Happy Halloween - Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009

We woke up today at our usual time because the elders were coming to breakfast at 9:00. I selfishly suggested having "brunch" so it could be a little later, but no way! They are way too hungry to wait till mid morning to eat. Plus they have other things to do on "P" day, so they need to get the day going. Esta bien! (It's alright) Elder Nelson leaves us on Tuesday, so he wanted one last get together.

Elders Kroff, Nelson, Paz, and Coria toasting with nothing in their glasses. We fed them pancakes, eggs, bacon, muffins, fruit cocktail, orange juice, and milk. We actually found some panceta (bacon). It is so hard to find real bacon here, or what we call bacon. They have different types of ham and things that look like bacon, but not the real deal. We bought some jamon crudo once that we thought could substitute as bacon and it was so salty that no one could eat it. But the other day at Disco they actually had bacon so I bought some for breakfast today. The stores are not consistent in carrying some food products. So if you see it and like it, you better buy it right now. It may not be there tomorrow, next week, or next month.

We are glad we believed the weather report yesterday that predicted rain today, and got our shopping done last night. It started raining after we got up today and has been raining, sometimes pouring, all day. It was a good day to stay inside. I always think of the elders and sisters out walking, and hope they are protected by rain coats and umbrellas. Sometimes the weather here is not very forgiving.

So I washed clothes, made some pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, ironed white shirts, emailed a couple people, and cleaned the house.

The sisters had called earlier to see if we would accompany them to a teaching appointment tonight at 7:30. The answer was an immediate "Yes". Wonder if the rain will let up by then? Rich checked the weather report and it would be 100% rain from 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Oh well, this will be an adventure. We would ride the bus to Tigre to meet them in front of Carrefour and then walk to the sita (appointment). We went with them to this family last week, so we knew where it was.

Hermanas Kroff, Howard, and Cano pose with Isac, the father, and daughters, left to right - Gianinna, Roxana, Angeles, Ida Gutierrez, the mother, and son Erick. They have a baby named Jordan. Last name is Ninahuanca. The mother and children are more receptive than the father. He said he wants to take it slow. However, he has offered the prayer two times.

This will be Sister Howard's last time to meet with them, as she is one of the 13 missionaries going home - to Oregon - on Wednesday. I will miss her.

When it was time to leave the Ninahuanca's home, the rain was coming down hard. I grabbed on to Hermana Cano because she just had a hooded coat, and no umbrella. I shared with her. The streets were like rivers so we did some pretty creative stepping to get across. My coat was totally wet in the back and on the sleeves. Must not be water proof because the wet soaked through the sleeves and got my blouse wet. What a night! Our buses came pretty quickly so we were on our way home in no time. We are glad we went in spite of the weather.

We would have never known it was Halloween today because the children do not go trick or treating. Sometimes the adults have a party, but it isn't celebrated the same as in the U.S.

Here is Mekhi as a Pilot, and Urban as Batman. We loved the photos of their preschool party.

Aren't they the cutest?? Oh, how we love these little boys!!!