Breakfast & Baptism - Saturday, April 17, 2010

It is always hard to think of getting up early on a Saturday morning, but knowing what we had to look forward to makes it a priority. Breakfast at the mission home is always something fun and special.

Today the menu was waffles instead of pancakes, voted on by the Argyle children. Elder Kroff was delighted as they are his favorite. There is always a breakfast quiche containing potatoes, ham, and eggs, and always a plate of fruit. Usually the President is seen at the stove with an apron on, but when we got there, Anika and Quinn were the cooks. The children are always up and at the table with us at 8:30, and they don't seemed forced, but I'm sure they are reminded and realize this is part of the duties that go along with their mission.

The guest of honor is always the elder being transferred from the office, so Elder Coria was the reason for the invite today. Do hope the new mission president and wife hold on to this tradition. We'll tactfully drop the hint when they get here.

We try to get a group shot after breakfast and before the elders and children retreat to the basketball court out back. This group of Kroffs, Argyles, Quinn, Anika, Austin, Seth, Elders Peterson, Coria, and Hales are full and happy after a good time together.

Upon leaving the mission home, Rich and I decided to walk to the Acassuso train stop instead of the San Isidro one since we were almost exactly in between both. At the Acassuso stop we went to the meat market we like and can't always get to because of the distance. Their meat looked wonderful! We bought two kilos of carne picada (hamburger), two thick pork chops, and some pollo (chicken). The fruit and vegetable market right across the street was convenient and always has a variety that looks fresh and wonderful. So they got some of our pesos too. The health food store that has good peanut butter was out of it and that was one of the main reasons we went that way. Oh well, we bought oats, pear jam, and almonds.

Carrying our heavy bolsas, we walked across the street to the train platform and caught the next one going our way. We arrived home at 11:30 and remarked at what we had accomplished just in the morning hours. The afternoon was spent cleaning our apartment and preparing for a baptism in the evening.

Juan Pedro Noriega asked Elder Kroff to baptize him a couple of weeks ago, so we gladly returned to Tigre to support him and for Rich to perform the ordinance. His good friend, Ceferino Carvallo, and Hermano Carvallo's granddaughter, Florencia Agustina Carvallo, were there for the occasion also. Last week we accompanied the sisters to his home while they continued to prepare him for baptism.

Sisters Shaffer and Sandoval are happy that Juan Pedro has made this commitment. They said he has been so excited about his baptism that he went around his neighborhood talking to people about the Book of Mormon and inviting them to his baptism. Sadly, no one came, however.

When he was baptised as Rich was bringing him out of the water to a standing position again, he could not get his good leg underneath him. Rich was struggling to lift him, but was being unsuccessful. Finally he got his footing and all was well, but he was almost baptized twice.

President Andrés Torre poses with one of his counselors, Adrian Acosta. He has just made him the Elders Quorum President, so he will be choosing another counselor shortly. We are grateful for new experiences, but will really miss this branch and our good friends.

Nestor Oscar Ballester and Jesica Daniela Perrotta have recently become active and are great supporters of baptisms and everything that goes on in the branch.

Waiting for the bus to come home took a few minutes, but at least it wasn't raining. We had a great P-day from beginning to end. Can't complain!