It Has Been A Really Good Week

I think I said this in my last post...it is so hard to realize that the end of another year is now upon us. We had a very nice quiet Christmas Eve with the Armstrong family. Their oldest son Bob, his wife Emily and their four children came down for the holidays. Matt, who attends BYU also came down. So they had quite a house full of family. They were kind enough to invite us to spend some time with them also. During the course of the afternoon, Ana, the youngest grandchild fell asleep in Elder W's arms. He rocked our children and grandchildren in the same manner, so he has not lost his touch.      



It is a family tradition in their family to have a "Christmas Stew" on  the eve of  Christmas. After a wonderful dinner, "Presidents A. & W." went into the kitchen to do the dishes. The other members of the family then prepared for the program which was to be performed. They dramatized the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It brought back many, many memories of when our children were young and we had very similar programs with family and friends in our home.                             

 

On Christmas day, we took the opportunity to do some sightseeing. It was a beautiful day to be a tourist. Elder W. never wants to look like a tourist as they are always targets of street robberies. So we hide our camera and speak Spanish to everyone on the streets and in the shops. This is a photo of a typical street in a South American capital city. The architecture is wonderful. The Portuguese built much of Montevideo, thus the balconies on the buildings. I have heard it said that the larger the balcony, the more wealth the family had, I don't know if that is true, but you can see many balconies, some larger than others. The photo below is a public building. As you can tell, it is very large. Somewhere I wrote the name of the department it houses.

The next thing we saw was the "Port of Montevideo." This is where all the commodities come into the country. There are thousands of containers sitting on the docks waiting to be picked up after they are inspected by customs. We walked around for quite awhile, we saw some very interesting vessels. Part of their "armada" is here also. There was also a very large sailing vessel of some kind. Cruise ships also dock here and the tourists shop and eat in this downtown area. For this reason, the prices here are somewhat higher than in other parts of the city. We did some "window shopping" it was a fun day.

We are always looking for wonderful looking buildings and we found this great doorway. It is very old. Notice if you will the apartment number. Elder W. did not see the number, after I took the photo, I told him to look at the number. He chuckled with me. We find this "219" number in  many places  It has a significance in our lives. Our Rebecca lost her life on a highway at mile marker # 219. Before her death she had recently shared with Tracy that her new favorite Hymn was hymn #219, "Because I have Been Given Much." It is a special hymn with a special message. When I was a cashier at Smith's, many times I would be thinking of Becky and my register would show $2.19 as a price or the change a customer was receiving. I like to think that she needs me to know that she thinks of me too. 

On our way home we traveled on the "rambla" or the beach route. We can get to many locations by using this avenue. As you can see, there are many, many apartments buildings along this route. When we were trying to find our apartment;our real estate adviser tried to get us to rent one of these apartments. I can't imagine living near the beach. The noise and traffic would have driven us crazy each day. It is not far from the mission office or President's home, but we are so glad we chose the apartment we did.  The beach near us is within a five minute drive. It is not very clear in this photo, but there were many people on the beach. The water is very shallow.We are beginning the summer season. Many, many people here in Montevideo are somewhat athletic. We always see people riding bikes, running, exercising on the beach or even playing volleyball or soccer. Over all, the people here are much more fit than either Ecuador or Peru. 

We will be hearing and seeing lots of fireworks during the next few days. It is a tradition to use fireworks during Christmas and New Year. They are very loud and in our town are very illegal. Here, anything goes. We hear what sounds like sticks of dynamite! My boys would love it. It is a remembrance of years ago when we lived near a wash and our boys (Dad included) would set off "cherry bombs and M 80's." Very LOUD! Here it begins about midnight and lasts as long as their supply, usually several hours.

Well, that is about all for this post...and this year. Time is passing so very fast, we will be home in no time at all. I do look forward to our reunion at home. I know it is early to say that, but this mission, I know time will fly by faster than our other missions. We thank you all for your love, prayers and positive thoughts for us. We think of you all every day. All my love!

Until I write next time.

XOXOXO 

Lots of People...Human and Gingerbread

Our Christmas Conference was held on Friday December 21. It took many people all week long make our final preparations for this special event. Beginning very early in the morning, all 183 missionaries were brought by buses from their 11 areas or zones as they are called.

The Armstrong's have family visiting them for this Christmas. While Elder W. worked in the office last Monday, I joined their family to make "gingerbread people." As part of the Christmas gift to the missionaries Emily Armstrong (daughter in law) brought her recipe for gingerbread cookies. This is Laura (grand daughter)  standing with many of the 366 small gingerbread cookies that were cut out and baked. It took several days with each one being decorated on Wednesday. They were so, so cute. Each decorated like little elders and sisters. Two cookies were placed "gingerly" in a cellophane Christmas bag.  

On Friday morning, Pres. and Sister Armstrong, 6 office elders, some of the Armstrong family and Elder W. and myself all arrived at the chapel at 6:30 am. We sliced many loaves of orange bread and poured hundreds of cups of orange juice and yogurt. Serving that many missionaries takes a good deal of time, missionaries eating breakfast takes just minutes.

Each zone had been given the assignment to read and study certain scriptures about how the Savior served others. Each missionary was asked to prepare a 3 to 5 minute talk about what they learned from their this study. Also, as a zone they were asked to prepare a  Christmas song. Wonderful talks were given by 11 missionaries chosen by the President. After each talk, the entire zone sang their chosen song. After this portion of the conference, the missionaries were excused to go to lunch. This is what it looks like when they leave the chapel to go wait in the lunch lines.

A catering company did a terrific job. They came to the church, cooked the meal, decorated the tables, set up all the place settings, set up the three serving stations and served delicious food.

After a wonderful meal, we returned to the chapel and President Armstrong taught doctrine about how to do missionary work better! It was very inspired teaching. Because we have "valientes," (they are the missionaries leaving for home in January,) they were given an opportunity to share their testimony with the entire mission. It was a very special time.

At the end of President's teaching, the missionaries were asked to return to the cultural hall for dessert. Elder W., Hermana Armstrong, Hermana Barney (mission nurse) and President Armstrong and I did some reflecting about how the day was going. What a fantastic assortment of cakes, pies, chocolates and cookies we were able to sample. Not only did this catering company cook and serve wonderful food, they did all the clean up also. They took all the pots and pans, linens, serving pieces, plates, glasses and silverware all away. We had only to put the tables away and clean the floor.

A great deal of effort goes into planning and preparing for a conference. It was a special time for the missionaries and also for us. We have 15 new missionaries who came to us on Dec. 11th. They are still a little taken back by the mission life. It was good for them to be with their "oro" group again and to be able compare notes on how they are each doing.

We are blessed in the Montevideo Uruguay Mission, we have a great group of missionaries. They are talented, spiritual and obedient.

It is very hard for all of us to be so far from family and friends at this time of year, but we will return home in the future.

We love you and keep you in our prayers. We appreciate your prayers, we can feel them. Your good thought and service help buoy me up.

I love you and wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and the healthiest, happiest most prosperous New Year ever.

Until I write again,
xoxoxo

A Very Busy and Long Week

As we go into the middle of the month of December (I can't believe that), last week was a very busy one. Monday was a very full day to finish all the preparations to receive the new missionaries coming from Buenos Aires on the next morning. I will give you just a small summary of what happens in our mission on that day.

Early in the morning on Tuesday, the trainers (missionaries who will be training new incoming missionaries) come to the mission home, have an opening prayer and eat breakfast (and I mean they can eat).  As the meeting unfolds and before Elder W. and I go to the chapel, I am in the kitchen doing some dishes to keep the mission home as clean as I can.

After eating, they have about 2 hours of training which includes some discussion about what they remember about being a new missionary themselves. What did their trainer do that helped and encouraged them? What did their trainer do that they did not appreciate? It is so good to hear their answers. They are very honest but positive in their answers. Some of their trainers are even in this same room! They have the generation thing going on. Returned missionaries know what I mean. Grandfather, father, son etc.  

New missionaries are no longer called "greenies,, therefore in our mission they are known "OROS" or GOLDEN. Their plane lands in Montevideo about 8:30 am, but they have been awake since 2:30 am.  After finding their luggage, waiting in the line for "customs," they are greeted by their mission President and Sister Armstrong. The bus then brings them to the mission home about 11 am. They arrive very tired and somewhat shell shocked. I'm sure you will all be surprised to know that Elder W. stands in the background wearing his sunglasses with his arms folded. Many think he is the body guard to the President.

This is a photo of their arrival at the mission home and greeted by their trainers. This week we received 10 Elders and 5 Sisters. during this meeting they interview with the president, do paperwork, finally eat some breakfast and take lots of pictures. About 3 pm these missionaries come to the chapel where many, many other missionaries are meeting their new companions.  During the wait for everyone these Elders and Sisters have had their own meeting led by the assistants. Then they all try to find their luggage, mail and new companions. Elder W. and I are now at the chapel also and we try to keep some sort of order. It really is such a fun time. The "back-slap" greetings the elders give one another is so great. Really fun to watch and hear. The sisters are much more subdued in their greetings. They are all so excited to see and talk with one another. So...we have chaos for a short time, then it's off to their area to "go to work." Here is a photo of Elder W. with one of our great missionaries Elder Lee. As you can see...he is a big boy!

On Wednesday we loose our "valientes." They are the missionaries who are leaving for home. They are able to attend a session in the Temple. Then they go to the mission home late in the afternoon. A "Valientes Noche de Hogar" (valientes home evening) and a special dinner is held. Some have flights that night, others leave the next day. It makes for two very busy, sometimes hectic days. But it is always exciting!

Each time there are "changes" in the mission and this chapel is used, Brother Lopez comes to take orders and make deliveries of his beautiful scripture covers. We will place an order in the future. Here is a photo of some of his work...enjoy. They are remarkable!

Well...that is it for this week. Busy is good, and we have been busy. As I sit at the computer and write to you, Elder W. and President are meeting with a Stake President, Branch President and an Area Seventy. They are finalizing plans to make a new Stake.

 We hear Christmas and New Year here in Uruguay are very loud with lots of parties and fireworks during the whole week. It is summer here, so many people take their vacation time during the Christmas week. We shall see! It would not surprise us at all. Each time Uruguay wins a "football" (soccer) game, we hear fireworks for some time.

We love you and miss you all. I know I said this before, but I really cannot believe the end of the year is two weeks away. Please write to us! We do love to hear what is going on in the lives of our family and great friends.

We wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a healthy and very Happy New Year!

Until I write again...
xoxoxo

The Beginning Of The End...Of The Year

It is so hard to believe we are now in the month of December. It is harder to believe that Christmas will soon be here. Because we are in So. America, it is now Spring and the weather is becoming warmer. For most of us, it is usually cold at Christmas time, but not down here.

I will digress just a little bit, and explain some of the things we experienced during our first month here before I began this blog.

During our second or third week in Uruguay, we were still residing in the home of Pres. and Sis. Armstrong. They have this wooden staircase, probably 16 or 17 stairs. Well, one evening while coming down the stairs, I slipped and fell, bouncing on about 8 to 10 of those stairs on my behind; while my head was hitting each stair behind me. Upon hitting the floor, I jumped up and looked around me to see if anyone had seen my descent. I was so glad there were no cameras, it would have been a "candid camera" few moments. After gathering myself, I informed Elder W. what had happened. I then realized that I had quite a good sized goose-egg on the back of my head. Several days later Elder W. informed me that he had been watching me very closely. He said my words had been a little jumbled, my speech was a little funny and I was experiencing than my usual forgetfullness. He did not say anything to me because he did not want ME to worry, he was doing that. It took about two weeks before I was pretty much back to normal. I always say "whatever 'normal' is." It was a really silly thing to come down the stairs in my stocking feet. I don't use those stairs much any more, I don't like them!

October 11-13, Pres. and Sis. Armstrong needed to make a mission tour to three areas quite distant from where we live. He planned to be gone from Friday-Sunday. During this same time, their 16 yr. old daughter Stacey, had a trip to Brazil planned by her school. So they asked us to accompany them on the tour. It was a wonderful trip. Pres. Armstrong served his mission here, at that time the mission comprised Uruguay and Paraguay.
During this weekend we met and he interviewed and trained the missionaries. While he was doing his work, Sis. Armstrong and I conducted "apartment checks." Many of the apartments occupied by the missionaries are what we would call substandard, but they make it work! Some are better than others, some are much worse.  Here are two photos of one we checked on.


The room on the left is
of course the bedroom,
the room on the right is
the living room where they do their studying and planning. It is very well kept and clean.





During our same tour, Pres. held two firesides. One each on Friday and Saturday nights.Many remembered him from when he served here as a young man. Here in the photo on the left, this sister and her husband brought photos of Pres. and his companions during his time in their area. They were so excited to see him again and share their remembrances of his service. They shared several stories with us.


The photo below is a little man and his wife. She was a member, he was not but was baptized during right before Pres. finished his mission. It was truly a wonderful spiritual three days. Many people brought their sons and daughters to meet him and attend his fireside.  During these two evenings we were able to witness for ourselves the love these people had for him and him for his mission!

It was after these three fun filled spiritual days we returned to our new apartment to find we had been robbed!! Our computer, a camera and my (costume) jewelry. It was so discouraging to us. Of course, the questions "why, how could this happen to us," on and on. Elder W. wanted to move right that minute. As it turns out, the sliding glass door had been jimmied. We live at the back of the complex so no one saw them. The two men broke into four apartments in our building and one in another complex right behind ours. We are just very happy we were not home, we could have been hurt, or more likely, they would have been! It was 11:30 on Thursday evening. We would have been in the bedroom asleep. "Bad things happen to good people," right.

This last week has been good for us. Progress has been made in the mission office to make some space for Elder W. so he will have a small office to work in. I have my desk in the "bullpen" where the office Elders also do their work. Although I have my own computer, it is not able to be connected to the Internet and I cannot print anything because the printer is out of toner. That really does not matter, because the printer has had no toner for about 3 weeks. It finally arrived on Friday!!!  I am learning a lot about what needs to be done but, I can't do much of it at this time. They tell me soon it will all be fixed and I will feel like I am participating in the office. I do love being in the office with the missionaries!!! Elder W. is out with the Pres. much of the time.

Well that is about it for now. It is a beautiful Sunday afternoon and we are just waiting for FOOTBALL to start for the afternoon and evening. Then back at the mission duties again tomorrow morning.

We send our love to you all and testify that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. We love and greatly miss our family, good friends and Ward and Stake members. We have made covenants to dedicate our time, means and talents to help build the kingdom...we are keeping our covenants.

Until I write again,
XOXOXO