Leaders Get Trained - Thursday, November 18, 2010

I changed my routine a little today and combed my hair before eating breakfast and doing up the dishes. I wanted to be completely put together and dressed in case the elders from next door needed something and came knocking on the door. Sure thing, they did -- and it was at the time that I am usually doing my hair. They needed a broom and dust pan to sweep up all the cookie crumbs and litter that collected from the overnight stay of five elders. A remise picked up two of them in the early morning hours around 4:30 or 5:00 to take them to the airport.

When we arrived at the office, all fifty of the missionaries required to be at the Leadership Training today were seated around tables in the cultural hall studying quietly. The President and Elder Lowry were hooking up some multi media things, but were having trouble getting the internet connected. We were told they all arrived at around 8:15 in preparation for the training to begin at 9:00. To get them prepared and to invite the spirit to be present, they were to be reverent and studying the scriptures. All were complying nicely.

Before the office elders and their overnight guests arrived about a half hour after us, we were able to get started on some things without any distractions. My goal was to address envelopes to the Stake Presidents and parents of our departing missionaries in the December transfer, and fill them with the appropriate materials. I was happy to get that job off my mind. However, I would like to have had Sister Schoeny do it while I watched and instructed.

It became a little noisy and lively when the elders came, but I chose things to do that didn't require quiet concentration. At one point when Sister Gulbrandsen came in the office, she said that if the two waiting for their flights didn't have anything to do, that they should go in to the training and listen. It would better occupy their time than just sitting around doing nothing. Agreed!! And, the elders complied with the request.

Lunch time came and while eating their empanadas, fruit, and alfahores, I went around to the missionaries for whom I had packages and told them to come and get them at the end of the day. Needless to say I am one of their favorite people when I have news like that.

The afternoon was less productive because of all the extra bodies around coming and going. And since Sister Gulbrandsen didn't have much to do with the afternoon session of the training, she came in the office to see about a few things and it is super easy to get into a fun conversation with her. Rich and I go over things with her that we want the President to know or get his input on, and she takes it back to him. She is a great go between since he is so busy and has his mind on several things at once. She's a delight and such a positive, happy person.

One sweet petite sister from the states was so tired today that she just couldn't stay awake in the training. She didn't sleep well on the flight coming here Monday night, and then this morning she and her companion had to get up at 3:00 a.m. to get ready to come in to San Fernando to this training by 8:15. It is about two hours away and they were coming by train and bus. She was struggling so badly that Sister Gulbrandsen brought her to the office and we got a mattress and pillow from our attic storage area and let her lie down in the President's office. She slept for a good three hours. Poor thing!

Our missionaries from Mexico, Elders Juarez and Jimenez had a long twenty four hours to wait until they could leave for home. After things ended yesterday at 4:00 they had to wait until 5:30 today to leave for the airport. Their overnight flight to Mexico is about nine hours. They were good sports, but very anxious to be on their way.

Everyone cleared out of the church and office about 4:30 and then around 5:00, Rich and I left. Elder Peterson and Paz were going to wait until the remise came to take our missionaries to the airport.

Rich walked me home and then left to go on an errand for the President. He needed a microphone extension cord for tomorrow so Rich found a place about 20 blocks away that was recommended. He took a bus and, of course, they didn't have one but was referred to another place which in turn referred him to still another place that might have one. Third times a charmer so he was successful getting one there. Then he took the bus home.

Steamed brocolli and cauliflower with chicken nuggets made our meal and it tasted good. After completing this entry, I am going to go through some papers to either save or toss out. I really want to start packing clothes in suitcases. Maybe I'll have time for that too.