Yesterday, I had a privilege I hand't expected. For the first time in 43 years, I baptized someone in Spanish.  Meet José and Carmela. (Elders Tambito and Little are included. Guess which one is Elder Little.)

They are delightful people and I think they are going to bless many people in Gorbea, if not elsewhere.

Just some quick items to keep you in touch with our world.

A kitchen appliances business near us is showing creativity in how they water their small lawn.

A plastic bottle with holes in it seems to work pretty well.

I will now introduce you to a "friend" with whom I spend a lot of time lately.

Our financial secretary is finishing his mission and I have been asked to pay the utilities for all the rentals in the mission. I can pay over 90% of them at this kiosk in a grocery store. Sometimes I have to take breaks so other people can use it.

A couple of items...

We don't get together as a whole mission much so I think I should capture a photo when I have the opportunity.

Also, Carolina, who was baptized last Saturday came to our English class Thursday early and we had a chance to visit with her about her conversion story.

Sorry for the blurry picture, I was having a hard time getting her to be in a photo.

She is 18. Her dad died just a few years ago from a brain hemorrhage. That sent her into a tailspin which resulted in her seeking relief from a number of different sources, including substances and piercings. She said she always felt cold and hollow inside. Eventually, she attempted to take her life. Her friend introduced her to the missionaries and, as she visited with them, she felt a great warmth inside as she did in subsequent visits. She loves to point out how much she has changed since meeting with them and you can tell she feels real joy. 

Some good friends in the branch where we used to serve lost their house to fire this Sunday.  Many came to help and we were able to get the contents removed on Sunday and the worst part of the house taken apart on Monday.  Here is a view of four bedrooms from an outside window part way through taking the back half apart.

They lost a lot of possessions - some irreplaceable. Some irreplaceable items were spared. For instance, the dad/grandpa found the following note from his grandson. ("You are my best friend.")

Here are a couple of other photos.

These are burnt clothes before they were removed.

These are some of the burnt contents of the house that we removed to the other side of the street.

We had some excitement on the little dead-end street we live on.

We aren't sure what went on but a lot of Carabineros were deployed in full riot gear. There was also evidence that water canons had been used. I'm glad we didn't have to go anywhere because our road and the big one we turn on to were blocked by the Carabineros.