You are so chute! Man I miss My Gavin

Home Sweet Home!!

Gavin is in an area called Solano. He shares this pension with 3 other elders. To quote Gavin, he says "his area consists of dogs, horses and trash" but he loves it! His trainer pranked him pretty good. They visited a family where they thought the wife was being beat up by her husband. The guy came running out with a gun and slurring Spanish at Gavin and his comp. Gavin thought he was a "gonner" the first day of his mission. When the wife went running after her husband trying to take away the gun, the couple started laughing and said "Bienvenidos to Argentina" Turns out that they were members. The guy had a gun because he works for the police. They invited them for dinner and had a great laugh. The guy, Hermano Mesa, then gave Gavin a cover for his scriptures. He says that the members are awesome! Gavin has already taught a lesson pretty much by himself about the Holy Ghost and faith. He said he found two perfect scriptures that answered a lady's questions in the Spanish Book of Mormon and Bible. He is already feeling the hand of the Lord in the work. He has also already had experiences that proves that the Lord is watching over His missionaries! Not bad for a first week in the mission!

Gavin at the Buenos Aires Temple Nov 11, 2008

Que Te Vaya Muy Bien Elder Rice

Ok, a mother loses all pride when it comes to her kids! I definitely felt that Gavin needed a proper freeway send off from the MTC so I was pretty disappointed after waiting for an hour (in the rain...this pic doesn't do it justice because the sun was out) enduring glares and honks from all the other motorists on the busy freeway that day, and not being able to see his bus! I had my camera in hand, my foot uncomfortably placed on the horn and began honking at anything that even resembled an MTC bus! I think I gave all the rest home transport people quite a thrill. Anyway, it was a bit embarrassing to find out that the office people nearby were getting quite a chuckle out of me, thinking that Gavin's poster was that of "Obama". No, I wasn't protesting...just being a tearful, very proud mom saying good bye to her son for two years! How disappointing to go through all the effort, soaking wet and muddy only to find out that his bus was very late. The bus was apparently too small for all of the missionaries so when they got a bigger bus, the driver didn't have the proper license to drive it. Gavin barely made it to the airport in time to give us a quick call. While waiting though, I couldn't help but think of all the missionaries throughout the world, cute little soldiers trying to do their part in fighting for truth and righteousness! There is no place better for Gavin to be right now! And yes...I am proud and thankful that he was willing and ready to go!

Arrived Safe and Sound in Argentina!

Gavin made it safely to Argentina. His first companion and trainer in the field is Elder Fafai. He is from SLC. This picture is from President and Sister Asay. Gavin will be in their good hands for the next two years! Buenos Suerte Elder Rice!

Uncle Gavin meets Laynie!

The MTC Mission President calls Gavin into his office... Gavin is terrified and quite nervous, because WHO gets called into the President's office... probably someone in trouble right?! Well, the Pres. said to Gavin, "Well, What did you do Elder Rice?", Gav's like, "I dunno"... Then the Pres. goes on to say that he had talked to another Elder Rice who also served in Argentina... still didn't click with Gav (yes, I am not alone!)... Huge Pause.... and about 5 seconds later, the lightbulb turns on- "Oh! My Brother?!"... Then he proceeded to ask Gav if it was ok if Cam and Naomi were to bring Laynie over so Gavin can see his first niece! Here are some pictures from that visit. Gav got to feed her and also witnessed a blowout! Ha!

Cute brothers!

Argentina or Bus-- oh Bust!

So, my mom is probably the cutest mom in the world. When Cameron was leaving the MTC for Argentina, my mom was by the exit by our house with a big sign waiting for Cam to see her! When the bus came and she could see Cam in the window, she couldn't resist- she had to follow it!
Well, I thought that would happen all over again with Gavin. My cute mom was in the rain with flags and Gavin's cardboard cut-out (no not protesting against Obama, which some people thought) and unfortunately the bus got delayed and my mom thought she had already missed him and went home for his airport phone call. Gavin left for Argentina November 10th! He had a layover in Ft. Worth, TX and I was thinking I would go see him at the airport, but he didn't have much of a layover.
I wonder if I will be the same way when Troy leaves. I don't like thinking about it, but I had to share this picture of my cute mom's rainy adventure!