This Country Is For the Birds

If you are going to follow the blog of a farm boy, it just makes sense that sometimes we are going to talk about farming.  As we passed through San Bautista we noticed a lot of chicken coops.  This is obviously where they grow a lot of the eggs and fryers for the country.  We could see that the facilities are modern and efficient.  I have to admit that the chicken statues are among my favorite attractions.  But, then again, I live in a town in Idaho where they have a giant potato on main street.  I have to admit that these are some of my favorite pictures.

We took the pictures on one of our trips through San Ramon.  We took this route on Tuesday on our way to Sarandi del Yi.  We have Sister Missionaries there that need to change houses.  It was quite a trip.  The Sisters there are very positive and happy.  The ward is very cooperative to help us with the sister’s needs.  This is really good as they are a long ways away from Montevideo.  The picture of the plaza is as good as any plaza in Uruguay.  We both love the picture of the three horse drawn wagon that was taken just outside Sarandi del Yi.  This guy waived to us and seemed very friendly.  We love the simple life that the country people, (campesinos) live.  Sarande del Yi is named thus because it is on the banks of the river Yi.  Sorry I can’t tell you how to pronounce it in English.  It’s like “ya” in Spanish only with an “e” sound. 

On the way home we stopped by this cool castle.  It appears that it was a Jesuit Monastery or something about 150 years ago.  Now, I think it is a big ranch and it looked like a family lives there.  Pretty cool.  I especially like the rows of palm trees out in the middle of nowhere.

We have had a big week of travel.  On Tuesday we did the Sarandi del Yi trip.  This is about three and a half hours each way.  It was a big day but oh so beautiful as the countryside is very green from the rain.  On Thursday we had to move some furniture.  We started in Las Piedras which is about an hour north of Montevideo where we picked up beds, tables, chairs etc. from a house that we just vacated in the town of 18 de Mayo.  From there we drove about thirty minutes east to Los Ceibos to store the furniture.  We picked up a closet there and took it to Sarandi Grande which is about two and a half hours north west from Los Ceibos.  We made pretty good time and got home before dark.

Saturday we tried to close the house in El Pinar.  The law is in favor of the landlord so in order to give the keys back you need to fix up everything that they require.  This included painting the house inside and out, fixing locks, walls and gates.  It is quite costly.  Thankfully we have people that can do it for us.

We learned two good things from the missionaries this week.  First, we learned leadership from the Zone Leaders in Este, Elder Brumble and Vallecillos.  The zone set a goal to make 700 contacts in a week.  This is a very lofty goal.  To teach the missionaries the zone leaders took the lead in contacts.  I am not sure how many they ended up with but I am pretty sure it was over 700.  To show leadership, Elder Brumble and Vallecillos, jumped on a bus with over forty people with pamphlets in hand.  They asked permission to speak to the people on the bus.  The driver turned down the radio while Elder Brumble gave some information about the Plan of Salvation and bore his testimony.  Meanwhile, Elder Vallecillos passed out “Plan of Salvation” pamphlets to all the people on the bus.  I am impressed with what this does for the spirit of a zone.  I am proud of the Elders. 

Second, we learned about gratitude.  The weather has turned off quite cold.  It is only in the 50’s but with the humidity it is quite cold.   Plus the temperature is the same inside the house as it is outside the house.  We have been wearing sweaters and coats for a couple of weeks now.  Today was a little warmer but it looks like we are going to have weather in the 50’s for awhile.  So in the middle of this cold we found out that the propane heater, (estufa), for the companionship in Paso Carasco didn’t work.  I stopped by Friday afternoon after two nights of cold and gave them one that works.  Elder Cary and Anderson looked very grateful.  I didn’t even give them cookies and they were still very grateful.  I have to add that this is one of the things you notice every day and that is that the missionaries are grateful.   They are so sincere and grateful every time we meet them.  It is so wonderful.

We attend the Malvin Ward most of the time.  They have had two baptisms in the last month or so, Victoria and Raquel.  Both of these sisters were able to take names of their ancestors to the Temple on Saturday to have them Baptized for the dead.  They both bore their testimonies today in Church.  They are so grateful and so sincere.  It’s stuff like this that makes our missions so meaningful and wonderful.  We are grateful for the Savior and the wonderful blessings that come into our lives because of his sacrifice for us.  We love the Gospel and each one of you. 

May God bless you all.

Gordon and Renee