A Tooele Elder - Tuesday, June 1, 2010

We slept well last night, but Rich mentioned he was a little cold towards morning. I guess it is time to put our heavier blanket on the bed.

We sailed through our morning routine as we were anxious to get to the office because of transfers today. Elders Kroff and Hales only had about a half hour to get any pressing early morning things done before they had to leave for the mission home. Because there were only five missionaries coming today, they only had five bundles of pillows and blankets to deliver to the new arrivals -- plus my new missionary binders. Last night the President was trying to arrange how to get his car over to the office so they would have transportation today, but Rich offered going in a remise to the mission home because the small load would easily fit. Great idea! The President was relieved! Then, they would bring the car back for subsequent trips during the remainder of the week.

The AP's and Elders Kroff and Hales are the welcoming committee for the new missionaries. They help get their luggage from the combi and show them where to put it in the garage until they are sent on their way to their new areas. Once inside, the President has an interview with each one and orientation and instructions are given by Sister Argyle, Elder Kroff, and Elder Hales, and more from the President after the interviews. If they are not too tired, they grasp a little of what is told to them.

A fun thing happened today!! One elder upon exiting the combi yelled, "Elder Kroff." And out jumped one of Rich's high school Spanish students. Elder Diaz is from Tooele. We knew an Elder Diaz was coming from Tooele, but I didn't know him, and Rich didn't pay attention to the name or picture. But when he saw him today, he immediately knew who it was. They had a great reunion!! Rich is so excited to have a student that he taught come to this mission. His name reflects that he should know Spanish already, but not so. However, Rich said he was speaking it pretty good today. The sad thing is -- Elder Diaz is going to the South, so we probably won't get to see him again before we leave to go home. After lunch, he went to the airport to fly out today.

The transfers created a change in Assistants. Elder Fernandez was replaced by tall and blonde Elder Lowry (Midway, UT). Elder Lazo (Perú) still remains. They will make a great team. Elder Lowry's parents are serving as senior missionaries in Russia. They were in the MTC with him and plan to come this way in December to pick him up and fly home with him. They are serving a 23 month mission. Special!!

The trainers for the new elders meet in the cultural hall for a lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chips, and fruit. Then they receive training from Elder Kroff about finances, Elder Hales about the apartments, and the AP's about other matters. When finished, the AP's take them by train to the mission home to see who their new companions are going to be. Then, off they go to teach the new ones how to be good missionaries through word and example.

The day was sunny, but crisp, and several willingly posed for a photo. It is amazing how many cameras come out of the crowd. I had them hanging around both wrists.

A closer sisters shot has Hermanas Romo, Reese, Peña, Gonzalez, Sandoval, and Shaffer. Sister Sandoval is leaving Tigre this time and Sister Romo will be replacing her. She is vivacious and friendly, so hopefully she can make a difference in the Tigre branch.

We worked in Tigre with Hermana Rivera (Chile) before she was transferred a few months ago, and today she was receiving a new companion from the South. After serving 13 months down there, Hermana Tejada (Florida) was coming up to Buenos Aires. However, her plane was delayed for some reason, and she wouldn't be in at the 3:00 scheduled time. Since Sister Rivera needed a companion, she stayed with me in the office all day writing letters and studying. I wished I had something for her to do, but my job for most of the afternoon was getting baptism entered.

Sister Rivera came to the mission knowing a lot of English. She has improved since being here as she studies daily. She has also completed college in Elementary Education. She came on her mission right after graduation. She is a sweetheart.

The last word Elder Peterson received from 'travel' was that Sister Tejada's plane would be in at 6:00 and they would come to the office to pick up Sister Rivera and then take the two of them to their area. So maybe they would be here around 7:00 - ya think?

We had the car, so we decided to take her to McDonald's for a hamburger and then she and I would sit in on Rich's English class waiting for her new companion to arrive. She had chicken and we had our usual hamburger and fries, but it was horrible. The buns were burned, the meat dryed out, and the fries were cold and tough. Usually we get hot fresh food, but this was the bottom of the barrel tonight. Rich showed them my hamburger, but I had eaten most of it. He told them they needed to watch their cooks (because of the burned bun.)

Rich's class came and went and still no sign of Sister Tejada. The Young Men who were meeting in the church left, and we were the only ones sitting in the freezing building. We discovered that the wall heater was on so we pulled up our chairs by it to get warm. Finally, at 8:30 the remise came and after a short greeting and visit, we sent the two sisters on their way. The driver who works for the travel department that shuttles missionaries all over the three missions here in Buenos Aires said he had to start his day again at 4:00 a.m. tomorrow. Wow! Those guys really put in the hours and drive countless miles in a day's time.

We got home at 9:00 and were glad to be here. Tomorrow's another busy day for us.