Yes, where did the week go? It went by so fast and was filled with so many things that it seems like the events of this week occured two weeks ago. The week started with a flopped batch of brownies. When taking them out of the oven, Sister Tiefenbach banged the pan on the back of a dining chair. Did you know that when you hit a pan of freshly removed from the oven brownies, the brownies all slide to one side and then they fall? Well, we know now. It doesn't really matter because the missionaries will eat anything. Actually, they still tasted very good.
What is happening here? Elder Tiefenbach, why do you have a blanket draped over you? Why are you in a hospital gown? And, why are you in a wheel chair? This is Elder Tiefenbach on his way to pre-op tests. Why is he going for pre-op test, you ask? Elder Tiefenbach developed a hernia and needed an operation. This is Elder Tiefenbach the day before the operation.
Elder Tiefenbach went to the Fortis Hospital in Bangalore to see a doctor about his hernia. We called the hospital on Saturday morning at 10:00 for an appointment with a surgeon (notice it was a surgeon, not a GP). We had an appointment for 11:30 that morning, only because we couldn't get there any earlier. We saw the doctor and had surgery booked for Tuesday (only because Elder Tiefenbach had things to do on Monday). Although this doctor sees patients at the Fortis Hospital, he does all his operations at the Beams Hospital. It is a laproscopic center. It looked like a hotel when we walked in. The lobby has leather couches for people to sit on while they wait. We were greeted by someone dressed in business attire and ushered to the desk for registration. They took good care of Elder Tiefenbach.
Elder Tiefenbach had his surgery early in the morning on Tuesday. He had to stay in the hospital Tuesday night because he was still woozy from the anesthesia. Here is Elder Tiefenbach ready to go home Wednesday morning. He was fielding phone calls regarding office responsibilities even before he left the hospital. On the way to the office (directly from the hospital), Elder Tiefenbach told Sister Tiefenbach that she could have slept in the other bed in his room while he was in the hospital. Oh well! Sister Tiefenbach needed to be close to the office because she went in to get some work done each morning. 
By Wednesday for lunch, we took Elder and Sister Loewer (front left) to Laajaawab, an Indian buffet restaurant across the street from the office. The food was pretty good, especially the butter paneer and the naan. The food is more typical of northern India rather than the food found in the south.
Elder and Sister Loewer are from Calgary and arrived in India for their mission at 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday. We were going to go meet them at the airport, but because Elder Tiefenbach had his operation, we asked the Smith's to do that for us. They were so willing to help. The Loewers stayed at the Smith's Wednesday night. They will be serving in Chennai (and Coimbatore). We are not sure how all that is going to work. We will wait for President Berrett to figure all that out. Wednesday night, we had the Allison's stay with us. They flew into Bangalore Wednesday evening from Rajahmundry.
On Thursday, we had many missionaries drop by the office. We always love to see the missionaries. We are getting to know more and more of the missionaries names and are getting to know them. We especially love to see Elder Solomon. He is such a nice guy. That sounds so simplistic, but that is exactly what he is - a nice guy. Elder Solomon is with two elders who are completing their missions: Elder Christensen (left) and Elder Srigiri.
They drop by to pick up supplies, to order things, and sometimes to meet the assistants to go out for lunch. 
Elder Aeshamalla (seated) fixed the laminator. Sister Tiefenbach was so glad he dropped by. Now, she can use the laminator again. Also in the picture are Elder Randall (left) and Elder Worton.
Thursday evening, we had the farewell dinner for the five elders. They are (left to right): Elder Nakkapalli, Elder Lara, Elder Srigiri, Elder Barker, and Elder Christensen. You need to remember that this is all taking place during the last week that President and Sister Funk were in India. We never cease to be amazed at how much they can get done, and that makes us get a lot done in that same time period. Sister Tiefenbach made a couple of salads and Sister Smith prepared the fuit. We ordered some salads from a restaurant, and the Zobell's (oh yes, they flew into Bangalore Thursday morning), the Smith's and the Assistants helped prepare the spagetti and sauce and helped get everything set up. The dinner was delayed because President Funk and we did not leave the office until about 6:00 that evening. (We spent many late evenings at the office this past week.) 
This was the last farewell dinner for President and Sister Funk. Elder Ram (left) and Elder Raja (right) did a good job of preparing the agenda. This was the first Farewell Fireside that Elder Raja conducted. We are impressed with how hard Elder Ram and Elder Raja worked this week as they helped the President throughout the week. Whatever the President asked, they quickly and cheerfully did it. They just finished a two week tour with President Funk, and all this week, they worked from early morning to late at night. They are obedient, hard-working missionaries. We have great discussions with them in the office. It will be a sad day when Elder Ram is transferred.
On Friday afternoon, we had a short couples' meeting with President and Sister Funk. At this meeting, President Funk announced his new assignment as a general authority. He will be the second counselor in the Asia Area Presidency. We were not surprised at this. We are happy because we will get to see him several times before we finish our mission. Right after the couples' meeting, we attended a short farewell that the Service Center staff put on for President and Sister Funk. We had chocolate cake, apple pie, and ice cream. We particularly liked the honey roasted crunch ice cream. All the ice cream was Baskin Robins ice cream.
Friday evening found all the couples at The Only Place. We always enjoy the steak at this restaurant. The Smith's were planning to join us, but they received two phone calls about making visits to some members' homes. We would have liked them to be with us, but their visits were far more important than socializing with all the couples. Elder Loewer was bound and determined to do something weird during the picture. He succeeded.
We attended a missionary fireside on Saturday evening. (First, we worked most of the day at the office.) It was about "Where Your Treasure Is." They showed a video about John Tanner (church history) and then organized a scripture treasure hunt. We all had a spiritual and fun time. Thank you elders for all your work.
The fireside was planned and organized by Elder Solomon and Elder Aeshamalla. Sorry, we didn't get a picture of Elder Aeshamalla at the fireside.
On Sunday, we attended Church (of course) where both of us taught Sunday School lessons. After church, we went to the office to help President Funk with a few last details. We threw in a few visits by Elder Tiefebach to members' homes and then went back to our apartment for supper (dinner). Sister Loewer had the meal prepared for us when we arrived at about 5:15. We ate quickly and then went back to the church to attend a farewell for President and Sister Funk at the Indiranagar building. The farewell was open to all the branches in Bangalore. A few hours after the farewell, President and Sister Funk were on their way to the airport where they were going to meet President and Sister Watson, who will be looking after the mission until President and Sister Berrett arrive on May 9th. President and Sister Funk will be flying to the States at about 3:00 a.m. (This picture was taken at the Service Center farewell.)
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