Quarantine

 Today is our 7^th day on the road.  We would love to wash our clothes but they don’t have laundry facilities so we are just making do.  I think that will be the ongoing theme of our mission.  Quarantine hasn’t been too bad.  The hotel is very comfortable and we have 2 other Mission president couples that have become great friends.  The Slezaks (Santa Fe Mission) and the Marsdens (Bahía Blanca Mission) have really made this a great experience!  We will miss them when we all leave to our missions!  The food is pretty good.  Lots of meat.  So if you know me very well, you know that is not my favorite,  but I have found some things I like.  They have great bread and the desserts are amazing!  

 

 

The highlight of the quarantine was the Mission Presidents Conference.  We met with the Prophet and his counselors and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  They gave us great encouragement and direction on how best to serve the Lord.   It was all by zoom but that did not diminish the spirit or what an incredible experience it was.  We feel like we are on “The TEAM” with these great leaders.  We feel blessed to be a part of such a great work of helping to bring the joy of the gospel to the people of Argentina.  

We are the only group with 3 couples

  

 

Moments when I feel the task ahead may be too hard this scripture comes to my mind and I know Heavenly Father is aware of me and my concerns as He is aware of you and yours!

 

   Philippians 4:13 

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

We made it!!!!

 We have made it to Argentina!  What an adventure already!!  I kept thinking of a quote from President Monson “Good timber does not grow with ease.  The stronger the wind the stronger the trees.”

60 hours of travel brought us to the conclusion - It is very hard to get into a country that is closed. 

Day 1: We started on Tuesday 22^nd at 8:30.  American Airlines did not accept our paperwork in Spokane.  Church headquarters got to work and had an army of people working in the US and in Argentina.  But it was not going to happen.  Traveling out of the country now days gets a little tricky because you have to have a PCR covid test.  Which takes 24-48 hours to get results back.  Ours was expiring on Tuesday at Midnight.  Church travel sent us to SLC so we could get a rapid Covid test and where they have connections with American Airlines.  So Tuesday night we ended up in SLC to get a Covid test and refill out paperwork.  

 

Day 2: Worried about checking in, we left a few hours early.  Went up to the American Desk in SLC and they said “Great!  We have been waiting for you!”   Took 9 minutes.  Since we missed our flights on Tuesday we had 3 flights to take instead of 2.  

 

While waiting in SLC for our first flight a group of missionaries came off the flight from Dallas and one of them just keep looking at us.  Then we saw he was coming over to us and so we went to meet him.  He said “President Pennington!  I just came from your mission!  They are so excited you are coming!”  What a tender mercy for us!  

 

We flew to Dallas and that was uneventful.  Had a 2 hour layover and then flew to Miami.  When we arrived in Miami our flight had been delayed 6 hours.  Instead of departing at 1am it was scheduled to depart at 7am.  As we were walking to our gate the flight was delayed until 10:30 am.  So we spent the night in a hotel near the airport.  

 

Day 3: We were a little bit worried about having to go through security but everything was pretty easy.  Boarded our flight and we were off to Argentina. 8 ½ hours later we landed in Argentina.  Went through immigration & got a covid test  which took about 2 hours.  Finally arrived at our hotel about Midnight.  

 

The area office here has been so helpful and so kind.  We are being taken care of very well!  Because of our travel complications we missed the 1^st day of the Mission Presidents conference but have loved being a part of it today!   We are with 2 other Mission President couples and are enjoying this experience with them.  We feel very blessed and very excited to be here in Argentina!  Thank you for all your prayers we have felt them!

Called to Serve

Yesterday we had the great opportunity to counsel with and be set apart by Elder Rasband and Elder Kearon.  What wonderful servants of God they are!   All of our children were able to come.  We were just missing 2 of our son in laws.  We received great counsel from them and beautiful blessings.  We know the Lord will guide us as we help him in this great work of helping to bring souls to Him.

The last few weeks have been especially unsettling for me.  I was getting very nervous for this new adventure.  Trying to work out all the details before we leave and having to say goodbye to my family was all very overwhelming.  When we were headed to the meeting, Steve shared with me a scripture.  It is in Alma 17, the sons of Mosiah and Alma were just reunited and telling some of their mission experiences.  Before they separated and went on their missions they had been fasting a praying to have his spirit and be able to serve well.  

Alma 17:10 - And it came to pass that the Lord did visit them with his Spirit, and said unto them: Be comforted. And they were comforted.

That sums up my whole experience with Elder Rasband and Elder Kearon.  I was comforted.  No more anxiousness.  No more worry.  No more wondering if I have what it takes to do this.  Just sweet comfort and peace.   

Then I just kept hearing this song in my head the rest of the day......

Called to serve Him, heav’nly King of glory,

Chosen e’er to witness for his name,

Far and wide we tell the Father’s story,

Far and wide his love proclaim.

Called to know the richness of his blessing—

Sons and daughters, children of a King—

Glad of heart, his holy name confessing,

Praises unto him we bring.

Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name; …

God our strength will be; press forward ever,

Called to serve our King.

Now we finish our preparations and leave in a few days!

Last Trip to Utah

                                     

We took our last trip to Utah.  It was really great to see everyone one last time before we head to Argentina!  We had a family farewell party and got to see Steve's mom and dad and most of my extended family!  

Our Son Derek was our Pilot for our flight from Lewiston to Salt Lake.   Steve has never been able to fly one of his flights and really wanted to, but it has almost been impossible to figure out.  So we really just give up on the idea!  We found out the day before when we were talking about our plans that he would be our pilot!  What a sweet tender mercy! 

One of the hardest goodbyes was to these sweet faces!  I love my sisters!  They are so supportive and really my best friends!  They have promised to all come and see me!  

Farewell Open House

Our kids flew home to throw us a farewell party. We loved having so many of our friends in our home one last time before we leave. 

We had a house full of kids and grandkids for the week and it was the perfect way to say goodbye. We are feeling both anxious and excited start this new adventure together!