julio, Maria, and Juan Vecchiarelli are converts of about 6 months. He is Italian and a truly converted member. All of them are. Maria is in the Relief Society Presidency, and Julio is in the Elders Quorum Presidency (I think). They are wonderful people and great leaders in the ward. She cried when she found out we were leaving the ward.

These are my friends, Sister Barney and Sister Norton. Sister Norton and I share the same birthday, and we enjoyed a birthday dinner at her home in April. Her daughter and family just left a few days ago for Mexico where her son-in-law is going to be the Mission President of one of the missions there.

Rich, with a couple of the priesthood brethren.

After church today, there was a baptism for three young people. Two were single adult age and one in his teens. And also today, there were three men ordained to the priesthood. So, this ward is doing well. We can see why the President said they don't need us here. They have lots of leadership.

We came home to a quiet afternoon in hopes of talking with our children on Skype. We hooked up with Marianne, but it was a terrible connection. There must have been too much traffic today which caused major interruptions and lost connections. We gave up and will try for another day.

I decided to make oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and glad I did, because we got a call from President Argyle and he said they were out and about doing some visiting and his children wanted to come and see the Kroff's. How lucky are we to have visitors on Father's Day! It was a fun time to be with them again in our home. We laughed a lot and had a great visit.