Happy Thanksgiving - Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009

We slept comfortably after Rich experimented with the fan and had it pulling in cool air from the outside through our wide open bedroom window. Our earplugs shut out the noisy fan and the noisy street traffic. What a marvelous invention those little pieces of foam have been.

When we woke up our computers to check emails, we were happy to have Melissa call in on skype chat. It was 2:30 a.m. Tooele time and she said she woke up and couldn't go back to sleep so she noticed that we were up and running for the day. We were glad to know that she made it from Colorado and had no problems with the drive. Whew! It is always a worry when your children are out on the highways traveling long distances.

It seemed strange to think that today was Thanksgiving. We resigned ourselves to the fact that it would be "just another day" in the life of a missionary, so we haven't been down in the dumps about it. It was funny at the office today, because when Rich would talk on the phone to an American elder, he would wish him a Happy Thanksgiving, and invariably the elder would say, "Thanksgiving?" When is it? However, when I spoke to a sister missionary today, she said, "Happy Thanksgiving" to me. That's just the difference between the genders, at this age anyway. Guys don't zone in on dates and details.

This morning I finished getting all the pedidos (requests for supplies) filled and separated and labeled properly. The two zones that the President is going to tomorrow are Congreso and Liniers. It is a good thing I got right on it this morning and finished it up because at 2:00, the President called and wanted his car (that we have been using all week) loaded with the supplies and brought to his house. He was in his wife's car and she needed to go on some errands this afternoon, so he asked if we would drop the car off at the mission home and possibly take a train back home. Of course we would, no problem.

It is a good thing we were still at the office, because our plans were to leave at 2:00 and go to Tigre to Puerto de Frutos and shop for Christmas. The elders were going to be in the office the rest of the day, and since the sun was shining today and no forecast of rain, we had planned to take off a couple hours early and go shopping. He almost missed us. It would put us behind an hour, but there would still be plenty of daylight left to do what we needed to do.

We dropped the car off to Sister Argyle and walked to the San Isidro train stop. We got home in good time, and changed our clothes. It was too hot to stay in missionary clothes because of all the walking we would have to do today. I'll ask for forgiveness later. Then we walked to the bus stop to catch the bus to Tigre.

When we got on the bus, this man was entertaining the passengers. He had a guitar with two sets of strings and a flute with many pipes attached to it. His dreadlocks went to his waist. We gave him a few pesos as did other people.

Last Tuesday when we came to Puerto de Frutos and found it closed, the security guard we spoke to said that this place would be open from Wednesday until Sunday every week from now on. Wrong!! Some places were opened, but the majority were closed. We found out that all of it opens up on Saturday and Sunday. However, we had a very successful time shopping in the stores that were opened today. So our trip was not at all wasted.

This gal was glad we came in. We bought several things from her store. People are always accommodating when we ask if we can take a picture.

Today we are thankful for many things. We love each other and are grateful for a good marriage and that we are able to be on this mission together. We are thankful for good health that enables us to be here. We are thankful for our wonderful daughters, son-in-law, and our precious grandsons. We are also thankful for our mission family of President and Sister Argyle, all these wonderful missionaries, the other senior couples that include us in their activities, and all the Argentine friends we have met at church or had the privilege of helping the missionaries teach. We are grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who watches over us, and for the Saviour whose church we represent. Life is good, and we are blessed.

When we got home, an email appeared from Elder and Sister Barton from the Area Offices, inviting us to a Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings to be held on Saturday at 2:00 at their place in the Capital. The senior couples were getting together to celebrate the holiday. Even though the Allreds have gone home, the other couples know us now and still include us in activities. So, I guess we will get to taste turkey this year. Fun!!