A Farewell Asado - Saturday, December 4, 2010

We had a busy but good day!! We planned with the Schoenys to go to the office and do a couple hours of training at 10:00, so get up time was still 6:00 a.m. Rich needed a hair cut, so we had to fit that in before we left home. Elder Schoeny is happy to get the hair clippers that have an Argentine plug so they won't be coming home with us.

Our apartment is really a mess with suitcases all over the floor, boxes with food and kitchen things ready to go to the Schoenys, and odds and ends out in plain site ready for me to decide which suitcase needs them, or if I should throw them out. We won't be able to move the couch, table, bed, or TV next door by ourselves, so Silvio will have to take care of that, but everything else will go. We are making progress, but there is still a lot to do.

I felt good about the couple hours of training that we accomplished. Every little bit helps! I feel bad because there isn't much time for Sister Schoeny to practice things over and over as we have to move on. She is becoming a little overwhelmed and panicked thinking about the schedule of when things are to be done. I can relate to her completely as I had those same feelings when I was training. So in the night I had a revelation of how to organize the time line for her. I think it will work, and in telling her about it she started to relax a bit. I need to refine it some more.

At 1:15, Elders Peterson and Paz took the four of us with them in the car to the home of the Ailán family for dinner. Elders Hansen and Magaña were already there. They cooked an asado that was to die for. The meat was so flavorful and delicious. They had beef and chicken, and told us that out of respect for their guests they didn't cook all of the insides of the cow. Thankgoodness!! They said those parts are really a delicacy, but they know the Americans won't eat them.

Brother Ailán kept bringing out the beef and chicken and the elders were in seventh heaven. They ate to their hearts content. We all did! Potato salad added to the asado. It was yummy.

After dinner, Sister Ailán brought out two gifts that she presented to Rich and I. They were going away gifts from their family. Rich received a bag containing a book and CD which is a history of San Fernando. It would have been excellent to have it earlier on in our mission. I can't wait to read the book. For me, Sister Ailán made a heart shaped box which is decorated beautifully. She said it was to put special things inside. And inside there were three notes written by Abigail, their daughter, Hermano Ailán (Miguel), and Hermana Ailán (Estella) expressing kind words with the hope to see us again if we ever come to Argentina, or if not, at a reunion in the life hereafter.

The Ailáns are a strong and dedicated family in the church. They have five children, but only the two youngest living at home are members along with themselves. Since their baptism last January, Brother Ailán has only missed one Sunday, and his wife and daughter, Abigail, have never missed a Sunday coming to church. Great people!

The group photo shot has the Kroffs, Aliàns, Schoenys, and Elders Paz, kneeling, Magaña, Hansen, and Peterson.

Abigail stands next to the fridge with the cascading flower arrangement that we found interesting and pretty. It has been a testimony to us to see how the gospel changes lives and how the countenance of one who accepts it changes. At the time of her baptism, Abigail had some facial body piercings and today she is a beautiful young lady with no trace of her past way of life. She is a good example to others.

After lunch, we took the Schoenys on a train ride and bus ride to get to the Area Office. We rode the train from San Fernando to the Belgrano station and then took a colectivo the rest of the way. We didn't go inside as by that time it was 5:00 and Elder Schoeny wanted to see if we could find a key place for them to get copies of their apartment keys. We failed in the attempt so then we backtracked to the train station to show them the way home. We want them to know how to get to where the other senior couples are located. Muy importante!!

Walking from the train station we stopped at the big fruit and vegetable market that we discovered only months ago and each bought some of our favorites. We didn't buy too much because we only have a few more days to eat them up.

Every time we walk to the train, we pass this little lady, rain or shine, who sells flowers on the street corner. She usually has more than we saw today, but I decided we needed a picture of her for our memory bank. We won't be taking the train anymore, so this was the last day.

Packing suitcases resumed when we got home, and we took more items over to the Schoenys. There is a lot more to do, but I get side tracked because I want to update these daily entries since they will soon be coming to a close.

The parting dinners and experiences we are having with members and missionaries are tugging at our heart. This leaving is becoming more difficult as the days go by. How we have loved this experience!!