Transfers Coming - Monday, Jan. 18, 2010

Looking out the window this morning, it was crystal clear, bright, and sunny. Beautiful! But we knew how it would feel once we left our apartment. 90+ degrees expected with high humidity of 70% to 80%. This could be our hottest day. Glad for air conditioning, to say the least. Our thoughts always turn to the missionaries walking the streets. They probably don't worry about themselves as much as I worry about them. We just hope they all obey the counsel to drink two liters of water a day. They lose a lot in perspiration, and need to remain hydrated in this climate. Heat exhaustion can come quickly.

Elder Kroff wasn't super busy today but worked with Elder Paz on rents and apartment issues that dealt with money.

I tackled the packets that I prepare for the missionaries that are going home next week. We have eleven of them leaving the mission and nine of them are either zone leaders or district leaders. We are losing a lot of leadership this transfer. But, it will give others a chance to step up and have that experience for growth. We are just saying goodbye to a lot of elders that we have enjoyed, and with whom we have become good friends. Four of them are from the Salt Lake area, but Elder Miranda is from Santiago, Chile and who knows if we will ever see him again. That's what hurts!

In these packets are the following items: Letter from the President, flight itinerary, passport, talks by President Hinckley, President Faust, and Elder Bednar (in English and Spanish), two papers to work on and fill out while at the mission home on the day of departure. While waiting for their final interview with the President, they fill out a paper on their goals, and then write a spiritual experience they have had while serving their mission. This experience is left with the President and is typed up and included in the History of the Mission that is turned in at the end of the year to church headquarters.

When the correo came today, it required all four of us in the office to go out to the gate and carry the packages in to the office. Good grief, I thought Christmas was over. However, some of these packages and flat rate mailing envelopes were probably suppose to arrive in time for Christmas. One was postmarked December 1 and it is getting here six weeks later. So some missionaries will have fun receiving an after Christmas surprise. My shelf in the supply room for mail is reaching it's limit.

In separating the mail, we immediately perked up because one package was for Elder and Sister Kroff, sent by my sister, Susanne. The customs label said "Fruit Cake." Oh, my gosh! We wasted no time in opening it and cutting us a healthy piece right there on the spot. It was heavenly -- so fresh and moist having been packed in zip lock vacuum packed bags. What a treat! It's my mother's recipe and Susanne makes it the best. We could have devoured it all in one sitting, but didn't. However, we did share a piece with the elders. They enjoyed it too. Thanks, Susanne.

On the grounds of the church and mission office is this beautiful flowering tree. We don't know what the name of it is, but the blooms are large pink flowers.

One thing we have enjoyed here in Buenos Aires is the beautiful flowering trees and shrubs we have seen during the spring and summer. There are varieties here that we haven't seen in our dry Utah climate. Just gorgeous!!

I was ready to leave the office at 4:00 as my work for the day was accomplished. Rich had a few things to tie up, so I puttered around waiting for him. We got home around 5:00 and then he walked to the Farmacia and Disco for pills and some oranges for his freshly squeezed juice that he has been consuming daily. He adds this to some bottled orange juice to make it go further. It tastes refreshingly good!

Part of our evening entertainment is reading the Doyles and Larsons blogs - both serving missions in Switzerland. Doyles in the office, and Larsons as a proselyting couple. Crawfords in Italy post occasionally, and hopefully a new one to read if and when they get all set up are friends from Tooele, the Fairbanks, who left today for Athens, Greece. What an exciting and satisfying experience it is to be missionaries. It is truly a blessing!