A Typical Day

I have not written in a while, sorry. Tuesday we had the most beautiful day, warm and sunny. Then that night we had the most clear full moon. Occasionally a cloud would pass by, which made it more beautiful.

Some of you have asked what is a typical day? For us lately we arise about 7 am and of course the usual getting ready for the day. After a small breakfast we catch a taxi in front of our apartment (because we can't walk) to ride to the office. Elder W. goes to his office and begins recoring all the statistics for the week in the computer and checking the calls made the day before by our missionaries. They do such a wonderful job in our office.

I, in my cubicle, try to text message as many of the participants as I am able during the day. I remind them to make their payments and thank them for paying. I also send texts for their birthdays. It is as simple as keeping in touch with them. I enjoy this part of my job very much.

On our way to work we see many peculiar sights. The streets are full of vacationers now, we are amazed at how many "foreigners" are here. There are streets, areas really, we call "gringolandia"
where many of the tourists stay in hostels.

One of the other different things we see, is the way in which the telephone lines are connected to the businesses, homes, apartments etc. The ladder is just leaning against the other wires already connected and working. We don't know what would happen if the ladder slipped or a car ran into him or something else tragic. We see this all around the city. You have seen in previous blogs how "wonderfully" constructed the streets and sidwalks are, so when I see this, I just cringe. I can't even walk close to it. Maybe it has something to do with the time I had the responsibility to hold the ladder one the wood floor in our big house when Elder W. was hanging a very large painting on our very tall wall in the livingroom. I let go of the ladder and stepped back to see if the painting was "straight", of course the ladder slipped and Elder W. fell a good 15 ft. to the floor. I don't do ladders well! Thankfully, he was not hurt badly, just a few bruises.

At the end of our workday, we return from the office to do the usual things. I cook dinner, Elder W. checks the computer for new correspondence. After a small meal (usually) we settle in for the night. I do the dishes in boiling water with Clorox to kill the stomach problems. Some nights I have laundry to do, others I iron all the while he is on the computer.

It is mid June and we are still having rain in the evenings, gratefully, it is not every night. Some days, yesterday for example, the clouds rolled in about 5 pm. Usually the clouds are very airy, very light and wispy. Today was no exception. We then had quite a lightening and thunder storm for about one hour, now just hard rain, it will stop in a little while.

Bedtime is about 9:30 or so. It is really hard to fall asleep. Quito has the loudest, most constant alarms in the world. Every car, every business has an alarm and no one pays any attentions to them at all, they go off all night long. You just have to get used to it, or not! That is our typical day. Not much different (except the alarms) than when we are at home and working. Just a different location.

We are so grateful to be here walking around ladders, amid thunderstorms, being cold, and helping our Father's children reap the blessings of keeping their commitments. We have been so blesssed, along with our family, by serving our Missions. We are grateful for the support of our family and friends it is a tremendous load off MY mind knowing that our family is being "watched over" while we are away. We love and miss you all.
Until I write again,
Hermana W.