Immersed in Spanish

Again, two weeks have passed without an entry.  It is not that we have nothing to write home about.  We are busy.  Two weeks ago, Elder Hill arrived back, bringing with him the scripts for the two pageants that are to be presented here next month.  Since his arrival, I have been busy, trying to familiarize myself with the scripts and preparing myself to read the Spanish script simultaneous to the English spoken on stage.  I will be reading the translation into a microphone that will convey the Spanish to those that choose to wear headsets, throughout the audience each night that either pageant is performed.  There are several challenges involved.  The “English” cast speak rapidly to start with.  In general, it takes more words and more syllables per word to say the same thing in Spanish, plus the fact that I am always needing to learn new vocabulary.  Hopefully, the Hispanic community that come will appreciate our efforts.  Until they arrive, I spend a lot of time practicing the parts that I will be required to read.

The busier we become, the faster time seems to pass us by.  It seems like yesterday was April and tomorrow is July.  We enjoy our time here and hate to see the end come so soon.  Yesterday, we took occasion to see “Anna Amanda” again.  We don’t go see the sites as often any more as we used to when we first arrived, but when we do, we come to meet new missionaries that keep rotating in and out of Nauvoo.  I think we have seen Anna Amanda three times in the last year and each time it is with an entirely different cast.  I suppose we go now, more to support the cast members that to be entertained.  But it is still fun and delightful.

The temple is starting to have some busier days now and then.  But then, sandwiched between busy days, we will have very slow days.  I don’t know if it reflects the day of the week or the weather or other activities that are happening around the nation, but right now the attendance really varies from day to day.  So … we ride the waves and do what we need to, to meet the demand.  One day, last week, I had opportunity to work with two sisters, one right after the other, the first in Portuguese and the second in Italian.  Since then, all I have seen is English.  I just need to be prepared.

The Lotus plants are starting to spread themselves again across parts of the river.  At the moment, it just looks like a bit of “clutter”, but soon, the green carpet will spread across the shallows and then the flowers will start opening up.  That, indeed, is a sight well worth seeing.