Sabbath with Friends - Sunday, October 17, 2010

Today is Mother's Day in Argentina. What a perfect one it was for me having my daughters with me in church today. It couldn't have been timed better. We understand that all the other South American countries celebrate Mother's Day in May like we do in the U.S. We don't know where they came up with October.

In Relief Society each sister was presented a candy jar decorated with an elaborate fancy lid. My goodness, it looked like a lot of work and time went into sewing and stuffing and attaching this homemade decoration to each lid. The verse referred to the sons of Helaman in Alma that says "We did not doubt that our mothers knew it."

The girls did not have room to fit this Mother's Day gift into their luggage, so I am trying to decide what to do with or to whom I should give one.

Everyone was excited to meet our daughters, and we were excited for them to meet our friends in San Fernando and Virreyes. It seemed like there wasn't as many in attendance at Sacrament meeting, probably due to Mother's Day visiting and get-togethers.

After the block of meetings we asked Elder Peterson if we could use the car this afternoon to go to our dinner appointment and then to the mission home. He readily agreed and said they could go to their dinner appointment by bus. Elder Davis is now walking on his injured foot. Thank you, Elders!!

Plans had been made a few weeks ago for us to have Sunday dinner at the Mansillas when our girls were visiting. We have become attached to this family and we love them dearly. They are a strong LDS family, raising good children in the gospel. The kids are well behaved, friendly, and respectful of adults. They are a great family! Standing are Domingo and Rita in the back and seated are Victoria, on Marianne's lap, Genesis, Dario, Matias, and Abel.

Dinner was great and we all enjoyed chicken, rice, potato salad, tossed salad, and beef. Lemon pie was the postre. We took the drinks. It was delicious. We know that most members are not wealthy, but they are generous and giving people. They share what they have and are good to the missionaries.

The family dog, Body, felt left out and sticks his head through the small window in the door. Locking the door is a must or he opens it and comes in. Funny picture! Marianne gives him some attention.

The traditional parting photo in front of their casa was taken to add to the others that are taped up inside. We will, for sure, make them copies of today's visit.

It was hard to find time in the Gulbrandsen's schedule to accommodate a visit from us. They just don't sit home eating bon bons and watching movies. But, we wanted the girls to see the mission home and meet the President and his wife. I called as we were leaving the Mansillas and Sister Gulbrandsen said that they had some open time then if we came right over. We were on our way!!

Due to traffic, we only had about a twenty minute visit because they were off to another appointment. We showed the girls around and they were able to see the layout of the mission home where many, many missionaries have passed through either coming or going over the past thirty years.

The Gulbrandsen's are wonderful people, and Sister Gulbrandsen is especially vivacious and fun making everyone feel loved and important. She had been excited for weeks that our girls were coming to see us.

On the way back home we drove by the San Fernando canals where people congregate on the weekends to fish off the dock, eat picnic lunches, and watch the boats go by.

Our evening activity was preparing for our trip to Ushuaia tomorrow morning. This will be a new adventure for Rich and I, and we are soooooo excited to see this part of the world, still within our mission. No permission from General Authorities needed on this one. An overnight stay will only require a light carry on bag, so the packing was minimal. The remise will pick us up at 5:30 tomorrow morning, so we all went to bed at 10:00.

It has been a great Sabbath Day!!