Zone Conference- June (continued)

Thank you Hermana Petersen and Dr. Petersen for checking each of our missionaires and teaching them the basics of good health for a missionary. We are blessed to have people like you in the church who are willing to leave family and go on three missions together. We are finding like you that the hardest things of life are often the most rewarding. (Standing in from of Valle Grande Dam)

Beautiful, courageous Hermanas who add color to our mission.
Me, Hermanas Villalba, Chamorro, White, Arrieta, Huzzey, Hunt, Eileen Petersen.

San Rafael Zone Conference with the office staff in front.
San Rafael Malargue Zone Leaders- Elder Wells, Jesperson
San Rafael Alvear Zone Leaders- Elders Squires, Clayson
Zone Leader

Zone Conference Week- June

Zone Conference week takes many days of preparation, and the help of numerous individuals. The leadership of the mission is in the capable hands of these fine young men.
Elders Mathier, Armstrong, Sullivan, Parry, Malakai
Office Elders (not shown) Elders Tillery, Lloyd
Senior Couples Elder and Sister Brown and Jarvis

The end of the day is always touching, as we all gather in a circle and sing the mission song. For some missionaries it is the last time they will sing the song and you always see tears in their eyes. The song has become important to them as they sing of the mountains and vineyards and their purpose the bring others unto Christ.

We are lucky to have Elder and Sister Arce who entertain us while we eat our lunch during conferences. Elder Arce has been singing with his guitar for 60 years, dressed in his gaucho costume.

This is the "take a picture with Hermana Lindahl" shot. I am surrounded by happy and healthy Elders who are doing their very best to spread the good news of the gospel here in Mendoza.

President just had to do it some time. When Elder Nieve (snow) arrived in the office, he jokingly said wouldn't it be fun to put him with Elder Snow. Well it happened. They are trading name tags all the time. Today they both have Elder Nieve name tags on. (Now Elder Bateman is waiting for an Elder Robbins to arrive so Batman and Robin can be together)

Maipu/San Martin/Valle de Uco Zone Conference
Maipu Zone Leaders- Elders Mendoza, Lema
San Martin Zone Leaders- Elders Sargent, Fuentes
Valle de Uco- Elders Miles, Manqui

Giving a mission cheer for Mendoza.

Friends- Elders Smith, Swainston, Lloyd, Armstrong, Wajchman.

Hermana love to be together because we are always out numbered. Hermanas Bonilla, Rojas, Me, Llancanao, Adams, Maucotel.

Hermanas Pinto, me, Flake. Aren't they wonderful to come and dedicate their time to the Lord.

Some of the leaders in the mission, coming for advice from the "wise old men." Elders Armstrong, Cardus, Mathier, Malakai.

Elder Parry is headed home, and so his zone lifts him up in celebration. He will return to play baseball for BYU and who knows where from there.

Dr. Walter Petersen, and wife Eileen from Burley Idaho. They toured with us throughout the mission to see all of the missionaries and make sure they are healthy. Dr. Petersen's emphasis is exercise and purified water. Those who listen and are obedient will have fewer physical problems. We love the Petersen's and consider them angels in missionary clothing.

San Juan/Chimbas Zone Conference
San Juan Zone Leaders- Elders Berrocal, Berezay
Chimbas Zone Leaders- Elders Cardus, Martin

Mendoza/Godoy Cruze Zone Conference
Mendoza Zone Leaders- Elders Slater, McNees
Godoy Cruz Zone Leaders- Elders Lewis, Castellon
Office- Elders Tillery, York (tallest Elders in back row)

Guaymallen/San Luis Zone Conference
Guaymallen Zone Leaders- Elders Sullivan, Mayta
San Luis Zone Leaders- Elders York, Whiteford

June Zone Leader Council- Consejos

Too bad there are no paper plates in Argentina that can actually hold food. Dinner for 30 with china for dinner, salads, and dessert takes a while to clean up. Luckily we have happy Zone Leaders who don't mind helping in the kitchen (just don't tell their mothers, it is a secret).
(left) Elders Slater, Squires, McNees, Wells, Jespersen, Me, Elder Whiteford

They ate so much food, I can't believe they still have energy to move.

Bad photo, but smiles are always in focus.
Below Photo (left back) Elders Lema, Mayta, Cardus, Berrocal, McNees, *Parry, Clayson, President, Elder Miles (middle) Elders Sargent, Lewis, Mendoza, *Sullivan, Manqui, York, Whiteford, Jespersen, Hawks, *Armstrong (bottom) Elders Castellon, Berezay, Martin, Fuentes, Wells, Squires, Slater (*Assistants- *Elder Malakai helped me take photos)

June Nuevitos

No, these are not the Nuevitos, these are the Assistants greeting the missionaries at our home. They sang the mission song as the missionaries left, it was touching. I keep saying it each transfer but- there are no finer young men in the world. (Elders Armstrong, Parry, Sullivan, Malaki)

Our Americans arriving late in the afternoon after many hours (days) of travel. Elder Carter hopefully will join them when his visa arrives in a few weeks. We are grateful these three arrived safe and ready to work- Elder Crowther, Pedersen, Mitchell.

Our Latinos arrived in the morning straight from the Buenos Aires MTC. Two speak very good English (for my sake) and they are all wonderful young men. (L to R) Elders Hinojosa (his arm is in the photo) Rodriguez, Guzman, Coronel (don't count Elder Malaki) Naranjo, Canaza, Rojas.

The replacements to the army have arrived.

June Viejitos Leave the Mission

We said goodbye to 12 of 13 missionaries. Elder Mathier we will keep a little longer to open a new area. We love these valiant young Elders who come and give their all for two years. Today was the best and worst day of their lives. Change is hard for everyone, but for some I personally know they will go home to nothing. But others have many opportunties to grow and learn. I hope those who have so much will take advantage of those blessings. Thank you Elders Swensen and Morgan for working till the hour you left, for Elder Searle, Salmon, Moisko who served with us in the office, Elder Riggs for sharing your violin. Thank you, thank you for your service.
(left rear) Elders Salmon, Abreu, Bianansi, Perez, Riggs, Morgan
(left front) Elder Ibara, Me, President, Elders Elescano, Benitez, Searle, Moisko, Swensen