Dinner at Lidias -Sunday - September 19, 2010

After missing last week at our Virreyes branch, we were looking forward to being with the members again today. I was hoping I would be able to stay awake in church because I got to bed at 12:30 last night after I finally gave in because I was falling asleep at the computer while working on the blog update. So, I only had five and a half hours of sleep last night.

We made it to church on time and the walk there was pleasant and warmish. That cold breeze did not accompany the temperature in the 50's so that made all the difference in the world.

Relief Society was organized and Hermana Cuevas was well prepared with visual aids to tape to the blackboard. The lesson was on Faith in Jesus Christ. There didn't seem to be as many sisters in attendance today.

Rich's marriage class had everyone but two of the husbands present. Because of the nature of the lesson, he was hoping for complete couples. He wanted all to hear the discussion on Nurturing Love and Friendship in Marriage. He wanted both companions to hear the advice from the brethren and the suggestions given on how to nurture love in their marriages.

We love the break between meetings when the San Fernando ward is exiting the chapel while the Virreyes branch enters. We get to greet all of our friends from San Fernando. How are we ever going to leave all these people? Already it brings tears to my eyes thinking about it.

After Sacrament Meeting was over, Lidia told us that 2:00 was the time we were suppose to be to her place for Sunday dinner. In addition to having us to dinner, the two sets of Virreyes elders were coming too. President Gulbrandsen has now assigned Elder Davis to be in a trio with our office elders instead of with the Assistants, so Lidia was feeding seven missionaries today. What a doll!

Sahara is one of Lidia's friends who helped her with the dinner today. Both of these young ladies were two of the five chicas who came to our apartment a few weeks ago and cooked us a Peruvian meal. This was also a meal from Perú.

The plate was heaping with rice, white beans, a slice of potato, and beef in some kind of a sauce that was spicey and so wonderful over the rice. I ate and ate, and still my plate didn't go down very fast. I had to leave some on my plate as it was just toooo much food for me. The elders put the food away just fine and a couple had room for seconds. Wow!

We enjoyed lively conversation and only Elder Rasmussen (next to Saraha) and I had a hard time with the Spanish. Elder Rasmussen has only been here one month.

The girls knew that Elder Peterson had a birthday last week, so Lidia's sister, with whom she lives, made a wonderful chocolate cake with a chocolate pudding type filling and a whipped cream frosting. It came from the freezer and was admired by all.

A sparkler type candle was lit which livened things up a bit, and lasted through our singing of Happy Birthday in Spanish.

Then . . . tradition is that the birthday boy takes a bite of the cake. On the first try, Elder Garay pushed Elder Peterson's face into the cake. He emerged with whipped cream all over. Not trusting that he would do it again, Elder Davis tries to hold him off.

We all enjoyed our time together at Lidia's home. We are Elders Davis (Ohio), Rasmussen (Canada), Garay (Argentina), Peterson (Utah), Elder and Hna Kroff (Utah), Marcos (Virreyes Branch Mission Leader), Sahara and Lidia, Elder Paz (Perú).

Lidia's small home is one of the nicest ones we have visited. She lives with her sister and husband, and two children. It was very organized and clean and well furnished. The other family members were not home. The stairs lead up to a bedroom over the kitchen.

Most dwellings have several apartments in them. Lidia's place was on top. We left the girls with expressions of thanks and appreciation for their hospitality and the wonderful food they served us. It was a fun afternoon and we loved our time with the elders and the girls.

We were all in the office car and after dropping off Elders Garay and Rasmussen and Marcos, who was going out teaching with them, we were dropped off at home. Eating such a large meal made us sleepy and ready for a Sunday afternoon nap. An hour and a half later we woke up and Marianne and Mekhi skyped us for a chat. It is so good to hear that he is enjoying school and is having a positive experience. Education is good!!

It is 10:00 and this entry is done. I didn't fall asleep this time, so the nap helped.