Argentines care for their elderly

Dear Mom, 

The Argentines take care of their grandparents and great-grandparents very well. I have been surprised by how many people have their elderly parents living in their home so that they can take care of them. There is a strong sense of responsibility to take care of those that raised you. In Zarate, we taught the family Leviosa; their house had great-grandpa, grandpa, mom and dad, and kids all living together and sharing the responsibility to care for one another. I commented to Elder Pereyra that retirement homes are common in the states and he was shocked. 

We have been running to the chapel and playing soccer with all of the office elders for the past few weeks so exercise is back in my life. I do miss the outdoors: swimming, hiking, green... but, there will be time for that later. 

Elder Wride is from Aberdeen Idaho (the Snyders might know him?) but has lived in Cleveland for the majority of his life. He is a big-time auditor. He worked for Standard Oil and Sherman Williams along with other companies that he started with his sons. He served a mission in Argentina when it was all one mission. Hermana Wride is from Buenos Aires. They met in Buenos Aires and got married after Elder Wride's mission. 

Our interactions with them are fun. They play a grandparent role in the offices. Hermana Wride helps me with all of the referrals in the mission. Elder Wride is the office manager so he supervises and tells us wisdom filled stories. 

Food: I strung the Life Cereal over 3 days, mostly because I ran out of milk on the first day. The granola bars made it two days. We didn't know they had peanuts in them but fortunately, Elder Crandall only got a little sick (he's allergic to peanuts). 

Garments: 10 out of 10. 

Andrew: not exactly sure what you can do. I had a good experience this week. I was feeling a little frustrated with my companions because being in a trio is not the easiest thing in the world. I thought, "hm, how can I communicate to them that they need to do such-and-such thing? Why don't they just see it?" I stewed over it for a while thinking that if they didn't do all of their part they I would stop and show them how much I was doing. And then realized, "you know what? God doesn't ask me make my companions do their best, He just askes me to do my best. That's all I can do and that's that best way that I can influence them." So, I stopped grumbling and put my shoulder to the wheel. 

The situation with Andrew is different because your him mom not his companion but you can only do you best. You desire to help him and I am certain that God will give you the guide and strength that you need. You have the scriptures and prayer You have dad. I would say that you are well armed for any battle. 

I love you, Mom! 

Your son,

Elder Smith