Monday November 4th
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| Leaving the MTC - Before the sun is up!!!! |
- Early morning - got up, packed last minute things, said our goodbyes and boarded a bus for the hour long drive from Provo to the Salt Lake City Airport.
- At Airport was checking in luggage and her large bag was overweight by 4 lbs. Attendant suggested she remove 4 lbs of things and put them in her carry-on bag. The only things she could easily remove was a t-shirt and pair of pants, hardly 4 lbs, but she repacked those in her carry on then hefted the large suitcase back on the scale - 50 lbs. even!!! Tender mercy and savings of $75!!!
- Group (30 missionaries flying together all the way to Argentina). Allison cannot get her phone card to work while attempting to call me. Nice man (we called him an angel) offered Allison his phone to use to call home. Nice light chat - Sara and Johnny came out of class to talk with her too!
- I got home at 4:30 expecting call number 2 from Allison around 5pm. 5pm, no call. 5:30pm, no call. 6pm, no call. Began to fear that a second call wouldn't happen for some unknown reason. 6:20 my phone rings and I hear Allison "Mom?!?!?" I answer that it was me and she began to cry. The group boards their plane in SLC and sit for an hour before it is announce there are engine problems and another plane will be required for the flight. By the time they get in the air, almost 2 hours of their layover was gone. They arrive in Atlanta and realize their connecting flight is on the opposite side of the airport. The group runs through the airport (8 sisters and 22 elders), pass the only BoJangles in the airport without stopping for seasoned fries, and get to their gate with just under an hour before take off. Allison looks for a pay phone to call home - there are none in that concourse. A nice woman (we called her an angel too) walked up and offered Allison the use of her phone - thus the tears were tears of joy and gratitude. This call was much shorter so the other missionaries could use the phone to call their families. At 7:40pm, Allison's flight left for Buenos Aires Argentina.
Tuesday November 5th
- Flight arrived in Buenos Aires at 6:55am. All but six of the group continued on to their missions via connecting flights, trains or bus rides. Most of the group went to Mendoza and the rest to Rosario (I think).
- That afternoon, I received this note via email:
Dear Family,
We are thrilled to report that your daughter, Sister Scarlett, has finally arrived safely in her mission this morning here in Buenos Aires. She was picked up at the airport, and after a brief tour of Buenos Aires was brought to the mission home for a luncheon, followed by an interview with the President. You should expect to hear from your missionary on her next P-day which will be Monday, November 11th. Thank you for your prayers and support.
President and Sister Ayre
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| Hermana Scarlett with President and Sister Ayre The morning she arrived in Buenos Aires |
- Unexpectedly, Allison sent out a short email to a few family members. She shared:
I´m in Argentina! It didn't hit me until I got my trainer and left the mission house. It´s so different here. My area is called Congresso and it´s all in the city. I´ve been here a day and haven't even taught anyone yet. It´s not at all what I thought it would be like. Everything looks old, people drive like maniacs, our apartment isn't what I thought it would be like. Where am I? Thank goodness my trainer speaks english. I am struggling but I know I can do this. Heavenly Father doesn't give us anything we can´t handle without his help. I just need to get to work and trust in my Heavenly Father and I know I can do this. Please encourage everyone to send mail - its the best. I LOVE YOU!
Hermana Allison Scarlett
So the rest of the week, we've been praying for her quick acclimation to her new home for 18 months. It was heartening to hear, after her culture shock statements, that she knows
I love this! I'm glad she made it safely and we will keep her in our prayers! Kambree and Rylee miss Marty!! ;)
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