Peaceful Day - Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010

Morning came early for me today because I was up until 1:00 am working on the journal entry from yesterday. However, half of that time was dozing at the computer. Our little excursion to Tigre last night where we were unsuccessful in meeting up with the sister missionaries caused me a late start in working on the entry. Then, I didn't get it posted until today because I wasn't quite finished and it was just too late. Hopefully, tonight I'll get to bed a lot earlier.

The remise came to get us at 8:15 a.m. to take us to church. My faithful sisters who greet me as I enter the chapel to practice my hymns are always there. I don't know how much earlier they arrive. Maybe they plan on being there at 8:30, too, so they can visit with one another until church starts. There are very few Sundays that they are not there before us. The fifteen ceiling fans were all in motion trying to circulate air and cool down the chapel. The humidity was high today.

While I was playing the prelude music, the Branch President asked me if I could give the closing prayer in Sacrament Meeting. I said, "in Español?" He shrugged and indicated that it would be nice, but that Heavenly Father isn't particular. He will hear it either way. Well, now I was nervous because I really should try to do it in the language they understand. But, I have to think it through first and be sure of what I am saying. I jotted a few sentences down and had Rich look it over to be sure I had all the la, las, el, los or whatever articles used were agreeing with the nouns which they modify. It was a short prayer, and I goofed up on the last part of it, but oh well, at least I tried.

I love being on this mission and doing what I do, but the most discouraging thing for me is not knowing the language better. I am amazed that I can understand what I do grasp, but I have failed so far in learning how to speak it. I can say a few phrases and things, and when I do, the person to whom I am addressing, thinks I can speak the language and starts talking to me like I understand everything. I feel like a little child who is learning to talk. He can understand what his mommy is saying to him, but he can't verbalize it yet.

My problem is that working in the office all day doesn't require me to use Spanish. The office elders are Latin, but they are required to learn English and they want me to speak to them in English so they can learn it better. So, is it better for them to learn English or for me to learn Spanish? I listen to Elder Kroff and the elders converse in Spanish and I try to understand what is going on, but they talk so fast that I give up. Sometimes my mind goes blank when I want to say something, so I ask for help, then I realize I really knew how to say it all along. I just can't remember as good as I used to. I can be told what something is in Spanish and I don't retain the knowledge. I have to be told over and over. It is so frustrating! They told us in the MTC that learning a language has nothing to do with age, but I beg to differ a little with that.

I need to make a concentrated effort to study more, and I have a good teacher here at home, but working on this journal entry every night takes up most of my evening after dinner is over, dishes and done, and shirts are ironed. Everyone expects that I will come home fluent in Spanish and I am afraid I will disappoint them.

Sometimes I feel I am not very useful as a missionary except for the office work I do, because of the language barrier. And, because I can't understand an inspirational talk in church, or feel what the one bearing testimony is feeling, or grasp what others are gaining from the lesson taught, I am missing out on some spiritual experiences that I could be having. I really feel bad about that, and feel left out most of the time. All I can do well is smile and hug! I would just love to hear our mission president give a talk in English. He is so bright and capable and inspired, and I know he is saying great things during zone conferences, but I never benefit from his words, and never will. He speaks "muy rapido, tambien." Ok, enough of my pity party.

In the Gospel Principles class today, Elder Kroff put to the test his ability to use inspiration to direct him to the proper lesson to be taught. There were three investigators in class, and after introductions by the missionaries and inquiry of them as to what they would like to learn today, it was suggested that they needed to learn more about Jesus Christ. So lesson #3 was taught. Rich spends part of his evenings going over the lessons in the manual so he is familiar with many. It went well and there was a good feeling in class.

After church, we didn't wait too long for our bus #60 to come by to take us back to San Fernando. And this was the bus that drops us off right at our apartment building. Another one drops us off about three blocks from home.

We ate dinner, had naps, and after I finish this entry we are going to watch Forever Strong which Rich downloaded from the internet.

Show and tell today consists of some purchases we have made in the last of couple months.

These are the little boxes made from oranges that we purchased yesterday at Recoleta. They are so unique and delicate, and as our daughter, Melissa, excitedly exclaimed after receiving one in her Christmas package, "It's the perfect recyclable gift." That it is indeed. She loves things like this.

In order to get an idea of the size, I stuck my hand in the picture. Taking the lid off and smelling the inside has the scent of an orange. They are so fun!

At the International Arts Fair that we drove to up in the Capital a few weeks ago, we purchased this figurine of a JuJuy lady making her tortillas. JuJuy is a town in Northern Argentina and it is bordered by Chile and Colombia. It's main agriculture is sugar cane and tobacco. It is a popular tourist spot for Argentines. We would like to go there some day before we go home.

A valero is a toy played with in Mexico and South America. They are made in different shapes and sizes according to the country. When Rich came home from his mission in Mexico, he brought a couple with him. When he taught school, and after a return trip to Mexico, he bought several more to be played with by his students. He is a little rusty right now, but with practice and determination, his skill will resurface.

It's only 8:00 and this entry is done. Yippee!! We think we will enjoy a movie before bed.