Felices Pasquas - Sunday, April 4, 2010

Happy Easter to all! What a beautiful day to celebrate this special time of year. We are conditioned to think of Easter as springtime, but here fall is starting, and is still a beautiful day.

We slept well and didn't wake up until 7:30. It felt good to wake up when we wanted, not when we had to. It was an easy, restful morning preparing for the second day of conference. My potato salad was all made and chilling in the fridge, so all we really had to do was get ourselves ready and eat a little breakfast. We included reading in the Book of Mormon and listening to a couple chapters in Fire of the Covenant. The immigrants are still gathering supplies and making the handcarts. As unaware as we were of the pioneer experience involving the Hole in the Rock, we find ourselves just as unfamiliar with the handcart treks. We know they happened and understand basically what took place, but learning what was involved in getting the saints to America and then to the point where they start the journey by handcarts has been enlightening to say the least. What sacrifices they have made already and they haven't even started walking.

Not wanting to repeat yesterday's close call with the train, we left fifteen minutes earlier. We were able to purchase our tickets on this end as we arrived in good time. We found seats on the train, but not together. We have learned that we take what is available because they go fast. However, most young people are respectful of their elders and offer their seat to older people. We are afraid we are in that category, and have been the recipient of a kind gesture. But, we do our share of standing also.

We got off at Belgrano and decided if we waited for the bus more than 10 minutes, we would just hail a taxi to go the rest of the way. That is what we ended up doing and made it to Bonpland to see part of The Spoken Word before conference.

We clearly remember last April conference because we had just been in Argentina about two or three weeks and the President got an email from one of the senior couples inviting us to join them for conference if we wanted. He extended that invitation to us and offered us the car. In recalling what took place, Rich said, "Did I really drive here that soon after arriving?" Knowing what we know now about the traffic and how hard it is to get around with the one way streets etc., I am amazed that the President even offered us the car. What trust!!

We loved the morning session and hung on every word. How can every talk be so meaningful and just what we need or want to hear?

We enjoyed bife de loma (steak) for our dinner. Sisters Fuqua and Wall bought some steaks at their favorite meat market in the neighborhood and right after conference went to Fuqua's to cook them. They bought about 28 steaks the size of a hamburger bun for around $20 (U.S. money). So we each could have two. They just pan fried them to perfection. They were soooo tender and juicy. Kudos to the chefs!

So, while waiting for the meat to come, everyone just relaxed and visited away. We chatted with Dr. Anderson and his wife, getting to know them better and discussing a few health issues I had with missionaries. What a delightful couple. Too bad they will only be here three months.

To continue with our couple spotlights, our friends include - -

William and Patricia Burk are from Santaquin, Utah and have been serving an 18 month mission in the Area Offices. Elder Burk is the Executive Secretary to Elder Bowen, President of the South America South Area and member of the Seventy, and Sister Burk is an assistant to her husband. They go home on May 5.

Kelly and Zella Grieve are from Salt Lake and are greenies, having been here just one week. They are going to be music missionaries. Elder Grieve will teach piano lessons and Sister Grieve will be his assistant. Keyboards will be used and distributed as has been done in the past.

Frank and Diane Wall are serving an 18 month Humanitarian mission, and will not be replaced after they leave -- reasons unknown to us. They are from Santaquin, Utah and go home in June. They are the parents of 7 children.

The Bartons and Walls share a table with the two technicians that get conference on the screen and stay around to make sure everything stays connected. They were invited to share in our meal.

The Andersons, Burks, and Grieves enjoy the tasty dinner of steak, potato salad, vegetables and dip, jello salads, deviled eggs, and rolls.

Kroffs and Fuquas enjoy conversation and the meal. For dessert, a bunny cake was made and decorated by Sister Barton, and Sister Anderson purchased a Rosca de Pasquas torta from a panaderia. We all wondered how we would stay awake during the afternoon session of conference after eating so much food.

So glad to be included in this group of wonderful missionaries!

Instead of taking a taxi back to the train station, the Bartons told us what bus to catch and what corner to stand on. We thought we would try it and "Bingo" it was a piece of cake. We learned something new tonight.

Walking from the train station in San Fernando, we met the Mansilla family walking to the train from the church. The whole family in Sunday best, little kids and all had been to conference and were on their way home. What a faithful dedicated family. They have extended a hand of friendship to us and we will really miss them when we leave Argentina. She told me she wants to meet my daughters when they come.