Thirteen Investigators - Sunday, July 25, 2010

Still the same -- a cold damp morning. Thermals will feel good today! This is the last day for our Temple Preparation class so Rich had to go to the office at 8:00 to run off his scriptures, quotes, or any other visual aids to enhance the lesson. I followed at 8:45 and was glad my four block walk was without rain or mist. Rich had forgotten his placas so I spotted them and put both in my purse. He was grateful I take care of him.

I walked into Relief Society and took a seat as the president was conducting. She was alone without either counselor there at the time, nor the chorister. She had a hymn book in her hand and had obviously just announced the opening song assuming that she would have to lead it the best she could. As I sat down she asked if I could lead music and I responded "Si". She asked if I would do it, and without hesitation I jumped up. However, I had no clue what we were singing because I didn't recognize the title in Spanish. I have to know what it is in English first, then it's no problem. She understood that I needed to know the melody so she hummed a few bars. It was "As Sisters in Zion." Since Relief Society is just held in a classroom, there is no piano. So in leading music it is more important to lead with ones voice rather than ones hand in order to keep them on pitch. So I can sing loud if need be and I can carry the tune okay so the hymn sounded good. I was glad to help out. Maybe they'll use me again.

The lesson from the conference addresses was on Mothers and Daughters by M. Russell Ballard. I had an English Liahona from our office so I read the lesson while it was being presented. Again, the room was filled by the time the class ended. They get a good attendance. And there were even some investigators present.

I love all those in our Temple Prep class and feel sad the class is over and we can't be in our intimate little group any more. We have a good time, and when Guissela goes to the temple in September, we hope we will be able to go with her, pending approval from President Gulbrandsen.

Both sets of Virreyes elders were on cloud nine today because Elders Peterson and Hales had seven investigators come today. They have found a family, and the mother and father plus the children all came. They were soooo excited. Then, Elders Garay and Parra had six investigators show up. So our branch had 13 investigators today!! That hasn't happened for a long time.

Two young men who were returned missionaries, plus a young woman were the speakers in sacrament meeting today. Elder Kroff gave the closing prayer. The Branch President talked to him while on the stand and said that they are trying to decide what to do with him now that the Temple class is over. I guess there are no others lined up to take it right now, so they are trying to decide what other class he could teach. They may come up with a marriage class he thinks.

The Gulbrandsens at Leadership Training

Right after church we had to go to the airport to pick up the Gulbrandsens. Their trip down south has been cut short due to an emergency. The father of one of our Latin elders from Chile passed away unexpectedly last night. President Gulbrandsen cancelled his plans for attending three sacrament meetings today and a fireside tonight in Rio Gallegos to come home and tell the missionary in person about his father and to let him call home. Their three hour flight was changed to this morning to return to Buenos Aires.

Driving home from the airport, the President was concerned about the elder because he didn't know him very well and asked if we had any suggestions on how to handle this delicate situation. We don't know him very well either, as he hasn't been around San Fernando very much. We are confident President Gulbrandsen, in his loving way, will handle the situation perfectly.

We returned home at 3:00 and I fixed dinner and then finished yesterdays entry. I started on this one immediately because I wanted to get it done before I fell asleep at the computer AGAIN. I have had a terrible week getting our days events entered because I do them so late in the evening and I can't stay awake. Somethings gotta give.

Yippee!! It's only 8:00 tonight and I'm through.