Wednesday, January 21, 2009

We are here in Argentina


We are official. We have our badges and we're ready to go! Well, almost!

Here's the official sign on our door as we leave the MTC. There's no turning back. Now it is home to pack and t0 get everything to fit in our suitcases. Good luck!You never saw so many suitcases in your life. I think we'll need a bigger plane! Maybe you could all come to the airport and help us carry these!
Had a several hour layover in Dallas. It is so futuristic! Their airport makes you feel like you are at Disneyland. They have a monorail that runs around the whole airport. Of course we had to ride it the whole way, just for fun.


Steve loves to look out the window when he flies, so me made an extra special point of requesting window seats . . . .but didn't take into consideration that we were flying the whole
way in the dark, all through the night. We tried to sleep, but, oh well . . . .

When we stepped off the plane in Buenos Aires and were greeted by warm, summer air, palm trees, and sunshine. Hard to remember this is January. We were met by a member of one of the ward bishoprics. He took us over to the Argentine MTC which is right next to their beautiful temple. We had lunch at the MTC and then I slept for a few hours. The highlight was walking around this beautiful temple.

On our way back to the airport we saw just a bit of the Buenos Aires skyline. 20 million people live here. We drove along the Parana River. It was so wide we could not see the other side. The color was a definite muddy brown.
We then took another flight that would take us to our destination of Menoza. We arrived to an amazing welcome with cameras flashing in all directions. The Mission President, his wife, and the two other senior couples were all there with hugs, and welcomes. We were then wisked away to the Mission Home for a marvelous dinner of roast beef, turkey, all the trimmings, topped of by a fresh peach, custard cake.


Then off we were taken to our community of Godoy Cruz, a suburb of Mendoza. The streets are very lovely all lined with trees. It makes taking walks very nice during the hot summer days.
Our suitcases just about filled up our small front room. Everything has bars on it, the windows, the doors, and the yards all are fenced with locked steel gates, and cars are all parked behind steel bars.



We are on the second floor. That makes us lots safer. We have two single ladies named Nellie and Christina, that live by our front gate. They are always home and seem to be always out in the patio talking and keeping track of things. Nothing gets by them. They are there to remind us to please lock the door as we enter and then relock it after we close it.


Every evening we are greeted with the fine voices of our neighbors across the street. They are big dogs, and oh can they howl.


The Mission Office and our Stake center are just across the street and down the block, very convenient, since we are there almost every day.
There was a ward missionary meeting that we were invited to. We have the greatest bunch of missionaries. It was a great meeting, and I was asked to give the closing prayer. I even gave it in Spanish to the amazement and delight of those there. I was so nervous I was sweating by the end of my prayer.

By the way, the town was so excited we are here that they named a street for us!
Well, this is our update for a few days! We have much to share! What an experience! We are well, and loving it!





















4 comments:

Deb-t said...

So you're now in South America and busier than ever it sounds like! Great job on the post and for keeping us updated. Whatever computer troubles you are having earlier must now be gone!

Love ya!

MikesDork said...

We are so glad that you are there safely! I probably should have checked your blog before! I was hoping you would update it. I will have to let everyone know that it is updated!

Love you!

Farm Girl said...

we're so excited for you. i love this blog thing....it's so cool to be able to see where you are and what's happening. it almost seems like you're not so far away, but we still miss you bunches.
love darren, sher, and the chillins.

Bean said...

I love your blog its cute i hope your haven fun
love
jordan