Yesterday was the 30th anniversary of when Argentina lost the battle with England for the Falkland Islands (or, as they say here, Las Islas Malvinas)--it was also the start of "la semana santa," holy week, before Easter so they switched our p-day.
Conference here in Barrio 4 differed greatly from my experience in Goya. There were no birds nests in the satellite and we did not have to stream a pixely image from the internet connection in the branch president´s office using the world´s longest ethernet cord. This time, we had a cozy gringo room set up for us in the relief society room so all of us Americans could watch conference in English while all the native missionaries, members, and investigators from the stake watched it dubbed over in Spanish in the chapel/cultural hall. We didn´t have a lot of success getting our investigators to conference, and the ones who came had friends to sit with, so I didn´t feel so bad slipping off to listen in my native language.
I loved conference. It was like Christmas all over again. And it is definitely a different experience listening with missionary ears. I was inspired, found answers to my questions, and felt my testimony strengthened that we truly do have living prophets and apostles. I especially loved Elder Christofferson´s talk because I have been reading in the acts lately and just had spent some time with the chapters he referenced. I also loved Elder Holland´s talk about the parable of the laborers in the vineyard.
As I mentioned briefly last week, the weather has taken a turn. There was one day where it was actually COLD and we put on coats and scarves and fuzzy socks,
but now it is back to late summer heat. Autumn has officially begun here though so the real heat should be mostly over.
I´m also sending pictures of our empanada-making fun. A sister in the ward was kind enough to teach us, so earlier this week we went over an hour or so early to our lunch appointment to help make corn, cheese and beef empanadas. Beef is most traditional, and then ham and cheese. but it was fun to learn how to make the corn ones as a good vegetarian alternative for after the mission. they were tasty.
Tonight we find out what will be happening with transfers and we are quite anxious to know. It is extremely doubtful I will stay with Hermana Hobbs another transfer because her training is up, so now the only real question is who will stay and who will go.
Anyways, as is traditional we took a district picture. One of the elders in our district from Buenos Aires is going home this week, and we are all sad to see him go. The other elders in the district all attacked him with a group hug. Hermana Hobbs and I observed from the sidelines and then shook his hand--as is the way of the sister missionary.
We also have been saying just-in-case goodbyes and taking pictures with some of our favorite families and investigators. This family is one of the families we have been working to reactivate. Seeing them start to come back to church has been one of the greatest joys of this last transfer. (insert photo of family here)
Also, before I forget, Hermana Hobbs and I took a picture for St. Patrick´s day but I didn´t remember to send it with my St. Patrick´s day email. Anyways, don´t worry. We wore green.
Life is still good.
Thanks for all your love, support, letters and emails. I love you all.
Until next week,
Hermana Parker
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