Hometeaching Visit - Friday, June 25, 2010

Where has this week gone? It has just zipped by! We blink and it is Friday again and we hope we have accomplished something worthwhile during the week. The elders feel the same.

We knew President Argyle was going to come to the office this morning, but we were surprised that he walked in with the elders. I had turned his heater on so the chill would be off his office, although he likes things cool. He probably dies when he walks into our office as the heat can be felt, but he says nothing. He may think it is due to the "old" people in the office that require more warmth, but not so. The elders keep it cranked up too, and sometimes they even leave their coats on for part of the morning. The heat is so uneven. There is a lot to be said for forced air like we have in the states.

I was determined to get the flights ordered for the seven Latin missionaries going home in August, and as I write this entry it has just dawned on me that I ordered the flights for October instead of August. For Pete's sake!!!!! How could I have done that?? I was working with the October group today getting the emails back from parents on information I had requested to start their return plans, and can clearly remember putting October 6 in as the date for the flight. Since these go through "local travel", the guy who schedules them at Bonpland always waits until the last minute to do them, so I know he won't act on them right away. I'll have to correct my error first thing on Monday. What a mess I get myself into!!

The President was on the telephone with the Area Presidency and possibly Salt Lake working on last minute problems or clearing up things so President Gulbrandsen won't have to deal with leftover baggage. He met with his assistants for a little while, and also Elder Kroff about some financial matters. Then he took off to conduct a baptismal interview.

Sister Argyle came while he was gone to try out the magnets that were delivered to the mission home that are suppose to be strong enough for the missionary board. They haven't installed the new magnetic board yet -- probably will come on Monday. So, she tried them out on the board in the President's office. These magnets hold, but have to be glued in place. It figures!! Now on Tuesday, or perhaps Monday afternoon we have to hit it hard to replace all the old stuff and put these new ones on. That means we have to pull off the velcrow pieces and the magnet strips I put on, before we can attach these stronger magnets. So I know where I will be on Tuesday -- maybe Rich too.

The elders invited us to eat some of their food with them today if we would share our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that we brought for our lunch today. That was fine with me! Rich prefers peanut butter and jelly over anything, but it seems so unexciting to me. The elders think it is a treat, however. So as Elder Peterson was dishing up four plates with a variety of things in the fridge from Sister Bolentini, the President returned.

We couldn't eat and leave him out, so the elders invited him too and we redistributed the food and made five plates. We had plenty, and it looked like a banquet when we started. Besides the chicken, hot pasta, and corn on our plates, there was a green salad and fruit salad that had not been touched -- plus rolls. We were glad the President agreed to join us, and I had to take a picture of the last meal we would have with him. As we ate, he asked us if we had any questions we would like to ask him. I inquired about the training mission presidents receive while in the MTC. Interesting! Elder Hales came up with some thoughtful questions, so we enjoyed our lunch with the President.

We were all pretty productive today in our work --well, except for me!! Elder Peterson was thrilled to have time to work on some referrals. They stack up fast and he has a hard time keeping current. Elders Kroff and Hales worked together on their usual finance and housing duties, all while I was putting incorrect departure dates for our August group.

Four o'clock rolled around and the elders left on time. President Argyle left shortly afterwards and we wished him well as he and Sister Argyle will be speaking in our Stake Conference this Sunday. We are looking forward to hearing from them as they no doubt will give a farewell speech to our stake. I do not know how they do all that they do! I could not!

Rich left at 6:30 to catch a bus to meet Ezequiel Garcia so they could go hometeaching. They have just been assigned as companions and have three families to visit. Ezequiel and Rocio are the ones that want to take us to the zoo in Escobar. We were hoping for a good day tomorrow, but the temperature is suppose to be rather cold. We hope they don't want to go, because the zoo is big and there is a lot of walking we understand. It could be a little miserable if it is too cold. We'll see.

Rich was successful in meeting Ezequiel and they walked about five blocks to the home of the Vegas. Brother Vega was at work driving a remise for Arenales, the remise company about a block from our office, but the rest of the family was home. Brother and Sister Vega attend Rich's Temple Preparation class on Sunday. Yanina, the daughter next to the mother, is in Rich's English class. The other daughter is Ennduuh, but she goes by Brenda. We don't know the names of the rest of the children, and Rich forgot to ask tonight when he visited.

This little cutie liked Elder Kroff's hat. His hat is quite the topic of conversation as we visit around. Some think it looks like an Indian Jones type hat, and some think it resembles those worn by the Tango dancers. He definitely stands out among the Argentines looking very "gringo."

I had a quiet evening ironing shirts and working on this entry while Rich was gone. Now the day is over and it's time for bed.