Faithful Service - Monday, September 2010

It was a bit too warm last night sleeping under our big, warm, cozy blanket. It may have to go, but we need something. Maybe we'll steal one of the new blankets Elder Paz bought for new missionaries coming in. They are a little lighter and would probably work just fine.

It was sooo beautiful this morning that I didn't wear my coat to work. I had a sweater on and it was just right. Spring is beginning, but I am sure we will experience some more cold days before it settles in for good. We are excited for it to be better weather when our girls come.

When we got to work and I opened the fridge in the kitchen, the sour milk smell gagged me. Some had been spilled a few days a go and not wiped up and it was very sour. Plus there were other things that needed to be discarded. I couldn't stand it so I pulled out the shelves and fruit bin that were affected and put them in the sink to wash up. Then I got warm sudsy water and wiped down the inside of the fridge and threw out old food. I decided to wash their sink full of dirty dishes, but encouraged them to wash them up after each meal. There are more than just our office elders using the kitchen, as the Assistants use it too. Elder Peterson came in to see what he could do to help me. He swept the floor, moved the fridge back in place, and cleaned the top of the fridge under the microwave. He is a thoughtful young man and is always watching out for me.

Today Elder Valente left for home. He has been dragging his feet about leaving as he loved the mission so much. He worked up until the last minute. We started our mission with him in the office and became super close to him. Learning English was hard for him, so he didn't advance very far with it, but we could communicate with ease. Every time he saw us, he would express his love for me -- in English. I would express the same to him. He will probably never come to the U.S. because of the difficulty in obtaining Visas and that makes us sad. We may never see him again. I gave him a picture of the three of us taken a while back and told him not to forget us. He said, "Never, it's impossible!" I assume the only contact we will have with him will be on facebook.

The office elders and Assistants were all there to bid Elder Valente goodbye. Elders Peterson, Lowry, Valente, Paz, Lazo, and Davis are our best friends right now. Great guys!!

Elder Lowry and Elder Lazo drove their companion to the airport and when they returned, President Gulbrandsen came to the office and held a meeting with all of us. We were not aware this was going to happen, so when each of us was asked if we had anything to bring up we quickly racked our brains to come forth with a question about scheduling, transfers, the upcoming mission tour, or the new office couple arriving in November.

Ironically, the new couple replacing us called the office today so Rich and I were able to talk to them and answer questions as fast as they could ask them. Since this is their second mission, they knew what to ask and zeroed in on several pertinent matters. Their name is Schoeny (Shay-knee).

Several things were discussed in the meeting. Of interest to me were the changes made in how the mail and supplies would be given out when it wasn't connected to a zone conference. What was suggested will probably work, but it will take some organization and planning.

Elder Kroff was given the assignment to find accommodations in Rio Gallegos down South for the couple coming in November. Yes, we are getting two couples in the mission. One will go South and the other will work in the office. We are to communicate with the new office couple and get them prepared to come knowing what they can and cannot locate here in Buenos Aires. We just wish we had a two bedroom apartment for them to move into. But, they will have to move into our apartment and if it is too small for them, they can deal with that after we leave.

At 5:00, Rich went with the President and Elder Davis to a doctor's appointment with Dr. Ottonello, the orthopedic surgeon who operated on Rich's knee last year. He was going to evaluate the CAT scan and MRI taken on Elder Davis' injured foot. In two seconds he diagnosed his fractured heal and a fracture in a bone where the leg meets the foot. They will heal with no problems once the fluid and blood is removed that has collected by his ankle. No healing will take place until that area is clean out - says this doctor. So he will need orthoscopic surgery to alleviate the problem. Decisions are being made.

I came home to start dinner, and as expected the President dropped off Rich and Elder Davis at our place. I fixed him two hamburgers while Rich had his portion of the corned beef and cabbage that I fixed. I had already eaten.

We typed on skype chat with Melissa about her new job in a quilt shop in Denver. She loves it and feels right at home with all the wonderful fabrics that she adores.