Attending Virreyes - Sunday, April 18, 2010

Changing branches didn't alter our getting up time today, but would change the time we had to leave by about a half hour. The remise company we always call on Sunday mornings is going to wonder what happened to us when we don't call them any more.

The forecast for today said rain increasing as the day went on, but it was clear skies and a lot warmer than the last few days. We opted not to take an umbrella, and hoped for the best. However, the humidity was at 100% -- noticeable, but not drippy because the dew point was low.

This is the first experience we have had going to Relief Society and Priesthood first with Sacrament meeting being at the end of the block of meetings. We have never been in a ward where the schedule was like that. So we lingered around the foyer waiting for a rush of people to come so our individual classes could begin. That never happened, but during R.S. the room filled with the late comers. Rich said priesthood meeting was the same.

Until these cute Relief Society sisters get to know me and realize that I cannot speak their language, they will probably continue to jabber a mile a minute at me. I understood some of what they were saying, but trying to return an appropriate comment leaves me floundering. If I have enough time to think about it I can usually come up with something-- right or wrong.

The Relief Society teacher did a good job on her lesson about prayer. She had visual aids and had lots of class participation. By the time the class was over, the room was filled with sisters. So different than Tigre.

When I met up with Rich after the first hour we went into a classroom for Sunday School, but ended up in the Gospel Doctrine class instead of in the Gospel Principles class where the investigators and elders would be attending. But we stayed put and enjoyed that class as well.

Anticipating that we would be called on to bear our testimonies in Sacrament Meeting as new comers, I prepared my remarks ahead of time in Español, and I am glad I did because our prompting was right. As I looked down in the congregation, there were five smiling, surprised faces staring up at me giving me support. I wondered what the elders would think when our names were called to come forward. The Virreyes branch has two sets of missionaries in it, and now three, with us. Our office elders are assigned to Virreyes as are Elders Davis and Smith.

The high counsel speaker today was our own Silvio Bolletini who works with Elder Hales on the apartments. So it was fun to know who was speaking to us today.

The members of this branch are really friendly and outgoing and welcomed us with open arms and the Argentine kiss. I think we will enjoy our time with them.

Our Branch President is Carlos Palermo and his wife is Cinthia. They have only been married two years and have no children yet. He is young, very tall, and super nice. He asked to talk to us after Sacrament Meeting so we met with him in his office. He asked if we felt we could help out in the branch. Of course! He said there are five couples getting ready to go to the temple and he wanted us to teach the Temple Preparation class. Well, Rich will teach -- I will smile and hold pictures. He wants us to emphasize that going to the temple is a life changing experience and needs to be taken seriously in keeping the covenants that are made. We can do that! The class will start in two weeks.

He also told us that last year the branch had about 70 people in attendance, and this year it has increased. Today there were 115 people to church. He said they have enough in numbers to become a ward, but only 15 Melchizedek Priesthood members paying tithing, and they need 30. He said the sisters do a good job rallying around new female members, but the brethren do not fellowship the men very good and some fall away.

We came home to a meatloaf, potatoes, steamed broccoli and cauliflower dinner and then went back to the church later to get ready for the fireside at 5:00 for the elders leaving for home this week. I was the official piano player, and we heard testimonies from four Latino elders and President Argyle.

The foursome leaving are Elders Jiménez (Mexico), Guevara (Chile), Celis (Chile), and Ravanales (Chile). They meet in the cultural hall afterwards with their converts and ward families that come to support them and bid them farewell. Rich takes group pictures to include in the DVD they get when they go home.

The Argyle children always come to the fireside, so it seemed like a good time for a family photo. This family is SO used to getting their picture taken. They always comply.

Elder Ravanales has been a good, strong missionary. We have enjoyed him. He will go far in life. It makes us sad to say goodbye to our Latin friends. Will our paths ever cross again?