Monday, Sept 15th..
Today, the office meeting went well. I did my best to read the notes that were in Spanish of last week’s meeting and take notes of the things that took place today. Frustrating, at times. After the meeting I tried to get a few things done, but I found myself not sure of some things. I need to know about a gillion different passwords to get into the programs. I get so frustrated trying to remember which one goes to which program. We are not allowed to use the same one for security reasons and they are set by Salt Lake, not me. Both dad and I find ourselves calling back to our trainers, Elder Turley and Elder Blotter, several times during the day.
Today, finally was the day to go and pick up our famous government Carnet card! The Davis’
went with us. They needed to pick theirs up also. We walk everywhere...
it was a good mile! We will be able to order internet now. Yeah for that. I needed to ask some questions about picking up cards for the other missionaries. I was able, I think to make myself understood, but I couldn’t understand them... Crazy, I can speak a lot but I just can’t seem to understand. It is driving me crazy. I don’t think Ron understood them either. It is most frustrating! Then to top it off, this nice little lady was tiring to help us, not really understanding, we tried to do what she said, but in doing so, I guess without knowing it, we cut in front of someone else and she was really mad. We kept saying we were sorry, but she wouldn’t accept it and just went on and on telling us off. We both felt bad we offended her. We thought she gave us permission to go ahead of her, but she said, she thought we only had a short question, not a long one.. Totally a misunderstanding. The Chilean’s also have a courteous thing for seniors and usually let them go first, but I guess even that one didn’t work this time around. We haven’t tried using it, nor has it been offered, but we hear and see signs (Tercera Edad - senior citizens) all the time.
We tried to go to the pharmacy again on the way back, but they didn’t order the medicine I need. I think I am going to have the kids send it to me. We were going to stop at home for a bit to eat for lunch, but then we got a phone call and was needed back at the office. We got there, and the person waiting for dad left. Dad called him, and he said he would come later. We hurried home grabbed a sandwich and back to the office without rest. We didn’t have time, because I needed to get home before five to cook up a main dish for family home evening, and I had tons to get done for tomorrow. I made up a chicken dish. Tonight was Sister Daley’s farewell dinner. She leaves tomorrow for home. Nice, nice person. I wish I could have gotten to know her better. She is from Eastern Texas (Tyler). I had several people ask me for the recipe. I told them, I would if I could remember how I made it. I didn’t have all the correct ingredients, that I usually use, and had to substitute items. But, to my surprise it was delicious! I really think the secret was the new Mexican cheese that Christine told us about. I was really surprised to find it in the market here. The people here do not eat Mexican food. Mostly pasta’s, fruits, corn and vegetables. I tried to make it like the “Viva la Chicken” dish I used to make for the kids years ago. Oh then, I asked dad to make up a salsa for me while I rested ten minutes and after the dish was baked, I spread that on top. We arrived home about 8, and was in bed by 8:30. Then at 10:30 I woke up and couldn’t get back to sleep, so I am writing this! My stomach is still sore... I just can’t find the answer why it is hurting so much. Probably nerves! I did stop by the doctors office today, (the new couple that just arrived, the Dixon’s) and ask him if he had a suggestion. He gave me some pills and told me to try drinking Coke lite. Elder Dixon is 80 years old! But he is healthy and acts young! They have the elders drink coke lite to help them with the stomach aches. It must be the water. Who knows. The saying around here is.... “You are now in Chile”! Estamos en Chile
Christine called tonight, and wanted to know if we were going to come and see her on Thursday for the holiday celebration, but we have decided not to try and go. We are just too overwhelmed here and Dad doesn’t want to try and learn one more places to get to. You can’t believe all the different places we have had to try and find to deliver “Pouches” , the mail to the missionaries. At least he does have a care for pouch deliveries. They are every Wednesday. Dad walks on the average of about 10 miles or more a week to pay bills and go to the bank. Plus whatever activities we do in the evening with the senior couples. He has lost so much weight. I think he is about 230 or less pounds now, and his blood sugar level is down also. His new white shirts just hang on him. He hurts all the time, but he is a trooper! He says he gets enough relief if he can sit down for a minute to get the feeling back in his legs. So we look for benches. Well good night diary, I need to get up at 6 am to be to work at 7, for the elders to do their visa run.!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
September 28th 2008
Hi family,
Well this has been a hard week for the both of us. More for Dad
than I. With months end, he has so much to do and still learning. We both struggle with trying to do remember all we need to do from day to day. I have some hard days also though and we have to make dozens of calls to figure things out. I haven't felt well this week either, coming down with a cold, and so that doesn't help my memory when one
doesn't feel well. We did have fun on Saturday, we got to go out to a
small town called Talagante and celebrate with the ward members as they celebrated this month's independence celebrations. We had great food and different wards demonstrated the different dances from different parts of Chile. It was fun to watch. The little kids were amazing to watch. The colorful dress is amazing also. I will attach a few
pictures. An office couple that we work with was dancing with them.
Part of their assignment is to serve out in Talagante (small town about 35 miles west).
We went out on Friday night with the Seniors and went to a fun little cafe type restrauant and had dinner. They are fun to be with. Everyone had empanadas but us. We are tired of them, and don't really like them. We just had a sandwich of chicken and avocados (platos aqui).
Not much to write about this week. Mostly just office work. Which is good, cause that is what we were called to do...
enjoy the pictures!\
Miss everyone, would love to hear from the grandkids... Hopefully we will get internet soon and have instant messanger as well...
\Love mom and dad...
Well this has been a hard week for the both of us. More for Dad
than I. With months end, he has so much to do and still learning. We both struggle with trying to do remember all we need to do from day to day. I have some hard days also though and we have to make dozens of calls to figure things out. I haven't felt well this week either, coming down with a cold, and so that doesn't help my memory when one
doesn't feel well. We did have fun on Saturday, we got to go out to a
small town called Talagante and celebrate with the ward members as they celebrated this month's independence celebrations. We had great food and different wards demonstrated the different dances from different parts of Chile. It was fun to watch. The little kids were amazing to watch. The colorful dress is amazing also. I will attach a few
pictures. An office couple that we work with was dancing with them.
Part of their assignment is to serve out in Talagante (small town about 35 miles west).
We went out on Friday night with the Seniors and went to a fun little cafe type restrauant and had dinner. They are fun to be with. Everyone had empanadas but us. We are tired of them, and don't really like them. We just had a sandwich of chicken and avocados (platos aqui).
Not much to write about this week. Mostly just office work. Which is good, cause that is what we were called to do...
enjoy the pictures!\
Miss everyone, would love to hear from the grandkids... Hopefully we will get internet soon and have instant messanger as well...
\Love mom and dad...
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
September 14th, 2008
Wow what a week! We have been so busy in the office learning more information that we need to know about our jobs. The elders have been backing off some trying to see if we can do our jobs. But, every minute it seems we have questions. My biggest frustration is the language when people come into the office. I know I have only been here 3 weeks now, but it seems much longer in some ways. Christine arrived and so Monday was a wonderful day, visiting with her and showing her our office. We had office meetings that morning. When the meetings were over she was waiting outside the doors for us. After all the introductions, and visiting, she took off and went touring on her own. We couldn’t get away. Monday’s are always really busy in the office. She went with us to our family home evening. She got up at 7:30 and took the taxi to the bus station and then a bus down to see Marjorie Rublar. Tuesday, I needed to call the missionaries that need to come to the office this coming week to start their paper work for their Visa’s. I got brave and called them myself and spoke to them in Spanish. I must say I was more than proud of myself. I wrote it all down on paper first, so I wouldn’t get to frustrated. I called the English speaking Elders first and practiced on them. Elder Turley called some of the all Spanish Speaking missionaries for me. I was afraid in speaking Spanish that if they something back to me I wouldn’t understand. It worked out though, and it was a good learning experience for me.
Tuesday night we walked down to the Parque de Pedro. (A park about 5 blocks aways) to a performance of dancing and music. Called Esquinazos en los Barrios Un maravillose encuento con nuestras tradiciones y valores. (Corner in the neighborhood. A wonderful encounter with our traditions and values.) We went with the Davis and Riggs couples. We had a wonderful time. The dancing was fun, and the customs outstanding.
Wednesday, work of course, and we got home about 6:15 and needed to be over to the Bro and Sister Benson’s about 6:30. We grabbed a bit to eat and off we went. Sister Benson is helping me with the piano. The mission was able to get me a key board for our apartment, so I can practice. The ward wants me to play for the Relief Society. I am terrified!!!! The songs they wanted me to play were really hard, so Sister Benson made a simply version for me. I practiced all week as I had time for. And prayed constantly for the ability to play.
Thursday, work and I tried to get learn as much as I could from Elder Turley, constantly asking questions about things I was unsure of. Today, Thursday, is the Elders last day in the office with us. So training is over!! Yeaks! We are also ready, to try it on our own, the Elders are eager to get back into the field. We also had to get any last minute things ready for our greenie meeting tomorrow. We got home late again, and we were exhausted. Tonight is the 11th of September and here in Chile is the most dangerous night of the year. Everyone is told to stay in their homes and not to go out. There were bombings in the streets, gun fire, fires, and all kinds of stuff happening. In our neighborhood it was quiet, but about 11 pm we could hear the sirens going off and the cop cars and ambulances going up and down the streets. We visited for awhile with the Davis’. Oh, yeah, they invited us up for a little dinner at the last minute. We had a good visit as usual. We enjoy their company. They are on the 4th floor and we are on the 6th, so it is convenient to visit a lot with them.
Friday, was our greenie meeting. President Jones picked us up to take us the chapel where the meeting was being held. Ron and I had our first experience of training the new Elders. Ron goes over how to use their debt card and what they are allowed to use their monies on. I talked to them about their visa’s and making sure all the information I have is correct. I told them we had only been here 3 weeks ourselves, so we were green also! It was a good experience and fun to be with the Elders. It was good to see Elder Hughes again, our neighbor, and see how well he is doing. Ron and I left the meeting and went back to work in the office, but it was lunch time and we were tired so we went to our apartment, eat lunch and took nap... By the time we got back to the office, we only had about 2 hours to get something done. We were going to a program fo more dancing with several couples and we were meeting them at 5-5:15 pm. What a marvelous experience that was!!! The customs and the dancing so absolutely awesome. It lasted about 2 hours, and we could have seen more. I don’t know how they could sing and dance and perform so long. Absolutely, wonderful!! It was called “Ballet Folicorico”. Accent mark on the middle “o”. We then went out to eat afterwards with the Riggs and the Davis’ couples. We stopped a nice pizza place.
I must say, you haven’t had good pizza until you have eaten pizza in Chile. They don’t use tomato sauce... It is all cheese, vegetables, and just wonderful. The only other sauce I have seen on them in Barbeque sauce, and that was yummy!
I must say, that tonight, being Friday night has been the first night that we have gone to bed since being here with heating up a bean bag to warm up our feet when we get into bed. That was a nice treat!!! The weather is starting to warm up now. We have been cold since being here. I can’t imagine how cold winter will be!!
Saturday, we were so exhausted we didn’t wake up until 10:30 am! Then we cleaned house a little and then went to the Lider for groceries. We tried to go to the pharmacy first, which is in the opposite direction, but it was closed. Then by the time we walked four blocks back and four or five more blocks to the Lider, dad was exhausted, and so was I. I think for me it was more the lack of food than exercise. Then the little cart we use to pull our groceries home, is a real pain. It just isn’t strong enough for a load. It kept tipping over and things falling out. I was about at my witt’s end. I tried to get to a bench to sit down, while dad went to buy a clock in another store.. I no longer had sat down and tired to pick things up, when I heard “Sister Gonzales”.... I turned and a missionary couple was calling me from their car and offered to give us a ride home. Was we ever releaved!!! As I stood up to greet them and a new couple the Dixons, that just arrived that morning, I knocked over my drink and it exploded and ran all over the place... It was so funny, but I was so exhausted, I couldn’t find a way to laugh... I just smiled... and greeted the new sister... What an impression that must have been.... When we got back to our apartment, I dropped the food on the floor and went straight to the bed to lay down. Didn’t take time to put one thing away. Thank goodness Dad did it, or I probably would have lost all our freezer food... We rested and eat a little bit of diner and then we went to work about 7:15- 9pm that evening. We tried to get a few things ready for Monday’s office meeting... Crazy schedule we are keeping.. We are loving it here and the time is very rewarding, even though we are very tired at the end of long days and trying to remember all that we need to remember.
Sunday, we went to church, and I was supposed to play the piano for the Relief Society, but they thought they would give me another week to practice. I did though, play the prelude music and must say I was relieved not to have to play the opening and closing songs. The songs they wanted me to learn were way hard for me, and I was afraid of making too many mistakes, plus at the last minute they changed their minds on what songs they were going to sing. It was a good experience for me. The rest of day has been restful, but we do need to go over to the office again today. Thank goodness the office is only across the street. It makes it handy for us.
Tuesday night we walked down to the Parque de Pedro. (A park about 5 blocks aways) to a performance of dancing and music. Called Esquinazos en los Barrios Un maravillose encuento con nuestras tradiciones y valores. (Corner in the neighborhood. A wonderful encounter with our traditions and values.) We went with the Davis and Riggs couples. We had a wonderful time. The dancing was fun, and the customs outstanding.
Wednesday, work of course, and we got home about 6:15 and needed to be over to the Bro and Sister Benson’s about 6:30. We grabbed a bit to eat and off we went. Sister Benson is helping me with the piano. The mission was able to get me a key board for our apartment, so I can practice. The ward wants me to play for the Relief Society. I am terrified!!!! The songs they wanted me to play were really hard, so Sister Benson made a simply version for me. I practiced all week as I had time for. And prayed constantly for the ability to play.
Thursday, work and I tried to get learn as much as I could from Elder Turley, constantly asking questions about things I was unsure of. Today, Thursday, is the Elders last day in the office with us. So training is over!! Yeaks! We are also ready, to try it on our own, the Elders are eager to get back into the field. We also had to get any last minute things ready for our greenie meeting tomorrow. We got home late again, and we were exhausted. Tonight is the 11th of September and here in Chile is the most dangerous night of the year. Everyone is told to stay in their homes and not to go out. There were bombings in the streets, gun fire, fires, and all kinds of stuff happening. In our neighborhood it was quiet, but about 11 pm we could hear the sirens going off and the cop cars and ambulances going up and down the streets. We visited for awhile with the Davis’. Oh, yeah, they invited us up for a little dinner at the last minute. We had a good visit as usual. We enjoy their company. They are on the 4th floor and we are on the 6th, so it is convenient to visit a lot with them.
Friday, was our greenie meeting. President Jones picked us up to take us the chapel where the meeting was being held. Ron and I had our first experience of training the new Elders. Ron goes over how to use their debt card and what they are allowed to use their monies on. I talked to them about their visa’s and making sure all the information I have is correct. I told them we had only been here 3 weeks ourselves, so we were green also! It was a good experience and fun to be with the Elders. It was good to see Elder Hughes again, our neighbor, and see how well he is doing. Ron and I left the meeting and went back to work in the office, but it was lunch time and we were tired so we went to our apartment, eat lunch and took nap... By the time we got back to the office, we only had about 2 hours to get something done. We were going to a program fo more dancing with several couples and we were meeting them at 5-5:15 pm. What a marvelous experience that was!!! The customs and the dancing so absolutely awesome. It lasted about 2 hours, and we could have seen more. I don’t know how they could sing and dance and perform so long. Absolutely, wonderful!! It was called “Ballet Folicorico”. Accent mark on the middle “o”. We then went out to eat afterwards with the Riggs and the Davis’ couples. We stopped a nice pizza place.
I must say, you haven’t had good pizza until you have eaten pizza in Chile. They don’t use tomato sauce... It is all cheese, vegetables, and just wonderful. The only other sauce I have seen on them in Barbeque sauce, and that was yummy!
I must say, that tonight, being Friday night has been the first night that we have gone to bed since being here with heating up a bean bag to warm up our feet when we get into bed. That was a nice treat!!! The weather is starting to warm up now. We have been cold since being here. I can’t imagine how cold winter will be!!
Saturday, we were so exhausted we didn’t wake up until 10:30 am! Then we cleaned house a little and then went to the Lider for groceries. We tried to go to the pharmacy first, which is in the opposite direction, but it was closed. Then by the time we walked four blocks back and four or five more blocks to the Lider, dad was exhausted, and so was I. I think for me it was more the lack of food than exercise. Then the little cart we use to pull our groceries home, is a real pain. It just isn’t strong enough for a load. It kept tipping over and things falling out. I was about at my witt’s end. I tried to get to a bench to sit down, while dad went to buy a clock in another store.. I no longer had sat down and tired to pick things up, when I heard “Sister Gonzales”.... I turned and a missionary couple was calling me from their car and offered to give us a ride home. Was we ever releaved!!! As I stood up to greet them and a new couple the Dixons, that just arrived that morning, I knocked over my drink and it exploded and ran all over the place... It was so funny, but I was so exhausted, I couldn’t find a way to laugh... I just smiled... and greeted the new sister... What an impression that must have been.... When we got back to our apartment, I dropped the food on the floor and went straight to the bed to lay down. Didn’t take time to put one thing away. Thank goodness Dad did it, or I probably would have lost all our freezer food... We rested and eat a little bit of diner and then we went to work about 7:15- 9pm that evening. We tried to get a few things ready for Monday’s office meeting... Crazy schedule we are keeping.. We are loving it here and the time is very rewarding, even though we are very tired at the end of long days and trying to remember all that we need to remember.
Sunday, we went to church, and I was supposed to play the piano for the Relief Society, but they thought they would give me another week to practice. I did though, play the prelude music and must say I was relieved not to have to play the opening and closing songs. The songs they wanted me to learn were way hard for me, and I was afraid of making too many mistakes, plus at the last minute they changed their minds on what songs they were going to sing. It was a good experience for me. The rest of day has been restful, but we do need to go over to the office again today. Thank goodness the office is only across the street. It makes it handy for us.
Monday, September 15, 2008
September 13, 2008
Hey,How is everyone doing. Tonight is Saturday night and we are back in the office trying to finish what we didn´t get to yesterday!! Instead of working later last night we left at 5:00 and went with some other senior couples to see a Folklorico dance. It was amazing. We got home about 11:00 am and had a hard getting started this morning. Saturdays are P days so we have to get our clothes ready, food ready, clean house and other personal needs. We still walk or use public transportation to get around. I imagine I walked about 10 miles this week. So, catch me up with all your family news. How are the kids enjoying school. The weather is finally starting to warm up a bit. We probably hit 70 today. If you add six months onto Utah weather, it is like March here in Santiago. They say in December it will be 99 degrees and eating watermelon for Christmas. That will be different.Well, I better go for now.Love to all,Dad and mom
September 2nd 2008
Hi family, Again, I am writing from work. And so I am having Keri, this time pass this on to all of you.Well, this has been another wild week, with computer up grading and loosing files... must I say more on that! We have experienced our first few days of transfers and another one tomorrow. Very interesting process and I am trying to remember everything I have learned, because I won´t do these processes for another 6 weeks. So hopefully I have taken enough notes, to get by with when I do it again. Here in Chile you have to have what is called a Carnét card. It is like a "Green Card" for the those entering the states. Ours won´t be ready until Sept 12th. Then we can try and get internet at home. You can´t do anything here without one. It is the most crazy system. I am getting a good feel of what others go through when they come to the USA. Oh and then we can´t pick it up on the 12th either, because that is the beginning of their Civil holiday, and on the 11th and the 12th, no one goes on the streets, because the Communist people come out and are shooting up the streets with bombs and guns!!!! Doesn´t that sound like an exciting time. But then they say the rest of the month is a wonderful celebration and it is fun, and very interesting and pretty safe. We had a family home evening last night with the senior couples and they explained to us all about the holiday and gave us a day by day list for the month for all the activities that go on. It really does sound wonderful. We are getting used to all the little funny things about heating in our apartment etc. You can probably see from our typing mistakes
that the key board isn{t the same!).... We had a good weekend, cleaning our apartment, going to the Lider for food with our little tiny pull cart. I think I would rather carry the food!! The cart was too short and too hard to pull! It is about a 4 block walk to the store. We are feeling a little tied down with no car to go and explore. We haven´t become brave enough to ride the bus or metro, because that is where everyone gets pick pocketed. Church was good again, and I love our English Sunday School class and teacher (German Yañez). We go away so uplifted. He is a return missionary. Served his mission in Ogden. He is Chilean, but served in the States. I guess that is about all for now. Love to everyone with lots of hugs and kisses!!! Will send pictures soon...mom and dad
that the key board isn{t the same!).... We had a good weekend, cleaning our apartment, going to the Lider for food with our little tiny pull cart. I think I would rather carry the food!! The cart was too short and too hard to pull! It is about a 4 block walk to the store. We are feeling a little tied down with no car to go and explore. We haven´t become brave enough to ride the bus or metro, because that is where everyone gets pick pocketed. Church was good again, and I love our English Sunday School class and teacher (German Yañez). We go away so uplifted. He is a return missionary. Served his mission in Ogden. He is Chilean, but served in the States. I guess that is about all for now. Love to everyone with lots of hugs and kisses!!! Will send pictures soon...mom and dad
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