Gonzalez Catan, Mercedes, La Patrona

This morning we were off to Gonzalez Catan with Papa.  It is not the safest part of the mission, and it is also the heart of the mission.  As we drove further away from Buenos Aires, we saw the landscape change, and the way people live changed more.  Long, long lines for buses.  Buses filled with so many people we couldn't imagine it could pick even one single person in those lines up.  When we got to the chapel, we saw the missionaries waiting eagerly for those they were baptizing.

Elliot helped play prelude music and was fascinated by the self playing piano.

 The picture taking commenced.
 We were able to watch ten people be baptized today.

My dad spoke at the end of the baptism service about the importance of baptism and how we remember that day our whole lives.  We don't remember the day before it, or the day after it, but we remember that day...and those ten new members would always remember that their special day was just three days before Christmas, and what a special memory that will be for them.

Afterwards, I really enjoyed being able to talk with one of the families whose son was baptized.  The parents had been baptized previously, but had not been actively going to church.  The missionaries stopped and talked to them one day and the parents knew that this moment was an opportunity to turn things around.  They started coming to church, and now their son was ready to be baptized.  They were so kind and so happy.  As we left the building, I noticed we were the only car to have ever arrived, despite the fact that there were more than 70 people in attendance.

Before we drove back to the mission home, we stopped at the Temple and MTC (Missionary Training Center) so the boys could see it up close!

Then we dropped off the boys for a fun night with Brianna.  Elliot noted in his journal, "We went to Brianna's bedroom and since her bed is super bouncy, we burned up the music and jumped on her bed!"  The boys were thrilled with their fun night with Brianna.

Meanwhile, we were driving out to the country, this time to Mercedes.  I really liked this town and its German influence.  When we arrived at the chapel to see four baptisms, the missionaries were waiting for us, and everyone was in their seats ready to go!  This is very unusual for Argentines and we started the baptism early. :)  I don't think I can adequately describe how sweet it was to be at this baptism.  This was more intimate than the service we had attended in the morning and the Spirit was really strong.  The members were there to support them and it was wonderful.  I particularly enjoyed watching the Grandpa of the family who was in his 80's be baptized.  As he entered the waters of baptism, the missionary asked him if he was ready, and he responded resolutely something to the effect... "Of course I'm ready!"

After the baptism, the ward was having their Christmas Party, so we had the opportunity to chat with some of the members.  We were particularly fond of this 80 something year old woman who was the first member in the town about 70 years ago.  She's the Youth Sunday School and Ward Historian.  She's also a painter, speaks English very well and was so fun to talk with and get to know.

All of the members were enjoying chatting, and no one was stressed, or in a hurry, or wondering when the Christmas Party/ Program would start.  I felt like I was learning a lot as I sat and watched.  I learned more about simplicity and betterment in those few minutes than I probably have in years.

Driving through Mercedes.

After we left Mercedes, we drove to Lujan.  We were really excited about this very Argentine restaurant called La Patrona.  We thoroughly enjoyed eating parrillada, a combination of grilled meats, poultry and vegetables.  Mostly, it was just awesome to have this experience with my parents.  To be with them, and have this glimpse into their life, and where they like to eat, and how late they stay up in Argentina. :) Our dinner reservations were at 8:45, and we were the first to arrive at the restaurant, but by the time we left, it was filled!

happy birthday presidente

Doug’s birthday fell on Sunday this year. We are just in the middle of making a transfer as well, so we had the great pleasure of meeting Elder Wilson’s family, who came to Buenos Aires to pick him up.

The church has an official policy about parents going to the field of their missionary. After all the boxes have been checked, I personally, truly enjoy the privilege of meeting  the parents.

The Wilson’s had lunch with us to celebrate THE birthday, and when the doorbell rang right before dessert, we tried to convince them that it was a door-to-door salesperson that often comes by on Sunday. I am not sure if they were buying our line, but after a couple of minutes, the companion of their son came into the room and they recognized him from his pictures.

It doesn’t take much imagination to envision the joy that followed, when it dawned on them that their son would not be far behind.

For a little Sabbath Day field trip, we took them to Tres de Febrero.

      

*We met up with the Wilson’s several times over the course of the following week. They had many wonderful adventures together, and a few of them included us. We are so grateful for Elder Wilson and look forward to many updates from him and his family in the future.

especialmente para jovenes

Brianna had the opportunity to go to EFY in Pilar during summer break.

   On her way…

There were about 400 kids there, but I found her easily.

Her company 

Her friends and her good times to remember

 

 

tango shoes

Any sport that requires the purchase of this kind of equipment is the sport for me!

La Glorieta de Belgrano
between the streets Sucre and Echeverría
Barrancas de Belgrano
Buenos Aires - Argentina

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday
from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Organized by Marcelo Salas 8 years ago, dancing “al fresco” is located in Barrancas de Belgrano, a beautiful park in the northern area of the city. People from 20 to 70 years old and at all dancing levels come with their shoes in hidden in a variety of backpacks and other carriers.
The bower where dancing takes place is full of amazing dancers.

They throw their gear carriers in the center of the dance floor and circle around the pile with extraordinary maneuvers.

My husband discovered this group one night when he intended to eat Peruvian food with a friend. Unfortunately, the restaurant was closed while the owners took their vacation and he and his Peruvian-loving-food friend had to cross the park and look elsewhere for a meal.

Luckily, he took me back to enjoy this fabulous exhibition, which apparently happens every weekend!

faena art museum

The exhibition is called

Crazy Hyperculture in the Vertigo of the World.

It was created by the contemporary visual artist

Ernest Neto

 

 

 

 

 

The pictures don’t begin to do it justice. It was amazing to experience.

 

 

All of the work was done by hand. Since Neto is Brazillian, most of it was made there.

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

Neto’s work has been described as "beyond abstract minimalism". His installations are large, soft, biomorphic sculptures that fill an exhibition space that viewers can touch, poke, and even sometimes walk on or through.

The Puerto Madero building hosting the Arts Center in Dam 3 was formerly a busy flourmill producing up to a thousand tons of ground wheat a day during the 1900s. It was abandoned for many years, however, it still retains the basic elements of its early 20th-century industrial architecture.

The exhibition space, located in the old engine room of this iconic building and covering 4,000 square meters, has been renovated by a group that has respected the building's original style: high ceilings, period details, bay windows and semicircular arches - all common elements of industrial architecture in 1900.

 

Neto designed a hanging sculpture made of crochet-woven fabric stuffed with thousands of plastic balls that has the proportions of a cathedral.

You can tell from the pictures that hardly anyone was there. Docents give a tour every hour, which is basically a little history of the artist, including how this work was made. We also learned about some of his other works on display in other parts of the world. Anyway, Doug and I were the only ones on the tour. In fairness, the exhibition has been up since September and will only be on display for another couple of weeks in Buenos Aires.

It was Fabulous!

http://www.wallpaper.com/art/faena-arts-center-buenos-aires/5444

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernesto_Neto

juan carter

This is Juan. I actually don’t even know what his last name is. He told me at New Way Remis, where he works, they call him Juan Carter. He takes Brianna and I all over the place. He goes the extra mile making sure we are safe and can accomplish our intentions. I am so grateful that I don’t have to drive! When Juan is not available, he never makes us call the company, he calls them for us and tells whoever will be picking us up exactly what to do.

The other day a combi (20 person bus) was supposed to pick up the refuerzos at the house. There was a misunderstanding and it ended up that they needed alternate transportation. We called Juan and asked for 5 remises. Pretty soon, he showed up with 4 other cars. He got out and gathered the other drivers to give them instructions.

He thinks he speaks English. Believe me when I say that my Spanish is waaaay better than his English. That day, however, in the moment, and loud enough for my husband and I to hear,  he said, in English, with his heavy Castellano accent, to his peers… “Listen to me!” We laughed and laughed.

When Elder Aidukaitis came to do our mission tour, he told me that I need to drive. I told him that I don’t even like driving in the States! “Oh well,” he responded, “you surely aren’t going to want to drive here then. How do you get around.”

Between Juan and the trains, I am doing pretty well.