Sisters Beck & Matsumori - Sunday, Nov 8, 2009

We encountered no challenges or problems getting ready for church today, and sailed right through our routine. The President didn't need his car today as he and his family would be attending a stake conference out in an area close to where we were yesterday when we went to see the Gauchos. So, they would be going in one car. He said we could save a peso or two on public transportation and take his car to Tigre to church. We were pleased because then we wouldn't be at the mercy of the colectivo. Sometimes we make good connections after church in getting on a bus quickly, and sometimes not. Today we didn't have to worry about it.

At 8:00 I was completely ready for church and decided I had time to put together a meatloaf to be cooked after church. I had 45 minutes -- I thought. All of a sudden it dawned on Rich while polishing his shoes that we had to leave at 8:15 not 8:45 so I could be there a half hour early to practice my hymns and play the prelude. Church starts at 9:00 not 9:30 anymore. What in the world were we thinking???? And, he had to walk to the office to get the car which is parked there behind fences and gates. Good Grief! I put the unfinished meatloaf in the fridge, leaving a mess in the sink and hurried to do the last minute things to put myself together. Rich flew out of the apartment to go get the car. I would meet him downstairs. I was all put together except I forgot my placa. I feel undressed without it, but didn't have time to go back and get it.

If we would have had to call a remise for our ride this morning, we would have remembered what time church started. But somehow we had 8:45 in our minds as the time we had to leave. It may take us a few more Sundays to catch on.

Last Sunday, the Branch Mission Leader, Brother Soler, caught me after class and asked if I would give the opening prayer in Rich's Sunday School class today. I have given it once before and did it in English. I thought that I really should try to do it in Spanish, so throughout the week I thought about what I knew and could say clearly. So I did my best and I think they could understand what I said. Rich said I got one word mixed up, but oh well. Applause isn't appropriate in church, but a reverent excitement was demonstrated by a few in the class. It is amazing to me that I can understand a lot of what is said if people speak slowly and clearly. I just can't verbalize it like I want to. I can't understand the natives very good because they speak too fast and slur their words a lot. I can understand the gringos better.

Right after we got in the door from church, Sister Argyle called me to see if I wanted to go with her to hear Sister Beck, the General R. S. President and Sister Matsumori, Counselor in the General Primary Presidency speak at a Stake Center up in the Capital. Absolutely! No need to think twice about that one. They have been on a tour visiting and speaking to the sisters in Argentina, Paraguay, and maybe other places. I just knew that they were going to Tierra del Fuego to meet with the sisters down there. And those saints were ecstatic that they would go clear down there to be with them. They have been on a strenuous 7 to 10 day tour of this area and were ending up coming back to Buenos Aires to speak tonight before going home.

We actually had an appointment to go with the sister missionaries in Tigre to a family that we have been helping them teach. We had to call the President to see if Elder Kroff could go with them alone. Since he could meet them at the home, the President gave his permission.

So when the time came, I took a remise by myself to go to the mission home to meet up with Sister Argyle. So happens that the driver had no clue where Labarden 183 was located. Rich came down with me and explained to the driver basically how to get there and told him that I knew how to find it and I would direct him. When we took off, Rich waved goodbye looking like he hoped he would see me again. Heaven only knew where I would end up.

When we got to the area, he was going to turn on a road I was unfamiliar with, so I whipped out my Spanish explanation and kept him going straight. I did pretty good in telling him when to turn left and right.

When Sister Argyle and I arrived at the Stake Center, the chapel and back into the cultural hall were already filled. A member of her ward greeted us and said that they had room on their bench next to them because they had been saving it for someone else and then were told they were not allowed to save seats. She led us down into the chapel only about 5 rows from the front. I was on the aisle. We were so grateful because we had cushioned seats and we were close enough to see the ladies up close.

When Sisters Beck and Matsumori entered the chapel about a half hour before it started, they came down into the congregation and greeted people as they roamed around. Sister Beck was coming down the aisle where we were, shaking hands and greeting people from side to side. Yes, indeed, she shook our hands as she came our way. How fun!

Sister Matsumori used an interpreter for her talk which was about the choices we make. It was wonderful to hear it in English. But, Sister Beck delivered her address in Spanish. I couldn't believe it! Her father was a mission president in Brazil in the days before they limited them to a three year calling. She lived there six years while in her youth, so she learned Portuguese. We don't know when she learned Spanish, but she did well and without notes. I was amazed that I could follow about half of what she said. Sister Argyle would occasionally lean over and summarize what she was talking about.

Upon the conclusion of the meeting, security kept the doors closed so no one could leave the chapel and cultural hall until the guests were escorted out. They were headed to the airport for the overnight flight back to Salt Lake. She waved and blew kisses to the congregation. It was a wonderful treat to see these energetic, spiritual leaders from home. Now we are getting excited to hear from Elder Bednar in two weeks.

On our return trip back home, we took Sister Benton with us. She is the wife of the Mission President of the Buenos Aires West Mission. They live in the Argyle's neighborhood which is about a 45 minutes drive each day to get to their mission area. It seems strange that they live in the North Mission boundaries, but the housing is better where they are and the mission home has never been changed. She said they do spend a lot of time in the car.

It has been a wonderful Sabbath -- in fact, a wonderful weekend.