Pounds of Potatoes...Pounds of Smiles

Friday February 28, 2014

We had the great opportunity again to work with the Bingham’s in preparing lunch and sack lunches for the bus ride home for the other mission. They have a sister that gets paid to help them cook for the masses. She has done it for 8 years.  She is amazing!  She did some baked chicken with a cracker/egg coating that was delicious.  We also did veggies, salad, mashed potatoes and dessert.  I was shocked at how much mashed potatoes were fixed.  It was in a pan almost as big as my canner.  Sister Bingham looked at that and said, “I think we need more.”  So we peeled more potatoes and did another typical large pot of potatoes. When it was time to eat, the missionaries including the sisters just heaped the potatoes and gravy on their plates and some came back for more!  

All potatoes were devoured!

The Area Offices are located on the Mormon Block so we went in to check on our visas.  We can only drive with our Utah drivers license for 3 months. After that we need our visa residency.  Sister Sandy checked on things for us and told us that Salt Lake had changes in staff and the paperwork was backlogged. 

At 5:15 pm Elder Pugmire picked us up so that we could attend another baptism. As we were sitting outside the temple we noticed how many cars would slow down and just gaze at the temple.  Another couple came up to us just as Elder Pugmire pulled up.  Mike was ushering them into the front foyer of the temple.  They were a younger couple but very nicely dressed.  Mike was in there with them for about 15 minutes.  After he got into the car with us, he told us that they were investigating the church and wanted to see the temple.  They also wanted to know if they could find a quiet place to pray outside the temple but on the temple grounds. 

Mike and I commented to each other that we could probably introduce more people to the church by just setting up a mini-visitors center here at the temple.  That would be better than door knocking. 

Elder Pugmire was already running late when he picked us up and now Mike added another 15 minutes to that.  The baptism was to start at 6:30 pm and it was out about an hour and a half in Canalones. Elder Pugmire is a true Uruguayian driver.  They don’t really care how fast you drive here.  So we did make it to the chapel on time only to find out that the baptism didn’t start until 8 pm. 

This ward really has their act together.  It was the baptism of a young woman, young man and primary age girl.  A lot of people were there and all the leaders of the various organizations were there and they all welcomed them with a little talk. The piano I played had no place to set the hymn book, so a young woman held the book for me.  That was interesting as she seemed to wander with the book.  Good thing I have played these hymns many times. 

I was very reflective about how blessed we are back home.  We have new white clothes for our children.  They receive nice gifts.  It is quite an occasion.  This group of kids had worn clothes.  No fancy nothing. No gifts.  But, the smile of them all was all that was needed.  

The cute little primary girl was grinning from ear to ear!  She was so happy. 

Count your many blessings mi nietos, my grandchildren!