Missionary Fireside - Sunday, August 22, 2010

Opps, I forgot to save the day yesterday so the date would match the entry. Oh well -- not hard to figure out!

Last night when we got home from the baptisms, we had water problems. Oh no, not again!!!!! The water was acting up and we only had hot water in the bathroom. No cold at all so the toilet wouldn't fill up either. Would it be fixed by morning? That's a laugh!!

It was just as we expected, but I decided to chance a shower anyway because our water isn't scalding hot. And when the walls are cold all night, we have to turn on very little cold water with the hot to make a comfortable shower. It is mostly hot water anyway in the winter months. So I took a quick shower stepping in and out of the spray so it wouldn't feel so hot. By the time Rich got in the shower, the cold water was on. Was it all fixed now?

It was cloudy today so we expected rain as predicted (40%) but nothing happened. Our umbrellas were unused in our walk to and from church.

When we got to church it was a quiet beginning and not many people were roaming the halls. The chairs were not set up in the cultural hall for Priesthood meeting, so I helped Rich set some up and then I went to Relief Society. The lesson was an article in the Liahona by Elder D. Todd Christopherson entitled The Blessing of Scripture. I took an English copy of the Liahona and followed along as they read paragraphs in Spanish. I could understand where they were the whole way through the article. It was actually fun to follow in English to see the translation.

Our Sunday School marriage class had all four couples in attendance. Familias Garcia, Vega, Ayelen, and Saracho seem pleased to be there and they participate openly. All are complimentary and respond favorably to Elder Kroff's lessons.

Sacrament Meeting consisted of two testimonies by a young woman, Brenda Vega, and Hermano Ayelen. Then we heard from our R.S. President, Hna Aguirre, and Marcos, the branch Mission leader. At 12:01 he was going strong with no hint of winding down.

It took a little time to get the investigator meeting underway, and when I walked in the chapel, I was surprised at the group assembled. There were many branch members as well, so it looked full and I was happy so many came out to support the elders. All four talked about the restoration and bore strong testimonies. They showed a DVD clip regarding the Book of Mormon that another mission had put together. The meeting went well.

While Rich helped clean up all the multi media things from the chapel and put his computer away, I went on ahead of him to get home to fix us some dinner. We now had just two hours before we had to return to the church for the Missionary Fireside for those going home this week. When I got home, ALL the water was off. Grrrrr! I had to get our big jugs of bottled water out so I could use some for cooking. Luckily I only had to use some to boil two chicken breast to add to the chicken gravy that I had previously frozen and now defrosted. We would have it over some instant mashed potatoes. So I needed water for that too.

The cold water came back on during dinner, so I hurriedly filled two pots and put them on the stove to heat for dish water. But all of this filling, and heating, and organizing clean up took too much time and we had to leave before all the dishes were done.

The Assistants were already at the church when we arrived at 4:00 to begin our policing of the chapel to pick up papers, cookies, crumbs, even a yogurt cup. We redistributed the hymn books to make ready for the fireside. Holding this fireside is not a requirement in the missionary hand book, so it was stopped at the time President Argyle left. He didn't want to pass on something to the new President that wasn't in the handbook. He didn't want President Gulbrandsen to feel obligated to have one. We said nothing about this tradition when they came, but we think someone must have mentioned it. Next thing we knew was the announcement that one would be held. We have always been in favor of it.

The leaving missionaries had many of their converts here tonight to hear them bear their testimonies, take pictures, and tell them goodbye. It is also a time when investigators can hear powerful testimonies and a message from the Mission President, so other missionaries came with their investigators to partake of the spirit. Aside from honoring the returning missionaries, it is really a positive thing for baptisms. It was a huge congregation. The people kept coming in way after the fireside had started. The missionaries did a great job, the spirit was present, and I'm sure lives were touched.

Afterwards, the cultural hall was filled with joy and laughter, cameras flashing, and appropriate hugs and handshakes. President and Sister Gulbrandsen are very social people and were mingling about having a wonderful time greeting investigators, converts, and being included in many photos.

Seven of the nine missionaries going home are Elders Sanchez (Mexico), Cruz (Mexico), Ugalde (Chile), Sister Reese (Colorado), Valente (Argentina), Blanco (Argentina), and Diaz (Argentina). The Gulbrandsens join the picture. Two elders did not make it to the fireside.

We love the Hermanas - Lyons, Ruiz, Jones, Tejada, Freitas, Cano, Sandoval, and Reese.

Sister Reese arrived to the mission about a month after we came. It was our first transfer and we remember it well. Now she is going home!! It hardly seems possible. She is a sweetheart!

Elder Valente is one of our favorites. He was assigned to the office right when we came, so we know him well. He actually doesn't leave until September 20, in the middle of a transfer, because of an operation on his feet that put him back a month. But he was included in this fireside, and will join the others at the mission home on Wednesday for the last day activities and dinner. Then he will go back to baptizing and will leave in a month.

Happy, handsome, and fun elders love being together. The President blends right in, but Sister Gulbrandsen stands out in her kneeling position.

It was a great night, but we were tired when we finally got home. AND, the hot water still wasn't on. Any bets on what tomorrow morning will bring?