Lunch for Elder Lazo - Monday, September 27, 2010

We set the alarm a half hour earlier than usual because I needed some time this morning to put the chocolate trifle together which was alternate layers of brownie squares, chocolate pudding, and whipped cream. The Argyles served this dessert for the dinner when the missionaries went home. She had a clear glass bowl on a pedestal and the dessert was a sight to behold. I wanted to make it but had to settle with what WalMart had to offer.

Then I put together a fruit salad tossed with some vanilla and strawberry yogurt. It tasted good too. Those were the last two things I had to do in preparation for the lunch I was taking to the office today. Rich walked up and got the car and came back for me and all the sacks and containers of food. Thank heavens!!

Elder Peterson and Elder Davis went in the car to the Capital to do some errands up at the Immigrations building. It was a three hour wait for their turn, so they left and did some other things making it back in time to accomplish their business and then return home. However, they wouldn't be back in time to eat lunch with the rest of us. So I assured them I would save them some food.

My one goal today was to get the supplies ordered from Distribution. I need the shelves replenished so that when orders from the missionaries come in, I will be prepared. I think it is assuming too much to think that today I could also get the placas ordered and also the garments that some elders are in need of. The latter two may have to wait until tomorrow.

Lunch time came and Elder Paz let me know he was hungry, but we couldn't eat before Elder Lazo and Elder Lowry came. The lunch was promoted by Elder Lazo wanting some sort of a going away meal prepared by me.

Serving a dinner without matching plates and tableware, and for heaven sakes -- even a table cloth or place mats is not my way of presenting a meal. But then, I've done a LOT of things differently than I have ever done before since living here in Argentina.

Elders Lazo, Lowry, and Paz chowed down with heaping portions of food. I had planned for four sloppy joes a piece for the elders and only Elder Lowry consumed that many. The other two couldn't get enough of the potato and fruit salads. It just amazes me how much these elders can eat. Where do they put it?

The brownie trifle was a hit and Elder Lazo wanted to eat the whole bowl by himself. Tomorrow he turns 21 years old, so this meal was in honor of his birthday and farewell from the mission. We are going to miss him. He is a baptizing missionary and a good teacher having had great success in his two years in Buenos Aires. He is an ambitous young man and will be a wonderful neuro-surgeon.

The two traveling elders came back starved and there was plenty for them to eat. They were grateful!

I continued getting my order ready to push the "send" button, feeling great relief when it was completed. I hope it comes as fast as the Book of Mormon order did. Two days after ordering 40 boxes, the delivery truck brought them and the elders had them stacked on the shelves in no time.

We could feel a drop in temperature as we walked home from the office around 6:00. If any dinner was needed after eating a big lunch, it would be another sloppy joe. Rich opted to have one, but I just couldn't.

We continue to talk each night about what we will fit into the week that our daughters are here visiting. There is too much so we will have to be selective. We hope we can show them a slice of life here in Argentina. We may also have to handle a few things at the office as they present themselves. Just two weeks to go. Wow!

By the time we went to bed, the wind was blowing hard and rain was coming.