Busy Transfer Day - Tuesday, Nov 3, 2009

No coats today-- it was gorgeous outside. The air was fresh and clean and everything looked "washed down" because of the days of sustained rain that we have had. Even the dirty buses were a few shades lighter with the color yellow being noticeable.

It was a beautiful day for transfers. There was a lot of movement this time which required many missionaries congregating in front of the church to switch companionships. Many managed to come in the office for one thing or another, but when Elder Nelson's new companion got here, we walked outside to see them off.

The majority of Elder Nelson's companions have been Latinos, so he wasn't surprised this time around. Elder Ochoa is a fairly new missionary, so he will have good training with Elder Nelson.

Elder Nelson had mixed emotions with this transfer. He was excited to get back to being a full time proselyting missionary and having the study and preparation time in the mornings again. He missed that because office elders had to be at work at 9:00. But, on the other hand, he likes being in the mix of things, and he wasn't tired of the office work yet and being "in the know" of what goes on in the mission. Then, he said he was going to miss seeing us everyday. How sweet! But I think he will really miss my pumpkin, chocolate chip cookies.

Waiting for the remise to come and pick them up.

We just love our Tigre sisters with whom we have become great friends. Hermana Cano and Hermana Howard came to pick up Hermana Collinwood (on the right). She will replace Sister Howard who goes home tomorrow. Sister Howard has an exciting homecoming when she arrives home on Thursday morning. She has a brother who is serving a mission in Illinois and he is returning home on the same day that she is, just a couple hours later -- and it is their father's birthday. What a celebration! The two arrivals were just coincidence, not planned.

What a great group of missionaries. Goodness radiates from each one, and oh how missionaries enjoy transfer day when they have a few minutes to socialize with each other.

After things settled down around the office, I entered several baptisms and mentally prepared how to proceed, starting tomorrow, with filling the boxes with mail and supplies that go down south to Tierra del Fuego and Rio Gallegos. It is always a big job at this time every six weeks. The supply room does not have adequate space to spread out and organize easily. Everything is in my way and I find myself tripping over one thing or another, or losing something that I just had my hands on.

Elder Kroff made a quick trip to the bank -- taking the bus that winds around through the neighborhood streets up to the bank, and then walking back. He says its a snap!

Tonight Melissa called us on skype to tell us about the apartment they found to rent. It was a good deal with many "extras" attached. The one we liked is the motel-like room that they have available in the complex for family or friends to rent who might be visiting. It is $65 a night. We will probably be using that once our mission is over.