Loan from Mission

Elder Kroff left for work earlier than I did this morning. He received word that Elder Nelsen had to escort two elders to the Capital to finish the visa process, and Elder Valente needed a companion. No problem, he'll be there at 8:00. I finished getting ready, did the dishes, then I left for the office.

Rich had already written the email to his friend, Marco, who is over finances in the Area Office. He asked President Argyle if there was any way that the mission could pay for the surgery and then we would pay them back when we get all the money withdrawn from the ATM machines. He said it was okay with him if the Area Offices didn't care. So Rich needed to speak with Marco. Just happens that Marco said it could be done if the President gave the okay. Wonderful!! What a relief. There was no way we could have withdrawn $2000 cash out of the ATMs by Saturday night. It seems so strange that a debit card couldn't have been used. They have strange policies here. Of course, the church insurance will pay for most of the surgery, so we will be reimbursed. But, what a hassle. Glad it has been resolved. So tomorrow, the financier (Elder Kroff) will write out a check for the money we need and take it to the bank to cash it. Simple as that!

I entered baptisms in the computer today. We have two more months to accomplish the goal of doubling the baptisms. The challenge and goal was set last September. It is attainable, and we are so very close. The missionaries just need to keep focused.

While I stayed busy doing my work, Elders Kroff and Valente went on some apartment errands. They were gone about three hours. I was left alone in the office, but I don't get panicky anymore without the Spanish speakers around. I answer the phone and have my responses memorized. Most times they just want to fax something, and I have to push the button to transfer it to the copy/fax machine. When the correo comes, I have to go out to the gate and sign for packages or mail. I can understand what they want and do just fine. But I do wish I could understand more and say more. I practice on Elder Valente, but I should speak English to him because he is suppose to be learning it. So we have fun with each other.

Nothing was on our agenda tonight, so we came home around 6:00 and I fixed dinner. Then I ironed white shirts and did a load of laundry. Rich's trainer, Elder Whitmer, goes home next week on this upcoming transfer. Rich is transferring all his pictures, which were on the office computer, and then transferred to his laptop, to some discs. When we see him next Wednesday at the mission home, he will give them to him. He is such a cute boy and a good missionary. We will miss him.

Tonight we are feeling a little pang of envy. This is the weekend for the Kroff extended family reunion. Two nights of camping at Ophir, then to our backyard on Saturday afternoon for a BBQ and socializing. They are going to try hooking up a computer outside on the patio so we can talk on Skype to everyone for a little while. We hope it works and the connection will go through.

Two days without a picture. This has got to stop. But we should have some with this weekend's activities.