Dinner for Four

We usually don't have a reason to get to the office early, but today I wanted to be there before the 9:00 starting time. We have a Latin missionary with a skin problem that won't clear up. I needed to type out what I wanted Rich to translate into Spanish so he could talk to this elder about his condition. The photos of his itchy, peeling rash were sent to the Mayo Clinic for analysis where Dr. Petersen's son-in-law works in dermatology. This elder may have what is called Netherton's syndrome. They want a dermatologist here to test him for this condition.

On the way to the office, we asked this gal if we could take her picture. She is up early to take this group of friends for a walk. Three of the five had colorful doggy wraps on. They were a calm bunch, not unruly at all. Notice the graffiti all along the bottom of the building, a very common practice around here. Very few buildings are left untouched.

Here is how Elder Kroff gets to work these days. We are approaching the gate to our office. Today he started out just carrying his crutches, but a block or two into the trek he felt his leg hurting where it crunched before, so he used the crutches to take the weight off. We will be glad to get back to the doctor so he can read the MRI and tell us what's up with all this.

I worked steadily today to clear up a number of things on my desk so I could start copying the materials that go into the new missionary binders. We have 13 coming this next transfer, so it takes a while to complete this project. I was able to start on them late this afternoon, so I feel better now.

Rich finally has the DVD done that Sister Argyle wants to give to the missionaries that are leaving. Now he is just tweaking it here and there to polish it up and make it better. Most of her pictures were shot in a low resolution and they appear quite grainy. She is going to correct that in future shots. He is fine tuning things to try to make them clear and pleasing to look at.

Late this afternoon, Elder Valente had some appointments to sign some apartment contracts, so he called a member of the ward to go with him as his companion. Elder Nelson stayed behind and went with another brother to a couple appointments that they had lined up. When Elder Nelson finished, he was dropped off at our place to wait for Elder Valente to return.

I was grateful that I had a bag full of raviolis that I could boil, and a marinara type sauce to put over them to fix for dinner. Then, I had enough lettuce, one tomato, and a carrot to make a tossed salad. It was a quick throw together type meal. Before it was finished cooking, Elder Valente showed up. Normally, they would not take the time to eat because they are expected to be out proselyting until 9:00 p.m. But since it was cooked, and they were hungry, they couldn't turn it down. So we all had dinner together. Whew! What a blessing it was that we went shopping on Saturday and I had this on hand that could be prepared in a hurry. They enjoyed it and we always have fun with them.

Yesterday, Elder Valente suggested that we have a BBQ on Saturday which is "P" day for us office workers. Rich told him about the place on our roof that has a BBQ pit and a room inside with tables and chairs. He wants to buy all the food and cook the meat. Missionaries don't have extra money for things like that, so he and I have been arguing about the cost. We told him we needed to help pay for it, and he is insisting that he can do it. Finally, he is letting me do the dessert, and a couple of salads, and the drink. They will just take care of the meat. We are not sure what is being cooked. So tonight, the three of them went up top side to scope out the area and put up a sign on the board with our name and the date and time we want to reserve it. We are going to have the meal in the early afternoon, because "P" day ends at 6:00. Then they go to work again having appointments with investigators. We know what we are having for dessert . . . . . ice cream. Yum!