They Come, They Go - Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010

I am writing this journal entry for the second time tonight. I had it all finished, but we were not connected to the internet. It had been down for a couple hours. When it came back up, the only thing on the blog was the pictures, no writing. I am not a happy camper right now.

Last night it did not cool down one iota. The only relief we had was the fan in the doorway blowing on us all night. We could not sleep under the sheet because it would trap the heat. I am not used to sleeping without a covering. I feel exposed. That is for napping, not settling in for a good nights rest. It is so unnatural to me, but necessary with this heat.

We knew today would be hectic with many interruptions due to transfers. We have about 80 companionships, and 40 of them were being changed. Missionaries would be coming and going and we would have some stopping in the office for one thing or another. I had two important tasks that both needed my attention today. I was "antsy" to start sorting the mail and putting the packages and envelopes in bins according to zones. Since I knew yesterday afternoon who the new District Leaders were going to be, I emailed them the list of supplies so they could contact the people in their district and get their requests. Today is also "P" day for everyone so when they do their internet, they will see my email. After faxing the form back to me, I will add those requested supplies to the mail in the bins to be delivered to Zone Conference.

But, I put that job on hold in order to start on the 39 baptisms that have started to come in. Since this is the last week of the month, I need to get them entered, and seeing them sit on my desk unattended causes me stress. With all the interruptions, I still got 20 entered today. I can finish the other 19 tomorrow.

When I got our camera out to take a picture of this group of handsome young elders, all cameras came forward. They wanted a picture also. Elders Healey, Pugmire, and Paz are seated, with Elders Coria, Riquelme, and Porterfield standing behind. The phone rang just as we were going to take the picture and Elder Coria answered it. That is normal to see him with a phone to his ear.

Elders Pugmire and Paz were waiting to go to the mission home with Elder Kroff, but they were also waiting for Elder Curtis, the other AP, to come. He is being replaced by Elder Fernandez. The President is making Elder Curtis a zone leader in Liniers, the largest zone in the mission. The group left in time to be there when the President arrived from the airport with the new missionaries. Then the President interviewed each of them and training is held hoping they can stay awake. The long overnight flight takes it's toll on some of them.

At about 12:30 all the missionaries who are getting new companions started to arrive. The front of the church is the meeting place, and the sidewalk is lined with luggage. Excited missionaries are laughing, talking and eagerly greeting past companions and meeting new ones. Remises line the street waiting to take people and luggage to a new area for some, the same area for others. It is a fun time.

Hermana Mora (from Mexico) is waiting for a remise to take her to the airport to catch a flight down South to Rio Gallegos. She is beautiful, and an on the ball gal. We may not see her again, as by the time she returns to Buenos Aires, we may be released from our mission. Her companion, Sister Gosnell, had tears in her eyes as she bid her farewell.

We love our Hermanas!! Sisters Rios, Gosnell, Mora, Collinwood, Rivera, and Romo are wonderful young missionaries. We enjoy our association with all the sisters in our mission.

Elder Paz is being replaced in the office by Elder Justin Hales. He is from North Carolina, but was born in Provo and attended BYU for a year before his mission. However, he doesn't know where Tooele is. He moved back East when he was a small lad. He came to Buenos Aires in August, so he hasn't been here very long. He seems like a bright and capable young man, and we hope he will be able to handle the most stressful job in the office. We hope his Spanish is good enough to be able to talk over the phone to loud speaking, sometimes irritated landlords. It has been helpful to have an Argentine in that position because they know the customs here and how to talk to the landlords and handle the people. We are glad to be able to pass calls along to Elder Coria when something comes up that is unfamiliar to the rest of us. We look forward to working with Elder Hales, but will miss Elder Paz.

I was able to get in touch with Dr. Petersen today about all my medical problems. He didn't offer why he was unavailable yesterday. But now, all is well and hopefully the missionaries will be on the road to recovery. He and his wife leave in six weeks and he told me that they do not have a replacement for him. How could that be?? Maybe they have a hard time finding someone who speaks Spanish. Dr. Petersen speaks it well. He told me that he might be on call from his home in Burley, Idaho until they can find someone to fill the position.

When he said Burley, Idaho, I told him that I have a lot of relatives from the Burley and Declo area of Idaho. I told him my mother was a Gillette and mentioned my Uncle Max and Aunt Elva Gillette who were from Burley (now deceased). He said he knew them and that they were in his ward. I couldn't believe it. My uncle was never an active member of the church, but my aunt went occasionally. Wonderful people!! Small world.