Interview Day - Thursday, July 29, 2010

I was unaware that Rich hadn't slept very good during the night. He said his stomach was bothering him, a continuation of discomfort felt during the day yesterday, which he thought would pass, but didn't. I asked if he needed to stay home today, but he didn't like that idea.

We arrived at the office at the normal time and it felt good to know that the four of us would be by ourselves -- with the internet -- and hopefully have a pleasant morning getting into our work that needed to be done. I did a little of this and that to clear up things on my desk. A lot of new missionary notices have come lately, and after printing off what I needed on each, I set them aside. Today I sorted through the stack and got them into the proper files for October, November, and December arrivals. The next step is to send welcome letters. I had a good day and was satisfied with my accomplishments.

Elder Kroff was busy all day doing what financial clerks do and as he spent time working on getting a check ready for signing, he would flip to a screen to write down instructions and the steps he takes to get it done. We are trying to compile a list of what we do and how to do it for the ones who will replace us in the office. It is a grueling job -- not very fun! The young elders are to do the same and they are dragging their feet.

Today the Gulbrandsens conducted interviews with two zones. They did the Norte zone this morning and our zone, Litoral, this afternoon. The mail and supplies for that zone were in their car to be delivered to them. We didn't think much about why they came late this afternoon, but found out from Sister Gulbrandsen that when she saw that the sister missionaries had a new box of copies of the Book of Mormon (36 books) to take home, she offered them a ride, not knowing where they lived and how long it would take to get there. When she told the President, he said they would not have time, but it was too late as she already made the offer. It was miles away in the wrong direction with lots of traffic. She learned!! I told her that if the missionaries order a box of books, then they need to be prepared to transport them the best way they can. Most call a remise to take them home if they have a lot to carry.

While the President was conducting interviews in his office, Sister Gulbrandsen had her own interview with the missionaries. She would talk to the companion of the one with the President and find out about where they lived, their family, schooling, work, etc. This would allow her to get to know the missionaries too. Great idea!! Elder Denton, a zone leader, sat with her to translate for the Latinos.

Elders Labra, (Chile - zone leader), Elder Sampson (Layton, UT), and Elder Chanca (Perú) wait for their turn with the President. The flash caught the crystal on Elder Sampson's watch just right. The missionaries would slip through our office and into the President's office without a distraction.

The interviews took a long time and the hour grew late before they were done. We stayed working until they were finished as Rich had a check he needed signed before the Gulbrandsens leave tomorrow morning for Ushuaia. We also wanted to ask permission to take our office elders on a P-day outing occasionally to see some of the sights around Buenos Aires. The President saw no problem in letting them leave their area if they were back to resume working by 6:00 p.m. They were to call him and ask permission when they wanted to go somewhere.

The four of us have our P-day on Saturday instead of Monday, and some Saturdays the elders get caught up helping other missionaries who are locked out of their apartments, or need something delivered to them in an emergency. So, they are almost giddy with excitement to go somewhere just for fun, and with us!! If the weather is good this weekend, we are going to take them to Recoleta, which is the famous cemetery here in Argentina where there are about 4700 crypts and mausoleums -- very old and impressive. They have heard about it and have wanted to go. Outside the gates of the cemetery is a huge flea market where shopping is fun and inexpensive. It should be a good time.

We left the office about 7:30 and stopped at a market on the way home for bread, eggs, milk, and orange juice. We had tomato soup for dinner and I am struggling to get through this entry. Sleep sounds good. It has been raining cats and dogs outside. Now, where did that phrase come from??? Silly!