Meet the President, Day 2 - Monday, July 12, 2010

Today was the coldest day we have had all winter, with a breeze that was piercing. It went straight to the bone. Late this afternoon the temperature was at 41 degrees, but with the humidity it felt like 36 -- so said the weather channel. Burrr! That's cold for Argentina!

The conference today was to start at 9:30 and when we arrived at the office at 9:00, there were several elders already in the chapel talking with President and Sister Gulbrandsen while he set up his multi media presentation. We were not sitting in on either conference today because of our attendance on Saturday, and our need to man the office.

This morning we were needed to get the lunch foods gathered up and set out. Since we went there on Saturday, we drove right to La Fabrica which is an outlet that makes sandwiches, delicious looking cakes, pies, and cookies. It was a clean, bright, and inviting store which required us taking a picture with the gal that helped us.

Then we had to buy 70 bananas for lunch. Each missionary was allowed two fruits and could choose between oranges, apples, and bananas. We found our way to Pepos again and could not find parking on the crowded narrow streets close to the market. So I jumped out to go buy the fruta while Rich circled the block. In my perfect Spanish I said, "Necesito setenta plátanos, por favor." The guy helping me said "bananas?" Well, yes! But I was trying to impress him with my Spanish. It only took three times circling before I was through shopping and then the worker put them in the car for me. Exito!! We finished successfully all we set out to do.

Back at the church, we set the boxes of apples and oranges and the stack of new bananas we just purchased out on a table with a sign above telling the group that each could have two. Bottled water was also available.

Then as the missionaries filed past the kitchen window, we would hand them a paper plate with three sandwiches on it. It really isn't enough to fill up these hungry missionaries, but it is easy and probably just serves as a snack to kill the hunger pains for most of them.

Before the morning conference group left after lunch, we took a photo of everyone. Several cameras were set at Elder Kroff's feet on the stage. So posing with a smile took several minutes. However, this picture was taken by the President so Elder Kroff could get in one.

We inquired several times if everyone had arrived and were told that just the two zone leaders from Zarate were still on their way. So we put their sandwiches aside and let the rest go for seconds. After the conference had started and we were tucked away in the office working, here came eight more elders from Zarate -- the two zone leaders and six more. They were coming from an hour and a half away and had transportation problems. Oh, gees, now what? I apologized profusely and told them that Elder Kroff would go buy them something, and then the light came on. Why not let them make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches from the food purchased for the trainers meeting tomorrow. Then we can buy more tonight to replenish it. Rich said, "Great idea, glad I thought of it." Yeah, right!

The elders were starved and went down on the peanut butter and jelly like it was their last meal. They probably got the better deal anyway. Elders Healey, Quintero, Amasio, Howard, Gillette, Aguilera, Ditto, and Torres were happy as a clam eating their lunch. The President stalled showing a couple short videos while waiting for the eight to join them.

When the conference ended, we were anxious to have a short meeting with the Gulbrandsens to firm up the plans and schedule for tomorrow when eight new missionaries would arrive. No sooner had we started than the phone rang telling the Gulbrandsens that they could come now, hopefully by 5:00, to the Area Offices to sign something that would allow their shipment of household goods to be delivered to the mission home. It was 4:40 when the call came.

They had been anxious to find time in their schedule to get this done, so forget the meeting, this took priority. Never having driven to the Capital through all the traffic and confusing routes, we offered to take them. At first they said they should be fine with the GPS and all, but as we offered tips and suggestions to make their trip successful, they could see they might need help in finding the place. So they took us up on our offer to come along.

President drove and said Argentina was made for him. Oh my!! We held on for dear life! He was loving every minute of this driving experience. Elder Kroff would have been waaaaaay too slow for him. He is an aggressive driver and fits right in with the Argentines. And, when Miss GPS says turn right, there are three right turns close together. It isn't clear which one. They admitted they would have been lost if Rich hadn't been in the co-pilot seat keeping him on the right roads.

When we got there, Sabrina took them in a taxi to a notary to sign the papers. It was quite a ways away from the offices. We sat in the lobby and waited.

Coming back into San Fernando, we had them drop us off at our Disco so we could replenish the lunch supplies for tomorrow. Then we stopped at McDonald's for a hamburger. It was already 7:30 and we didn't want to miss dinner another night. We arrived home at 8:00.