The Goodness of God and Angels on Earth

 

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, there's a major surgery or family crisis. 

The men in the senior missionary group all spoke Spanish before they came here. One couple, the Townsend's, have served before in Peru and learned Spanish there. 

We received wonderful news the past couple of weeks. Grandson Issac has been called to serve in the Texas Dallas East mission. He has at-home MTC the end of March and then enters the MTC April 1. We were unaware that he was awaiting a call. Wonderful surprise. He is such a fine young man, articulate, good hearted and skilled. He has his Dad's ability to talk to anyone. He has been through stuff and can relate to people who are struggling. He can also repair heating and air conditioning systems. In Dallas, that will be an unexpected plus. 

A few days later, grandson Thomas, received his call to serve in France, Paris mission. We knew he had submitted his papers and his call came in a very short period of time. He doesn't leave until August. There must be a long lead time needed to get Visa, etc, sorted out. It is impressive how the church can handle all the paperwork for thousands of missionaries coming and going all over the world. Thomas will be a wonderful missionary. He is mature, kind hearted and happy to be serving the Lord. 

We have been reassigned to a different ward. Two other couples are already serving there but that's a change we needed. 

Mike is still working from home. He enjoys the work and appreciates the flexibility. 

Did you know that the church has a Leadership Training program? I'm taking it right now and it does require a time commitment but it's so worth it. The group I am in is international. One of the other members of the group and I conducted last week's meeting. It was about Building Capability. I had to reflect on the many people I have known throughout my life who helped me build capability. Once again, angels on earth have blessed me. 

Here is something that may or may not be unique about Buenos Aires. Restaurants and cafes can set up seating areas outside their establishment, taking up sidewalk and even street space! No wonder parking is so dear here! 

This particular restaurant is across the street from the Jungal chapel. It's interesting that although a lot of restaurants are open on Sunday, it's not all places. Other places that may not be open during the day, do open for the traditional late dinner hours 8:00 pm to early morning hours. 

Jungal Ward building. The majority of ward members walk to and from church.

On rainy days, there are fewer attendees. 

Woke up to this Buenos Aires blue sky. This shade of blue cannot be described. Kids are going back to school soon here and it is just beginning to move from summer to fall. The trees are just starting to lose their leafs. 

Once again, we love you all. We miss you all but we also know that we are blessed to be here. A full time mission is the culmination of a dream for me and I am so grateful!