Sunday with Friends - Sunday, May 16, 2010

Even though we had the President's car in our parking lot downstairs, we decided not to drive it the four blocks to church. Members come on trains and buses or walk long distances, and Rich couldn't bring himself to drive such a short way maybe passing some on the street. I'm wondering how this mission experience is going to affect how we get to church when we return home. I may never get to ride again.

As the weeks go by we are getting to know more and more members in the branch. We are really enjoying our experience here and feel we have contributed a little in fellowshipping Rocio and Ezequiel Garcia last week, and also Mirta and Carla last night. We were SO excited because all of them showed up at church today with hugs being exchanged.

The Garcias and Mirta came to Elder Kroff's Temple Preparation class and participated with comments, and Ezequiel gave one of the prayers. It was so good to have them there. Only one was absent today out of the eleven on the roll.

After class, Elisa caught him in the hall and said that her boyfriend really needs this class and his bishop hasn't started it yet in his ward. He isn't able to attend our branch on Sundays. If things work out between them, they want to be married in the temple and she wondered if there was any way that Elder Kroff could teach this lesson during the week to her boyfriend. She had approached him a couple weeks ago about it, but he didn't know if he should do it for just one or try to get more involved to warrant holding another class. After todays pleading, he said he would meet with the two of them on Wednesday at 6:00 at the church. If it saves a soul and creates an eternal family someday, then another hour a week spent in building the kingdom will be worth it.

After Sacrament meeting, Elder Smith and Elder Labra (the other companionship working in the Virreyes branch) asked me if I would be available to play the piano for a baptism they were having at 1:00. Since we didn't have to leave for our dinner date until about 2:30, I agreed.

Elder Smith baptized Melanie Mariel Luna (16). We didn't know this young lady, but she has been friends with a group of girls in the branch. Not knowing many of the young women yet, we can't distinguish who are members and who are investigators. We are happy for this new member and it's great to know she already has a support group in the branch.

We drove the car to the home of Rita and Domingo Mansilla. We have been invited to dinner at their place twice before. The first time with Elders Nelson and Valente, then once just the two of us, and now again. She is from Peru and has been a member a long time. He joined a couple years ago. They are faithful and strong and are raising a good family. For dinner we had rice, with potatoes and chicken cooked in some kind of a peanut sauce (wonderful) a lettuce salad, and flan with jello set together for dessert. Everything was wonderful.

I gave them a whole batch of cookies and they were set out with the dessert. The kids kept eating one after the other, so by bedtime they will probably be gone. I'm glad they enjoyed them.

A group photo before dinner shows off this cute family. Rita is holding baby Victoria, then on the couch is Genesis, Dario, Matias, and Abel. The kids are well behaved - at least when we are around. They seem to get along and take care of each other.

We arrived home around 5:00 and I tried to finish yesterday's entry, but seeing Rich taking a nap on the couch made me sleepy so I went to the bedroom to lay down for a half hour.

At 8:00 Rich left to go to the church to help the Elders with their last discussion with Lidia. She wants to be baptized, but wants to make sure she will be a faithful member so she has set her baptism date for September. She doesn't want to be baptized and then fall away like she has seen some do. Tonight she gave the closing prayer and asked that she would be guided to be baptized when the time was right and when Heavenly Father wants it to happen. The Elders were thrilled she asked that question. Sooner than September, perhaps??