Clegg's Visit - Sunday, October 10, 2010

We sleep with the window open a little now to keep some fresh air moving around. Who would have thought, since just a few weeks ago we were complaining of the cold nights.

Rich went up to the office at 7:30 to run things off for his Sunday School class, but returned by 8:15. We were going our separate ways at church today due to the Cleggs coming, so I didn't have to be to the San Fernando sacrament meeting until 9:30. Virreyes starts at 9:00 so Rich went on ahead of me.

The walk to church was delightful and warm, no coat needed. I didn't want to get there too early because ex-Elder Clegg would want his parents to meet the members and I didn't want to interrupt that and distract them. So by the time I got there they were entering a row to take their seats in the chapel. They saw me coming and it was just so exciting to see familiar faces from home. The hugs were warm and meaningful!

James has been home from his mission for a year now, but this ward has not forgotten him. While being an office elder he served in San Fernando seven months or more. They had him give the opening prayer, and he also bore his testimony. Laurie had planned to bear her testimony, so James went up with her and translated. She did a good job and it was heartfelt and sweet.

Our branch gets out of church one half hour before the San Fernando ward, so Rich was waiting for us when we dismissed. We went over to the office so the Cleggs could see where their son worked during the last couple months before he was transferred. He was an office elder when they moved into the new office where we are now.

Walking home to our apartment there was constant chatter and visiting. It didn't take too long to boil the ravioli, heat the sauce, and finish the tossed salad. I had to confess my discovery of the wonderful ravioli and sauce that I purchased instead of making it from scratch. No one seemed to mind and it tasted good to me. I was disgusted that I must have over cooked some of it because it fell apart, but it tasted fine.

Daniels ice cream was a hit and we ate a mixture of the four flavors ordered, along with a variety of small cookies made at the panadaria. The typical dinner table shot shows happy, full, and satisfied people.

After dinner we enjoyed the afternoon just sitting around the table visiting. One would wonder what we could talk about until 8:00 in the evening, but the conversation was forthcoming and lively. We all had a lot to say. It was so fun to have these friends and family members too in our home.

Dr. Dan came to Buenos Aires for some meetings so they have been here a week. James and Matt came together yesterday and the four of them will sightsee in Buenos Aires until Thursday when they will leave the area. The boys are going to Iguazu Falls on their way home, and Dan and Laurie are stopping off in Brazil to see their neighbors who are serving there as Mission President.

James is in school, Laurie is a Stake R.S. President in Bountiful, and Dan is a doctor at the U.of U. hospital and was recently released as a counselor in a Stake Presidency, and Matt just received a mission call to Finland, leaving in December. They have three other children and are a wonderful family. Dan's sister, Marjorie, and I were inseparable in high school -- the best of best friends.

We looked forward to this day having them with us and we all had a great time together.

It seems just like yesterday when we walked into the mission office to meet the office elders who would work with us and train us. We were so excited to meet Elder Clegg, whom we did not know, even though he was Rich's relative through his mother's line. It has made our mission special to be able to serve with him and share in the blessings of this great work.

Next visit to get excited about - - Melissa and Marianne will be here in two days and a wake up!!