Day Two at Argyles - Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010

It was wonderful to sleep in a king size bed again on a really comfortable mattress -- a pillow top with something else on top of it. It was also dark and quiet in the room and I didn't wake up once. I am looking forward to another good nights rest.

We got up earlier than usual because I wanted to shower and at least get my makeup on before I had to wake up the two youngest boys at 6:00. Scripture study for 15 minutes begins at 6:15. We read the Book of Mormon in Spanish, each reading a verse at a time. Then Austin and Anika leave at 6:45 for Seminary. It is held at the school and Sister Bowen, the wife of the Area President, Sister Argyle, and another English speaking member of the church rotate teaching the early morning class.

After eating some breakfast, then the two youngest use the time to read before the remise comes to pick them up at 7:30 to take them to school. It is very quiet at the house in the mornings. They are very disciplined to do what is outlined for them. Also, each day when we arrive by 5:00, everyone is doing his/her homework.

After everyone was out the door this morning, we finished getting ready and stopped off at our apartment before ending up at the office. It was a fun change to go and come in an auto instead of on foot. I could get used to it, although I really don't mind the walk.

Our day at the office was nothing out of the ordinary. I handled a few medical calls, which required calling the doctor. I was glad I was able to reach him because he has been in the Neuquen Mission for two weeks and sometimes he doesn't have phone service.

I started on the new missionary binders for sixteen new missionaries coming in March. We actually will have nineteen coming, but three are temporaries. When Latin Americans have visa problems, they start their missions in other places while waiting for their visas. We seem to always have one or two temporaries all the time. Two are going to Chile and one is going to Venezuela. We never know how long they will be with us, but Elder Riquelme, who has been called to Venezuela, has been with us at least six months.

Elder Coria took six missionaries to Immigrations this morning and came back exhausted. It is a grueling process anyway, and going by train and walking in all this heat and humidity makes it worse. I felt sorry for him today.

These three elders had companions that went with Elder Coria. They stay behind and go out street contacting to make themselves useful. Elders Hymas, Jimenez, and Ravanales hold up pamphlets they hope to give away.

Good bye elders -- Good Luck! They hated to leave our air conditioned office, but, oh well!!

Elder Hales received his International Driving Permit from Triple A last week. His parents sent it to him because in his job, he will need to be able to drive. So Elder Kroff took him to the bank and let him drive. He did well, but admitted it is a little nerve wracking worrying about the one way streets and who has the right of way all the time. He'll get used to it -- everyone does.

Elder Aidukaitis told the office elders that it was important that they leave the office at 4:00 every day. The work will always be there, and it is important that they go to work finding people to baptize. They can have just as much success baptizing while working in the office as regular missionaries who spend the whole day proselyting. So the last couple days since the meeting, they have packed up and left right at 4:00. They want to do better and will obediently follow that counsel.

We also left at 4:00 to go to our apartment and get the clothes we need for tomorrow. We arrived at the mission home at 5:00 and all the children were home. Nancy had made another delicious meal of chicken and potatoes. We added green beans, and it all tasted good. Then later in the evening we ordered ice cream to be delivered. It was a hit!

Rich and the boys continued on with their Monopoly game, while I worked on this journal entry.