Day of Rest - Sunday, July 11, 2010

Called to Serve on the alarm was turned so low that if I had not already been awake we could have slept in to who knows what hour. Even when I got out of bed, Rich was not disturbed and he didn't hear the alarm at all. It could barely be heard through our earplugs. He'll have to turn it up tonight.

Rich was teaching Priesthood today as well as his Sunday School class, so he went up to the office at 8:00 again this Sunday to run off some visual aids to put on the board. I followed leaving at 8:40 but got all the way out of building and realized I didn't have my Sunday shoes with me. Only on Sundays do I wear heels to church, but I walk up in flats and then change at the office. So back upstairs I went and then hurried along to church.

The prayer was being said in Relief Society and I waited to enter. Usually I am the first one in the room. Today there were only about five before me. Everyone else was on Argentine standard time and eventually got there. If I am sitting alone with no one by my side, someone always moves next to me to offer help in finding pages or whatever, should I need it. The sisters are so sweet and take good care of me. I get lots of hugs and kisses every Sunday. One thing about Argentine customs is that they display affection, men hug each other too.

Elder Kroff's Temple Prep class went well and we are already at the end of the lessons. Next week is the final one. Today he asked the class when each was planning on going to the temple. Most are waiting until the Buenos Aires temple is re-opened which will be sometime next year. Elisa and her fiance are getting married in December so they will go to the Uruguay temple, as will Guissela, a young single adult, who is planning on September. She said a lot from the branch are going with her and invited us. Hmmm, wonder if President Gulbrandsen would approve that?

Last night the Gulbrandsens said they were going to act like single adults today and do some ward hopping. They wanted to attend at least three Sacrament meetings around the mission to become acquainted with bishops and members. Great idea, but not as easy as it looks due to the distance between areas. Attending two might be doable. They showed up at our meeting and realized they needed a list of buildings and times and the need to plan better to make the rounds.

The Branch President had them each bear their testimonies before the main speaker, and I have to hand it to Sister Gulbrandsen. Without notes and in her very limited Spanish, she did the best she could in bearing her testimony. Unlike me, she is not shy in speaking out whether it is right or wrong. She will do well in learning the language in the three years she will be here. President Gulbrandsen speaks Mexican Spanish like Rich and he is easier to understand -- at least for me.

One of the sister missionaries that was so excited to see us yesterday was Hermana Sandoval. We worked with her in Tigre when she was placed there in a trio. She always seemed withdrawn and shy, but by the time she was transferred from Tigre she had warmed up to us a little. Yesterday she told Rich that she didn't appreciate what she had in being with us in our area until she left. She said now she has repented and she is really missing the relationship we had. Yesterday she had a hard time letting go of me. She is a sweetheart.

Elder Curtis is from North Salt Lake and goes home on Wednesday. He is one of our favorites and we have really missed him since he was transferred from San Fernando. We became close to him when he was an Assistant to the President. He is an excellent missionary, and is remaining focused till the end. He won't even talk about Wednesday.

We were excited to see Elder Davis (Colorado) who also worked in San Fernando and was a companion to Elder Curtis. They made a great baptizing team. After his hernia surgery in December he hung out at the office while recouperating, and came to our home for a couple evenings until he was able to resume teaching. We love these elders!

Loving this day of rest, our Sunday afternoon has been slow and calm. I took an hour nap and worked on two journal entries to get caught up. Marianne just skyped us so it was good to talk to her. Rich has been interested in the new attempt to cap the oil well that is causing so much devastation in the Gulf. Last night and today he has been watching on his computer the live underwater shots of putting new equipment in place to cap the flow of oil. Hope it works!!

Hope we can get to bed early tonight as we need to gear up for a very busy week in leading our new President through his first traslado. We hope everything runs smoothly.