sàbado - 13 de junio

Today we didn't set the alarm because we wanted to see just how long we could sleep in, since we had no early morning responsibilities. Rich was up at 7:00 and I stayed in bed until 7:45. We can't hear a thing with our earplugs in, so the noisy street below wasn't a factor. These foamy little morsels are worth their weight in gold. They are a life saver, for sure. . . . or a sleep saver. We marvel every morning as we remove them what is going on in the world of sound around us. It is incredible how much loud traffic is blocked out. Thanks, Marianne.

My plans this morning involved cleaning the house, washing some clothes, changing the sheets, and leisurely getting ready for the day. We had a baptism at 2:30 this afternoon, but nothing for me before that time. Rich, however, because he is still the only driver in the office, volunteered to take the elders grocery shopping since it is "P" day. They were grateful. Since they had to be back early enough to fill the font and get ready for the baptism, they planned on a 10:00 meeting time.

We just love our office elders. It will probably never matter who comes and goes over time, we become bonded with them and hope we have made lifetime friends. They are so cute and respectful of us, and we have a good time together. Rich makes them laugh a lot. They enjoy his personality.

The baptism was for an 11 year old boy. Elder Kroff gave a short talk on baptism, speaking directly to the lad telling him his life will be changed after today. He will become a new person without sin who will be different at home, at school, and with friends. Usually the baptisms are a bit late in starting due to people arriving late, and one thing or another. But today, our elders were organized, and it started right on time without a glitch. We were impressed. And, as usual, the room was full with friends of the boy and ward members who came to support him. It doesn't matter what day or time of day, these faithful saints dress up and come on foot, by train or bus to be here. I just can't get over it. Their testimonies are so strong, and what an example they are to us.

After the baptism, there is always a variety of treats to consume. This is a wonderful looking torta that was made by one of the sisters. It didn't last long.

Before we came to the church today, Elder Valente called us to say that our debit cards had come. He said he "had it right in his hand". Wow, were we excited!! It turned out that some of our mail has been going to the church's mailbox instead of to our office. When the elders went to prepare for the baptism, someone handed them a stack of letters and our envelope was among them. Elder Nelson's international driver's license was there too. We don't know how long it had been here. We just knew it was taking forever to arrive, and that was the reason. They must have a new correo person delivering the mail. I was wondering why there had been a slow down in missionary letters lately. That seemed unusual.

We had put off grocery shopping until we received the money that was wire to us on Friday, so it was our turn to take the car and make our purchases. This is what it looks like when we bring the bags home. After getting them out of the car, then getting them in the elevator, then getting them from the elevator to our apartment, I'm done. Rich returns the car to the office and walks back home. He doesn't suggest that I come with him, even when it is dark outside, because it slows him down. He can trek along at his fast pace, and make it home in half the time it takes plugging along with me and my lame foot. One good thing about our neighborhood cobblestone streets is that there is plenty of lighting. They have lights all along the streets and there aren't any dark stretches of road.

Rich lined up a sample of what we drink all the time. Fanta orange is big here and we like it. Then we have had a hard time finding an orange juice we like. Most of the orange juice is just like an orange drink. But we settled on this box of tropicana. It doesn't really taste like ours at home, but it is okay. And it is just on the shelf, not found in the refrigerated section. The tall milk in the plastic container and the boxed milk next to it are just out on shelves, not refrigerated. But the quart of milk on the right is found in the refrigerated section of the store. We don't understand why some are kept cold and some not. So we are trying out the unrefrigerated milk to see if it tastes the same. Then, there is the chocolate milk. It is unrefrigerated also. Rich uses it to add to his powdered chocolate in making hot chocolate. . . a must for his diet. Once these products are opened, then they need to be put in the refrigerator.