Wonderful People - Sunday, August 1, 2010

It was another clear sunny day, but the temperature today was in the low 50's instead of in the high 50's like yesterday. We feel blessed to have had the beautiful day that we had for our touring yesterday. Today the chill in the air could be felt.

We each still noticed the smell of the bug spray from yesterday. The only thing we can figure out is that after pumping up the container when the guy came to our place, that the spray had more of a force to it and put out more solution this time. Usually the smell would dissipate quickly in the past, but not this time. I may have to damp mop the floors again to lessen the odor. We have never seen a spider or any crawling creatures since being here. We only get mosquitos and flying nat type critters when it is hot and humid in the summer. Never seen a cockroach in our apartment, thankgoodness!!!! At the office? Yes!

The President's lesson in Relief Society was from the conference address given by Elder Donald L. Hallstrom titled, Turn to the Lord. I read along in the English Liahona and thoroughy enjoyed the message. The sisters gave comments and contributed to the lesson. It went well. Hearing the chatter and commotion in the hall, I knew we had run overtime. It seemed we were doing that in every class as the Gospel Principles class we attended went late and someone from the other ward even opened the door to alert the teacher that it was their time for the room. She still took her time in wrapping up the lesson.

Testimony meeting went 10 minutes overtime too, but a good spirit was felt in the meeting today and there is never much of a lag between testimonies in this branch. One right after the other make their way to the podium to express themselves. I just wish I understood them better. It makes no difference if the meeting is late in closing, all verses of the hymns are sung, and very slowly at that. I wonder if they sell metronomes in Argentina.

We look forward to Sundays because we get to see our many friends from the San Fernando ward as well as our friends in the Virreyes branch. As we pass in the halls many hugs, kisses, and greetings are expressed.

Gabriel Valentini and his wife, Margarita, and little Augustine go to the San Fernando ward. He helps us out in the office by going every two weeks to customs in the Capital to retrieve our missionary packages that end up there. It is worth every peso we pay him to run this errand. He has it down pat and being Argentine he communicates with them better and gets the job done, where sometimes missionaries have been given the run around and come home without some of the mail. We treat him well, as we can't afford to lose this service. He is a great guy!

My friend, Rita Mansilla, always greets me warmly and is such a genuine person. She has a strong testimony of the gospel and is raising a good, good, family. She is another member of the San Fernando ward.

Sister Guillermina Gimenez is the wife of the San Fernando Bishop and she loves talking with Elder Kroff. She has been following the pictures he posts on facebook and when she sees him, she likes to talk about where we have been and if it is safe and gives her opinion of it all. She is a fun person and we have enjoyed Sunday dinner at their place twice in the past.

After Sacrament meeting President Palermo called us into his office to discuss what they want Rich to do in the branch now that his Temple Preparation class has ended. They want him to teach a marriage class that will involve the couples that attended his temple class plus some others. There are 16 lessons and we may not be here to complete the class. The class will start in two weeks.

We stayed after church to attend a baptism that took place at 1:00. It was the nephew of Gabriel Saracho who was married and baptised just three weeks ago. He has been ordained a priest since his baptism and it was so wonderful to see him officiating in this ordinance and standing in the baptismal font doing the baptizing. What a special experience for him and for us as well. We love how lives are blessed for those who are willing to grasp hold of the gospel.

Sunday afternoon has been peaceful and calm with dinner, naps, talk of our future in the mission and afterwards, and completing this journal entry. We appreciate those of you who are interested and follow along as you will, hopefully knowing that this is a detailed record of our mission experience so that we won't forget these last 20 months. We like having you along for the ride.