Keeping Busy

We have wanted to take a picture of us in front of our building but we usually don’t get home in time.  On Monday we made it home on time but the sun went behind the clouds just as we took the picture so I hope it is okay.  We live on the corner on the 7th floor.  It has been a good place to live.  That was the most exciting thing we did Monday.

On Tuesday we helped with Zone Leader conference.  Renee helped with the cooking and I did some stuff in the office.  I have started to write down the things that we help with for any new comers.  I have five pages already.  Zone leader conference was filled with a good day with the missionaries.  It is our last one and we are going to miss the missionaries that we have grown to love so much.

On Wednesday it was District Leader Training.  Again, Renee helped with the cooking as I puttered in the office.  We really have a good time at lunch as we get to visit with the missionaries.  They are so fun and full of life.  I often sit with the Latinos and I may never see some of them again.

Thursday was our big day as we moved the Aeroparque Elders to another house.  This seems pretty easy but it is never as easy as it seems.  Here are the steps we took:  1. Go get the van and trailer.
2. Go to Elders apartment 20 minutes away and pick them up with their personal stuff and some of their furniture.
3. Go to Panda another 20 minutes and pick up a wardrobe for the new apartment.
4. Return the half hour to the new apartment and drop off the first load.
5. Go the 20 minutes back to Montevideo to pick up beds and book cases from our apartment and then the washer and other stuff from the mission office.
6. 20 minutes back to the new house to drop off this stuff.
7.  Then I dropped off Renee at our apartment and picked up a table and two desks to take back out to the apartment.  I stopped on the way to pick up dinner for the Elders at McDonalds.

It was a fun day as we were able to spend it with Elder Bailey and Elder Knell.  They are doing real well in their area and are glad to have a house closer to their area.  My favorite part of the move was the fact that there was a huge puddle in front of the Elders house so I had to back the van and trailer about a block and a half three times to get back out.  I am glad we are about done with the moves in the mission.

Thursday night we had Anna and her family over for dinner.  Anna is the maid for the mission home.  She is a wonderful lady and has a real fun family.  They have been members for about 15 years and have a real neat conversion story.  The husband, Gustavo, recounted how his Bishop gave him several different jobs to teach him how the Church works.  That has come in handy as he is now the Bishop of their ward.  Another interesting note is that Gustavo moonlights as a Michael Jackson impersonator.  You can check him out on “Michael Jackson Uruguay”.  It is pretty cool.  We love Anna and her family and are going to miss them. 

Friday was Zone Conference and we were able to attend.  The Mission President and the Assistants did a good job teaching how to work with the members to do the missionary work.  We all learned a lot.  Afterward we wanted to go to the water and light companies but they were already closed.

Saturday was a much needed P-Day.  We spent the morning cleaning and ironing and then hosted Mary and her family for lunch.  Mary as you should recall is the cook for the mission.  She came and helped Renee make us Chivitos.  Chivitos are special steak sandwiches that include ham, cheese, bacon, egg, onions and peppers.  There are probably a couple of other things on there too but I can’t remember them.  Anyway they were way good.  It is all one can eat and then some.  We had a great time with Mary and her family as we enjoyed Renee’s oatmeal cake for dessert.  We have become such good friends with Mary and her family.  I really don’t know how we will say good bye.

Saturday afternoon and evening we did a Capilla Abierta in Prosperidad.  The branch was very supportive and the missionaries worked real hard to encourage people to come in and participate.  They were able to help several people learn more about the Savior.  You can tell by the pictures that they had a great time.

After the Capilla Abierta we had to go home past the Peñarol stadium.  It was just as the game got over.  It was a major traffic jam.  We ended up going about 10 miles out of our way.  We still got home in pretty good time.

The weather has been very nice as it is warming up and becoming perfect missionary weather.  The missionaries are doing well and working hard.  Every time we talk to them they just shine as they tell us about the wonderful experiences that they are having.  We love to serve with them.  It strengthens our Testimonies to be with them.  We know more than ever that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that His restored Church is on the earth today.  We are so grateful for this knowledge and blessing.

We love you all,
Gordon and Renee