Hat Shopping and Missionary Farewells

March 23  Monday

Our Monday morning started out relaxed with returning the Wizard language books as the most important thing to do.  David received a call from Pres. Anderson requesting he come visit with him.  I fixed waffles this morning for breakfast, and then we headed up the street to Wizard.

We made our delivery and left David and Pres. Anderson to discuss the direction that Moroni Torgan, Area Seventy, gave District and Branch presidencies the night before.  Each Branch was asked to identify at least three prospective elders to receive the Priesthood and current inactive elders to get them to the temple.  To become wards and stakes, more Priesthood leadership is needed.  Our District has already been focusing on these activities, and our application to organize a stake is planned to be turned in on April 10.  It will be exciting if this happens while we are here.

Merl and I walked to the copy center to have our lesson books bound  While we waited, we visited the sorvete shop and enjoyed sitting in the warm sun watching traffic and people.

 We did a little grocery shopping at Fruiteria and went to the two gaucho shops on Rua Os Valdo Aranha (rua principal = main street).  We have had some requests for gaucho cowboy hats, caps (tampa cabaça - head lid), and fidoras.  We found Curt's hat and took pictures of caps for others to choose from.  I didn't go looking for (but found) two hats to wear with my gaucho cape.  Merl also found a winter cap that he liked with flaps that can be on top of the cap or around the ears.  We make look strange around Twin Falls this winter. 



A walk to the central park to see the Easter decorations and to purchase our churros was in order after such a tedious shopping trip.  The churro vender knows us now and knows what to prepare for us - one chocolate, one crème de leite, no sprinkles.  They are so good!

Several sisters who had paid for plaques were not at the meeting on Saturday.  Ann decided to finish them and be done with the project.  She would paint, and then I assisted her in getting the vinyl on. 
Our kitchen table is the center of activity in the apartment.  This large, flat surface is big enough for us to create/work/spread out and still have a little room left to eat on.  Elder Oliveira even got in on the action today.



Gustavo, Eduarda, Gisele, Edson

Monday, missionary P-day and day before transfers, brought all our missionaries together for one last time.  The Edson and Gisele de Oliveira family invited them and us to have dinner and family home evening with them.  All, but Edson, are members of the church.  Gisele's parents, José and Márcia Sousa were also there.

We sang an opening song; David gave the lesson on the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how we must have faith in what he did for us.  Dinner was tarrateira (seasoned rice with pieces of steak), lettuce salad, and rolls. 



Elders Rebeiro, Gallardo, Piccini,
Rodriquez, Oliveira

Elders Rebeiro and Piccini are being transferred tomorrow, and Elders Gallardo, Rodriquez, and Oliveira will be coming back from Porto Alegre with new companions.  It was an emotional farewell before we all left for our long, long walk home in the dark.  We arrived home around 11:00 p.m.