Interview Time - Thursday, August 12, 2010

No pretty sunrise today as there was a thick cloud cover. Rain was predicted for today and we hoped it would hold off until we were safely tucked away in the oficina. That it did and we were grateful.

Today my focus was to get my Book of Mormon order on it's way. With the help of Elder Peterson, the computer whiz, and Elder Kroff, I was able to complete the order for the South on IMOS. Last month I used the old order form on my computer and attached it to an email to the Distribution Center giving the names of the elders and their address so the books could be delivered right to their apartments. But I knew there was a way to do it on IMOS, but I had never investigated it before. For our big order that is delivered to our office, it is just a two entry process to select Spanish Soft Bound for the type of books I want which come 36 in a box, and then type in the number of books desired. Click and it's done, and the order is on it's way to the Distribution Center. I wasn't sure how to order some to be sent to the zones in the South on IMOS. So Elder Peterson whipped right through setting up the three names and addresses where the books were to be delivered. Then we could just repeat what we did for our office order and -- Bingo! It worked and was so easy. I can't wait for next month to try it all by myself.

My next big project that I dread doing is to organize and return various packages of garments that have been ordered and then not delivered to the missionary. There were several orders that were sitting on the shelves before we came. There had never been a system to keep track of who ordered them. So they would come and then never get sent out to the missionary who requested them. I have developed my own system of knowing who ordered garments now.

I contacted the Distribution Center several months ago and had permission to return them and they would give us credit. I put it on the back burner and never sent them back. Now I want to get rid of them and not pass this headache on to my successor. So this afternoon I pulled them out and sorted them in anticipation of preparing some kind of a spreadsheet to list them in an organized way with purchase order numbers -- if I can locate them. I only got a start today. I'll continue this project tomorrow.

We ate lunch with the elders to help eat some homemade soup that Sister Bolentini made for them. It was a huge amount and was very tasty and full of meat chunks, pasta, and different vegetables. It was good comfort food for a cold rainy day. We appreciated the invite to partake.

Our office has been a hive of activity over the last couple of weeks since the Assistants have been using the President's office to do computer work, and since Elder Paz has been here training to replace Elder Hales. The President has also been in a couple of times either working with the Assistants, coming to sign checks, or picking up various things. But it is fun to be around these energetic, loveable elders. Elders Peterson, Lowry, Hales, Christensen (here on exchanges) and Paz liven things up on a regular basis.

So, this afternoon it happened! The Gulbrandsens came to the office and first thing, the President asked if we wanted to have our interview. We didn't let on that we've been pacing the floor in anticipation. After pleasantries were exchanged and a prayer was offered, we had a delightful visit with him. He admitted his shortcomings, the fun they are having in this calling, how he receives inspiration, and he expressed appreciation for what we do in the office. It was great to have this one on one with him. He has been so busy coming and going in so many different directions, that he hasn't had time to focus on what we do, so he was grateful that we carry on and do our work to keep things running smoothly.

Then the topic of who would replace us came up. He said he didn't address it sooner because he was waiting for the new Area President, Elder Arnold, to arrive. He wanted to discuss with him the possibility of asking us to extend longer but needed permission and some direction to know if it would even be a possibility. And, he wanted to know if a senior couple was coming in the near future. He didn't want to take elders out of the field for us to train if a matrimonial was on the way. Elder Arnold got on the phone and called the missionary department in Salt Lake and went two steps higher than President Gulbrandsen could go. He found out that a couple is coming in November -- they already have their call. We know of a couple coming at that time but the application said they were coming for the Perpetual Education Fund. Maybe a change of assignment has taken place.

He then indicated he would really like us to stay until the couple came and beyond in order to train them. How much time did we think it would take or how long would we be willing to stay in order to accomplish this? We felt that a minimum of three weeks was necessary -- at least! The couple is scheduled to come around the 15th of November. So our departure would be around the first part of December. Yeah - home for Christmas!!!

We realize it poses a hardship on Marianne to continue taking care of our affairs while we are gone, and although we plan to see our girls in a couple months, we still don't get to see Nate and our grandsons right away. But we have faith that the Lord will provide and watch over our family until we return.

We also found out that Elder Arnold is coming on a Mission Tour in October and it may overlap a couple of days with the time that our daughters are coming. Sister Gulbrandsen looks on as we look at the calendar to assess all that we have learned. We may have to adjust the time that our girls come to see us. It will be nice to get all of this settled. We are a little closer, however.

After the office cleared out, I attempted to get ahold of Dr. Snell who has been unavailable all day on his cell phone. Every call would go directly to voice mail and that is unusual. Finally we reached his office phone and they wondered why his phone had been so quiet today. His phone problem should be cleared up tomorrow so hopefully we will have the doctor back.

We came home and had a skype call from Melissa, Nate, and Urban. It was sooo fun to see and talk to them and little Urban gets cuter and cuter every day. Can't wait to get my hands on him.