MikeMaryMission

  This is Elder Tim Hansen. He and his wife Bev, are among the angels on earth with whom we serve.  This conversation, in impeccable Argentine Spanish, was a delight to see.  Any wonder that this man was a pediatric anesthesiologist?  The Hansen's moved to St. George shortly before their mission. Isn't that wonderful for us!? On a senior mission, we interact with angels every day. No. Not the kind of angels we usually think of, extra terrestial beings who come and go in our lives. No. These are human angels, an extraordinary group of senior missionaries. They love the Argentine people, they love each other, laugh together and serve each other. Sometimes there are things going on at home that, even if they were home they couldn't do anything to help the situation, but it's hard to see grown children going through difficulties and be so far away. It's wonderful that in many cases, senior missionaries go home for a period of time to assist when a new baby is born, ther...

Trees on Bonplante, the street where the area office is located.  Whenver I think of Buenos Aires, I think of trees. Trees here are lush, green, beautiful. Even in winter, without their leafs, they are beautiful. There are two entrances for the Area Office and both are on tree-lined streets. In the heat, the trees provide needed shade. I'm sure some of my enthusuasm is connected to where I come from, a beautiful desert where trees are not as plush as here.  As fulltime missionaries, we try to keep away from the worldly things that interested us before we were called. However, as a group of senior missionaries, we do sometimes talk about current events in the U.S. The perspective is different here. We all have our views but we do agree that being here has helped us see, if we didn’t already, how far the media in the U.S. has moved away from reporting facts. Media’s ability and willingness to stir up emotion seems limitless. We pray for our country. We know that miracles can and...

  This statue is dedicated to all the soldiers who participated in the May 1810 -1816 revolution. Argentines kicked out the Spanish viceroy.  This is in the middle of a park that surrounds a large military installation that's right next to Jumbo, the large grocery store near us.  Depending on how we walk to or from the office, we pass the installation and the grocery store.  It was nice to get back to the office. We were ready. Mike has struggled with migraines and a couple of other little things but he keeps working on legal projects at home.  Since writing these blogs, I haven't mentioned much about spiritual experiences. We've had a few. I am just very careful with sharing those sacred things. However, there is one that I need to share. I have written before about working with the area historian on the annual historical reports for 2024 and 2025. The 2024 report has been a real bear. Frustrating. The changes that need to be made are things that can be fixed b...

  One of the many beautiful Nativity scenes we have seen this year. Argentines may not do much to do with Christmas in the lead up but their homes frequently feature the birth of Jesus.  It's been a while since I sent out a blog. I have to be inspired to have something to say. 😅 On January 5, we will be here six months, as missionaries almost seven months. Time flies. The folks leaving the mission in April, three couples, are all starting the process of setting up their lives at home.  Every couple in this group of senior missionaries has an amazing story to tell about how they got here. Many miracles and tender mercies, just like us. We know that we are blessed to be sent here and taken in by these lovely people. They continue to teach and inspire. Added December 30. A couple of days ago, one of the senior couples traveling by bus, had one of their phones stolen. A traveler elbowed Elder Richardson's chin, grabbed his phone, jumped off the bus and into a car that had pu...

  Yes. This is a weird shot but it's very cool to see how the landscaping around the temple seems so normal and natural.  Said something really silly yesterday. Said in all seriousness. We need a Christmas tree. Some of the shops here have some very pretty little trees. When I stepped into the one shop that had what I thought was the prettiest tree, I touched it and it was plastic. Christmas trees are not plastic. I told Mike, “I want a  real  fake tree”.    This morning, we recorded a driver getting out of a parking space where, and this is very common, he had only three inches in back and maybe, just maybe, one inch in front. He successfully got his car out. Had to record it because it defies description.   This week is stake conference. Saturday night's meeting was lovely. The topics were self-sufficiency, attending the temple and missionary work. The spirit was there and I was reminded that we are in a part of the world that is still developing. Su...

  Elder and Sister Dube, doctors who received a donation from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Elder and Sister Renlund, Elder and Sister Eduardo Gavarret Today was a Wow Day.  If you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, you probably do not know that members of Quoram of 12 Apostles are assigned various areas across the globe to work with directly. This is a five year assignment. For the past week, Elder Dale G. Renlund has been in the area meeting with leaders, mission leaders, missionaries, local ward and stake leaders. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/dale-g-renlund?lang=spa Not only did his wife, Ruth, come with him, Elder Edward Dube of the Seventy was his campanion. Elder Dube's wife, Naomi, was with him.  Elder Dube and his wife attended our Sacrament Meeting. Their talks were lovely. It's amazing to see how these good men make themselves as available as possible to speak to everyone after the meeting who wants t...