Coming Into Our Own

The first step before seeing the dentist was going to this center to get xrays. 

Dentist visit was okay. I do not like dentist visits so Mike went with me but this week's follow up?

I think I can handle it by myself. 

Much like young missionaries, senior missionaries go through the process of getting acclimated, feeling you know what you are doing, getting a handle on the language and actually doing something worthwhile. The 2025 South America South area was completed and submitted. I felt like I had arrived, I had a handle on things and did something of value. That's not to say that it's a Pulitzer Prize winning document. Far from it. It simply means that I am doing some good here, I helped someone, the Area Historian, with a big job accomplish a big task.

Here's the thing about historical reports. Who reads them? No idea but we have been commanded to keep a record of what we are doing and so we keep a record. We make it as accurate and well written as possible. 

What feels like a personal accomplishment is how the record is organized. Fortunately she and I were very much on the same page. When I stepped in to help her with the long overdue 2024 report, previous reports were organized by month. Reports submitted by various departments were then comingled by month. That seemed to be a lot of work for very little reward. When I suggested it be organized by department instead, the historian readily agreed. In addition, she described to me an introductory section. As she described it, I mentioned an Executive Summary, something annual reports from large corporations all include. During the approval process, the Executive Summary has been helpful because some people who need to approve it, read the Executive Summary and see that the most important things are included and they are happy. This year we are also added a Conclusion, something all large corporations include in annual reports. 

My new assignment is to help the 29 missions in the area assemble a Mission History. I will also be helping the Executive Secretary's wife assemble information for new Senior Missionaries that will hopefully, help them feel comfortable more quickly. Our first few weeks here, I felt like I was texting our District leader, another Senior Missionary Priesthood holder, every day with questions. Each apartment is equipped with a binder that features information about the area, things to do, etc. Newbies need more. 

Mike's assignment is all about the temples in the area and there are a bunch of them! It's a sweet gig because it has a spiritual element, much better than handling wrongful termintions, car accidents and real estate acquisitions. 

Went to lunch last Saturday with some of my sister missionaries. We had lunch at a cute little place called Panera Rose. The decor is adorable. See below. 

Along with getting x-rays before the dentist, many buildings here have very old fashioned elevators. Here's what it looks like from the inside. 

Last, but not least, windows at the ward buildings here have bars. They also have heavy metal gates to keep cars in the parking lot secure. 

Thank you for reading. We are doing well. We love you all.