Dinner at Kansas - Wednesday, July 7, 2010

I announced to Rich that if we were ready early that I would prefer getting to the office before 9:00. Each of us have been asked to type up a basic list of our duties and what we are responsible for in the office. These can be handed to President Gulbrandsen on Thursday so if he has a question on a particular matter, he can quickly see who to call. I wanted some quiet time before phones started ringing and the pace in the office picked up to get my list together. But, things didn't work out that way and we left at our usual 8:45 time.

Surprisingly, I found on my computer that I had previously typed up a list of my responsibilities. I only had to modify one thing and it's perfect. That was a good find! Rich worked on his list and said one word would sum up what he does -- Finances. True!! But I think he broke it down a little more. Elder Hales was in the same boat but did have two things to list which were apartments and cell phones. He was considering how much more to add. I'm not sure what Elder Peterson ended up with. I'll have to check tomorrow.

Elder Neuffer was with us during the morning as the AP's went to the mission home to counsel with the President on the transfers. He is putting last minute revisions on the board. The AP's came back with one of the vehicles around noon and the trio left for the day to go to work. The assistants are needed in the morning to follow the Argyles to the airport for the 8:00 arrival time of the Gulbrandsens. The assistants will bring the luggage back in their car. Oooh! It is getting so exciting!

I finally got my supply order sent to Distribution and then I worked on some baptisms that came over the fax. I only entered about eight, and have about 12 more coming. Where are they? They all know the drill -- I am suppose to have them by at least Tuesday or Wednesday. Tomorrow some missionaries will be getting a call.

Elder Kroff went on some errands to pay some bills and a rent. Plus, he stopped by the old offices to collect the bills that are still delivered there. A remise took him around and waiting at each stop for him. That way he doesn't have to hunt for a parking space. The remise driver just double parked and put his blinkers on. That's how they do it here in Argentina. The service of going to about three stops and waiting only cost $16.00.

A call from President Argyle put a smile on the faces of Elder Peterson and Elder Hales. He asked how busy they were and then said that his children were going crazy with cabin fever and having to dodge workers and cleaners around the mission home. He asked them if they would take his children bowling!!! Are you kidding??? YES!!! They couldn't believe it!!! He knows that the elders have sometimes had to do mission errands and work on their P-days, so he felt justified in giving them a couple hours off to entertain the kids. Wow! They were ecstatic! They were gone about two and a half hours and had a wonderful time. Elder Peterson was winning until the very end when Austin pulled ahead and won. That was a nice thing for the President to do for our elders.

Later in the day, it was our turn to announce a fun outing. President Argyle called Elder Kroff and asked what our plans were for dinner tonight. Oh, if he only knew how unexciting most of our meals are. He said he was tired of eating Nobel's empanadas for dinner, and wanted to know if we wanted to join them for dinner at Kansas. Again -- Are you kidding??? YES!!! We love that place. He said he had a baptismal interview in La Boca later in the afternoon (he is working till the end) and said he would be home between 7:00 - 7:30. We can drive the car over for this outing. Yeaaaaa! It will be so fun to be with them on the eve of their departure and spend one more evening with the family. We were thrilled! They are so good to us.

We came home at 4:30 because Rich wanted to watch the second half of the futbol World Cup game between Spain and Germany. He said he didn't care who won because he has German ancestors and an allegiance to the Spanish people. It was a win/win situation for him. However, Spain won 1-0.

Rich kept his appointment at 6:00 with Elisa and Nicolas for their temple prep lesson, but told them it could only be for a half hour due to our appointment with the President. He came home and we left at 7:00 to go to the mission home.

The living room of the mission home was totally transformed from the 70's to a more modern look. What a change! Just purchasing new couches, curtains, and chandelier made a world of difference from the turquoise paisley decor it once had. There are other things that need to be added or taken away, but this is a good start.

This tall vase of flowers, mainly lilies, adorned the entry way and was most impressive. Sister Argyle and Rich chill out while waiting for the President to arrive.

They looked like a million dollars going out on our date with the family tonight. We were so happy they asked us to come along because we had wanted some one on one time with them before they left, but were afraid to ask and make them feel obligated when we knew they were so busy and pressured with last minute things -- especially with all that was going on with the house improvements. The President said he couldn't plan ahead for anything because he didn't know how much free time he would have. So this worked out perfect!

We arrived at Kansas after 8:00 and it was packed -- always is! I had Salmon, Rich had steak, Sister Argyle had chicken, and the President had a club sandwich which was loaded. Then we even had dessert. Carrot cake for La Hermana, Apple Crisp with ice cream for President, and Rich and I shared a chocolate sunday. The portions were huge and we couldn't even eat all of our ice cream. President Argyle took part of it to finish off his Apple Crisp.

We enjoyed learning about the Argyle's pre mission life. In order to teach their children responsibility and to work, they raise goats. They said the milk is so much better than regular milk and they make plain yogurt from it also. The goats have to be milked twice a day just like cows. There are only two months in a year that they are dry. That's when the family would go on vacations. Interesting!

The kids sat in a booth behind us and had the go ahead to order whatever they wanted. Sometimes they have shared meals, but not tonight since this would be their last time to eat at Kansas. They have been there many times in the three years living in Buenos Aires.

We left around 10:00 and couldn't believe all the people waiting for a table. We had to squeeze our way through the foyer to get outside. Unbelievable!! But then, 10:00 is the normal dinner hour for most Argentines.

We went back to the mission home to pick up some left over food items that they were giving to the office elders. We hugged the children and said our goodbyes to them and came home.

It was a fun evening! We will miss this family -- but only until November. Then we are going over to taste the goat's milk.