Last Day in Arequipa

Monday 

Last Day in Arequipa

3/16/2020

Monday morning, the mission couples had a breakfast at 8:00 am.  We had some interesting things.  I made chocolate chip cookies I wanted to get the ingredients used up.  Picaronies, potato casserole, empinadas, chicha morada.  It was good.  It was nice because it was kind of a going away event.  We are loved here and they appreciate us being here.  It's sad to go home, but we thought going was the best thing to do right now.  With no temple work to be doing, we are having a hard time trying to keep ourselves busy.

Pictures of the Saturday morning breakfast

   

Breakfast

Brother and Sister Doxey cooking picaronies

Picronies didn't last as soon as they were cooked, they got eaten.

President and Sister Garnica

Brother and Sister Garcia

Brother and Sister Doxey

Sister Antelo

I cleaned the apartment, washed all the clothes, washed the sheets, and threw away some stuff.  We packed everything up and relaxed as we waited for 4:00 to go to the airport.

I like the Peruvian decor in bedroom

The stainless steel sink --- 

I've tried hard to keep it from getting scratched.

Wayne and I walked around the temple grounds 

It was cool and windy

There were women out in the field,  harvesting something.  The people in Peru are stocking up on stuff too, because of the Covid stuff.  Whatever they are harvesting will soon be consumed.  

The View

As we walked, the weather was starting to look like it might rain.

The pretty temple

We brought our bag downstairs getting ready to go.

The waiting area by the distribution center. 

I love these pictures of Christ with the children.

President and Sister Antelo with Wayne

President and Sister Antelo

Our Apartment

Wayne walking down the hall

Saying Goodbye!!

Guard - Doxey - Redwood - Antelo

Brother and Sister Marino are a couple that have been very good to us missionaries.  They are always help and doing things with and for us.  Their son drove us to the airport.  We left at 4:00 pm.  It was cloudy and looked like it might rain, but we were finally on our way to the airport.

As we drove up to enter the airport, the fog started rolling in.  By the time we got out of the car, it was foggy.  We decided to wait and we thought the fog would just go by quickly,  The Marino kid helped us get into the airport, he left us, we were on our own.  We waited in the check in line, and before we got to the front of the line, maybe 10 minutes, they had stopped taking luggage because of the fog.  We waited with everyone else for several hours and they cancelled the two flights before ours and then they finally cancelled our flight.  WOW!  That means we wouldn't make out of Peru!!!

 Peru would be closed, not just for the night, but for 2 weeks because of the Corona Virus.  We needed to be on our plane leaving Lima by 121:59 pm and it wasn't going to happen. 

 

In the airport

The airport

Waiting

The fog as we got to the airport

We were so disappointed.  We did not want this to happen.  We needed to be on our way to Utah.  Now we were on our way back to the temple and to our apartment.   Not what we wanted to have happen.  We decided it would be better to be stuck 2 weeks in our apartment that in Lima in a hotel or staying with Oscar. We were together and that was what was important. 

Wayne got two taxis to take us back to the temple.  I was in one and Wayne was in the other with all our luggage.  When we pulled in the temple parking lot, It was a relief to be back on the Temple grounds.  Pres. Antelo came out to meet us,  We got our luggage back up the stairs and as we opened the door to go down the hall, Wayne saw the missionaries scurrying like cock roaches in and out of our apartment putting back all the stuff they'd taken thinking we were gone.  We left toilet paper, scales, hangers, 3m hooks, dish soap, Tide laundry soap, Bounce sheets, little cups, and who knows what else. 

We had a problem.  We had no food!  I had given it all away and because of the Corona issues, we couldn't go to a store, get a taxi to take us to get food or to a restaurant to eat.  We were in our apartment without food.  While cleaning out the cupboards and fridge, I threw away a couple of bananas and a package of Ramen Noodles and I knew we could eat them, so Wayne got our garbage bag out of the dumpster.  We found the Ramens and bananas. We also ate the Ritz crackers and huancaina sauce I packed to take home.   We were able to eat.  We also got the salt, butter which was in a covered plastic container, some chocolate chip cookies, huancaina sauce, tomato sauce, two slices of cheese, mustard, vanilla, baking powder, a few zip lock bags, some elastics out of our garbage bag and some soap.  I felt bad when I threw all of that away, but now I'm really glad we were able to get it back.  We dumpster dived our own garbage.   We also had two Milky Ways, and some Big Hunks and Milk Duds we'd packed to take back home with us.

After we'd eaten, Sister Doxey brought us back some of the food we gave her.  Flour, sugar, our containers to store the flour and sugar in, bread, hamburger, two Ramen Noodles,  bread, 3 eggs, vegetables, Jell-O instant pudding, gravy mixes, spaghetti sauce mixes, yeast, cinnamon, nutmeg, and peanut butter.  We would be okay until we could MAYBE go to the store. 

It was a long day, with a lot of emotions.

Wayne got on the compute looking for flights again and was able to get us a flight out on the 31st of March.  We'll keep our fingers crossed and hope that happens. It was nice to get in our bed with clean sheets.  We really do have a beautiful apartment and we feel safe here. 

Until Tomorrow! 

Sunday 3/15/2020

3/15/2020

Sunday

We had church with the missionaries, the Marino's and Patti brought her family.  It was different but good.  Patti's boys passed the sacrament, Wayne gave a talk, and President Antelo talked.  We sang and it was nice.  

President and Sister Antelo

Patti and her family with Brother and Sister Garcia

Nolan and Alda Doxey

Temple Closure

March 14, 2020

Saturday

Temple Closure Announcement

March 14, 2020

The Corona virus has disturbed the lives of so many people around the world. It has caused hoarding of supplies, sickness and even death to many people.  

Yesterday we got an announcement from our Prophet concerning adjustments to all temples world wide.  The message is copied below.  With only live ordinances being done in the temple by appointment only, there won't be much of a need for us and our help here in Arequipa.  There are 4 other couple missionaries, we are the only American couple.  The others are Peruvian and part Peruvian.  We can see we will have a lot of free time.   Wayne and I have chosen to go home to do a few projects and spend the time with our family until the temple opens back up, then we will come back to Arequipa to finish our mission.

It is sad for us because this last week has been our best week.  We are finally feeling like we are needed.  It has been hard for us to be here for a few weeks then off for two weeks while the temple was closed for cleaning.  We serve in the temple for about 5 hours each day.  The morning shift start starts at 8:00, with two sessions, one at 9:00 and one at 10:00.  We are finished by about 12:30.   The afternoon shift starts at 4:00, with a session at 5:00 and one at 6:00.  By about 8:30 we are finished.    We either serve on the morning shift or the afternoon shift.  It leaves a lot of free time for us.  We have never had so much time with nothing to do.  Now with the temple being closed, we decided we will spent the time at home.  When the temple opens back up, we will come back to continue our service and do what we can to help.  

It's kind of sad because they really do need our help and we are just getting to know the workers.  They have discovered what we know about helping in the temple and have been so happy when they realize we are great help.  

  

Wayne bought our plane tickets last night.  We fly out Monday 3/16/2020 in the afternoon and will arrive in SLC Thursday 3/17/202 at about noon Tuesday.  Happy Birthday Tami!   

We will serve in the temple today,  then we will have two days to get packed up, clean the apartment, and we will be headed home. 

* * * * *

  I need to add this little moment and sweet tender mercy.

Today we served on the morning shift at the temple.  This afternoon, Wayne decided we should go back to see if there was anything we could do to help on the afternoon shift.  Wayne went to see where he could help and I went to the women's dressing room to see where I could help.   I was so happy to see Sister Gomez in initiatory, she was the coordinator.  I exclaimed, "Hermana Gomez!!"  I gave her a big hug, we cried about Hermano Gomez passing away.  I talked the best I could with her, then I went to find Wayne so he could see her too.  It was such a sweet moment and a little tender mercy.  We didn't talk much, but it was so good to see her.  Wayne ended up officiating  one of the sessions. He said the people had to sit every other seat because of the virus.  It is just weird and seems so crazy and kind of sad too, because there were a lot of people there wanting to do a session and only half as many could.  I helped in the laundry and baptistry.   It is interesting to me that by chance we saw Sister Gomez.  We haven't done two shifts in one day at the temple the whole time we've been here, but tonight Wayne was inspired and followed the inspiration to go over to help, making it possible for us to see Sister Gomez.  We knew she lived in Arequipa and thought we might see her while we were here.  This afternoon was the last chance we had to see her and Heavenly Father helped it happen.  I'm so thankful for little moments like this that help us to know that Heavenly Father is aware of us!  So glad Wayne followed the prompting to go back over to the temple tonight to help.

Just a note about Brother and Sister Gomez, they served with us in the Trujillo temple.  Their apartment was across the hall from us.  We'd hear their blender going early in the morning and their Peruvian TV and music.  It was always fun to see them leave to go the the Mercado to get groceries.  Such funny but humble members of the Church.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Rapidly changing health conditions around the world have been a source of growing concern. Many governments have placed restrictions that have required the temporary closure of a number of temples. As we have prayerfully sought to balance these limitations with the need to carry on temple work, we have decided to make the following temporary adjustments, which are effective March 16, 2020 for all temples around the world.

Where government or other restrictions on public and/or religious gatherings would, in effect, preclude temple activity, proxy and living ordinances will temporarily be suspended. Where government or other restrictions do not preclude all temple activity, the following temple ordinances for living persons will be accommodated as capacity permits by appointment only: husband-and-wife and child-to-parents sealing ordinances and living initiatory and endowment ordinances. On a temporary basis, proxy temple ordinances will not be performed. All patron housing will be closed.

Church members will be provided with instructions when they schedule their appointments for living ordinances. Individuals with currently scheduled appointments will be contacted by temple staff.

Steps will be taken in all temples to minimize the risk of spreading disease, including reducing temple staff, limiting guests at living ordinances, and following guidelines for interacting with patrons.

Additional information will be provided to temple presidencies, and further adjustments will be made as necessary.

We look forward with great anticipation to the time when temples can again operate at full capacity and extend the blessings of temple work to members and their ancestors.

Sincerely,

The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Corona Virus

Corona Virus

3/12/2020

Now that our blog posts are caught up, I guess I should blog about the Corona Virus.

They cancelled school in all of Peru for two weeks.  We're wondering if it will get worse.  

Last night our temple president held a meeting with all of the temple missionaries.  He is concerned about the Corona Virus.  He read us a letter from the church that basically said we should follow the directions of the authorities of the government.  He told us we should stock up on food and make sure we could survive if we couldn't go to the store.  The temple presidency was going to meet this morning to make some decisions.  

after our meeting with the temple President, Wayne immediately said if the temple closes, we will go home.  He doesn't want to stay with nothing to do,   We went back to our apartment and Wayne looked up flights to Utah.  We'll see. 

As for now, we're just having fun with all that we hear, we are a little concerned though but almost excited to be going home.  We will see!

At 3:30 we'll be going over to the temple.  

* * * * *

Last Night the Utah Jazz were getting ready to play their NBA game with the Oklahoma Thunder.  The teams were on the floor ready to go and no one could figure out why they were delaying the game.  Come to find out, they canceled the game and sent the fans home.  Rudy Gobert has the virus and they stopped it all.  We found out this morning that Donavan Mitchell has the virus too.  WOW!

The NBA cancelled the rest of the season for all games!

The NCAA is limiting attendance of all games to essential staff and family due to concerns over corona virus.

NCAA said they will still have the March Madness.  They teams will play without and spectators.

Can you imagine a basketball game without anyone making noise in the stands.

People have been concerned about the big cargo planes landing at the Ogden airport and wonder what is going on.  We heard the planes are full of Toilet Paper. 😂😂

Wayne said if we get sent home, we should but a couple of big suitcases to take home some TP.

They're sending couple missionaries home from Europe.  We don't know if we should hope that happened to us.  Oh wait!! I haven't got any souvenirs. 

Brady says get a Bidet! 

Cory should be saying that.  

What about tuna fish, people should be buying tuna fish.

People are storing water, will the virus affect the water?

Ramen Noodles are sold out!  We have a few packages in our cupboard.  

v

Shelf milk at Gossners.  If you get more than 25 you can get a discount.  

Shelf milk is the norm here in Peru.

Oh MY!!

I really think we'll all be OK!

Grandkids! Arequipa Temple Grounds

Grand kids

3/11/2020

Grand kids are so fun and we have missed hugging them, seeing them, being with them, and playing with them, but we haven't stopped loving them.  

This morning I put the second set of pictures of our grand kids on our laundry closet doors.  

I love seeing them all the time.  

Arequipa Temple Grounds

This morning we didn't really have anyplace to go and we didn't have anything to do, so we decided to go outside.  We walking around the temple grounds.  I took these pictures along the way.

Our Friends The Fenns

James and Whitney came out of the temple while we were outside and invited us to go to the grocery store with them.  We were really happy to have someplace to go, so we got in their car and rode with them to their house so they could change their clothes.  

While they changed, I took these pictures of the cute garden and patio they have in their back yard.  Such a peaceful place.

I had to include this picture we took the first night we were in Arequipa walking around the temp-le grounds at dusk.  I love this picture of the volcano Misti.  I also thought the tree with the trumpet flowers was cool too. 

Temple Opened - Zig Zag

Abierto

Back to Work at the Temple

Zig Zag

3/10/2020

The temple opened this morning, after being closed two weeks for cleaning.  Wayne and I are working on the morning shift so we had to be there and ready for our meeting at 8:00 am. 

Wayne was able to wear his new suit we had made for him while we were in Trujillo.  

It looked really nice on him.   

Wayne was able to officiate the first session at 9:00 am.  There was a group of missionaries so that was fun.   From 9:00 - 10:00,  I was assigned to be in initiatory.  I ended up staying there until 12:20. They found out that I was able to do this ordinance and they were happy to have me be there.  I was happy to be needed.  It made me feel good.

After we got back from the temple, we had some lunch and I worked on some blog posts.  Wayne did some Unicad work.  It was kind of a relaxed afternoon.  We were trying to figure out something to do when Wayne got a text message from James and Whitney Fenn.  They wondered if we wanted to go get some dinner with them.  Hooray!!! Hooray!!!  They saved us!  Yes we wanted to go with them!!!  

James and Whitney have been so good to us and have been really good friends, even though we could be their parents.  We had such a good time talking and visiting with them.  They're just good kids. 

We went to Zig Zags.  It was a yummy place to eat and we really enjoyed it!    

  

Thanks James and Whitney!!