History of Christianity - Friday, March 5, 2010

We blinked and it's Friday again!! But, we are happy about it because we have a full funfilled weekend ahead of us.

I decided I really like the week before transfers -- that is if I am all ready with my part of it. If so, then I use this week for little odds and ends that need to be done. I did get all the certificates, letter to parents and Stake Presidents ready for signing for the April elders going home. There are only four of them, so it was a snap. President Argyle came to the office to work for a few hours, so I hustled and got everything printed off and on his desk for signing.

I, then, worked on making some files for things that I search for in a folder that is in a basket on my desk. I don't know why I haven't done it sooner. Even if it was one or two pieces of paper that I refer to regularly, I made a file for it and labeled it. I have plenty of hanging files and space for them so it is about time I put them to good use.

Rich worked on whatever financial secretaries do, and Elders Coria and Hales went to WalMart to buy new pillows for the incoming missionaries. Since the President was here with his car, they took advantage of it so they didn't have to take a remise on the shopping trip. Earlier, Elder Hales and Elder Petersen took a load of blankets to the laundry to get washed before transfer day. This is a little late to start washing blankets and rounding up pillows, but it only takes one transfer to get in the swing of things and not leave it until the last minute. Next transfer, Elder Hales will be on top of it. He's sharp!

It is tradition that whoever goes to WalMart must come back with donuts. This is the only place to get real American type donuts, and the missionaries crave them, so WalMart trips are encouraged. They each have their eye on their favorite in this photo.

Our desks were tidy and slicked up by 3:30 because our day was ending. We were going home to freshen up and leave our bags and other things we take to the office and then head out to the train station. We were invited to go to a lecture on the History of Christianity that was arranged by one of the senior couples at the Area Offices. We would listen to the presenter and then have Chinese takeout for dinner. We haven't been able to go to everything they invite us to, so since this was on a Friday night and we were free, we were excited to do something different and socialize with our senior friends. Rich said this could be very deep and possibly boring, or could be informative and enlightening. It was absolutely the latter!!!

Philippe Kradolfer and his wife, Regula, are converts to the church of many years, and speak marvelous English. He is from Peru and she is from Switzerland. He has been a mission president in Tucson, Arizona and works for the church as Director of Temporal Affairs being moved around from country to country for around 30 years. They spend about four or five years at a time in one place overseeing all the building and remodeling of churches and temples, all the financial matters, welfare, and more. Argentina is the 9th country they have been assigned to. He works directly under the Presiding Bishopric of the church.

In 2002, when he was at the New Mission President's Seminar at the MTC prior to going to their assigned mission, Elder Ballard spoke to them about the apostasy. The things he said tweaked his interest in understanding the apostasy better. He decided to study it more in depth and it led to his desire to share what he had learned with other people. While he is here in the South America South Area (Argentina, Paraguay & Uruguay) doing his job as the Director of Temporal Affairs, he teaches a class on the History of Christianity to the missionaries at the MTC here in Buenos Aires. The class is usually a four hour session. We got the two hour version.

It was an incredible two hours of listening to him and understanding the time line of events that led from 900 years before Christ until the time of Joseph Smith and the restoration of the gospel. He was a great presenter and we were all caught up in the moment throroughly enjoying and learning more in depth about the apostasy which strengthened our testimonies of Joseph Smith and the restauration. After his presentation, Rich was surprised at how much of it he was familiar with, but for me I learned things I didn't know or understand about the apostasy. Everyone there praised his efforts and expertise in becoming an authority on the subject. It was great!

Some couples from the Area Offices have finished their missions and gone home, so our group is smaller. Those still serving are from the left, Elder Burke (wife taking picture), the Petersens, Bartons, Fuquas, Kroffs, and Sister Wall (husband not there). The Kradolfers join us in the picture.

We filled our plates and warmed up the Chinese take out in the microwaves. We ate in the lunchroom and everything tasted really good.

I wanted a parting picture with my friend, the doctor, Elder Petersen and his wife Eileen. They will leave next Thursday to return to their home in Burley, Idaho. After being a mission president in Mexico, and serving two missions as Area Medical Advisor in Guatemala and Argentina, they think this is it for them. He is 76 years old. We will miss them.

He told us tonight that just this week, arrangements have been made to have two interim doctors come, each for a three month stay, before the next Area Medical Advisor is scheduled to come in October. Whew!!! They evidently called two retired doctors, the first one from St. George who is working in the temple there, to come to Argentina for three months. His name is Dr. Anderson. I can't remember where the second doctor is coming from. But, the regular one who will be serving an 18 month mission here starting in October is from Canada. So, just for two weeks until the first one arrives, we can call Dr. Petersen at his home in Idaho if we need to. Sister Argyle and I are ordering our missionaries not to get sick for two weeks, however.

Rich and I decided it wasn't too late to ride the train home, so we took a taxi to the train station and got on the crowded, standing room only, train to San Fernando. We walked home from the train station without incident and arrived shortly before 10:00. We downloaded the pictures, and I started this entry, but kept falling asleep at the keyboard.

Our first event of the busy weekend was awesome -- more to come tomorrow!