Holding Down The Forts

San Luis District Meeting

Somehow two weeks flew by and we did not get a blog out. We suppose this to be allegorical at some level. Anyway, thank heaven's for journals. We have noticed that the morning traffic sounds make a kind of music, punctuated by very vocal parrots with their blackbird cousins who flock into the neighborhood trees for some unknown fruit or nut. At the risk of repeating something he's said before, Rich's favorite verse has pretty much always been Jerry Garcia's:


Sometimes the light's all shinin' on me

Other times, I can barely see

Lately, it occurs to me

What a long, strange trip it's been…


Highlights included a number of health appointments for missionaries ranging from root canals to breath analysis for stomach pain (It is not some hokey herbalist thing, evidently)… One elder had three ingrown toenails (ouch!). A number of missionaries quit taking their anxiety medications to answer, "No," on their missionary papers but have needed to begin them again. It kind of amazes us how much they all need.


Rich visited with a family with the elders in a destitute part of the city the other night. Their 21 year old daughter had been hospitalized, started to recover and then caught a hospital borne infection and died. The parents and the remaining children were devastated. One of the beauties of our mission is the opportunity to share our message, testify of Christ, the atonement, the Book of Mormon and of Joseph Smith. We are able to promise peace and comfort to people who desperately need it. We don't get to every day, the younger missionaries have that charge. However, we do when we can.


A week ago Saturday, we helped set up for and attended a soiree at the mission leaders, the Plumb's home. We took guacamole and pico de gallo. They had invited us, the Jacobsens (the other couple in the mission) and all of the nine stake presidents and their families to attend. Several did attend. It was a very enjoyable event. The weather cooperated and was just beautiful.


We found a pizzeria with such incredibly thin crust that it made us wonder if they have heard of yeast. We were not huge fans. However, pizza has actually improved since we came in the 90s when it was just green olives, hot dogs and catsup…


On Monday, we made all of our last preparations for Julie to fly home. On Tuesday, she flew to Albuquerque then drove to Midland and is getting to hold Miles and play with the other grand babies. Rich is profoundly jealous!


Staying behind, Rich has continued the routine. He has met with church leaders and missionaries related to his new assignment. He is all on his own to make doctor  and dentist appointments, prepare the necessary letters and get them to the respective doctors etc.. No one is perfectly confident in his ability to do this all alone… Even more daunting is the whole, sweeping, shaving, laundry, bed-making, dishes and general household maintenance thing. So far as we know, no catastrophes… well, copped to at least. 

San Juan District Meeting
Our Saturday Gathering with the mission and the stakes

Julie got to catch up with Leah in Albuquerque
Julie with Miles
Rosie, Miles' big sister showing one of her many beautiful pieces with her "ASL" love

Rich drowned his loneliness sorrow in a bowl of parihuela

Comments

  1. Pat and Dawn JohnsonMay 14, 2023 at 10:04 PM

    And your tally of adventures just continues! So glad to see that Julie got to go home for a grandbaby event. Rich, I would come to Lima again just for the food! Our thanks to you for your dedication and good works. Easy to tell they love y'all down there!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMay 17, 2023 at 4:55 PM

    Congrats on the new grand baby! Wonderful that Julie was able to fly home! I am sure, Br Hasler can do all these things just wonderfully! Love from Albuquerque! Ute Thomas

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMay 18, 2023 at 8:59 PM

    What great adventures! How exciting to have a new grand baby too!! I love reading about your mission. ❤️ April

    ReplyDelete

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