Great Popcorn - Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Towards morning neither of us slept well. Rich had a headache and a queasy stomach, but chose not to get up and take a headache pill because it might make him wake up too much. I have a bothersome shoulder and it hurts at night when I lay on it. But I can't sleep on my back so I toss and turn from one side to the other to get in a comfortable position. We didn't know each other was partially awake from 5:00 to 6:00 and stayed in bed until "Called to Serve" came on.

Rich actually considered going to the office to do a couple of "must do" things and then maybe come home if his sickness didn't pass. Taking a pill helped the headache and the sick stomach passed by noon, so all was well.

No visible sunrise today as the sky was filled with clouds that promised rain throughout the day. And, we had some pretty good downpours during the day, and had to use our umbrellas to walk home this afternoon.

It was so fun to have Elder Coria back in the office. I couldn't contain myself and had to give him a hug. But, I am a grandma and I can do that. He will only be with us another week until transfer time. The President has announced that it is time for Elder Coria to leave the office and proselyte full time. He has been with us for six months. Elder Peterson, who has been helping him and learning his job, will take his place. Good choice! So this week the two of them will work closely together to tie up loose ends and make sure Elder Peterson gets a taste of all that will be required of him. He won't have a problem, because he is sharp as a tack and catches on quickly. And, he works at something until he gets it right.

All of us gringos in the office now are a little nervous not having a Latino, mainly an Argentine, with us who understands where to go, who to call, what was said, and how to do it in dealing with this culture. But, I guess we'll survive.

Most of my day revolved around some medical matters, and entering baptisms. I have 20 of the 41 in the computer. I can probably get the rest entered tomorrow. But, 10 of them still need to be faxed to me.

We met a new missionary today whose name is Elder Bradshaw. He was suppose to come with the March group, but was hung up due to visa problems. He was sent to Baltimore, Maryland for a month and only spoke English, so he said he is having trouble converting back to Spanish. The Argyles picked him up this morning at the airport and he and his new companion stopped briefly by the office for something before the remise took them to their area of work.

We received a surprise in the mail today from Jill Stout, one of Elder Kroff's single adults. She was a member of the singles ward when he was bishop, and has remained a good friend. She kept in contact with him when she left the ward and went to Iraq to serve her country. She has since returned, and today sent us some absolutely delicious popcorn. She mentioned it in an email and said she would send us some. It is coated with something that is to die for.

We shared with the elders and they thought they had died and gone to heaven. Elders Lazo, Peterson, Coria, and Hales ham it up trying to get their share. Elder Lazo is one of the assistants and was with us for a short time today while waiting for his companion to come and get him. He has been on an exchange with other missionaries.

Sister Argyle brought the President by to get his car that we have had since Friday. He left us the loaner, but now has his own back after the repairs -- and it is sparkling clean inside and out. He stayed for a while working on his computer, meeting with Silvio and Elder Hales, and firming up the schedule for transfers next week. We can't believe that time is here again. Where did the last six weeks go??

As we were visiting for a few minutes with Hermana Argyle, she mentioned that she was going shopping for food -- family food, not mission food. We were complaining about how disappointed we have been with the fruit we have been buying lately. The peaches and pears and plums look ripe, but never get soft enough to eat. They remain quite firm and are tasteless. We didn't know what to think because a month ago, they were delicious. We were wondering about this great produce place we found and were thinking of finding somewhere else to shop.

Well, Sister Argyle said that since winter is approaching we will not be able to get good fruit until about next October. Oh great! She said the only things she buys now are apples and bananas. And soon the winter pears will be on, and the oranges and mandarinas are shipped in during the winter so they will be good. We, somehow, thought that since it doesn't snow here and we saw the mom and pop fruit stands open all last winter that things didn't go out of season. Not true! Well, that answers that!!

This is the Moreira family -- Clarisa, Nicolás and Josefina (5). Clarisa was baptized last Saturday and we attended her baptism. Elder Kroff participated in two lessons that the elders taught her and was present for her baptismal interview since it required the presence of an adult. Her husband is already a member, but was not actively participating. She met up with the elders at a friend's house and they asked her if she would like to know more about the church and she readily agreed. Nicolás has a renewed commitment since Clarisa became interested and now both of them are active and coming regularly.

After her baptism when she was asked to bear her testimony, she was confident and lengthy in her feelings. I felt she was saying worthwhile things and not rambling, and Rich said she talked like she had been a member for five years. What a great couple, and hopefully the branch will fellowship them and make them feel welcome.

She is in the Virreyes branch so we will hopefully get to know them better. Elder Davis baptized her and I think Elder Smith confirmed her. After her confirmation on Sunday, we were told that she kissed Elder Smith on the cheek. He naturally pulled back as she approached him, but she was still able to plant one on his cheek. I'll bet he was surprised!

We came home at 5:00 tonight, had noodles and sauce for dinner, before Rich had to return to the church to teach his English class. He enjoys doing it and helping those who want to learn some English, but some nights after a long day at the office, it is hard to leave again, especially in the rain. I can't get up the energy to go with him, but I should sometime as I want to observe what goes on. Maybe next week.