Oct 15-16 Week Goes On

Thursday - October 15

Rich's leg is feeling better every day, but he still has times when it aches all night. We haven't been able to pinpoint if what he does in the day makes that happen at night. The doctor did mention that changes in the barometric pressure might cause his leg to swell, or that the issue with arthritis may contribute. Anyway, it doesn't happen all the time.

He does exercises every morning to strengthen it-- in fact, he does exercises for the whole body which are found in the Missionary Health Guide. He is so dedicated. I just walk a lot.

Elders Kroff and Paz went together to the mission home this morning to instruct the new elder, Elder Barney, about finances and his responsibilities with apartment living. They always seem so overwhelmed and sleepy. It is more pressure to be a group of one rather than having the President and instructors speak to many. All eyes are on you! Poor guy!

Later in the day, the President popped in to sign checks. He didn't stay long, but it was good to see him and have him back among us. He did give permission for a temple trip tomorrow. He said he can get along without the car. Hooray!

My day was spent with entering a few baptisms, ordering the placas and finalizing the carpetas (new missionary binders)

On our excursion to La Boca, Rich found a valero. He knew it was a Mexican toy as he collected many while on his mission and became quite proficient in landing the ball on the stick. He didn't know it was an Argentine thing too. Elder Nelsen has practiced daily to learn the technique and become accomplished. Elder Kroff is rusty and is sharpening up his skills. Our Argentine elder, Elder Coria, didn't know about the toy. He was never introduced to it, but has taken an interest. At the end of the day today, they had a competition to see who was the best. It may become a day ending event for a while.

I have been promising the elders a lunch of Sloppy Joes, so tonight I whipped up a batch and made a jello salad to go with it. It will be good to have something to eat upon returning from the temple.

Friday - October 16

Since we had lots of things to take to the office because of the lunch I was providing, the elders came to our place to help carry the bags. It was a good thing because Rich and I would never had made it with just two of us. The elders just live a couple of blocks from us.

We left for the temple at 8:00 a.m. to hopefully avoid major traffic. Didn't work. There is always major traffic. But we made it to the temple without too much delay. The temple was busy and when we entered, Elder Coria immediately ran into his Bishop from home. Eeek! Were his parents still here? No, thankgoodness, just his Bishop and wife. Our session was crowded with a couple folding chairs added to accommodate the people. My headset for translation was touchy, so I had to hold it steady.

These are our best friends who cater to our every need. We love all the elders that come to work in the office. We really become attached to them fast. Elders Paz, Coria, Kroff and Nelson surround Hermana Kroff. They are so cute. They didn't want to go to the temple without us.

The flowers on the temple grounds are just gorgeous. There are a lot of pansies and they are fresh and perky. It makes me sad that they will have to tear out all the flowers and shrubs when the renovation begins.

We also had brief moments with the temple president and matron, President and Sister Deschamps. He was helping during the session with the English speaking patrons, which was just Elder Kroff and I. Then in the dressing room, I saw Sister Deschamps and spoke with her, wondering where they would go when the temple closed. She indicated that their assignment was ending anyway, so they will return home. Maybe they will want to return for the rededication in a couple of years.

Even though we have only been to the temple three times, it was kind of emotional leaving it and knowing it would be closed for the duration of our mission. They are going to do major renovations by making it large and more modern. It has been in operation for 23 years.

Everyone was starving when we returned to the office, so the Sloppy Joe lunch was well received. Each elder had about four or five.