President and Sister Lindahl

2011-09-18T16:19:00.000-07:00

Events-

First Bi-Annual Argentina Mendoza Mission Reunion
September 30th Friday
5:00-8:00 PM
3000 South 210 East, Heber, Utah
Bring a Guest
RSVP facebook page Argentina Mendoza Mission-Lindahl

A Process of Saying Goodbye, and Closing a Chapter of Our Lives

2011-07-24T13:19:00.000-07:00

We said goodbye to our Gringos the week we were leaving the mission, so they could go home the same week as us. Our last testimony meeting and dinner with a group of missionaries. The latinos will have their farewell dinner with the new President Avila in the week to come.
(left) Elders Petersen, Barrus, President, Orduña, Miller.

There was a special good bye dinner put on by the Rastelli's. President's counselors were there and the local Stake Presidents. We will miss their association and their valiant testimonies. They are what keep the Mendoza area moving forward in the church.
(left) Rastelli's, Pedot's(Godoy Cruz), Cabral's (Church Facilities), Chauque's (Guaymallen),
Acosta's, Sister Tidei (Maipu), Ojeda's (Mendoza), Ontiveros' (new Mendoza Pres.)

Our farewell lunch at the office with the office Elders (and a few oldies). Sister Packer made the delicious meal and the Elders of course ate every bit. The menu was sweet pork tacos. Thanks Sister Packer.

Saying goodbye to Carolina at the "libreria" were I buy the office supplies. She has become a good friend through the years, and we both laugh as I struggle to explain what I need, not knowing all the spanish words. We even got good at hand language (a family to sign language).

President's beloved bonsai was given to Laura Mallea our housekeeper. She knows how much joy it brought President each morning to water "Maria" and talk to her. Sister Mallea will take good care of her.

Had to take a picture of the guy at the Shell Station who pumped our diesel fuel every week. These people become our close friends as we visit with them weekly.

Our Assistants when we left were Elder Harvey and Elder Leal. They tried so hard to make our exit on the mission smooth and trouble free (if only!), at least they tried. The last week was a great trial of problems after problems. We tried to leave the mission in the best shape we could, and thus we were dead tired when the last day arrived.

Saying goodbye to Nestor Cabral, the man in charge of all the physical facilities in the Mendoza area. He is in charge of over a hundred church buildings, an almost impossible task for a man with a crew of three or four men. Nestor has become a dear friend and has always been there for President as they both worked through the problems of the mission.

The photo may be blurry but this moment will always be imbedded in our minds as we watched the Avila family get off the airplane and begin their adventure in Mendoza.

President Lindahl giving President Avila a big "abrazo."

The Avila Family from Buenos Aires, called to serve a mission in the Argentina Mendoza Mission. President Avila is only 47 years old and so will have the vitality and energy to get out and train our missionaries. He has served as an Area Seventy in Buenos Aires and so he knows the program, the pit falls, and what needs to be accomplished to grow the Mendoza Area.

Our last hug with Sister Laura Mallea our housekeeper. She has served us well, and has kept our confidences. She promises to never tell our secrets if we don't tell hers. A great arrangement. We will miss her shining face and beautiful smile. Thank you Laura for everything. We love you!

Showing the Avila's the 6th floor condo they will now call home. With bringing children on the mission, I am sure they will need to make some changes, but we hope that they are happy.

Saying goodbye to our dear friends Mauricio and Fabian Larrubia (and mom) at our fruit and vegetable stand. They have been helping us weekly for 3 years. It is hard to say goodbye to people who are so a part of your life. Though not members of our church, we can always hope that their hearts will soften and they will remember the times we shared our souls with them.

Good bye to our office Elder Hoggard (Historian), who has helped us put old videos back together, gather all the pictures of our missionaries, and print off our old Aguas de Cuyo newsletters through out the last 3 years. Thank you for your love and service.
(Elder Hoggard that is the cleanest I have seen your office in months. I hear children singing [mission office joke] ).

Antonio Lusvardi the man who made every repair in the mission office, chapels, mission home. He is a man who can fix or build anything. Again, not a member of the church, but possibly the most dependable human being alive. We had an on going joke with him when he would come to our mission home and fix something, we would offer him our "mormon wine" which of course was our famous grape juice grown and made locally in Mendoza. He thought the joke was funny and even found us another supplier of grape juice in town and brought us new bottles to try.

On the left is Elder Durran. He was a missionary who was called to serve in Venezuela but who couldn't do the walking because of a knee injury. He came and served with us for two months while they were evaluating his knee to see when he could return to the mission field. He was affectionately called my "esclavo" (my slave). He was so capable and intelligent he could do anything. Lucky mission president that gets him!
On the right is Elder Ivie the mission secretary. Most of Elder Ivie's time now is spent in trying to keep the missionaries in the field, since Argentina now only allows our missionaries a one year visa. Just another of the trials we experience here in this country.

Elder Packer from Layton, Utah who serves as our Postmaster and keeps the missionaries in supplies (books, pamphlets, garments, etc.). He also has set up an emergency program for the mission. He, Elder Boisados and I traveled the mission inspecting the pensiones and putting up the smoke alarms. The mission apartments are now in good shape, as we prepare the mission for a new President.

Elder Boisados the "pensionista" who is in charge of all the apartments and contracts. He was learning English words as we traveled the mission, while I was learning the Spanish equivalent. Thanks for handling such big problems Elder Boisados. We have changed every apartment (65) since we have been in the mission, trying to bring the conditions and surroundings of the apartments up to a higher level. Number one for safety, and number two, so the missionaries could concentrate on their work and not always be spending time trying to boil water to take a bath.

Sister Packer, my dear friend and confident. She is the mission nurse and I felt good that I was leaving our missionaries in her competent hands. Our plans are to meet up after they finish their mission (7 more months) and sculpt together.

Brother Moto, a man who works with Nestor and helps fix the chapels. He is the uncle of one of our favorite missionaries Elder Wajchman, who served as an Assistant.

The day President has been waiting for for months. The shifting of the mantel. I had to document the moment as President Lindahl passed the phone over to President Avila. In that split second, President Lindahl was released from his three year mission to the Argentina Mendoza Mission.

Just to make getting out of the country difficult, we ended up spending three hours at the airport paying visa fines and being interogated by the customs people. After a "gift" of 600 pesos they finally let us get on the airplane. As the airport official slide the 600 pesos in his pocket, it was great closure for three years of trying to not to be thrown in jail.

And so President James B. Lindahl and Sister Colette A. Lindahl say farewell to our dear, sweet, capable, spiritual giants- our missionaries. We will love you forever as our sons and daughters.
Thank you to all the parents out there who have raised up these fine young people to serve with us in Argentina. They are the Lord's army in these latter-days.

The Last Few Weeks

2011-06-26T09:13:00.000-07:00

Our travels took us through out the mission in two weeks. The picture above is of the type of desert scape you see as you drive down the highway along the foothills of the Andes Mountains. The desert stretches on for hundreds of miles. Low, flat desert. Similar to driving through Nevada or Utah.

San Juan is a friendly town, the people are warm and loving. Our greatest number of baptisms come from this area. Above is a palm tree that we have passed for three years going to the Chimbas Stake Center.

President wanted to turn around and take a photo of this man in front of his knife shop. The man was out on the sidewalk sharpening knives. You will see that his sharpening stone is placed at hand level which is attached to a chain run by pedaling the wheels of his stationary bicycle. Actually quite ingenious.

A close up of his work. It might be dangerous work, but I notice he still has all of his fingers intact, so the ACLU can rest assured that all is well.

Driving to the Retiro Chapel in Chimbas was quite interesting. You will notice the far off look in the eyes of our traveling Assistants Elders Bigelow and Roberts. We had to take a few detours along the way, which brought us through dangerous neighborhoods called "villas" where you shouldn't be driving a nice car. But this is what we go through to meet with our Elders for interviews.

As we arrive at the Retiro chapel, off in the distance we see two handsome young men walking towards us. Gratefully we greet them, since they are the ones with the keys and it is a very cold day in the San Juan area.

Our two Zone Leaders of Chimbas Zone, Elder Burns (Idaho) and Elder Menocal (Nicaragua).
When you look into these faces you can see why people are drawn to them. Not just because they are smiling, it is because they have something different in their eyes- it is a special light. That light is what we are all seeking. These two young men are living their lives as close to perfectly obedient than maybe they will their whole lives. Twenty four hours a day they are disciples of Christ. They don't come in when it is cold or too hot. In the "villas" or nice neighborhoods, they carry the same message of hope and love. So what you see in their eyes is Peace. They are doing what they were set apart to do, to bring others unto Christ.

Leaving the "villas" following the customary sight of a wagon drawn by a horse. These poor boys are picking up what useful metal or wood that they can to sell for money. These are the people who break your heart. They will grow up doing this, and their kids will do the same.

Perhaps our last walk through San Martin Park down from our home on Avenida Emilio Civit. We will miss our walks which aired our brains and kept us alive.

Our path takes us around the lake in the park. We figure our walk is around 4 1/2 miles.

Our favorite part of the walk is taking a moment to sit on the bench on the island and watch the sculling teams practice around the lake.

O.K. so it took us 3 years to do it. I told President that I was not going home before he took me to the little cafe across the street from our home and buy me a "factura" (pastry) and a cup of hot chocolate. After our walk in the park on our last P-Day we did just that.

Saturday afternoon the Paez's took us up the canyon to one of their favorite walking spots. It is an area 20 minutes off a gravel road where there is this little community where all the homes are made of the local rock, inside and out. They are very quaint. We had a nice hike on a very chilly day.

Bishop Paez got out of the car so we could take a picture of the ruins of the old indian fences that still survive. This divided that land and the animals they were keeping inside. The canyon are was full of granite rocks of various colors. There were green colors, orange, red and black.

As we were saying our goodbyes to them, Bishop Paez gave us a gift. It was some hand crafted items from Mendoza, a bracelet for me and a scarf and concho. I had to document though the sack that they were wrapped in- Vino (wine). I made a joke about the Bishop giving us a gift of wine. It was all in fun.

On the highway to San Luis we always see accidents and are delayed. This time is was a potato truck which jack-knifed and dumped its contents onto the road. They were salvaging what they could. The highway to San Luis is dangerous because of the high winds. Along the road there were many trucks pulled over waiting for the winds to calm.

Leaving the interviews in Valle de Uco, a group of latinos came out to take pictures with President. I thought it was a unique photo op myself. Our missionaries represent so many countries.
(left) Elders Obaldia (Panama), Gomez (Argentina), Portillo (El Salvador), Trujillo (Peru)

In San Luis we found our Elders happy and well, but COLD. We made it even colder by ordering ice cream for the zone. This is the Villa Mercedes Zone (minus the zone leaders from San Luis on the right standing). Sitting around the table on the left Elder Moon, Hyer, Esplin, Austin, Galdo. Standing left, Elders Tanner (how did you get in there?), Esplin, Boyle, Ostler (Elders Huntington and Burr)

Five kilos of ice cream gone. Added to the picture is Elder Yasan on the left.

Being a good zone leader and not wanting anything to go to waste, Elder Hyer volunteered to clean it all up (yes even the left over ice cream- isn't he so kind!)

Next we saw the San Luis Zone with a large group of sister missionaries. The lovely ladies are Sisters Crapse, Ochoa, Cuello, Pelton.

This picture took us about five tries. We all had our cameras on auto (all 10 seconds), but each of our cameras went off at different times. Most of the pictures have legs and arms hanging out, but we finally got one with all of us fully intact with heads attached. Don't we look like the proud mom and dad of so many children.
(back left) Elder Price, Baker, Burr, Huntington, Esplin, Tanner, Moscoso, Roncal
Hermanas Crapse, Ochoa, Cuello, Pelton.

To finish off the San Luis tour, President Mitillo of San Luis and his family took us out to dinner. We took this picture in the hotel lobby. They were very generous and kind and gave us two ponchos that we will always cherish.

We celebrated the birthdays of Sister and Elder Packer. Their birthdays were June 19th and 20th. How convenient to only have to have one party. We invited the office staff and the Assistants to come celebrate with us. Somehow I didn't think they would mind the roast beef and mashed potato dinner, or the carrot cake. We are so grateful to the Packers for all of their help during the last 10 months. They will stay under the direction of President Avila for the remainder of their 8 months. We can never give enough praise or gratitude for our senior couples who come here not speaking the language, but do what ever they are asked. They have earned their angel wings, and more.

Though you can't see them well, there is (left) Elders Boisados, Leal, Harvey, Ivie, Sister Pack, Elder Packer, Elders Hoggard, Bigelow, Roberts, and Elder Kammerman's elbow can just be seen.

Missionaries Arriving Late All Month

2011-06-20T15:55:00.000-07:00

Each of the following Elders have arrived at various times in the month. President counted 10 times to the airport in one month. We also include in that number two sister missionaries who left the mission for health reasons.
Elder Trujillo arrived after visa problems with the Peru MTC.

Elder Moscoso from Peru with visa problems.

Elder Christensen from Brigham City came late after an injury in the Provo MTC.

Elder Lue from El Salvador with companion Elder Arrua

Elder Gutierrez (right) from Colombia with companion Elder Sierra. Lucky Elder arrived in time to receive the clean pension award (and chocolate) given to his companion.

Elder Garcia (right) from Guatemala with companion Elder Morinico.I don't think I ever put in Elder Gutierrez (right) from Grantsville with companion Elder Canaza. He arrived a month and a half ago, because he was fast tracked in the MTC because he already spoke Spanish. He arrived in the middle of a transfer also.

Weekend with Elder and Sister Arnold

2011-06-13T17:52:00.000-07:00

This weekend Elder and Sister Arnold and also Elder Avila came to Mendoza to reorganize the Mendoza Stake. There were many meetings involved, but the most touching was the Sunday night Fireside with the youth. As we drove up to the Guaymallen Chapel we couldn't believe our eyes. Seven large buses were lined up in a row by the front of the building. The count that night was 877 youth from all over the Mendoza Mission area had attended. At the end of the meeting Elder Arnold announced a wonderful youth gathering in January of 2012. Then he had all the potential missionaries stand up in the audience, and forms were filled out with information about wards and stakes and willingness. There were 220 forms of potential missionaries collected. There is a positive energy starting in Mendoza. I can just feel it in my bones that this area is going to start growing. We know that some day there will be a temple in Mendoza and we will be sure and come and see the prediction come true. They need a temple to bless the lives of the people and the past and future generations to come. The gospels light must continue to shine forth.
This will be the last picture that we will take with these sweet young ladies from San Juan. I have documented pictures of them every stake conference for the last three years. They are the Rojas sisters. We wish them the very best, as well as all the other youth in Mendoza Mission. After the fireside we were able to say goodbye to many of our friends. It was a wonderful evening to see them all again. We will miss them all.

Final Consejos with Zone Leaders

2011-06-07T15:56:00.000-07:00

Our final Consejos with the Leaders of the Mission.
You will notice that all the Zone Leaders are sporting a new tie. All the Leaders were given a Mendoza Mission tie to remember us by. The Assistants are wearing a different tie. These young men are responsible for the great number of baptisms the mission has seen this year.
(back left) Elders White, Esplin, Hyer, Huntington, Burr, Scoville, Hoggard, Frost, Mason, Burns, Ramos, Smith (second row top) Elders Sandford, Arauz, Cabranes, Menocal, Ivie, Gonzalez, Jacobs (middle) Elders Marquez, Moncur, McClain, Allen, Barton, Ruiz, Arduna, Abella, Rabanal (front) Elders Roberts, Bigelow, President, Me, Elders Harvey, Leal

New Zone Leaders- Elders Burns, Barton, Gonzalez, Ruiz, Jacobs, Ramos, Arauz, Allen, Huntington, Smith.

Winners of the Copa (sorry, is already on its way home with our luggage) the Guaymallen Zone. Thanks to Elder Cabranes, Elder Gomez, and new companion Elder Gonzalez. We will take their engraven name plate and glue it on the cup when we get home.

Winning District Leaders, Elders Marquez and McClain (their engraved plate will also go on the District Leader cup).

Below is the cutting of the ties of the Zone Leaders who didn't reach their goals that they set last month (They are told to wear their oldest, dirties tie) A tradition of the mission this year.

Elder Frost (Maipu Zone)

Elder Scoville (Alvear Zone)

Elder Abella (San Rafael Zone)

Elder Mason (San Martin Zone)

Elder Moncur (Godoy Cruz Zone) He forgot and wore a new tie, oh well!

Elder White (San Juan Zone)

Elder Sandford (San Juan Zone)

Elder Menocal (Chimbas Zone)

Elder Hyer (Villa Mercedes)

Elder Rabanal (Valle de Uco Zone)

Group Photo. They will work a little harder next month.

Training by Elder Roberts and Bigelow our traveling Assistants. They are going out and training District Leaders, and cleaning up the Area Books, and pumping up the missionaries.

Elder Bigelow teaching.

The Assistants going around and asking for the Zone Leaders projections for the month.

Each Zone is a different color. Their projected numbers are posted on the right.

A special presentation from the Assistants. President and I were surprised by a wonderful video produced by the office Elders showing the pictures and memories of our 3 years of service. They had interviewed some of the missionaries and they were giving their tributes. It was a real tear-jerker. It was really hard for us to express our gratitude since we were so touched by their sentiment. We were able to relive some of the events of the mission, and pictures of special friends and visitors to the mission.

President Lindahl giving his presentation on the 8 focuses of the missionaries.

We will always remember the faces of the leaders who we ended with. They have worked so hard to make President happy. These are capable young men, and we expect to see great things from them in the future. But then we expect that from all of our missionaries. They are instructed by President to not go home and sit on their back-sides. But get off their couches and go to work creating their futures. Goals are never achieved from the "cheap seats" they are earned by those in the middle of the game.

Our final meal from Adriana Rastelli and Anna Acosta. Special friends forever!

Below is a video of the roll (cinnamon roll) after they have sung the mission song.

Events in June

2011-06-06T15:28:00.000-07:00

Casual evening with our dearest friends in Mendoza. Sister Adriana Rastelli is hiding behind my head, with her husband behind her. President Rastelli has served as first counselor to my husband in the mission presidency, with Brother (blue shirt) and Sister Acosta (black top) who served as second counselor. Nestor Cabral (gray shirt in back) is over all the physical facilities in Mendoza area (which includes over 70 chapels etc.). This is our good bye dinner.

Sunday dinner at our home for the Assistants. We celebrated Elder Harvey's (right) birthday (June 6th) and Elder Roberts(left) birthday (June 15th), and Elder Leal's (middle) birthday (May 15th). Poor Elder Bigelow felt left out not receiving a gift, but I told him that not many get to come to my house for a home made roast beef dinner. That was his gift.

Birthday boy Elder Harvey helping with the dishes.

I know it is obvious that we put the camera on auto-timer, but sometimes we are forced to do desperate things. We may look a little washed out, but you have to remember it is winter here in Mendoza (only 70 degrees today). Poor us! Que suerte!

Information on Homecoming

2011-05-31T18:49:00.000-07:00

President and Sister Lindahl will be flying home July 1st, and will arrive on the 2nd.

Homecoming- July 17th
9:00 am Sacrament Meeting
Foothill Chapel at 4525 N. Canyon Rd., Provo

Mission Reunion- September 29th
6:00 PM
210 W. 3000 S., Heber City
(Half hour up Provo Canyon)

Look for more information in July on Facebook (Colette Lindahl)

Random Photos

2011-05-30T18:30:00.000-07:00

One evening we looked out and saw a long procession of about 2 thousand people marching down the street. We think it must be in preparation for a special soccer game at the stadium down the street. Below is a short video. It just shows the solidarity of these people when it comes to supporting their TEAM.

On our way checking the pensions in the Valle de Uco Zone, we passed the chapel in Cordon del Plata and thought I had better document it. It is a tin roofed warehouse painted white. In the small town is a gas station and three stores and our chapel.

25 Mayo is a holiday seriously celebrated in Argentina. It began with fireworks the night before. The holiday is celebrated with many musical events in the plazas, special food prepared just for that specific day, and artisan booths with crafts from the region.

The Argentina Bicentennial is a series of celebrations and observances celebrated on May 25, 2010, and throughout the year. They commemorated the 200th anniversary of the May Revolution, a sequence of historical events that led to the Viceroy Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros' being ousted from office and replaced with the Primera Junta, the first national government.

Bicentennial celebrations began on Friday, May 21, in Buenos Aires, with millions of people in attendance, making it the biggest outdoor festivities Argentina has seen since it celebrated its return to democratic rule after seven years of military dictatorship in 1983 ^[1]

New Missionaries Come, Oldies Leave

2011-05-30T17:45:00.000-07:00

Elder Cajas arrived late from the MTC in Peru. He was one of our visa waiters.

A fine group of great young men. We were sad to say goodbye to one of our favorite group of missionaries. All of them have served in leadership positions in the mission and will be greatly missed. The analogy is that the mission is like a fast moving train. Some jump on and others jump off, but the train keeps rumbling down the tracks. This is our last group of missionaries to say goodbye to. We will miss them.
(left back) Elders Wetzel, Guzman, Naranjo, Canaza, Sorensen, Coronel, Robinson, Lucas, Olson, Frischknecht, Hinojosa. (left front) Elders Beck, Campbell, Rodriguez, Brown.

Our Latino group with matching ties. Way to be united.

Reunion in our home with Elder Rodriguez and his parents.

Elder Frischknecht's mom, sister, and brother-in-law arrived to pick him up. We were able to go out to dinner with them at our favorite restaurant, La Florencia.

We went to Lujan for a surprise baptism that Elder Frischknecht had planned so his mother could be present. Selva was baptized (below you can see her better) by Elder Frischknecht.

Selva and Elder Frischknecht's family and companion Elder Evans.

Our new missionaries arrived safely.

Hermana Zepeda with companion Hermana Diaz

Hermana Bedke (California)(center) with companions Hermana Gutierrez and Anderson

Elder Rojas (Peru) with companion Elder Mori

Elder Wixom (Utah) with companion Elder Leany

Elder Cerna (El Salvador) (right) with companion Elder Linares

Elder Moon (Utah) with companion Elder Ostler and also President

Elder Baca (Peru) with companion Elder Sanchez

Elder Fausett (Louisiana) with companion Elder Evans

Elder Ortega (Panama) with new companion Elder Quintero

Elder Gil (Peru) with new companion Elder Gonzalez

A Special Weekend With Special Guests

2011-05-15T17:41:00.001-07:00

Mendoza was privileged to have Sister Elaine Dalton the General Young Women's President, and Sister Rosemary Wixom the General Primary President come for Training Meetings with the auxiliaries. These two women should be my sisters because after two days they became like soul-sisters. I just want you all to know how strongly I felt about their presentations. I know that these two women are called for a purpose at this time. They are powerful and intelligent and their earnestness to spread peace, joy, and hope was felt by all.

Sister Dalton on Sunday, visiting with the Young Women of the Godoy Cruz ward (with some visitors from another ward). They will always remember this special day. I know I will.

A Week of Inspections and a Visit From The Past

2011-05-15T16:57:00.000-07:00

The last two weeks I have been inspecting the pensiones (apartments) of the missionaries in the Mendoza, Godoy Cruz, and Maipu Zones. I have this interesting reputation that sends fear into the missionaries hearts. Last week, there wasn't enough fear and some of the companionships will be experiencing another visit. But these fine Zone Leaders (Elder Frost and Elder Redd) decided it was better to "brown-nose" and they were ready for the inspection. They not only had their emergency evacuation sheet posted, but demonstrated their emergency backpacks full of every item on the list. That was not all. Keep reading...

The office filmed a video a year ago written by Elder Lloyd, we call it the "Elder Squires lapping up the milk" video. It was hilarious. The story line is, Hermana Lindahl is coming to visit the apartments. She does an inspection of all the rooms, with the Elders cowering in the background. Elder Squires is asked the question, how clean is your kitchen floor. He says he cleaned it himself. I reach in the refrigerator and pull out a carton of milk. I pour it on the floor and tell him to get down and lap up the milk off the floor. He hesitates and I ask if he is scared. Of course the reply is NO. So I tell him to lick it up like a "cute little kitten." I swear you have to see it to appreciate it. Anyway, the video is famous in the mission. When I entered the apartment of the Maipu Zone Leaders, Elder Frost rolled out the red carpet (blanket) and then handed me a carton of milk. Just to prove that his kitchen floor was clean we did another reinactment of the lapping up the milk video. (Pictured, Elder Frost with the milk and cookies he used)

We had a surprise visit from Sister Ashley Walker (left of me), who served with us in the beginning of our mission. She came with another Sister missionary Kara Goodwin (and brother Brett) who went home the month before we arrived. They all came for a visit. It was fun to reminisce and talk about our "old" missionaries and how everyone is doing. We send our love and best wishes to all of those wonderful missionaries with a hope that we will see you all at the first reunion September 30th.

New Missionaries Arrive Late

2011-05-07T04:26:00.001-07:00

Elder Navarro from El Salvador arrived late after finally receiving his visa.

Elder Tinoco from Mesa (left) was fast-tracked in the MTC but couldn't get his visa in time to come, served for a short time in Texas. Elder Gomez from Peru also with visa problems finally arrived from the Buenos Aires MTC.

Zone Leader Consejos (counsel) May 2011

2011-05-06T17:31:00.000-07:00

This is the second to the last Consejos we will have on our mission. Today is the last time the Zone Leaders will come to my home for their special taco dinner (the movers will have taken all my pots and pans by the June date). It was a memorial meeting for all involved. Little did I know the Assistants and President had something up their sleeves.

Elder Fielding and Elder Rabanal (Valle de Uco), Elder Gomez and Elder Cabranes (Guaymallen).

Elder White and Elder Moncur (Godoy Cruz), Elder Garcia and Elder Orduña (Mendoza).

Elder Frost and Elder Redd (Maipu), Elder Burr and Elder Hopkin (San Luis).

Elder Menocal and Elder Roberts (not shown, Chimbas), Elder Morinico and Elder Abella (San Rafael), Elder George and Elder Mason (San Martin).

Sorry bad photo- Elder Scoville and Elder Barra (Alvear), Elder Harvey (standing, AP), Elder Williams and Elder Esplin (Villa Mercedes), Elder Hyer...

Elder Hyer and Elder Sandford (San Juan), Elder Hoggard and Elder Ivie (Off-ice), Elder Lucas (APT).

Elder Lucas and Elder Robinson (AP Traveling), Elder Leal and Elder Harvey (AP's), Me

New Zone Leaders called in April. Elders Mason, Scoville, Ivie, Hoggard, Rabanal, Orduña.

Winner of the April "Copa" (best numbers) goes to Elder Orduña and Elder Garcia from the Mendoza Zone. The missionaries asked me just said last month which zone I thought would never win the cup and I said the Mendoza Zone. So congratulations to Elder Orduña and Elder Garcia for proving me wrong.

After my Consejos talk, President and all the leaders decided to give me a special treat. Elder Harvey was voice, and they expressed their love and thanks for all the dinners and treats and awards that I have given over the last three years. To express this thanks, they gave me three special gifts to remember Argentina for.

The first gift was to represent the great beef that Argentina is known for. Elders Esplin and Williams presented me with a fancy silver knife to slice up my beef with.

Our great office secretary Elder Ivie had looked up all the facts about the Argentine beef and presented them all to me as I admired my knife.

Next came the second gift. It also represented Argentina. The main discussion we have with the missionaries is that they can't drink Mate, a drink that has a stimulant in it. The main reason is that the custom is to sit around all afternoon and visit with family and drink from the same Mate cup and straw. So you can imagine the two things we don't want, missionaries spending hours for lunch and then sharing germs. I was presented (in the box) a special silver Mate cup by Elders Scoville and Barra.

Last but not least was the largest of the gifts. It was presented by Elders Sandford and Hyer. I was kidding that the last gift should be a bottle of wine because that is the main production in the valley, with miles and miles of vineyards and bottle and bottles of wine. I was a bit thrown off by the shape and the weight. But my husband wanted me to know that this was a special gift, not just a regular bottle of wine. And boy was he right. They gave me a beautiful hand crafted (took 10 years to make by the artist, one of a kind) bulls horn that is about two feet long (if not curved) and adorned with silver. It is a cask for carrying wine like the olden days. I joked that it was for carrying my lemonade. You can sort of see the picture of it below. According to the artist and others, this size horns is not allowed to be sold anymore.

All my wonderful missionaries together, just so I can remember the moment.

After the Consejos meeting (which lasts about 5 hours), the missionaries come to the mission home for lunch/dinner. I cooked 16 pounds of hamburger for tacos, but my recipe has rice and lots of other good things in it. So for that volume of food it should be sufficent for 33 people, right? There wasn't a scrap left.

They look very happy with lots of food in their stomachs.

Elders White, Esplin, Hyer.

The Zone Leaders with a special flag, made to represent their goal for May. When Nephi was commanded by the Lord to build a boat to take his family to the Promised Land, the Lord said to Nephi, "Thou salt construct a ship, after the manner which I shall show thee, that I may carry thy people across these water." This wasn't just any kind of boat. It was a huge boat and Nephi didn't have the tools or even know anything about building boats. But he trusted in the Lord. Sort of like the trust these missionaries have with their President when he says that he knows that they can do miracles because they have faith in the Lord that He will help them. If Nephi can build a boat with the Lord's help, then our missionaries with sufficient faith can do great things. The challenge is 130 baptisms in the month of May. Let's see if they can do it.

The Army of the Lord!
(Left back) Elders Morinico, White, Esplin, Redd, Barra, Frost, Cabranes, Scoville, George, Hoggard. (Left Middle) Elders Garcia, Gomez, Moncur, Rabanal, Fielding, Menocal, Roberts, Abella, Burr, Sandford, Hopkin, Hyer. (Front) Elder Orduña, Leal, Harvey, Robinson, Lucas, Mason, Williams (not shown Elder Ivie).
Thanks to all of you for a great day.

April/May Zone Conference

2011-05-05T16:44:00.000-07:00

Thank you Elder Leal and Elder Harvey for the wonderful training and classes organized for the missionaries. There is a lot of pressure put upon the Assistants to the President during our zone conference time. They did a great job!

When Joseph Smith wrote section 4 of the D.C. and the highly quoted line, "thrust in your sickle with all your might" it was 1829 and those were the tools of the day. The missionaries went out two by two, and traveled on foot and knocked doors. But today is not 1829 and we have so many other great tools. Missionary work needs to move into the 21st century.

There is no "I" in Team Work!

Two men using a sickle can harvest one acre of land. One combine can harvest 200 acres. The missionaries are learning how to work smart. They have great resources available to them. They have Bishops, Auxiliary leaders, Mission Leaders, Members.

You can do the math- if you had 4 combines out working you could harvest 8 acres of land. Missionaries are learning to work better with members to earn their trust. Using effectively all the tools available to them, they can cover more ground more quickly and the harvest will gather more results.

The best results we saw in a demonstration of team work. There were twenty combines working one field. It was incredible to watch the video as the combines were transferring their grain from the tractor to the trucks right on the field. The organization was magnificent. The application was easy as the Assistants talked about using all that they have, progressing investigators sheets, organized Area Books, and a more professional approach with the ward Mission Leader. Coming prepared with all their goals and work written down for them to see.

A great big thanks to the Rastelli's for cooking a total of 240 lunches for us in 4 days. We couldn't do it with out the help of the Rastelli's.

First Day- SAN RAFAEL, ALVEAR, GUAYMALLEN

SCRIPTURE CHASE- the competition was fierce.

Winners Elder Eliason and Elder Olson had to break the tie somehow!

Elder Carr, Barrus, Olson.

Winner Elder Carr.

Alvear Zone Training and practices with Zone Leaders Elders Barra and Scoville.

San Rafael Zone training with leaders Elders Abella and Morinico.

Guaymallen Zone training with leaders Elders Gomez and Cabranes.

Hermana Resquin, Diaz, me, Richins, Thatcher.

New Missionaries Elders Whittle, Hudgens, Kelley, Thatcher, Bareiro, Echevaria, Linares.

Old missionaries Elders Orosco, Pena, Barrus, me, Jones, Petersen, Robinson, Olson, Lucas.

Elders Morinico, Martinez, Cabranes, Crossa, Barrus.

Elders Carr, Baker, Hudgens, Whittle, Reninger, Wharton.

Elders Sterling, Robinson, Petersen, Stout, Mori, Summers, Sargent, Crossa, Lucas.

President with Elder Arauz one of our Panamanian Elders who always wears the most beautifully hand stitched ties. I wish you could see how each piece is tightly hand stitched to perfection. This is very typical of our Panamanian missionaries ties.

Second Day- GODOY CRUZ, MENDOZA, VALLE DE UCO

Training at the tables by our Assistants.

Valle de Uco training by their leaders Elders Fielding and Rabanal.

Godoy Cruz training by their leaders Elder Moncur and White.

Mendoza Zone training by their leaders Elders Orduña and Garcia.

Hermana Roas, winner of the scripture chase.

Hermanas Astorga, Wilde, Ricks, me, Roas.

New missionaries- Elders Lopez, Jovel, Cristeche, Gonzalez, Rios, Barrientos, Benitez, Drennan.

Elders Huntington, Owens, Valle, Galati, Garcia, Rios.

Third day- SAN JUAN, CHIMBAS, SAN MARTIN

Assistants training.

Scripture chase.

Elder Menocal winner of the scripture chase.

Chimbas Zone training by leaders Elders Menocal and Roberts. Great acting!

San Martin Zone training by leaders Elders Mason and George.

San Juan Zone training by leaders Elders Sandford, Hyer.

Hermanas Andersen, me and Guiterrez.

Elders Marquez, Caro, Argumedo, Oliveros, Guillen, Gonzalez, Sanchez.

Elders Coronel, Passantino, Hermana Andersen, Baker, Caro, Austin.

Elders Stufflebeam, Easely, Riquelme, Winkel, Argumedo.

Elders Allen, Harvey, Hyer, Passey, Baker.

Just trying out the seats on the luxury bus taking our San Juan and Chimbas Elders home. Elder Coronel on my right, showing his English certificate he earned by taking the BYU English test. His accent is great and he learned English by watching movies and listening to music. He sounds like he is from the states.

Fourth Day- SAN LUIS, VILLA MERCEDES, MAIPU

Great ready for the wild and crazy scripture chase.

The winners from each zone fighting in the play offs, Hermana Pelton, Elder Williams, Hermana Ochoa.

Hermana Ochoa was the winner!

Maipu Zone won.

San Luis Zone training with leaders Elders Hopkin and Burr.

Villa Mercedes Zone training by leaders Elders Williams, Esplin.

Maipu Zone training by leaders Elders Redd, and Frost.

After ever Zone Conference we end with the Mendoza Mission Song and Cheer!

The Official Pictures

Group Photo- San Rafael, Alvear, Guaymallen. Zone Leaders sitting on floor.

San Rafael Zone- Zone Leaders Elder Abella and Elder Morinico.

Alvear Zone- Zone Leaders Elder Barra, and Elder Scoville.

Guaymallen Zone- Zone Leaders Elder Cabranes, and Elder Gomez.

Group Photo- San Martin, Chimbas, San Juan Zones. Zone Leaders on floor.

Godoy Cruz Zone- Zone Leaders Elder Moncur, and Elder White.

Mendoza Zone- Zone Leaders Elder Orduña, and Elder Garcia.

Valle de Uco Zone- Zone Leaders Elder Rabanal, and Elder Fielding.

Group Photo- San Martin, Chimbas, San Juan Zones. Zone Leaders on floor.

San Juan Zone- Zone Leaders Elder Hyer, and Elder Sandford.

Chimbas Zone- Zone Leaders Elder Roberts, and Elder Menocal.

San Martin Zone- Zone Leaders Elder George and Elder Mason.

Group Photo- San Luis, Villa Mercedes, Maipu. Zone Leaders on floor.

San Luis Zone- Zone Leaders Elder Hopkin and Elder Burr.

Villa Mercedes Zone- Zone Leaders Elder Williams, and Elder Burr.

Maipu Zone- leaders Elder Redd and Elder Frost.

Office Zone- Zone Leaders Elders Ivie and Elder Hoggard.

April Activites

2011-04-28T10:03:00.000-07:00

We visited Trapiche Ward to see Hermana Ricks and Hermana Roas participate with the ward in various skits involving missionary work.

I spoke at the Mendoza Institute with the future missionaries there. Sister Rastelli extended the invitation to me, and it became a question answer evening involving my responsibilities as the Mission President's wife. It was a fun and inspiring evening. These young people are learning great things at the Institute building, and thank goodness for teachers like Sister Rastelli.

President Lindahl spoke at the San Juan youth conference and young adult activity in the beautiful outdoors of San Juan (he is the one in the middle in the white shirt and tie).

Saying Goodbye to the Viejitos and Hello to the Nuevitos

2011-04-14T12:34:00.000-07:00

The final dinner is at the mission home with President and me. This is a wonderful group of missionaries we are sending home. The two latinos on the left would love to go to BYU, and their language skills are excellent. We lack the ability to help them all with their dreams, but President tells them if they want it bad enough they will find a way.

Elder Porras had two ingrown toenails that needed a little fixing before he went home. Sister Packer didn't want to do it, but with not much medical help when he got home, we thought it best to try to help him.

Our Oldies- (back left) Elders Crowther, Porras, Rios, Carrasco, Mitchell
(middle left) Elders Carter, Pedersen, Moriarty, Hermana Roman, friend Eva, Elder Ramierz
Elders Perdomo, Galicia, Torres

Some of the new missionaries receiving training from the Assistants in the office.

Elder Ruiz with new companion Elder Yasan from Peru.

Elder Elescano with new companion Elder Galdo from Buenos Aires.

Hermana Richins with new companion Hermana Thatcher from New Mexico.

Elder Barton with new companion Elder Boyd from California.

Elder Easley with new companion Elder Winkel from Utah.

Elder Brown and new companion Elder Baker from Texas.

Elder Roncal with new companion Elder Crespo from Chile.

Elder Reninger with new companion Elder Whittle from Idaho.

Elder Marquez with new companion Elder Caro from Chile.

Elder Hancock with new companion Elder Dugger from Utah.

Elder Gonzalez with new companion Elder Price from California.

Elder Burns with new companion Elder Kelley from Pennsylvania.

Elder Carr with new companion Elder Hudgens from Utah.

Elder Winget with new companion Elder Drennan from California.

Elder Oliveros with new companion Elder Gonzalez from Buenos Aires.

Chimbas Zone- Winners of March Madness

2011-04-14T12:17:00.000-07:00

Lifting their glasses to toast the WIN! Chimbas Zone worked really hard, and their numbers were on top (emphasis on lessons with members and opening the mouth). Six straight weeks of hot sun, and little rest. We want to congratulate the Zone Leaders Elders Roberts and Menocal for the leadership skills they have acquired while serving together. As a reward the zone won a lunch at the best restaurant in Mendoza and mission shirts, embroidered with a special Locura de Marzo patch on the sleeve.

Winding down the staircase at the La Florencia Restaurant is the Chimbas Zone. Most ordered dish was the Bife de Lomo con Champiñones (Steak with mushroom sauce).
(top left) Elders Leaney, Quintero, Oliveros, Taylor, Guillen,
Elders Bigelow, Williams
Elder Menocal (ZL), Wilson, Burns
Elders Guzman, Baker
Elders Roberts (ZL), Barton

To finish the day we bought them ice cream cones at President's favorite ice cream store- Perin.

Consejos and Leadership Meetings

2011-04-07T08:56:00.000-07:00

Consejos is the monthly Zone Leader meeting that we have. The day starts with the Zone Leaders having to travel from their areas (some 4 hours away). They have a quick breakfast of facturas (pastries) cereal bars (made by Sister Packer), bananas, and orange juice.

Our Fabulous Zone Leaders-
(top) Elders Frost, Fielding, Sorensen
(middle) Elders Burr, Ramos (district leader), Redd, Esplin, Menocal, Morinico, Abella, Leany (district leader), Moncur, White, Gomez, Cabranes, Sandford
(front) Elders Barra, Hopkin, Roberts, Fowler, Hyer, Harvey, Davis

Elder Leany and Ramos win the District Leader cup for March 2011 (best key indicators)

If you remember from last month, this is our honorary missionary Josh Pack. The month of March was dedicated to Josh (who appears here via Skype). He helped us award the District Leader Cup and the Zone Leader cup for the month of March and said a few encouraging words to the group. All the baptisms for the month were dedicated to Josh. In March we had 80 baptisms, all the key indicators were up and on conference Sunday the missionaries had 280 people in church. The month went really well, and we feel the results from more lessons with members present will be seen in the April numbers. There were weekly conversations with Josh and he was able to verify with some of the Zone Leaders himself on Sunday evenings. Our missionaries had a wonderful time in March, dedicating their work to Josh.

Josh talking with the winning District Leaders.

The March "Copa" goes to three zones. We had a tie. In San Luis, Elders Fowler and Hopkin. In Valle de Uco, Elders Davis and Fielding. In Maipu, Elders Redd and Abella. Congratulations to them and their zones for their fantastic work.

Elder Abella and Redd (Maipu)

Elder Davis and Fielding (Valle de Uco)

Elder Fowler and Hopkin (San Luis)

President has a hard time talking with Josh. He is always tearing up because this young man means so much to him. We had a special fast and all of our missionaries want so much for Josh to be able to serve a mission. Our missionaries know that there are many ways that people can serve a mission, and not all of them include traveling a long distance away from home. The Lord has provided many ways of service- we just have to look around our own neighborhoods to know that missionary work needs to be a life long venture.

Sister Lindahl giving her Consejo talk on the difference between just "Activity" (busy work) versus "Accomplishment".

Checking out the name of the past Zone Leaders on the Cup. This cup will go home with us, along with the District Leader cup, to be shared at reunion time.

I walked in to the office to check on how our monthly "registro" was doing. It was the last day for our reporting. There I found a whole family of past Historians downloading all the baptismal records. Elder Miller (Left- grandfather) Elder Hoggard (son) and Elder Frost (father). I know it drives the General Authorities crazy when this terminology is used, but for the purpose of this blog, I think it is cute.

Elder Orduña and Elder Barton
On Wednesday was our Leadership Meeting. Those invited to this meeting are all the District Leaders and Zone Leaders. This meeting is for the further training on the 8 Focuses that the Church Mission Department developed last October. The Assistants Elder Sorensen and Elder Leal were in charge of the meeting. Their training included three of the main focuses.

Elder Barlow and Elder Redd

Elder Fowler, Elder Davis, Elder Roberts

Elder Luce, Elder Arauz, Elder Olsen, Elder Narajo.

Elder Davenport, Elder Ostler, Elder Gonzalez, Elder Taylor.

Elder Evans, Elder Olsen, Elder Ramos, Elder Allred, Elder Leany.

Elder Cabranes, Elder Menocal, Elder Abella.

Sights in San Rafael

2011-03-26T15:43:00.000-07:00

At the end of the interview week and a half traveling, we like to end in San Rafael and take a morning relaxing until we need to drive home. We stayed a night at Algodon, our little hide away and great find outside of San Rafael. There was a little tourist spot along the road and so we stopped to admire the sights and sounds of Argentina. Above are various colorful liquors (licores).

You won't see this very often, so I had to document President sitting down and relaxing for a few hours.

We had a pomegranate tree right outside our room, with the vineyards in the background.

Grapes drying naturally on the vine, tasting like raisins.

Love the contrast in colors. No one told this little offshoot, that he started growing a little late. It is harvest time in Mendoza.

OUR LAST HARVEST IN ARGENTINA

Algodon has it's own little bodega (winery). It is a small little outfit with a few employees. They had just delivered grapes to the winery, but there were no workers there and so we took a few pictures.

The grapes go across a conveyor belt where the good grapes are separated from the leaves and branches. The grapes then fall into the vat below.

Here the grapes are ground down into smaller sections and they fall into the next vat below.

Here the grapes are separated from their stems and the grapes go into a tube, and the stems drop out the bottom and are carried away in the yellow containers.

The stems are used as mulch for the soil.

After the grapes go through the tube into the vats below, they are steam pressurized in a large sieve like container. The skins give the wine it's color. The juice of the grape drips out through a colander vat which sits inside a large galvanized tank. There the juice goes through a yeast treatment and then is later stored in barrels.

The screen which is usually covering the grapes before harvest is a very important "insurance measure" in San Rafael which receives large hail storms (the storms are known to strip the vineyards clean).

I was totally embarrassed when I asked this worker to stop for a picture. I was talking to him in Spanish and he didn't seem to be understanding a word I said. I got a little frustrated and turned to Jim and said, "Wow, you try to talk to him because obviously my Spanish is not good enough for him." There was a voice from the other side of the grapevines that said (in Spanish), "He can't hear you, he is mute." My husband just laughed at me because I am always telling him that my Spanish is terrible. Of course of all the workers I could have talked to, I had to chose that one. I felt terrible.

Just a worker, out in the vineyard of the Lord (little pun)

Algodon also produces olive oil. You can see the different colors of the olives as they mature on the trees. Soon it will be their season to be picked. They have a large machine that has arms that comes and shakes the trunk of the tree. The olives just fall to the ground.

After a long day of interviews, President and I enjoyed a salad brought to the porch by our room. We felt totally spoiled. We used their olive oil and balsamic vinegar made right there on the property.

Breakfast is served in the little club house. We wish we could stay a little longer, but we are driving towards Valle de Uco on our way home, where we will interview the last 10 missionaries. President has spent from 20-45 minutes with all 190 missionaries in the last week and a half. He said that this has been the very best interview time he has given his missionaries since we came almost 3 years ago. We can only do this because of the change that the church made in our interview and zone conference schedules. We don't like the fact that we don't see our missionaries that often, but when we do see them, it is quality time. We have one more interview schedule in June, right before we leave. We love our missionaries. They truly do inspire us with their enthusiasm and goodness.

March Activities

2011-03-26T14:27:00.000-07:00

We were happy to finally receive Elder Gutierrez from Grantsville, Utah. He was waiting in the Arizona South Mission for his visa. His companion (left) Elder Canaza is from Buenos Aires.

The Best District numbers in the mission go to Elder Lucas and Elder Sargent. This is the special tie award- hand drawn and colored by our Assistants, and stapled to rubberbands for around the neck. Nothing but pure "class" here in the Mendoza Mission.

Our interview week started in San Juan. After meeting with the San Juan Elders we went to Chimbas. These Elders in Chimbas had a zone meeting right after where President shared with them a sweet experience of their Zone Leader Elder Menocal (bright red tie) who had just gotten off the phone with his dad. President always allows these calls, as Elder Menocal's dad is not a member, but who is now investigating the church and wants his son to baptize him when he returns from his mission. There was not a dry eye in the audience as they all cried together realizing what a special moment this was for their zone leader. Elder Menocal expressed that this was his goal all along, to baptize his father and get his family to the temple to be sealed for time and eternity. The Lord loves His missionaries and listens to their prayers. You will want to stay tuned for the great story of Elder Barton and Burns. They baptized a man last Saturday who was converted when he picked up a Liahona in an old house and read the first article written by the Prophet about being a good father. When they found the man he already knew that the church was true. Don't throw out those Ensigns- they are missionary tools!
(left back) Elders Rios, Guillen
(middle) Elder Quintero, Baker, Williams, Roberts, Menocal, Wilson (Leany hiding) Carter
Elders Burns, Bigelow
Elders Oliveros, Tucker, Guzman
Elder Barton

Our last interview zone was in Alvear, after a week and a half of traveling. As we went into the chapel to find them, they had been practicing "God Be With You" to sing to President and I. We tried to tell them we weren't going anywhere yet, but it was so cute, we just sat quietly and listened. We know our time is short, but it feels weird to look in the eyes of our missionaries and know that we won't be with them much longer. Very sobering.
(back left) Elder Summers, Eliason, Orozco, Burr, Lounsbury
(front) Elders Barlow, Barra, Solano, Moriarty, Carr, Robinson

Our First Official Argentine Wedding
The Wedding of Carla and Jair Martins

Carla is a dear friend and step-daughter of Bishop Paez of the Godoy Cruz ward. She has been dating Jair for 3 years and we were so happy that we were here to see their wedding. In Argentina, they first need to be married civilly and then the next week they will be sealed in the Santiago Chile temple. So we got to experience an upscale Argentine wedding.
The outdoor garden is where the guests arrived and enjoyed drinks and finger foods. The bride and groom arrived in their car (in back) and they walked down the stone path to the area where they would be married.

Milagros Paez on left (sister)

The couple walking down the aisle.

Before the ceremony began, her step-dad Bishop Paez (back to us) gave a little talk on the church an its beliefs (many in the audience were not members). He did a beautiful job talking about the temple and the idea that this marriage will live on through the eternities. After the ceremony which is performed by a magistrate (woman on left) the couple signs their signature. She then gives a review of the couples parents and grandparents and where they are from and what they do for a living (that was interesting).

Exchanging rings

The guests then went inside the reception center and sat at the dinner tables. The married couple then come in and go around and take a picture with every table and their guests. Below is a photo of the bride with Sister Packer and myself.

The first course of the meal was of course Argentine empanadas, and then the second course was steak, and a skewer of vegetables. Accompanying that was a platter of cold shredded carrots, green beans, and beets. The dessert was vanilla icecream with chocolate sauce dribbled across it (Argentina is known for its icecream).
Later in the evening Jair's mother who is from Brazil, served her famous Brazilian desserts. She is often called on to cook for the Brazilian embassy in town. The Lindahl's and Packer's had to say good bye at the point, but I want to explain to you the time frame of a typical wedding.
The wedding begins around 10:00 PM. Dinner is served after the ceremony and then dancing begins. Around 3:00 they serve finger sandwiches, slices of pizza and things like pigs-in-a-blanket. Then more dancing until around 7:00 am when a dessert bar is set up. The guests usually dance until around 8:00 am. I have been told that the older guests usually leave around 6:00 am because somehow 8:00 is just too late for them. What does that say for us "old folk" Americans that went home at 2:00. Probably because we had to be at the office in a few hours.

The Paez (and Di Giuseppe) and Martins Families.

Great News- We Broke The Record!!!

2011-03-26T13:52:00.000-07:00

THE MISSION RECORD FROM NOVEMBER IS BROKEN AGAIN!!!
124 Baptisms for February
Out-Going Assistants and In-Coming Assistants
Elders Hopkin, Sorensen, Frischknecht, President, Elders Leal, Campbell

In February our missionaries did a wonderful job of reaching their goals on all their key indicators. Our special emphasis was lessons with members present. The members of the church have no idea how important this indicator is in moving a person towards baptism. With a member present during a lesson, the member is able to answer many of the investigators doubts. They are there to be a testifier of the truth, and a friend with a shoulder to cry on. When the investigator sees a friendly face that they recognize at church, the likelihood of them attending again is greater. They have a built in support system, especially with the ward members attending the baptism. Using what the Brethren know is an "almost" fail-proof system, the investigator becomes more easily entrenched in the ward when he/she has a friend at church.

Consejos With Guest Speaker Josh Pack March 2011

2011-03-08T13:38:00.001-08:00

With a little help from Elder Frost, and a great program called PhotoShop, Josh Pack appeared in the President's chair for Consejos. Josh is a good friend of Elder Sorensen (AP). Josh lives in Utah, and was getting ready to go on a mission when he dove into a lake and was seriously injured. He is now waiting on that dream to serve a mission, as he is in a wheel chair. We invited Josh to be a part of our Consejos this month. He is helping us motivate our Elders to do great things and create some miracles. All the baptisms this month will be given to Josh, for his records. With that in mind, we want to break the Mission record of 123 baptism. Josh appeared via Skype, and delivered a wonderful motivational speech. He has become quite the speaker, as he has had the opportunity to share his story to many of the youth. We wish Josh well in his road back to health. We love you Josh!

The Zone Leaders arrived the afternoon of their p-day to enjoy some quality time together. They wanted Josh to know they were thinking of him.

Breakfast of bananas, facturas (pastries), energy bars (thanks to Sister Packer) orange juice (no your eyes are not blurry).
Our New Zone Leaders for March- Elders Barra, White, Frost, Williams, Morinico, Hyer, Campbell, Hopkin (returning again as ZL after serving as AP).

Elder Burr

Elder Sandford

Elder Fielding

Elder Beck

Elder Fowler

Elder George

Elder Menocal

Elder Esplin

Elder Redd

Elder Davis

Elder Miller

A tradition in the mission is the tie cutting party. These Zone Leaders set their goals last month, which they felt were reasonable. These wonderful Zone Leaders then go back to their zones and pushed hard for their numbers in their key indicators. This month for Consejos, they were told if they didn't meet their goals, President would have to cut their tie. They knew it was coming, and so they all found their oldest or discarded tie to wear to Consejos. Our ingenious Elder Miller (bottom right) hide a wire through his tie, so I couldn't cut it. Lucky for him I felt it in his tie, because President was using my scissors.

The Copa this month was won by San Juan Zone. Congratulations to the whole zone. Elder Harvey is accepting the copa (not shown is his companion of last month Elder Ruiz). San Juan had 30 baptisms for the month.

Congratulations to the Godoy Cruz Zone and Elder Moncur and Elder Garcia. They had 25 baptisms for the month, which is the highest number this zone has ever had during our time here in the mission.

Elders Roberts, Fowler, Burr, Miller, talking to President in his office.

Our computer genius, Elder Miller, trying to restore President's pictures when his computer crashed one morning. They are a total loss. It is good someone else in the family, "quizas mas inteligente" has a trusty Mac to save all the mission photo's.

Elder Martinez and Elder Fielding singing a beautiful duet, with Elder Sandford at the piano.

Resting from a long day, Elders Menocal, Beck, Williams.

After the taco feast, and weighing in about 5 pounds heavier- (left back) Elders Fielding, Martinez, Frost, Sandford, Gomez, Miller, Campbell. (left middle) Elders Moncur, Redd, Abella, Burr, Roberts, Davis, Fowler, Hopkin, Menocal, Beck, Williams, George, Morinico. (left front) Elders Esplin, Garcia, Harvey, Hyer, Barra, Sorensen (AP), Leal, (AP).

Richard Willes and the Vendimia Parade

2011-03-06T13:00:00.000-08:00

President's friend Richard Willes came to town. I think he comes to check President's pulse to make sure he is still kicking. He was able to spend a few days and see the Vendimia (harvest of grapes) celebrations. This is his third visit. He likes to remind us that he has been to Argentina now more times than we have.

President and he went to visit Elder Evans (neighbor to Richard and Vicki Willes) down in San Rafael. This is the rented chapel in the background for Salto de las Rosas.

Elder Boyle and Elder Evans in their patio picking the grapes.

Richard in front of a wealthy Argentine gentleman. His horse was decorated with a beautiful silver breast plate and saddle. His gaucho outfit was of the finest of fabric. It is hard to see in this picture how stately the gentleman was. Oh, and Richard isn't all that bad himself- outfit though, not quite as authentic.

I have a video of the tango dancers seen in the photo above, and another of the young lady and her friend doing a spanish dance.

The Hermanas who serve in Godoy Cruz and Hermana Packer (our nurse) all received costume jewelry crowns from President (have to support the street peddlers). (left) Hermanas Ochoa, Wilde, Packer, Roas, Ricks.

The picture below is an example of the many floats that carry the Vendimia Queens from each area of Mendoza. When ever they saw our nicely dressed American missionaries and Latino's they would make comments and throw them the fruit of their region.

This is the float for the many Queens from years past. They are just loving this experience of reliving the past.

Every year it happens. One of our missionaries receives a bottle of wine. Elder Frischknecht was thrown a carton of wine. Elder Leal below received a bottle which he signed and we will save to bring out at reunion time. The other missionaries said it was no fair- Elder Frishknecht is a head taller than any other Elders, and has long arms. He seemed to be catching everything that day.

Our Latingo (combination word for Latin/Gringo) Elder Cabranes taking his picture with the dancing girls. Elder Cabranes is serving in the office as secretary. He is a Peruvian/Argentine who attended BYU and whose language ability is very useful.

The Bolivian dancing girls.

I just wanted to show a few things that are part of the gaucho outfit. First is the wide pleated pants, the wide brimmed hat, the soft leather boots with spurs, the machete knife tucked in his belt in his back, the silver handled whip for the horse. The saddle does not have a horn, and it has layers of soft sheep skin padding to sit on which places it up higher than most American saddles.

The young boy sits on a layer of sheep skin. His boots are made by hand of soft sheep skin. This is a typical gaucho outfit for a young boy, with a silk scarf. This would be for a upper class young boy. Notice the hats are not bent into shape like the western cowboy hat.

Of course in the day, all women rode side saddle. This brother and sister pair are all decked out.

This group of dancers and bag pipe players was a Celtic group. They have large pockets of people from Ireland, Wales, and Scotland.

This princess caught my eye. She looks like she was wearing an antique costume from Spain. She was a beautiful Spanish girl, very regal.

Notice the home made breast plates and harnesses. Even the bit was a thick piece of leather. The stirrups were cut and sewn leather and the saddles home made also. There wasn't a piece of metal anywhere to be seen.

I would hate to be this lady riding side saddle all day. It hurts my back to look at her.

This is the metro that we have been waiting to see installed for two years now. It is a gift from the "Presidenta" Christina. The tracks are not yet completed and we don't expect it will be for a long time. Like most things moveable (golf carts, trains, etc), they were made in the U.S.. The side of the trolley still says San Diego on it. We know where the cities get their fire trucks, stop lights, and metros- they buy the old ones that are being replaced in the states.

This is a firetruck and those are our Hermanas sitting with those firemen.

Elder Huntington just had to have his picture taken in the fire truck. I think he used to do some volunteer fireman work.

The Antique John Deere Studebaker

The flag of Argentina.

The aristocratic family (very spanish looking)

The country folk (very indian looking)

You can see how light skinned the children of the Europeans are.

This little boy was so cute. You could tell he had been handling a horse since he could walk. All these children on these horses, live on their horses. They ride them everyday. They are working with the fathers in the fields and on the ranches. Very few people have cars. The horse is still an important source of transportation. Notice the soft homemade sheep skin boots.

Most of the floats that carried the royalty, all were throwing fruits from their regions. One float threw alfahors (a soft cookie treat that is famously Argentine). Elder Ivy was the lucky one to catch an alfahor. He was quietly in the back eating it without saying anything to anyone. Smart thinking- it was a little too small to share. Elder Ivy is now working in the office.

The melon catchers, Elders Sorensen, Taylor, Frischknecht.

The plum catchers, Elders Campbell, Huntington, Frischknecht, Leal, Cabranes, White.

Even a pet duck got into the parade.

The lucky group of missionaries who happened to be serving in the city at the time of the Vendimia parade. We are sorry the others didn't get to see it- but somebody has to be out working and baptizing! It was a great experience, and I am sure they will be telling stories about it for years.
Elders Cabranes, Frost, Quebbeman, Crowther, White, Frischknecht, Ivy, Huntington, Sorensen, Moncur (sorry) Campbell, Taylor. Hermanas Wilde, Ochoa, Ricks, Roas, Burnett.

Elder Sorensen, just wanted to have one of these costumes. Sorry, this picture will have to do.

Peach catchers, Elders Taylor, Sorensen, Campbell.

If you can see me in the background, I finally caught something on my own. These missionaries are just too darn tall!

Apple catchers, Elders Cabranes, White, Frischknecht, Taylor

Pear catchers, Elders Ivy, Quebbeman, Leal.

Sister Burnetts parents came to pick her up this week from the mission, and stayed around for the Saturday parade. Brother Burnett and President were in the shade talking. President looked down the parade route and said to Brother Burnett, "I want you to watch this, all of my missionaries will turn around and look at me in just a minute." It was like someone had cued them. As the next float of belly dancers came into view, with their skimpy outfits, all the Elders on the street turned their faces away from the girls. You parents should all be proud.

This might be a first for all of you. Not many floats are barbequing goat. Mendoza is known for its goat festival in Malargue. This is a yearly festival where they BBQ about 3,000 goats around a horse track. Quite famous.

Elder Campbell was the lucky one. He came back with a goat sandwich that was handed to him off the float.

The gang. Right behind the last float was an army of clean up people and trucks. Within the hour all the streets involved in the parade were clean. This main street is the street that the mission home is on- Avenida Emilio Civit. This will be our last of 3 Vendimia celebrations in Argentina.

Saying goodbye to Richard at the airport. This will be the last trip to Argentina for him. The joke that is now circulating- when we return home at the end of June, Richard will arrive at the airport with President's cowboy clothes and horses in the trailer ready to go get lost in the wilderness without a cell phone. There will also be a limousine arrive for me, to take me to Costco! (I hope I never have to soak my lettuce in bleach again)

New Missionaries Come, Oldies Leave

2011-03-04T05:56:00.001-08:00

Monday started with surprising the Burnetts at the airport with their daughter, Hermana Burnett who is one of the oldies going home. She and Hermana Deem her companion were jumping up and down like young girls while they waited.

Monday nights dinner and testimony meeting was very special. The spirit was very strong and we knew that in this room were some very special spirits ready to go out and conqueror the world. Minus Elder Conti (zone leader) sitting next to President, the front row are all ex-Assistants to President. Elder Smith, Medina, Wajchman, Morera.
(back left) Elders Guevara, Puga, Gimenez (ZL), Hermanas Alvez, Whitmore, Deem, Burnett.

Elder Cristeche (Arg) and companion Elder Linares (Panama)

Elder Lopez (Arg) and companion Elder Gonzalez (Arg)

Elder Riquelme (Arg) and companion Elder Boisados (Arg)

Elder Bareiro (Arg) and companion Elder Sanchez (Peru)

Elder Benitez (Paraguay) and companion Elder Benitez (Paraguay)

Elder Rios (Columbia) and companion Elder Espino (El Salvador)

Elder Barrientos (Chile) and companion Elder Rabanal (Peru)

Picture of Presidents good friend Richard Willis the day he arrived from the airport, with the Assistants, Elders Campbell (leaving) Sorensen (staying) and Elders Leal (staying) Hopkin (leaving)

President wearing his Panamanian tie with his two new trainers in the office to get their newbies- Elder Obaldia and Linares.

Two days later we got the rest of our missionaries (at least he ones who got their visas)
Elder Portillo from El Salvador (via the Guatemala MTC) whose companion will be Elder Perdomo

Sister Ricks who got stuck in Atlanta for 2 days finally arrived. Her companion will be Hermana Wilde.

Elder Jovel from El Salvador, whose companion will be Elder Obaldia.

Vendimia Week Begins

2011-02-27T07:06:00.001-08:00

Argentina may be best known for its beef and tango, but few realize the quality of the country's unique wine. Grapes flourish here in Argentina's central valley, east of the Andes in the Mendoza region. Sixty percent of Argentina's exported wine comes from Mendoza. The crop has struggled in French vineyards, but due to a perfect combination of growing conditions like high altitude, strong sunlight and protection from the Andes, grapes are happy in Argentina. Mendoza's backdrop is spectacular with snow-covered Andes looming high against the horizon. The area is popular with outdoor enthusiasts for climbing, mountain biking, kayaking and rafting. Mendoza is normally a relatively laid-back town, especially when compared to Buenos Aires (its bustling capital city). The streets are wide and traveled by vintage European cars and bicycles and large, shady trees overhang the city's sidewalks and cafes. It really is too bad that the cities of Argentina have not been cared for properly, and the infrastructure updated, so that they would be a tourists destination spot.

The start of the Vendimia week (the grape harvest celebration) we have seen many venues going on. The last Saturday of the month of February is the blessing of the crop at the local Cathedral. Then the party begins. Above is a picture of a seadoo race on the little lake we have close to our home. I don't know if the city only has three seadoos but it is the first time in 3 years I have heard the roar of a motor craft engine. It was music to the ears. The first vendimia celebration in Mendoza Province was back in the 17th century, but the first official festival became in 1936. All week down our street (Avenida Emilio Civit) there are tents set up for the wine tasting ($1 a glass) and other ethnic foods, and local crafts. Next Friday night around 11:00 they will start the parade of floats being moved from their position in the park San Martin, to the beginning of the parade (also on our street). We probably won't sleep much that night. Saturday will be the 6 hour parade with floats, horses, authentic gauchos, beauty queens, and dancers representing various provinces of Argentina and other Latin American Countries. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights will be a special extravaganza in the Greek Theatre in the San Martin Park. We actually have never been, since it starts at about 10:30 and goes till 2:00 am.

Last night was the official opening, with choirs and presentations in the Plaza Indepedencia. The whole month there have been tango demonstrations, orchestra and choir presentations. The fireworks display is larger and longer than any I have ever seen in the states. It went on full throttle for at least 20 minutes, with not a second of interruptions. Below is a short video taken about in the middle of the demonstration.

The Week Finishes With A Bang

2011-02-24T16:54:00.000-08:00

A friend of my mother's came to visit us in Mendoza. Her name is Caroline (Crawford) Vond. She was born and raised in Mendoza, and after joining the church went to the U.S. and has lived there since. Her family was quite an influential family back in the day and owned lots of land, cattle and vineyards. She and her second husband came to visit her family during a very exciting time- Vendimia. That is the harvest of the grapes. Stay tuned, and expect more pictures next week.

Yesterday was a storm to remember. It started to rain, then thunder, then hail. It was coming down so bad we had to have Elder Quebbman brave the pelting hail and open the drainage ditch along the edge of the chapel/office. You can see the water flowing in.

Our cute Elder Cabranes catching the hail. Though it doesn't show up, he brought me a piece that was just a bit smaller than a golf ball.

The aftermath outside the gates of the office, showing the street and sidewalk. This storm destroyed the grape crop in LaValle and part of Maipu. It shredded the leaves and grapes right off the vines. It was a devastating storm, destroying roofs and breaking plate glass windows.

Elder Campbell and Elder Quebbman who had to save the office from being flooded.

A fun video of a the Elders below, braving the storm to do what boys love to do most- get their clothes wet. They left that afternoon to go home to find their pension flooded and the upper floor where we have 6 sets of bunk beds for the visiting missionaries to sleep over on-flooded and the mattresses all wet because the roof tore off.

Another Good Week in Argentina

2011-02-21T11:36:00.000-08:00

We went to San Rafael for a few days, for a training meeting with our missionaries and a meeting with the Stake President. We stayed at our favorite hotel, Algodon. We wore ponchos because it was raining outside. There was a hail storm the night before which is very common in San Rafael. The young lady is Paz (Peace). She handles the reservations and has become a friend to us.

At Algodon there are vineyards and orchards that are being worked at all times. We took a golf cart (shipped from the US, they are unheard of here) around the property. It is hundreds of acres of vineyards, apricot and membrillo orchards. Also there is an old olive orchard that they are trying to cultivate back to production.

If there is a cold night during the time the fruit is developing, along the dirt roads are these barrels ready with wood to start a fire to heat up the orchards. Below is a picture of the stacks of wood that are around the entire orchard areas. They are also oil pots around the perimeter.

President showing us his favorite grape, a muscatel. It is the most fragrant and sweet of all the grapes we have tasted (and we are getting to be experts). We are sure we are the only ones in Mendoza who go around tasting grapes, go on winery tours, and never drink a drop of wine.

To get the Andes into perspective I took this picture on our way home from San Rafael. The darker mountains in the back ground would be about the height of the mountains back home in Utah, around 10-11,000 feet high. The peak behind it (above the clouds) would be twice that size, over 22,000 feet. It is not the famous Aconcagua peak, but it still is more than 22,000. There are around 6 peaks in our mission that are that high or higher.

It is summer in Mendoza and the fruit and vegetables are at their very best. Here are some strawberries and peaches from our local fruit stand. Notice how red the berries are. They are picked one day and sold the next so they are fresh from the fields. There isn't anything better than the fruit in Mendoza.

There is one negative though about buying the fruit, and that is the need to thoroughly wash everything. The grapes were just rinsed, but we need to put a little bleach in the water when we clean lettuce, spinach or chard.This peach has two hearts

When you buy watermelon from Mauricio at our local fruit stand, you just tell him if you want half or a quarter. They let you test a piece to see if you like it. Now, that is something I will miss. This watermelon is the most sweet, juicy watermelon I have ever tasted. Wish I could send you some.

These beautiful missionaries were part of a local choir we needed to put together to sing at the Saturday "future missionary" training meeting with Elder Aidukaitis and Elder Spitale. I wish I could explain the feeling that we had as we watched over 500 potential missionaries get off buses in white shirts and ties (or dresses) and walk through the plaza into the stake center. We have never seen so many youth in one place in our time here in Argentina. We have 100 of those ready to fill out mission papers. We saw with our eyes the future of the church here in Argentina. Now if we can keep them committed and coming to church.
Our wonderful choir sang "Called To Serve" as we walked up the middle aisle of the chapel. In Spanish there are four verses of that song, not just two. It was reported to me that after, the next speaker had a few tears in his eyes. There is a powerful spirit when the missionaries of the Lord express their testimony through song.

February Consejos

2011-02-12T15:34:00.001-08:00

Not that they need any introduction, but Elder Cabranes (secretary) and Elder Quebbman (finance) were introduced to the Zone Leaders as the new office Elders. These fine young men were called back into the office to fill the positions that Elder and Sister Nope left. This is the second time for each of them and so we are eternally grateful for their sacrifice to come in again and serve with us.

Our New Zone Leaders
(left) Elders Abella, Moncur, Roberts, George, Esplin
We look forward to serving with them, and watching them mature in their new positions. This is one position where we see most of their growth and desire to become a great leader. They never disappoint us. This is the training ground for life.

More help out on the streets. Elder Campbell and Elder Leal will become traveling assistants, with their junior companions. They will help us in the training of zones with the new 8 focuses of the church.

WINNERS OF THE MONTHLY ZONE COPA AWARD!!! The Chimbas Zone won the Copa for January. They raced to the finish. Congratulations Chimbas Zone and their Zone Leaders, Elders Gomez and Leal.

Past due awards given out at this Consejos were- August 2010 District Leader award for Elder Benitez. This award is given to the District Leader who has the best numbers on his key indicators.

For December 2010, the Best District Leader Award goes to Elder Esplin

For January 2011, the Best District Leader Award goes to Elder Moncur

For October 2010 the Best District Leader Award goes to Elder Burr

Mission News

2011-02-12T15:25:00.000-08:00

We said goodbye to Elder and Sister Nope, one of our senior couples last week. They needed to return home to take care of some family needs. We have appreciated so much their wonderful work in the mission, and will miss their friendship and expertise that they brought to us in the office. We wish them the very best and extend our gratitude to their family who loaned them to us for a while.

We love our Assistants and all that they do to support us and the missionaries in this mission. We get pretty close to them during their stay in the office. We want to thank them for their great work.
(left) Elder Frischknecht (AP) Elder Leal (TA) Elder Hopkin (AP) Elder Sorensen (TA)

Speaking at the Godoy Cruz Girls Camp at Camp Bautista

2011-02-03T12:57:00.000-08:00

Here we are at Camp Bautista in Lujan, speaking to the young women at their girls camp. I spoke on gaining your own personal testimony of the Savior, and President spoke on chastity. The evening was really warm and quite lovely. The girls were having a great experience and the theme was concentrating on having a teachable heart.

I greeted each young woman with the usual Argentine double kiss on the cheeks. You would have thought we were movie stars or something, they all wanted pictures with us.

President as he was speaking to the young women of the Godoy Cruz Stake.

There I am speaking about remembering how I felt when I was their age, a timid young girl not knowing where life would take me. All of my fairy tale dreams have come true- well except for the castle and the servants to clean and cook. But my prince arrived and my wonderful children who have brought great purpose into my life.

These are their wonderful leaders who have worked so hard to prepare this week long event. Notice the other blond- Linda Hunt, an American who has lived down here for 8 years with her husband. They are the reason many of these events take place and are well planned.
If you look closely you can see the red hearts they are wearing around their necks. Each day they earn a colored bead that is added to the necklace (with the values colors).

I wanted to show their faces, aren't they beautiful people?

Zone Conference with Dr. & Jenenne Goodwin

2011-01-29T12:17:00.000-08:00

The men who make the conference possible. Our Assistants Elders Hopkin and Frishchknecht, and the traveling Assistants Elders Sorensen and Leal (not shown, Elders Frost and Campbell)
Yellow tie day.

Our Zone Conference week began with greeting and getting to know our visitor, Dr. Dave Goodwin and his wife Jenenne who traveled with us through the week. Dr. Goodwin is from Ceder City by way of Idaho. He use to run a boys ranch in years gone by, using his expertise to redirect the lives of teenagers through ranch experience. We enjoyed their visit immensely and learned from Dr. Goodwin's many stories (and so did some of our missionaries). We are seen here with Elder and Sister Packer our senior couple.
(left) Sister Packer, Sister Goodwin, Elder Goodwin, Me, President, Elder Packer

Valle de Uco Zone
Zone Leaders- Elders Redd and Davis

San Rafael Zone
Zone Leaders- Elders Esplin and Menocal

Alvear Zone
Zone Leaders- Elders Burr and Benitez

Godoy Cruz Zone
Zone Leaders- Elders Moncur, Garcia

San Luis Zone
Zone Leaders- Elders Bigelow and Fowler

Villa Mercedes Zone

Zone Leaders- Elders Brown, Miller

San Martin Zone
Zone Leaders- Elders George and Hinojosa

San Juan Zone
Zone Leaders- Elders Harvey and Ruiz

Chimbas Zone
Zone Leaders- Elders Roberts, Gomez

Maipu Zone
Zone Leaders- Elders Cabranes and Martinez

Guaymallen Zone
Zone Leaders- Elders Fielding and Sandford

Mendoza Zone
Zone Leaders- Elders Eliason and Beck

Training from our Traveling Assistants- Elders Leal, Sorensen, Frost, Campbell

Elder Falcon testifying as he practiced a 2 minute explanation of the Book of Mormon

The quiet-calm-rest after lunch was served- THE SCRIPTURE CHASE COMPETITION!
We are happy to report that no blood was lost this session, or chairs broken.

Wild and crazy competition including three zones, and the winners were Elder Winget and Jacobs (both new missionaries). They were awesome~ but the winners was...

Elder Jacobs was the first to find the scripture in under 3 seconds (sitting). He won the competition. Heh, Elder Reynolds, sorry you went home, we could have provided you some stiff competition!

This time we had San Juan and Chimbas come in by bus, instead of us traveling to them. These are the members from San Juan who contract the bus for us. They are so sweet to work with.

Air conditioned, soft seats, treats, and good friends- I had to come in just to try it out. Not bad!

Picking up "pedidos" from the office on the right. Elders Easley, Owens, Burns, Olson.

The Godoy Cruz chapel is on the left, the Mission office on the right. Very convenient.
Elders Owens, Ostler, Leal, Scoville, Argumedo, Arrua, Hyer.

Training demonstration with Elders Rabanal, Mason, and AP Elder Frischknecht

A BIG SHOUT OUT TO JOSH IN OGDEN UTAH- We are all rooting for you Josh. Josh is our honorary missionary who was hurt in an accident and so can't serve a mission at this time. We are praying for you, Josh. You give us great strength and a determination to do better, each time we talk to you.

The Ladies!
Hermanas Resquin, Ochoa, Wilde, Gutierrez, Alvez, Sollis, Diaz, Whitmore.

Hi MOM- Elders Boyle, Miller, Austin, Hoggard, Barrus, Tanner.

Winners of the three zone scripture chase in San Luis/Villa Mercedes/Guaymallen- Elder Fowler and Hermana Alvez.

Elders Williams and Pedersen (thanks Elder Pedersen for the music)

Hermana Alvez and Whitmore with Elders Leal, Roncal, Rabanal, Guzman, Perdomo.

Elders Escano, White, Gutierrez, Davenport, Roche

Elder Frischknecht (AP) reviewing the earthquake preparedness power point that Sister Packer had put together for the zone conferences (she didn't travel to San Rafael).

The winners of the scripture chase play-off from the San Rafael/Alvear/Valle de Uco Conference- Elders Menocal, Robinson, Linares. The winner of one heat was Elder Linares, the other was Elder Menocal.

Our Panamanian Elders with President. Notice their hand stitched ties. Elder Linares gave President one of these ties when he arrived. They are beautiful ties.
Elders Martins, Linares, Obaldia, Arrauz.

A group of our Utah boys- Elders Burr, Davis, Jones, Esplin, Carr, Frischknecht, Evans, Sorensen, Redd, Mitchell.

Chile, Argentina, Uruguay Group- Elders Rodriguez, ,Benitez, Leal, Orozco, Rojas

Northern States and Canadian- Elders Lounsbury, Passey, Bready, Hermanas Pelton, Anderson, Crapse (not from the North)

What was left of the California group- Hermana Crapse, Me, president, Elders Carr, Dyer.

San Rafael Hermanas- Crapse, Richins, Pelton, Anderson.

2011-01-22T12:09:00.000-08:00

Viejitos Leave and Nuevitos Arrive

2011-01-22T11:56:00.001-08:00

Saying goodbye to Elder Hoglund (middle on right). President owed him a steak dinner before he went home because he went 6 months without biting his fingernails. We have many with this habit we are trying to cure. Elder Hoglund was our best student. Elder Frost and Campbell his companions were the lucky recipients of a great dinner. We will miss Elder Hoglund who served in the office for many months.

January's Viejitos were all latinos. Certainly was lively conversation, they all like to make fun of my Spanish (in a nice way of course). Elder Paz (left of President) served as a traveling assistant and was a great leader, teacher, and friend to President. They were all great missionaries who added strength to the mission.
(Left- Elders Mendoza, Salazar, Paz, Cabellero, President, Elder Alfonso, Me)

NEW MISSIONARIES ARRIVE

Elder Echevaria from Peru

Elder Sargent with companion Elder Lucas

Elder McMullin with companion Elder Williams

Hermana Crapse with companion Hermana Richins

Hermana Anderson with companion Hermana Pelton

Elder Lounsbury with companion Elder RobinsonElder Summers with companion Elder Kammerman

January Consejos (Zone Leader Council)

2011-01-05T15:33:00.000-08:00

Here they are, the brightest and the best- well, that is until next transfer and we get a whole new group. We love them for all their great service and dedication. They all try so hard to be obedient and good. One day they are snow-boarding and surfing, and the next they are leading their zone with great skill and a good attitude. But don't tell their moms, they might expect too much of them when they get home.
(Top left) Elders Fielding, Harvey, Davis, Miller, Sandford, Oliveros, Hinojosa
(Middle left) Elders Ruiz, Menocal, Paz, Morera, Gomez, Leal, Benitez, Frischknecht (laying down) Burr, Brown, Martinez, Cabranes, Redd
(Floor left) Elders Hopkin, Bigelow, Fowler, Eliason, Garcia, Lucas

We welcome the new Zone Leaders! Which means that with 12 zones, almost half of our Zone Leaders are new this month.
From left- Elders Menocal, Davis, Redd, Miller, Sandford, Fielding, Martinez, Burr, Beck, Garcia

Winners of the "COPA" this month is San Rafael. This might not sound all that exciting to you, but the San Rafael Zone has never won the cup and so this is an exciting day for Mission Mendoza, and also Elders Barrus (served during the competition), Elder Paz and Elder Menocal

Practices with Elder Morera, Elder Redd and Elder Davis

The first ones in line, they must be hungry from all that practicing- Elders Lucas, Beck and Eliason.

Even our wonderful latinos asked where I was last month, because they missed their taco dinner at Sister Lindahl's house. Everyone but the Argentine Elders, they don't care for tacos.

Enjoying a good home-cooked meal. There is even ice in the water, something they never see out in the field. They love to come in the mission home and see the dishwasher and the washing machine and drier. They sit on the carpet and don't even need the furniture. I tell our new missionaries who come to my home for their first meal in the mission home- this will be the last time you will see these appliances and carpet. The oldies come in for their departing dinner and they can't believe how long it has been since they have seen carpet. In the states we would not even consider these things luxuries, but they are!

Before they all leave the mission home they come together and sing the mission song. It is always hard for them to leave. They linger and linger. There is a lot of love in this mission.

Reward For A Job Well Done- Trip to Aconcagua

2011-01-04T15:29:00.000-08:00

The Group consisted of 40 of Past Zone Leaders and Current Zone Leaders who had participated in the RRRUUUNNN to the finish line- delivering 1,039 baptism for 2010. This was the reward that President had promised them. The person missing was Elder Wiest our Assistant (who left in December) but who was valuable in achieving the goal (we miss you). Congratulations Mission Mendoza.

Aconcagua is the tallest peak in the Western Hemisphere and is 22,841 feet high. Where the Elders are standing is around 11,000 feet.The shelf of snow sitting on that ledge on the right is considered a glacier. It is suppose to be about 600 ft. tall.

Singing the mission song at the base camp of Aconcagua.

The Mission Cheer!

Our Peruvians- Elders Oliveros, Porres, Hinojosa, (Elder Ruiz who is not)

Our Paraguayans- Elders Alfonso, Conti, Benitez

Argentines- (left) Elders Gomez, Paz, Wajchman, Medina, Ruia, Morera, Martinez , Mendoza, Cabranes

Gringos- (top left) Elders Fielding, Sandford, Barrus, Campbell, Davis, Hopkin, Robinson, Lucas, Frischknecht, Davis, Eliason (bottom) Elders Harvey, Sorensen. Miller, Galati, Bigelow, Barlow, Fowler, Brown, Redd, Beck

Current and Past Assistants still in the Mission- (left) Elders Paz, Hopkin(current), Smith, Wajchman, Medina, Frischknecht(current), Sorensen.

Past Office Elders- Elders Miller, Sandford, Campbell, Cabranes.

O.K. How did these Hermanas get in the picture? President saw them up at the base camp (they had met their goals), and told them to come join the group.

We had to take a picture of Elder Burr with all of his Latino friends. The Burr family are famous in our neighborhood with their helicopter company in Utah. We thought it would be good to document the only helicopter we ever see in Mendoza- the rescue helicopter for Aconcagua.

The Inca Bridge. For those who aren't up on the blog, this is the only land bridge that existed for the Incas the cross the river to go down into Uspallata. The history books say that that is as far as they are recorded going down the canyon. The bridge is the strip of land above the heads of the Elders. The colorful rocks is the result of minerals due to underwater streams that continue to flow out of the rocks and cascade down in to the river below. The windows and bars you see in the background is the remains of a Hotel that use to be cut deep in to the rock, with natural water springs in the rooms. The hotel has been closed for many years.

Congratulations Elder Campbell. Elder Campbell our valuable office Elder who joined the group to go up the mountain because our farthest apartment in Uspallata is on the way. He installed the very last of 64 carbon monoxide detectors on the wall of every apartment "pension" in the mission. He did it in 3 weeks. He traveled around 1500 miles to accomplish the feat. And yes, he did this and also met all his missionary goals. Hurray for valiant missionaries.

Two of our great Zone Leaders standing infront of the Uspallata pension, Elders Sandford and Fielding. Just wanted to show the pretty roses. Uspallata is the only pension in the mountains, and it gets lots of snow in the winter ( it sits at 6200 ft. and has a local ski resort is close by).

New Years Eve

2011-01-01T19:15:00.001-08:00

New Years Eve is almost a bigger celebration than Christmas here in Argentina. The partying begins early and goes the whole night. At midnight the fireworks start going off. But not just in one location. From our 6th floor balcony we could see neighborhoods all around the city, exploding large rocket fireworks. The noise lasted for an hour and sounded like gun fire all over the city. This is our third New Year here and so it was no surprise, but each time another large rocket went off, I was counting the cost.
We extend to all of our missionaries and families a wonderful, safe, and healthy New Year.

The Yearly Goal of 1,000 Baptisms Continues

2011-01-01T13:14:00.000-08:00

November and December brought new goals and a vision that we could actually do this. The Goal of 1,000's was in sight, and no one wanted to lose the opportunity to reach it.

The potential investigators are there waiting for us, we just have to find them. The caption says, "The 1,000 they are at the shore...waiting"

What do we need in order to put 1,000 in the water.

I don't know why the Assistants didn't continue with the thermometer for the last month, but the the 1,000th baptism happened the week before Christmas. On Christmas day there was a "white baptism" and an additional 38 were baptized.

Argentina Mendoza Mission
Year 2010- 1,038 baptisms

Our Oldies Leave and Our New Missionaries Arrive

2010-12-28T16:05:00.000-08:00

President had the oldies over for dinner the night and testimony meeting before they left. Hermana Mallea helped out by cooking the dinner. I was sad not to be able to tell them all goodbye and at least be able to give Sister Kartchner a hug, but we are hoping to see them all at our first reunion in October 2011. Saying goodbye to our missionaries is always one of the hardest things we do. These fine young people have sacrificed and given up all the comforts of home but traded for the experience of a life time. They will never forget the happy days or the very hard ones. But the hard ones were the ones that have molded their testimonies and forged their futures to be the great leaders of the church.
(left) Elders Davis, (President Lindahl), Hurst, Bateman, Reynolds, Mitma, Bills, Aparcana, Ahmad, Hermana Kartchner

OUR NEW MISSIONARIES ARRIVE AND MEET THEIR COMPANIONS

Elder Valle with companion Elder Pederson

Elder Fackrell with companion Elder Williams

Companion Elder Hyer, with Elder Owens

Elder Allred with companion Elder Barton

Elder Wharton with companion Elder Peterson

Elder Galati with companion Elder Barlow

Companion Elder Torres with Elder Solano

Companion Elder Quebbeman with Elder Stufflebeam

Companion Elder George with Elder Molen

Elder Tanner with companion Elder Moriarty

Elder Norblad with companion Elder Moncur

Companion Elder Stout with Elder McMurray

MORE OLDIES LEAVE

During my absence (December 15th)President also said goodbye to one of our very best Assistants Elder Wiest. They failed to take a picture of him before he left, but I wanted to include it in this history of the mission. He served with President for 6 months, the longest we have had an Assistant serve while we have been here.
These three fine Elders left this week, each one wanting to get back in time to go to school. They have all three served as zone leaders and were fantastic. Elder Rodriguez serving with Elder Weist as an Assistant. We said goodbye to Elder Rodriguez about 6 times in the last two days. Because of expired documents he was not allowed to board his plane yesterday to Chile. After a desperate trip to the Consulate and many phone calls, and two days at the airport they finally let him on last night. We are hoping he made is safely home into the arms of very patient parents.
(left) Elders Nieve, Rodriguez, (President), Elder Boyd

Just a photo we thought we would send to Steve Winn from Mr. Mac's in the Orem Mall. His suit bag has survived 2 years of abuse and is still ticking. Elder Rodriguez will be taking it to Chile, so we can now say that Mr. Mac has now gone international.

NEW MISSIONARY

Poor Elder Liñares from San Salvador has been serving in his country for six months as a missionary, and his Visa finally came through. We were happy to go and greet him and welcome him finally to the only true mission south of the border- MISSION MENDOZA!!!

Visit To The States

2010-12-27T14:19:00.000-08:00

My trip to the U.S. for the wedding of our son Barrie and the birth of our 12th grandchild began in November. I left Mendoza Argentina on a nice spring day and arrived in a blizzard at the Salt Lake airport.

I stayed with my daughter Tara who lives in front of the Draper temple. In the next few weeks I would travel to the home of my son in Pleasant Grove to stay with that family. Then off to Mesa Arizona for the wedding of Barrie and Lacy, and then to our son Spencer's home in Chandler Arizona to help with the new baby.

There was a trip to the Aquarium in Utah. It was grandma's desire to get to know the grandchildren she didn't know- Lucy Lindahl (left) and Blake Bowen (right). The only way they would warm up to grandma was the package of fruit snacks I had in the hand. That is the hard part of serving a mission so far away, not even being recognized by your grandchildren.

THE HAIR CUTS

During my stay at Tara's home, the girls decided to all donate a foot of their hair to "Locks Of Love." This is a picture of Faith's hair before she had it cut. I am sure she had enough hair for two wigs, her hair is so thick.

The results.

Even Mom got in on the act, and cut 12" off of her hair.

Brooke's hair before it was cut.

Lovely Brooke after it was cut. They were all excited to help cancer children who had lost their hair. Tara is an RN who specialized in pediatric oncology. She has many stories to tell the girls about the children in Primary Childrens Hospital.

THE WEDDING

THE WEDDING OF BARRIE LAYTON LINDAHL TO LACY GRACE
DECEMBER 11, 2010
MESA ARIZONA TEMPLE

To help celebrate with Barrie were my sisters and my mom.
(left) Ruth Brown, Tammy Murray, Vivian Nash, Me, JoEllen Carlson
(missing is my sister Shawna, who volunteered to watch my father who is no longer able to leave the home, and my brother Randy Brown. It was Barrie's wish to not have his grandma Brown miss the wedding)

The wedding group on the steps of the Mesa Arizona temple. Grandma Joy Lindahl and Grandpa Blaine Lindahl are in the front row on the right. Grandpa Lindahl sealed Barrie and Lacy in the temple. He has given all the grandchildren their patriarchal blessings and married everyone of the grandchildren (with only a few to go).

Our grandchildren at the reception with Barrie and Lacy.

The best picture we could get with all the grandchildren and me. Of course the person we miss the most is Grandpa who had to stay in Mendoza and watch over his missionaries. It was a hard day for him.

THE BABY IN ARIZONA

After the wedding I remained in Arizona to help with the birth of Melinda and Spencer's baby. The day Melinda was in labor we waited at home till she got close, then I loaded up Kimball, Lexus, and Elise and headed to the hospital. It took mom another hour so we played out by the hospital Christmas tree.

McLaren Ruth Lindahl was born at 10:30 PM in the Mercy Memorial Hospital on December 21st. She weighed 6 lbs. 12 oz. and was 20" long. She has all her toes and fingers and she is lovely. And doesn't Mom look happy, along with two proud big sisters.

The Spencer Lindahl family (and friend Chris on the right).

Grandma and Elise showing off our new baby born four days before Christmas.

Barrie and Lacy were good sports to put on the children's nativity costumes and be apart of the pageant on Christmas Eve. It was a treat to have our own live baby Jesus.

Barrie grew the beard just for the program (I am kidding- they just got off their honeymoon and he must not have shaved)

Kimball, Lexus, and Elise showing off their Christmas pajamas.
I left Arizona on December 27th and returned to Mendoza to find all well there.

CHRISTMAS EVEN CAME TO MENDOZA ARGENTINA

2010-12-25T18:05:00.000-08:00

We know it is a hard time of year to be so far away from family, we hope that these little gatherings helped to soften the hurt and provide some joy.
The mission was divided in half for their December Zone Conference. One group on Tuesday December 21, the other Wednesday December 22. (I am still looking for the other picture)

With Sister Lindahl out of town, other directors were chosen. Sister Nope was chosen as director of the thousands of details (I thought she was kidding when she said "nope" when I asked her). Her assistant was Sister Packer, and the "go to guys" were the Assistants, Elder Hopkin and Elder Frischknecht.

Elder Packer (alias Santa Claus) and Sister Packer were great sports and filled in where they were asked with no grumbling (because of course Santa was watching).

Poor Sister Nope and Elder Nope the day before, were not quite sure if their voluntary service as Senior Missionaries qualified them for these crazy hours of work.

The decorating went on far into the night. I bet that night in the Nope apartment, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

And the tables were set...

In hopes that the missionaries would remember what had been taught in their heads...
When our artist and nurse Sister Packer realized we had no manger scene, she said, "no problem." She sculpted these statues with her clay and Sister Nope sewed the clothes. But I think her sacrifice went way beyond the call when I found out that Sister Nope had cut her hair to use on Mary and Joseph. The manager is basic paper mache with lots of glue. Since I wasn't there for the last few weeks, I wouldn't put it past those two ladies to grow and cut their own hay for the manager.

All the trees were decorated.

The costumes set out and ready for the pageant.

There was no room (in the Inn) for the eating tables and the games, and so the eating tables were set in the hall ready to be brought in at lunch time. Aren't our little elves TALL!

After a short zone conference meeting, the missionaries adjourned to the cultural hall for the festivities.

There was even entertainment, as the missionaries shared their talents.

The pageant.

Let the fun begin. Games were played.

Can't have a party without food.

The treats table.

The lunch was cooked and served by the famous Rastelli and Acosta families. Roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy. The North Americans loved it, the Latinos love the beef, but have never seen gravy before. So many different customs that we all can learn to enjoy.

Ho! Ho! Ho! To end the day the missionaries had a visit from Santa Claus. It was so nice of him to come down here to the Southern Hemisphere to bring the missionaries their stockings.

Santa was a great hit! Only the very best little girls and boys got stockings this year- all 200 missionaries of the Argentina Mendoza Mission.
Thank you to my sisters Vivian Nash and Tammy Murray who each year contribute to the goodies in the stocking, and Vicki Willes my good friend who provided the Sisters gifts and somehow got involved sending boxes of gifts through the mail this year. We couldn't do it without you.

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Goodnight!
Thank you Sister and Elder Nope, and Sister and Elder Packer!!!

Consejos with Zone Leaders

2010-11-08T06:51:00.001-08:00

Winners of Octobers leading Zone. There was a tie- San Martin Zone (left) Elders Hinojosa, Oliveros. Chimbas Zone, Elders Frischknecht, Gomez

New Zone Leaders this month (left) Elders Cabranes, Eliason, Hinojosa, Brown.

Practices

More Practices

Projecting their goals on the screen

Zone Leaders of the Mission

The Roll

New Goals For Mission Mendoza

2010-11-01T14:42:00.000-07:00

President Lindahl started back in September with a goal for the mission- 1000 baptisms for the year 2010. Here displayed so creatively (below) by the Assistants Elder Hopkin, Elder Wiest, and Elder Frischknecht are the stats for the last two weeks of October- 811 baptisms so far with 189 to go.

3rd week of October 2010

Last week of October 835 with 165 to go.

For you gringos, Manso is the spanish word for meek. But here in Mendoza, the word they use for "COOL" is manso. Notice the clever use of the street sign with the street number 1000.
These pictures were included in the report the missionaries receive every Monday morning in their email box. We will keep you posted on the numbers, and let's see if our missionaries can make up the difference. But if they are as "Cool" as they think they are, I bet they'll do it!