Here Comes Another One!

 

We returned to Salta to attend the temple.  We were there back in January.  It's a long trip, about 9 hours in the car, but it's worth every minute of driving.  It was a great time to recharge and take a break from the work in Ibarreta.  Nothing compares to the time we spend in the temple.  It's a beautiful place where we feel Christ's presence and can come to know our divine heritage and future.  We can't wait to return home and be able to attend the temple whenever we want to.  We know the struggle of many around the world who do not have easy access to the temple.  We are very grateful the church is announcing and building many more temples around the world!


Thomas Henry Francis



We are very happy to announce that on May 2nd our second grandchild was born!  Jacob and Ana welcomed Thomas Henry Francis to their family. We were traveling in Salta when we received the news that Ana was beginning labor and the next morning we woke up to the news of this little guy being born.  He is so cute!  He came a little bit early and he and Ana are doing great.  He's home now and his parents are figuring out the parenting thing.  They are awesome parents!  In only a few shorts months we'll be able to hold and kiss little Thomas.  Can hardly wait!


The cousins meet!  Lyla took her parents to go visit her new cousin.  Lyla is growing so much.  We last saw her in November as an infant.  We get to see her on video calls and she has the cutest laugh.  We can tell Eric and Ashley love her a ton because she is so happy.  




The work here in Ibarreta moves forward.  It is challenging at times but we have been blessed to get to know many loving people.  Martha continues to teach a primary class each week for the younger children in the colonia (Ensanche Norte).  It's the highlight of the week for many of them, including us.  This past Saturday we had almost 20 kids, a few were young women or young men age but we never turn anyone away.  This week Martha taught them one of the new hymns from the church, When the Savior Comes Again.  It's become a new favorite as it teaches about the second coming of Jesus Christ and the joy and peace we will feel when he returns.  Check it out here:  https://youtu.be/0zjjTsA7FMA?si=VNK3I3g7g80Hxw1d


Ibarreta is the Carnival capital of the Formosa province.  They have this little museum with several costumes that people made for the Carnival celebrations and then donate them to the museum.  Some of them are very elaborate and colorful.  Most of them are rather skimpy and revealing.  We pass the museum all the time but this week we decided to stop and take a look.  It was interesting.  Carnival celebrations take place all over Argentina in February and into March, some towns stretch it out for weeks.  


Here is a little child Carnival costume.  The picture makes it look like a scare crow but it's not.  It's very colorful and detailed.  Maybe we'll bring it home for the grandkids!



One of the things we really enjoy is visiting with people and getting to know them.  This is Neslon in his wheelchair.  We try to visit him and his mom, Mariluca, when we can.  She is a strong women who takes care of her adult son. He cannot walk and is not verbal.  She doesn't complain and always has a smile on her face.  It must be very difficult for her but she continues on every day and with her faith in Jesus Christ she knows she is not alone.  It is difficult to see some of the situations people face here and how different life would be for them if they lived in a place with a abundant access to services and resources.  We do what we can to lift and encourage and help out in every way we can.  We are motivated by the Lord's words in the New Testament book of Matthew, "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."  Matthew 25:34-40. 

This is why we serve as missionaries.  The Lord has blessed us with so much in our lives that we want to give back.  It is because of the love of the Savior that we serve others.  We are enjoying our time of dedicated, even consecrated, work here in Argentina for one year.  We look forward to returning home and continuing to serve in whatever capacity we can.  We know God loves and knows each one of his children. It is our responsibility to learn see them and love them as He does.  We are all his children and there is nothing more a good parent wants than to see that their children love on another.  It brings us joy when we see our sons having joy together and helping one another.  God is the same way and we are blessed to help Him show love to His children. 

We can't believe how quickly time is moving along.  We only have about 11 weeks left here.  By the end of July we will be back home and have to start our new lives in Utah.  That means finding jobs, yuck!  But it also means being with our family and enjoying these two new grandchildren.  We hope you are all doing well and that you and your families will be blessed.  


This is the sign in front of the old train station.  

A mural in Ibarreta.  A new park was just finished. 

Martha playing at the park getting warmed up for the grandkids

The park has the plaques all over dedicated to the schools.  The politicians here like to make tributes to themselves.  There are about 30 of these signs in the park and each one mentions the governor. 

This is Salma and Mirasella.  They are fascinated with Martha's fake apple watch!

One more Carnival costume.  This is a child's costume. 

The night life in Salta (not really this is at about 8:00 pm on a Thursday and hardly anyone was out and about).  The parties here don't start until midnight. 

Jacob and Thomas in the hospital. What an awesome feeling to become a parent. 

On our trip to Salta.  Highway 81 is the main route in Formosa province and goes all the way into Salta. 

While at a restaurant in Salta we met this couple.  It was early in the evening and we were the only people in the restaurant and then walks in this couple.  They stopped and said, "Hola Elder!".  They are members of the church in Buenos Aires. They attend the same ward in Buenos Aires as Bill and Carin. Crazy coincidence. 

Part of the road to Salta is lined with these yellow roadside flowers that look like daisies.  But they are probably a weed with a beautiful yellow flower. 




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