"la semana loca"

            The week before transfers is always a bit crazy and this was no different.  Our name for it with the office elders is “la semana loca” which means crazy week.  The term also includes Monday and Tuesday of this week because of the final dinner with those going home, the new ones who arrive on Tuesday, plus the transfers for the regular missionaries.

            Just to sum up the week:  the temple trip on Tuesday was amazing as always plus we had the privilege of a short meeting after the session with the temple president and his wife.  Consejo on Thursday is always a great chance to interact with and teach the mission leaders so they can, in turn, teach and train the elders and sisters in their charge.  The training meeting on Friday for new missionaries is great for us and them since we retell them everything we said when they came—hopefully this time they recognize the importance of what we are teaching—and they get to reconnect with friends from the MTC.

            Today we were in Santa Cruz for district conference.  The missionaries from the zone sang as the choir.  Last night and today they sang and did a wonderful job.  Tomorrow President will do final interviews; we’ll have the final dinner and testimony meeting for ten missionaries and then on Tuesday we receive eight new elders and sisters.

            I’ve included all these details because I wanted to share with you the activities of la semana loca and because of the unusual event happening this week.  President Warne needs to have surgery—not serious—so after we send the new missionaries off with their trainers we are leaving for Utah.  After the operation and a hopefully short recovery, we will return to Rancagua.

            In our absence, a temporary president and wife will take our place.  We have tried to take care of as many things as possible, but please be assured that your missionary will be in good care during our absence.  Even though we haven’t even left yet, we are anxious to return to our mission and our missionaries.  Thanks for your support.

These sisters are enjoying me prepare the snack for self sufficiency
training.  What a great looking group!

How many elders does it take to put up a pergola?  Answer:
obviously, seven!

I introduced  this sister to a new toy--an apple parer.
She loved it and was a great help at the same time