Independence Day

Walking to work today was different because no one was out and about due to the national holiday. Today is Argentina's Independence Day. On July 9, 1810, Argentina declared themselves independent from Spain. So, everything is closed and will be closed tomorrow, on Friday, also. That's usually what they do around here if a holiday comes on a Thursday. We did not see one person walking up and down the sidewalks the whole way to the office. I think we only saw one car pass us. Weird!

Our Argentine elder, Elder Valente, said they have a "changing of the guard" ceremony up at the capital, then the president of the nation speaks. Some places have gatherings to eat and celebrate together, but because of the flu problem, most things like that won't be happening.

It was rather quiet at work today because the phones were not ringing much. No landlords were calling about apartment contracts or rent issues. There were no correo deliveries, and really not many missionaries called with questions or problems. So I really got a lot of things done. It was a good day to catch up.

Elder Kroff had a little down time with the financial end of things, so he brought our computer to work today to work on Sister Argyles DVD that she gives the missionaries who are leaving each transfer. He transferred all her pictures onto our computer and spent the day cropping them and organizing them into the format she wants. It was a good day for him to start on this project that needs to be done by August 12 when the next transfer comes around.

He did spend a little time reimbursing and solving the money issues that affected two of our missionaries that were robbed at gun point night before last. They were at home after 9:00 in the evening and a man broke into their apartment and took what money they had on them and their cell phone. They said the lock on the door did not work. Good Grief!! Been there, done that! I felt so sorry for them. I know how they felt. However, they probably had more trauma than we did because, at least, we were not home when our robbery happened. They live way out in the country, and it is kind of scary because word will spread that the missionaries have money and cell phones. Other incidents may happen.

Since assuming my "doctora" duties, I have had two calls today. One sister has a foot that hurts and is a bit swollen, and an elder with a headache and dizziness that has lasted 5 days. I think of all the questions I assume the Dr. will want to know, and invariably I leave something out that he asks me. I'll get the hang of it before long. My problem is recognizing the ring tone on my phone. I usually turn a deaf ear to the other two cell phones going off in the office, and now that I have one ringing, I can't get used to recognizing if it is mine or someone else's. If it would play "Rise and Shout" like my one at home used to do, then I would be okay.

We decided we needed to do some sort of celebrating the Independence Day, at least for Elder Valente's sake. So, the first mention of ordering some helado (ice cream) brought ooohs and awwws from everyone, and Elder Valente was on the phone in seconds calling Daniels. They deliver, and this ice cream is the best ever. They do not make ice cream like this in the U.S., we are sure. It is sooooo creamy and wonderful in every way. . . . and not very expensive. Our treat.

We ordered four different flavors. . . two chocolate varieties, one with raspberries, and one vanilla with chunks of something crunchy in it. We ordered a kilo and pretty much cleaned out the carton. There was only two or three small scoops left for the elders to finish up after their teaching was done for the night. It is really a treat for the missionaries to have ice cream. And we discovered that it can be ordered on a Saturday and it will keep just fine in the freezer in these styrofoam containers to be eaten as dessert for Sunday dinner. We did that once when we had 4 missionaries for dinner and it kept just fine. We didn't know if these freezers would be cold enough. So now, that will be a standard dessert we will have whenever we entertain missionaries for a Sunday dinner. They just die for ice cream.

One of our quick fix dinners is pizza. They have pre-made crusts with a tomato type sauce on them all packaged in plastic. I add cooked hamburger, mozzarella cheese, and whatever else I have, and pop it in the oven for several minutes. They are really good and we enjoy them. We sometimes eat the whole thing, but I have two pieces left tonight that I will include with our lunch tomorrow.

We talked with Susanne and Thale on Skype tonight. We were interested in this call because they just celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary, with all their family, at a huge rented home in Heber City. They spent four days together and 31 people were present. Only one grandson, who is on a mission, was not there. Clever things were done all relating to their life and things they have accomplished. It was a good time with special memories. She is a great sister.