Santiago del Estero Argentina

Wednesday, May 19th:

• 7 hour bus trip which was okay because we ended up sleeping most of the way. Thanks for the pillow...err...your shoulder Ramiro! Some sights...

• Arrived at the hotel and went to visit Julio, Mariela, Santy, Jorgelina, and Florencia. I couldn't wait one more minute to see them! It was a very sweet reunion with lots of hugs and kisses (cheek kissing is the custom in Argentina). It felt like a dream, one that I had been dreaming of since I left the area-- to be back with this family. They are just the most remarkable people and were baptized right after my companion and I were emergency transfered from the area. (Thanks stalker!) Their extended family continues to accept the gospel and join the church and they are now the biggest family in the ward. It felt so wonderful to be in their home with them again.

Flor, me and Jorge...beautiful little girls, aren't they?

Our hotel room

Thursday, May 20th:

• Shopping in centro of Santiago!
• Lunch with Julio, Mariela and their kids. Mariela is so sweet and made my favorite lunch-pasta with chicken and sauce. She is just the most thoughtful person and I can't believe she remembered that was my favorite! Julio says his daughters want to sit as close to me as they can because I'm a life size Barbie doll for them...because they don't know anyone that looks like I do. haha

Jorge with a mouth full of American candy

Florencia counting in english for me...over and over again.

Santy, Julio, Flor, Mariela, me, Jorge, and my Mom

• We walked through part of my area in La Banda-9 de Julio...where my Mom found quite a few surprises!

My Mom thought this looked like a gingerbread house

A little big of garbage...

A bus similar to the one my stalker drove...that we had to ride in everyday

The bodyguards: Ramiro, me and Luis in more garbage...They appear to be doing a pretty good job don't you think?

And dogs...LOTS AND LOTS of dogs in Santiago

• Visited my converts Marisa, Noelia, and Solange. I was worried they wouldn't remember me because I haven't been able to contact them at all since I left the area but when I clapped at their gate Noelia instantly came running out and gave me the biggest hug I think I have ever received...a teary reunion. It was amazing to see that she and her mom (Marisa) were doing so well and her baby was huge!

• Swimming at the hotel with Ramiro and Luis where they teased me endlessly about how white I am. Hahaha...I don't feel like I can be blamed for that!

Friday, May 21st:

• Ramiro bought us Grido's ice cream for breakfast...bless his heart :) Best ice cream ever.
• Lunch again with Julio and Mariela...milanesa. YUMMY! Santy had drawn me a couple of beautiful pictures of Christ. He is an incredibly talented artist. Walking away from their home to go get on a bus to travel to Tucuman was SO difficult. I just wanted to stay with them forever...Julio and I have decided the only thing that makes our time apart livable in this life is the knowledge that because we are now family we can be together forever. I enjoy talking with them because I learn so much from their faithfulness. Should be reversed seeing as how I was the missionary but I am certain I've learned more from them than I could've possibly taught. This family aspires me to do and be better each day. What a blessing I've been given!

• Visited my Mom of Santiago, Rosa and her family. We drank hot chocolate and talked about some memories...unfortunately we only had a few minutes to spend in their home before we had to go get on the bus and were in such a hurry we forgot to take a picture!
• Bus station waiting for our bus that showed up 2 hours late...Think we brought enough luggage?

On the bus...just before Ramiro drank someone else's soda that he FOUND on the bus!!