Madonna The Parrot

This parrot is Madonna. She sits on the gate at the entrance to the zoo. She is quite friendly and loves to have her picture taken.

Altus Bodega with Sister Allred ad Sister Dibbs

On September 23, Sister Allred (Relief Society General Presidency) and Sister Dibbs (Young Women General Presidency & President Monson's daughter) came to Mendoza for a few days of training meetings. We hosted them while they were in our area. We brought them to a very famous Bodega in Tupangato called Salentein. The pictures above are from that winery. After we had lunch at the Altus winery were we had the most unique lunch experience. We were served 15 separate lunch items, which started with at least 7 hor'deurves. 

Bodega Salentein

Gonzalez Family Birthday Party

This was our first birthday party in Mendoza and we learned a lot about the effort that goes into celebrations here. The mother (blonde) cooked for three days straight making all the food by hand. We have seen pictures of our housekeepers family birthdays and for a lady of little means they were quite elaborate. The 15th birthday is the special "coming of age" party here. It is common for a family to spend more on this party than on a wedding (Well, since they don't get married here, I guess you might miss the point on that one).

The Night Life in Mendoza

On a Friday night after 9:00 the city of Mendoza comes alive. We went to an outdoor artisan fair where there were booths, music, BBQ, and Sarina's tango instructor. He was performing with his partners. They were great! In one of the dances, the men came into the audience and chose young ladies to dance with them. Sarina was chosen by her instructor and danced the Argentine tango. She had a blast. Of course being on the ballroom dance team at BYU helps.

Cerro de la Gloria

The climb up the hill to La Gloria is a nice hike. The monument is in the outskirts of the park San Martin which is about two miles from our home. San Martin is the man on the horse. He led his army over the Andes from Chile to liberate Argentina from Spain. He and a man named Sarmiento are national heros here in the country. You will find busts, statues, and memorials in every city in the country in memory of their work. Sarmiento is known for bringing literacy to the people, especially women. He has many universities named after him. His mother was an artist, and so the women in the country were allowed to start painting after his influence in the government. 

Wedding of the Calderon's

My first Argentine wedding. This couple and their three children needed to get married before they could be baptized. Their wedding was an experience that saddened me. We arrived at the registry, took a number, waited for our turn with the Registrar (judge?), then he said a few words and they were married. The suit Brother Calderon is wearing is from our missionary reserve closet, the sister missionaries did Sister Calderon's hair and makeup for their special day. The only other celebration was the rice throwing as they left the building. The next day was the special day of course, they were baptized. Sarina had taken pictures at the wedding and gave them a lovely album of all the pictures. They have never had a picture taken of their family. 

Sarina Cooking with Hermana Mallea

Preparation for Zone Leader dinner at our home. Hermana Mallea is cooking up her famous tortillas. Now for you non-Argentines who still think that all of Latin America eats tortillas, beans and rice, you are way wrong. We don't have salsa, tortillas, Mexican anything in our stores. We crave Mexican food, and so we are cooking tacos for the Elders. After an entire day of cooking, we put on a fabulous dinner. They even got fresh salsa and guacamole. Lucky Elders.

Asado Con Familia Alexander (BBQ with The Alexander Family)

Our first Asado (BBQ) In Argentina all barbeques use wood, no briquets or gas. You start the wood fire in the corner and then when you have hot coals you move the coals under this metal grill and cook your meat. The only seasoning they usually use is salt. Ocassionally they will use a marinade. You just put the meat, sausage, or chicken on the grill. This BBQ is on the roof top of an apartment building. The Argentines stretch out their meals to 2-3 hours. Mark Lusvardi from Provo was a guest of the Alexanders, we had a great time visiting with him.

Grocery shopping at Central Market

Grocery shopping in the city is quite an experience. I spend most of my day just shopping to prepare meals for the missionaries. All my purchases are in cash, no credit cards. Book keeping is very time consuming. Oh what I would give for a Costco! I have made a good friend here in Mendoza, her name is Adriana Rastelli. She speaks a little English, which is why we are fast friends. She took me shopping for the first time to help me get oriented.

A memorable visit from our Area Authority, Elder Aidukaitis. This picture is of our office staff during his visit. From left to right (front) Elders Romano, Aidukaitis, Lindahl, Hermana Lindahl, Smith, West (back) Elders Miles, Searle, Pedersen, Lamprecht, Maxfield, Slater, Williams, Fuentes. All very capable, fine young Elders.

Gonzalez Baptism

This was a wonderful week for us. When we first arrive we had the opportunity to teach Marcus Gonzalez, a father who is  finishing medical school. He was baptized one week, and the next Saturday he  baptized his wife and son. Marcus is now helping Jim with one of our greatest needs, helping our missionaries communicate with local doctors. He accompanies them to their appointments and makes sure that all is taken care of properly. 

Area Conference with New Mission Presidents

We took this picture in Buenos Aires at the Area Conference with Elder Scott. These are the wonderful new friends we made in the MTC in Provo before we all left to come to the SurAmerica South Area. From left to right- Lindahls, Bentons, Northcutt, del Castillo, Villalba.

Area Conference with Elder Richard G. Scott

In August Jim and I attended an area conference in Buenos Aires with Elder Richard G. Scott and Elder Gonzalez. It was a wonderful weekend of teaching and a special day at the temple. Elder Scott has a way of making us all feel special and needed in this great work. He has become a friend who will always have a special place in our hearts.

RS Sisters in Guaymallen

Our first Enrichment meeting with the Godoy Cruz Ward Relief Society. They made silly hats. The hats were made from thin foam sheets in different colors. Quite unique!

Laura's Baptism

First month on the job and Jim was asked by Laura to baptize her. The other two fine young Elders are the Assistants to the President, who had the opportunity to help us through many long first days. In other words they "saved our bacon."

Our Place

Our mission home is a sixth floor apartment complex. It has three bedrooms, 2 offices, and living area. The building is guarded 24 hours. The positive side of living in a high rise is to load my groceries in a cart in the parking garage and put it in the elevator, then roll it directly into the kitchen to unload. The negative is enjoying the smoke wafting up the elevator shaft from the neighbors. I have had to find furniture and necessities on my own, which is not easy here in Mendoza. It took me months to make the home liveable. 

Lunch with the Hermanas in Mendoza

The second week in the mission I called the local sisters in Mendoza to come into the city and go to lunch with me. We had a lovely time with wine bottles for a back drop. Mendoza is the wine capital of Argentina. They are known for their many wineries and quality brands. 

The Garbage Man

Here is a unique photo for you. This is the garbage man. They can stack these carts so high, and then sitting at the top is a child, to hold it all down. 

A Day of Change

After four hard days in the MTC, a two day airplane ride, three days of instruction in Buenos Aires, on

July 1st we arrived in Mendoza Argentina. President and Sister Avila were there to greet us. After being briefed for an hour, the Avila's turned over the keys and were gone (back to their home in Buenos Aires). There we stood Jim and I, looking around at the Elders in the office with their bright smiles and great animo, looking to their president for direction. Overwhelmed we were drawn to our knees, and have stayed there ever since.

Eva Peron Mausoleum

When we first arrived in Buenos Aires, the Area Presidency sent us on a tour of the city. I am standing in a very famous Mausoleum where the body of Eva Peron is buried. Buenos Aires is a huge city with beautiful old buildings. We miss the old colonial building in Mendoza because they were all destroyed in an earthquake in the early 1900's.  

The setting apart!

This picture is taken in the waiting area of the Church Office Building where the Prophet and 12 Apostles have their offices. We are waiting to be taken up to Elder Scott to be set apart. All our children are with us, along with Jim's parents (Blaine and Joy Lindahl) and my parents (Joseph and Ruth Brown). A special day for us all to remember. Special blessings were given and promises of safety and success. We will need them all!

Lindahl Family 2008