Always Eating - Thursday, September 30, 2010

It was a pretty day outside, but not extremely warm. We need the temperature to crank up a bit in the next two weeks and stay there because we don't want to tour around with our girls in cold weather. We can't believe that they will be here two weeks from today. After all this time the wait is almost over!

Today on the agenda there will be two English tests, and a vocabulary test given at the office. We anticipated a disrupted work schedule, but for a time it was complete chaos. It was next to impossible to concentrate and get much accomplished. Sister Gulbrandsen came to administer the tests and while the one companion was taking the test, the other would be visiting with her, or us, or the office elders, or the Assistants. A couple elders came to do some legality work here in San Fernando with Elder Peterson so that created people coming and going and visiting too. At one point there were four sisters here having a great time with Sister Gulbrandsen who promised them an hermana's P-Day going to a big mall that I am not familiar with. They were so excited that she would promote such an outing.

Elder Hallett came with his companion who then left with Elder Peterson, and it wasn't hard to notice his shoes. These shoes are proof of all the walking that our missionaries do. We were shocked that his shoes were in such terrible shape. Mud was caked in the worn out heels of the shoes, and the tops didn't look much better. Elder Hallett said that buying new shoes was on his agenda today, and that he has been too busy lately to get some. I told him his mother would be horrified if she knew her son was out doing missionary work in shoes like that. He said he just bought them three months ago here in Argentina.

He promised me he would get new shoes today as I proceeded to encourage him to do so. From a health standpoint I told him he needed good support for his feet so he didn't encounter sprained ankles or other feet problems. He agreed!

When we could get the attention of Sister Gulbrandsen, Rich showed her some things she could do on her MAC computer to organize pictures and make a slide show that she inquired about. Then it was my turn to teach her about the medical matters so she can assume the responsibility of doing it full time. Actually, until we leave, she would like me to be a backup for calls if she cannot be reached on her cell phone. The missionaries will receive an email on Monday's P-day announcing the change. Even though being over the medical calls has been time consuming, I have enjoyed talking to the missionaries when they have called in.

Lunch time came and everyone was hungry. We ordered Chinese food to be delivered and enough to share with Elders Vega and Coria. Elder Vega came to take the English test and he was hungry. Sister Gulbrandsen didn't want him to take the test on a empty stomach, so we all ate together and had an enjoyable time. Elder Vega is from Perú and Elder Coria is from Argentina. Elder Vega blessed the food in English which was only fitting. Elders Paz and Davis ate their share and enjoyed every bite.

Elder Lazo was the last one on the docket today to take the English test. He is squeeking it in before he leaves the mission next Wednesday. At 5:00 when we left, Sister Gulbrandsen and the office elders were still there waiting for him to finish.

At home I didn't have to fix any dinner because we had been invited by the chicas from the San Fernando ward to go with them to a Peruvian restaurant. They were taking Elder Lazo and Elder Lowry out to dinner to celebrate Elder Lazo's birthday and they invited us to come along. Actually, we needed to go along or the elders would not have been able to go because of the "adult being present" rule. Also in the group was one of their investigators, which also made it legal to be entertained by them.

Elders Kroff, Lowry, Lazo and I enjoyed our night out with Abish (far end), Miriam (investigator), Shirley, Daniela, and Lidia. Rich and I shared a heaping plate of Chacra which is a rice dish with meat and other good things added. It is a popular Peruvian dish that we were encouraged to try. Everyone at the table was from Perú except for the three gringos.

The girls bought a chocolate cake from a Panadaria and we sang Happy Birthday while the sparkler type candles fired away. The elders took their piece of cake on a napkin and left the party to make it home on time. Elder Kroff and I followed shortly thereafter.

We were so glad we shared a meal. It was yummy!!