Final Day - Thursday, September 9, 2010

When we woke up we didn't have to wonder what we would be doing at the office today. Sometimes we ask each other, "What's on your agenda today?" But today, we knew what was going to be happening. The third and final day of the Leadership Training would go forward. There is enough information and lessons to have a fourth day, but the President will find another time to fit this instruction into the schedule of the Zone and District leaders. He hates to take them away from their areas for an extended length of time.

Right off the bat this morning, the Assistants put up signs stating that the office was closed and off limits to the attending missionaries. If they needed our help, they could come and wait in the foyer and we would assist them from there. It would control the foot traffic into the office and interruptions to the staff. Everyone likes to come to the office. What can I say? We are all irresistible!! I think it also aided in rounding up missionaries when they were needed to begin the training after a break. They didn't have to round them up from the office. Anyway it was nice to be more focused on our work.

While the President and the other Assistants were in the chapel directing and teaching, Elder Lowry was in the President's office with computers connected by Skype to the three zones in the South. He was conducting the training for them while it was going on in the chapel -- displaying his sober, administrative type face.

Elder Kroff had a check signed by the President and wanted to get it cashed at the bank, so he took off on the bus to get up to the plaza where the bank is located. He thought the bus was more empty than usual, and was really taken back when he walked into the bank and found himself the only patron. He jokingly asked the teller if it was a holiday today, and was surprised when she said, "Yes." She said it was a holiday for the city of San Fernando. He didn't catch the name of it. But, it made for a great banking experience!!

I had entered all the baptisms in my possession, just waiting for about six more of the eighteen reported. So, it was a good day to start gathering up the supplies for the first two zone conferences next week. I usually fill a bin, mark it, and put it out in the foyer ready to be put in the van. That way I have room to move around and assess what I have left. But I couldn't do that with all the missionaries milling around. So what I packed up had to stay put in my supply room. It is claustrophobic in there.

A group of hungry missionaries eat empanadas and fruit again for lunch today. It is easy and cleans up nicely. Hermana Peña (El Salvador) is the trainer for Hermana Keele (Orem, UT) who just came a couple weeks ago.

Hermana Jones (Washington) is being trained by Hermana Tejada (Florida), so she is in good hands. Elders Peinado (Colombia), Pearson, (Utah), Macavilca (Perú), and Vera, (Grantsville, UT) all enjoyed the lunch break -- and the training.

Two past office elders and companions, Elder Coria and Elder Hales, meet at the training and enjoy their friendship. We enjoy their friendship too!! They are great guys and super missionaries.

The training concluded around 3:30 and the church cleared rather quickly with everyone returning to their areas. Most go on trains and buses, but remises are ordered to take the Zarate missionaries home. They come from so far away that it takes around two hours for them to get home.

We left the office and walked three blocks to the dry cleaners where we took Rich's brown slacks and one of my sweaters. The other day when Rich picked up the order, he didn't notice that the brown pants were not his. They were much lighter in color, and possibly women's pants, at that. He took them back, and they were going to search for them, first asking the gal who bagged the order. They were found and all is well. We're taking another pair in Saturday.

I'm getting very nervous about this talk on Sunday in Tigre. I finally have it written in English and Rich has Google translated it and then fine tuned it, so now I am ready to practice giving it. I will be glad when this behind me.