Jonas Brother's World Tour

Emma and Dallin went to their 1st concert on Thursday. We invited 2 friends from church, Melanie and Olenka, and then mom tagged along (Ginger and Annie didn't go, just jumped in the picture).


Emma really enjoyed it. She danced a little and sang A LOT. Dallin thought it was OK, didn't really enjoy the constant screaming of a million little girls, and actually took a nap during the last 3 songs. (Hopefully his 1st concert isn't his last.) It was an entertaining concert--they don't have the dance moves like the New Kid's On The Block did when I was little, but they entertain with flips and stunts, and of course, fun songs. So overall, it was a fun experience to be out in the nightlife of Buenos Aires.

Every Member A Missionary

Last weekend our ward had a missionary open house. Each member family was asked to bring 1 non-member. Then each organization had their room prepared with pictures, posters, handouts, etc. Sounds good, right?

Well, our attendance wasn't quite what we had hoped for--1 sister brought 2 friends and another family brought 1 friend. So when the mission president and his family showed up and they went to the street to find more people. The Elders were also outside talking to people passing by. I got an old, familiar itch to do something, but I just stood and watched.

After awhile, the mission president came in and I asked him what he was saying to invite people (which so far, no one had welcomed his invitation). He proceeded to tell me his thoughts about the whole situation (not upset, but with humility and love):

**Look at all the members sitting inside the church, where it is warm, they are comfortable, they have their callings and assignments--there they are waiting for the missionaries to bring someone into the church. Shouldn't it be the opposite? Shouldn't the members be bringing their friends into the church and the missionaries can help along the way?**

Wow, what an eye-opener for me. Now I knew where that itch was coming from! We had only invited 1 family and they couldn't make it, so I hadn't even tried to invite anyone else. So I grabbed another American sister (returned missionary and speaks Spanish beautifully) and we went out into the street to help the missionaries.

It was tough. Memories of rejection and strange looks and all that fun stuff came flooding back. But we were trying! We slowly walked back to the church with no success. Then as we were at the church gate, a lady carrying groceries walked past. My friend invited her in and she said "OK." Wow! We needed that 1 yes! She stayed for a long time, watched a presentation, visited the Relief Society, and had refreshments with us.

Anyway, this evening left me with a lot to think about and that's why I felt I should pass it on. Here in the Buenos Aires Temple, they have told the temple workers to stop praying that "the missionaries will be led to those searching." The leaders said the time for that is passed! Now they are counseled to pray for the members! WE are going to find and bring the elect to the Church and to the Lord. So go get'em, and my prayers are with YOU, my fellow member-missionaries!

Mother's Day in Pre-K

On Monday, Ginger's pre-K class celebrated Mother's Day by inviting all the moms to breakfast. They fed us and gave us gifts and then we watched a movie they had made. Each child told why he/she loved his mother. It was really special (with some cute comments from 4 year olds).

She made that necklace for me, and a card, and a portrait of me!


This is Ginger's good friend, Sabrina, and her mom, Michelle.

Poetry by Dallin

Dallin's 1st grade class had their poetry reading on Thursday morning. It was very sweet and these kids are very creative.


Dallin's teacher says he is a big helper in the class. For example, a few kids were shy to read and so Dallin read with them.

He must have really grown this year, he looks about a head taller than everyone else. (Jared will be proud.)


Here he is with his best buddy, Wim. He is from Chile and has helped make Dallin a real Spanish-speaking-machine!

Dallin is sharing his book of poems with Emma and me.


Here are 2 of his poems:

My Whole Body

My bones are like baseball bats
and my heart is the ball.
My nose is like a volcano
going to explode.
My teeth are like a munching machine.
My brain is like a closet
full of ideas.
My ears are like tornados.
My body is like a building.
My eyes are like an egg
going to hatch.
My eyes are like ping-pong balls
and my arms are the ping-pong rackets.
My hair is like very short grass.

The Red Ball

A long time ago
I had a red ball
That rolled out of
My hands;
Bounced on the ground,
Rolled down the stairs,
Passed Mr. Brad's office,
Tripped someone outside,
Bounced off to recess,
Got kicked in a soccer game,
Made a goal,
Then
Fell in a pond.

A few years later
A little boy found it
And took it home.