Slowing Down - Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010

How can one day be so muggy and hot, and the next so delightful? As I was working on the journal entry last night, we had a terrific rain storm. It was just a drenching rain and I was hoping the missionaries were running for cover in some kiosko or something. When it stopped, the temperature had dropped substantially and an open window let cool air in our bedroom. It was great! Then today it stayed in the high 70's, maybe low 80's and our walk to work was noticeably cool. It felt so good!!! And, walking home it was picture perfect weather and we couldn't believe how pleasant it was. I just don't understand how the temperature can change so fast. It was a perfect day!

When we got to work we were surprised to see our outside door open and a handful of elders in our foyer. We greeted them warmly and asked if Elders Coria and Paz were there. We assumed they let them in. No, no one had seen them. Really??? The car was gone and that confused us too. So the next obvious question was, "Well, how did you get in here?" "Oh, the President let us in" Awwww -- he had come for his car and saw the elders waiting outside the gate and he opened the door. They were on the docket to go to Immigrations today and were a little early. Okay, now it makes sense.

So Elder Coria took a group on the train up to the Capital to Immigrations while the three of us left in the office worked quietly at our computers doing what we do. I am all caught up and ready for transfers next week so nothing is really causing me any panic attacks. I may run out of things to do by Thursday or Friday. That would be a switch.

So my focus today was to begin entering the 24 baptisms that happened over the weekend. I hardly ever get to start them on a Tuesday. I usually can't get to them until at least Wednesday. But first I decided to order the flights home for our four Latino elders that are finishing their missions in April. Now that seems like a long way off, but the computer GVM program where we go to order the flights was telling me that there was "return travel needing to be completed." Usually it isn't necessary to order flights for the South American countries as far in advance as we do for those going to the U.S., but since it was flashing me a reminder, I decided to get it done and over with. Three elders were going to Santiago, Chile, and the fourth to Mexico. And that is all we have going home in April -- no one going to the states this trip.

For two days now there have been no calls from sick missionaries. Hurrah!! I am glad they are well and out working, and hope it continues throughout the week. Elder Friás had a doctor's appointment at the hospital for a foot problem, so I had to fax an authorization over for that, but nothing more. It felt good to have a break.

Rich worked on writing some checks today, but could never find the President to get them signed. Elder Paz was concerned that he wasn't answering any of his emails either. So we don't know where the President was all day. We know he left early with his car, but usually he responds quickly on his Blackberry when anyone has a question or concern. But there was not one bit of communication with him today. Seemed odd!

Elder Kroff's afternoon was really laid back. He was totally without anything to do, so he read some Mary Higgins Clark on his iPhone.

These are some of our elders who are serving in Tierra del Fuego. Sister Argyle took these pictures and forwarded them to Rich to add to the DVD for the departing missionaries. From left to right are Elders Lowry, Vera, Folster, and Wray. Elder Farías is in the far back. Elder Vera is from Grantsville and came in December. He was in and out the same day as he went directly to the south the day he came. So we didn't get to meet him, and if he is still down there past September, we won't have a chance to get to know him. Being "neighbors" in our Utah communities gives us something in common, but we may not have much contact with him.

Sister Argyle is with Hermanas Tejada (from Florida, who speaks fluent Spanish and only had to be in the MTC three weeks) Freitas from Salina, UT, Gonzales (not sure - probably Peru, Chile, or Argentina) and Oesterle (back East). We have great sister missionaries in this mission. We are so impressed with their abilities and hard work. Makes me wish I would have served a mission in my youth.

The President joins this zone for a picture. The other zone in the south is in Rio Gallegos. Since Tierra del Fuego is on an island, a plane ride is necessary to get to the other zone. Tierra del Fuego is the preferred place to serve -- snow capped mountains year round, beautiful scenery, but cold weather. The high in the summer only gets in the 60's. Rio Gallegos is flat and windy.

Our work load, or lack thereof, let us leave the office at 4:30. I made hamburger soup for dinner with enough left to take to the elders for one of their lunches this week. They only get two meals provided by a member each week. The same lady makes them enough food for two days. The rest of the week they have to cook for themselves. Today they ordered a pizza because there was nothing in the fridge. When it was delivered, Elder Kroff went to get it and paid for it. He wouldn't let the elders pay him back.

I whipped up a meat loaf after dinner to cook for tomorrows meal. Gee!! How about that!!