Fast Week - Friday, Jan. 29, 2010

Wow, here it is Friday again, and it ceases to amaze us how fast the time is going. Not only will our mission end too soon, but we are not getting any younger. It is scary!! We are not ready to join the "elderly" generation. We are so grateful for the good health that we are enjoying right now that enables us to be here on this mission. Things can change in a blink of the eye.

Last night was noticeably, to me, the hottest night we've spent. I would wake up during the night sweating slightly even though the fan was blowing into the room. It only goes down to the mid 70's at night. That is way uncomfortable for sleeping.

We usually have to leave at 8:30 for Zone Leaders Council at the mission home, but today the President changed things up a bit. The meeting is starting at 10:00 instead of 9:00. Good thing we talked about it before leaving the office yesterday because it completely skipped my mind. We would have been there waaaaay too early. But, then, maybe they would have fed us breakfast.

All five of us were going to the meeting. Elder Paz was taking Elder Hales to let him see what goes on and to help in the instruction he was giving the zone leaders. Elder Coria had to come along because he couldn't stay alone. Elder Kroff and I are on the agenda each time.

We had to call two remises to get us all to the mission home -- Rich and I in one, and the other three in the other. Upon arriving, a handsome, blonde Elder Lowry came up to excitedly greet us. He has been serving in the South ever since we came, and this transfer he was sent back to Buenos Aires. It is so fun to finally meet these elders that we talk to all the time by phone, feel like we know, but have never seen in person. He was one of them.

My time spent addressing the elders was on the information I received at the training when the gentlemen from the Area Offices came to our mission. I had typed up a handout and only had it in English. So I hope the companions of the Latin elders will go over it with them. President Argyle offered to translate as I read over the information.

My segment took the longest as President Argyle wanted me to use what information I received in the training to clear up some questions and concerns the missionaries were having about baptism registers. Luckily Elders Kroff, Paz, and Hales didn't have too much to say.

After we finished we were excused, and the President let us take his car back to the office. I was worried that while we were gone, the Distribution Center might deliver my Book of Mormon order. After finally getting that straightened out since they hadn't received my order two weeks ago, I didn't want to miss the delivery. So Elder Coria wrote a note telling whoever came to our gate that we were not here and that we would return in a couple hours. That would be helpful for the correo too.

My afternoon was spent entering some baptisms, and finishing sorting the mail. Now next week I can devote my time getting the boxes sent to the South and preparing the bins full of requested supplies for the zone conferences. And the work goes on . . .

Elder Kroff trained Elder Hales on some things they work together on and before we knew it the afternoon was slipping away. But, no delivery from the Distribution Center yet. I had a Spanish speaker call them to see an approximate arrival time -- mainly to see if they had them scheduled to come. They assured us that they were on the truck and would be here around 4:30 or 5:00. What a relief when the buzzer rang and help was still here to help unload the 24 boxes and put them on the shelves.

I am happy about the Book of Mormon delivery, but not happy that I still cannot find my keys. I am just sick about it. We have looked everywhere and not only will it be an expense and inconvenience to change the locks on the office doors, but getting duplicate keys made for our apartment (three of them) will be one big headache. Finding a key place, going there, getting it right the first trip, etc. is just not that easy in Argentina. It makes me tired thinking about it.

Since we had the President's car, we went in search of filters for the water purification systems in our apartment and the office. Ours at home needs changing in a big way. We are probably drinking unsafe water as the filter is spent. We were unsuccessful in our search and will have to call AGAIN the number we have. We haven't been able to reach this supplier who usually delivers the orders. So, while we were out and about, we stopped at Carrefour and shopped for our weekly food. It was nice to have a car instead of pulling our cart this time. We were able to buy more.

We failed to get a picture today to post, so I am including one that we took last Sunday after the missionary fireside. These are some missionaries from the Belgrano zone. They are Sisters Shaffer and Cano with Elders Finlay, Koch, Petty, Aguirre and Sargetis. Sister Cano used to be with us in Tigre.

I started this entry late and now it is midnight. So off to bed. Asado tomorow.