Our Final Week in Ecuador......and More!

On Monday, January 18th, we had our final interview with President Winters.  It was a sweet experience!  During the interview, President Winters asked us to share three things we learned that strengthened our testimonies. My simple response to that invitation was: 1) this is the Lord's work, 2) the Lord loves his missionaries, and 3) the Lord blesses missionaries and their families.

1 - If serving as a senior mission during a country-wide transportation strike, weight loss, hair loss, three mission presidents, a global pandemic, emergency evacuation of 150+ missionaries, having COVID, and moving to a new office, has taught me anything, it has been that gathering Israel, uniting others to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and sealing families for the eternities is God's work and it shall continue to roll forth.  As the Prophet Joseph Smith declared....

“The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”

2 - God knows and LOVES his missionaries.  It is a privilege to see how God blesses his faithful and obedient servants.  He truly labors beside them in this great work.  In His own words the Savior said: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your [heart], and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” (DC 84:88)  

3 - Without a doubt, missionary service brings blessings to the missionary and to their family.  We experienced  blessings when our four sons served their missions and our family experienced great blessings as we have served.  When President Winters was set apart by Elder Renlund, he was told that there would be "collateral"  blessings to his family from the service that he and Sister Winters would render.  We have experienced "collateral" blessings.

Many years ago, I was told by a mother who was preparing her 4th child to serve a mission, that when missionaries begin the process of submitting their mission application, the adversary works very hard to derail their efforts.  That is true, but I also know that when missionaries begin the process of serving a mission, the Lord is present and blessings are undeniable and abundant.  We are grateful for the blessings that we've enjoyed and the blessings that have come to each of our children and their families!

Our final week was busy.  On Monday, President & Sister Winters hosted a dinner at the mission home for departing missionaries.  Tuesday was transfer day and the mission office was full of activity as missionaries came and went.  Tuesday afternoon was orientation for new missionaries. Wednesday through Friday, I spent reviewing my responsibilities with Elder Puche who took my place, conducting English exams,  and finalizing the mission history.  Friday, for a final office farewell, we went out to lunch with the office missionaries and President & Sister Winters.

Missionaries coming and going on transfer day.  It looks and feels chaotic, 

but by the end of the day everyone has found their new companion and they are off to their assigned areas.

On Saturday, the Guerrero Family picked us up at 8 AM for a final Ecuadorean excursion.  We spent the day with them visiting Lagunas de Mojanda, Lago de San Pablo, and  Cayambe.  It was wonderful!  We love the Guerrero Family and they have been so good to us since we first arrived in Ecuador.  

Our first stop on the way to Lagunas de Mojanda.  A view of Cayambe valley.

The white-roofed buildings you see in the valley are greenhouses where roses and other flowers are grown.

Our next stop was Lagunas de Mojanda, three lakes (Karikucha (the largest), Yanakucha, and Warmikucha), that sit high in the alpine grasslands of Cerro Fuya Fuya, an inactive volcano south of Otavalo.  It looks very similar to Quilotoa, but you don't have to hike in and out of the crater. You can drive up the mountain and then down to the lake.  However, once you leave the main road the drive is a rough and steep!  

A view of  Karikucha at Lagunas de Mojanda - elevation is about 13,000 ft.

Elder Lewis at Lagunas de Mojanda.

These sod walls appeared to be constructed as bank for fish hatchery pool.  

Trout is the fish of the day in the laguna.

We assumed that this landscape is a dried fish hatchery pool.

The Guerrero Family - Sylvia, Victor, David, and Erika.

Checking my balance and preparing for our flight back to the USA!

After enjoying the sites at Lagunas de Mojanda, we went to Lago de San Pablo for a delicious lunch at a restaurant that cantilevered over the lake.  

A view of Lago de San Pablo from our table.

The water is very cold, but there was a lot of activity on the lake - kayaking, jet skies, 

water trampoline, ferries, and a pirate ship. 

Pirates in life jackets??

Before leaving the area, we had to stop in Cayambe for some Ecuadorean bizcochos.  In Ecuador, bizcochos are a rectangular-shaped, buttery, flaky biscuit.  They are usually eaten with a stick of cheese.  The Guerreros encouraged us to eat them with a caramel dip and a yogurt drink.  We tried the caramel dip and they were delicious!  

Ecuadorean bizcochos.  Deliciosos!!

It was a wonderful day and we arrived back in Quito around 6 PM.   We spent the evening packing and preparing for our departure.  Sunday we attended Church.  After Church, the Guerreros met us at the office with a departure gift, some of their packaged Ecuadorean 100% cocoa blocks and 2 cups with  "Ecuador - ama la vida" printed on the front.  Meaning "love life!"  We will continue to "love life" when we are settled in Northern Wyoming drinking a hot cup of Ecuadorean cocoa and waiting for Spring to come.

Ecuadorean chocolate from our Ecuadorean friends -- sweet memories!

We then spent a few hours in the mission office reviewing our responsibilities with the office missionaries and answering questions.  We watched the mission devotional at 4 PM, shared our final farewell wave, spent the evening talking to family, and finalized our packing.  We left for the Quito airport at 12 midnight.  

Waiting for our 3 AM flight to Houston early Monday morning, January 25th, in the Quito airport.

The 5-hour flight to Houston was not full.  Elder Lewis and I both had 3 seats to ourselves and the flight connections were on time.  When we went through customs in Houston, the woman directing us at the baggage x-ray machine, whom I didn't know, but who must have been acquainted with missionaries from our faith or was a member of the Church, said to me, "Welcome home Sister Lewis."  My missionary name tag reads, "Hermana Lewis."  It may sound silly, but her words of welcome felt like an approbation from our Heavenly Father, a loving embrace of His approval as we concluded our missionary service in Ecuador!

We had a 2-hour layover in Houston before flying on to Salt Lake City.  We landed 45 minutes early at the beautiful new SLC airport and walked to the baggage claim!  The walk was so long, that when we arrived at the baggage claim the bags from our flight were coming out.  Max walked over to get 2 luggage carts and as our  6 pieces of luggage, 4 that were 70 lbs., appeared;  I turned around and there was our son Patrick with two of his children, Kenneth and Lucy.  It took me a moment to process that he was there to welcome us home!  It was a SWEET surprise!!  

We retrieved our bags, loaded them on the luggage carts, and started walking toward the rental car when we saw our daughter-in-law, Erica, with Katie and Evie.  Apparently, our 45 minute early arrival foiled the welcome committees' plans, but we didn't know or care.  It was wonderful to see and hug family!  

After getting our rental car, a lime green KIA Sol, Patrick helped us load our luggage and then we waited for Ethan who was also on his way to meet us.  Since we were going to stop at two Honda dealerships between the airport and Whitney's house, we decided to meet him at the first dealership.  It was also a sweet reunion!

Since we had not driven a car for 18 months, we thought this lime green KIA would 

be easy to see on the freeway, big enough to hold all of our luggage, and recognizable in a parking lot.

We spent the next few hours with Ethan, shopping for a car, and eating our first real meal in the States......a late lunch at Slap Fish.  After that, Ethan return to Orem and we went to Whitney's where we were welcomed by her sweet family.

WELCOME HOME greeting at Whitney's!

Monday evening we had a Zoom release meeting with President Coburn of the Akron Stake.  It was wonderful to visit with him and share some of our mission thoughts and feelings.  At the close of the meeting, we removed our missionary tags.  Our "name tag" service has officially ended.  We are adjusting to the next phase of life and we will continue to be serviceable.  

Removing our missionary tags on January 25th.  We are confident that we will be wearing missionary tags again.

We spent one night with Whitney and then moved into a small Airbnb in Orem, UT.  It has been a busy 10+ days.  We finally met in person, the lovely Veronica Aragon, our future daughter-in-law!  

Veronica & Ethan formal wedding photos.  

We also purchased a car, bought some new clothes, visited with extended family, met President & Sister Barlow for lunch (former mission president), attended Veronica's bridal shower, welcomed our children flying in for the wedding, went skiing, enjoyed time with children and grandchildren, finalized our apartment arrangements in Cowley, WY, and a host of other things.

Picking up our new Honda 2021 CRV on Wednesday, January 27th from 

the Ken Garff Dealership in Orem, UT.

A photo of Max at the Salt Lake Temple while visiting Elder & Sister Burkinshaw (my sister and her husband) 

who are serving a mission on Temple Square. This is their 3rd mission and they are amazing senior missionaries!

Lunch with President & Sister Barlow, former President of the Ecuador Quito Mission, on Friday, January 29th at Cafe Molise in Salt Lake City.  They are an exceptional couple and we are grateful for our association with them.

Veronica in her tissue designed bridal gown at her bridal shower on Friday evening, January 29th.  

A beautiful day of skiing with Jenna, Avery, and Capri on Monday, February 1st at Brighton.

It has been surreal and REAL!  We are grateful for the blessings of missionary service and we are excited about the future.  As President Russell M. Nelson said in October 2020 General Conference, "Embrace the future with faith," reminding us that life without God is a life filled with fear.  Life with God is a life filled with peace.  We will embrace the future with faith!

Thanks to all for your love, support, and prayers as we have served our mission.  May God's choicest blessings be yours always and forever.  

Sincerely,

The Lewis'

 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to All!  As I have been preparing the Mission History for 2020, I've been amazed at the significant changes that we and the mission have experienced because of the global pandemic.  In many ways, life seemed simpler 12 months ago.  And yet, now older and maybe a little wiser, we are ready and eager for 2021.

Our daughter Staci, shared this 3:21 minute review of 2020 on Instagram.  Consider it a child's perspective of our pandemic year.  It's delightful to watch, and we hope that it brings to your mind and heart some of your 2020 blessings. 

https://youtu.be/oIF-gBK22Rc

So many analogies can be drawn from this clip - changing seasons, holidays, birthdays, births, running in circles, and family time.  But did you notice Emma's face plant at the end of the video followed by Jane getting up on all fours?  I believe that most of us have experienced a "face plant" or two during 2020.  But, like little Jane, we pulled ourselves up, rocked back and forth, and worked to move forward. We hope this New Year finds you taking some time to see life through the delight and innocence of a child's perspective.  And, we pray that your year is filled with deserved blessings and happiness!

Last week, we welcomed 8 new missionaries - 5 Elders and 3 Sisters.  Since October, missionaries have been arriving in the mission three weeks early to do their remote training.  The early arrivals put more responsibility on the mission as we make temporary arrangements for housing, finances, phones, study rooms, etc., but it has been working out well for the missionaries and provides them with an environment that is more conducive to their preparation.

New missionaries arrived on December 29th.  L-R: Elder Guerrero, Elder Quimi, Elder Espinosa, President Winters, 

Hermana Aspiazu, Hermana Castro, Hermana Solorzano, Elder Luzardo, Elder Mejia.

New missionaries are eager to learn and ready to serve!

In mid-December, Ecuador curfews were reinstated for the holiday season, requiring everyone to be in by 10 PM.  We spent New Year's Eve in the office and then had a quiet and early-to-bed evening in our apartment.   On New Year's Day, we went to the office for a few hours so that I could work on the mission history.  That evening, we had the 3 sisters living in the upstairs apartment and the 3 sisters in training come for dinner.  It was great fun to have them.  The sisters in training had to leave early for a devotional, but the other three sisters were able to stay and play games.  We had a fun evening teaching them how to play 7's and a revised version of Mormon Bridge with Rook cards.  

New Year's Day 2021 with the sister missionaries. Clockwise from 6 o'clock: Sister Solorzano, Sister Aspiazu, 

Sister Yagual, Sister Arredondo, Sister Martinez, Sister Castro. Sister Arredondo was originally called to

the Ecuador Quito Mission. But, because of COVID, she was reassigned to her home country of Bolivia.  

She served there for one year and will complete the last 6 months of her mission serving here.

Enjoying a casual dinner on New Year's Day with the sister missionaries.

Sister missionaries living in the upstairs apartment.  L-R:  Hermana Arredondo (new), myself, 

Hermana Yagual, Hermana Martinez.

We love these wonderful sister missionaries!  Sister Martinez has worked hard to learn English and

I've had the opportunity to test her on each module.

Hemana Yagual is also a dedicated missionary.  She and I have experienced a lot of phone time

 together as she worked faithfully to pass off English modules.

Sunday we invited our friends the Guerrero Family over for dinner.  We have many Ecuadorian memories with the Guerrero's who befriended us shortly after we arrived.  Dinner gave us the opportunity to express our appreciation to them for  their friendship, our trip to their farm, making chocolate together, and other experiences.  

Their oldest daughter Erika was planning to attend BYU-Idaho last May, but COVID prevented her from traveling to the States.  She has been taking classes online at BYU-Idaho.  If all goes well, she will be in the States and on campus in May.  We feel pretty certain that our paths will cross again in the US.

This last Sunday, our weekly missionary devotional included testimonies from the missionaries who will be departing in January.  There are ten of us that will be leaving. Elder Lewis and I prepared and shared our testimonies in Spanish.  It was a sweet experience for us to share our feelings about the Savior, his gospel, and his missionaries in the Ecuador Quito Mission.

This week my replacement arrived in the office - Elder Puche.  I will train him for the next two weeks to take over my responsibilities.  Elder Lewis has been training Elder Rodriguez for the past two weeks and will continue to do so.  We plan for all to be in order when we leave on January 26th. 

We feel like things are starting to fall in place for our return. We have been blessed abundantly, and we are extremely grateful that we were able to stay in Quito and complete our 18-month assignment.  We're look forward to reuniting with family and friends in the near future.  Until then......

Love and Blessings to All!

Elder & Sister Lewis

A Missionary Christmas!

 What does a missionary Christmas look like?   Let me share a few highlight from our Christmas season.  After our Galapagos trip, I started feeling a little down ..... and trunky.  ("Trunky" is an expression used by missionaries to suggest that a missionary is ready to return home.) Well, I'm not sure I was ready to return to the States in the middle of winter, BUT I was ready to be with family for the holidays.

I was also wanting to do some service, but with COVID restrictions and language limitations, I was finding it a little difficult to do so.  However, being patient and staying the course made all the difference in our holiday season.

To begin with, I once again finished reading the Book of Mormon in English, and also finished reading it for the first time in Spanish.  I love the Book of Mormon.  As mentioned in a previous blog, for me it is a gift that keeps on giving.  The desire of the Book of Mormon writers was to persuade the reader to come unto Christ and be perfected in Him. Though far from perfect, I do know that reading and studying the Book of Mormon brings me closer to my Savior, Jesus Christ.  

On December 10th, we had our mission zone conference.  Each of the nine December zone conferences were held at President & Sister Winters home.  They invited the missionaries to participate in their family traditions by decorating sugar cookies, reading the Christmas story and singing Christmas carols, engaging in a white elephant gift exchange, reflecting on what Christlike attribute we can strive to develop in the New Year, and eating a delicious dinner.  It was a great zone conference and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Decorating sugar cookies.

My white elephant gift.  A pair of novelty socks that Elder Ordonez took from me.

Elder Lewis takes his gift from Elder Rodriguez.

I ended up with the Ecuadorean scarf!

Zone Leaders - Elder Yamberla and Elder Gomez were delighted with their white elephant/watermelon gift!

La Colon Zone.

Photos with the Assistants and office Elders. L-R: Elder Rodriguez, Elder Duran, Elder Bolanos, Elder Chaparro, Elder Valencia, Elder Ordonez, Elder Lewis, Sister Lewis.

For our traditional Christmas gift to friends and neighbors, Elder Lewis suggested we share a hard-back copy of the Book of Mormon, a pass along card, a small packaged treat, and our testimony (in Spanish) to those vendors and/or businesses near our apartment complex who have consistently served us for the past 17 months.  It was a wonderful idea!  

Our Christmas gift to friends in Ecuador.

We shared 9 Books of Mormon and our testimony.  All were well-received!  Our list included:  the two security guards at our apartment complex; the woman at the corner fruit/vegetable store; my hairdresser; the owner of the lavanderia (laundry/dry cleaners); the owners of La Casona, a restaurant where we used to eat lunch when we were in the old office building; the two owners of Le Bon Restaurant, the place where we now eat lunch; and a street guard that we pass each morning on our way to the office.  

Our testimony was simple .... "thank you for your service to us.  We'd like to share with you the Book of Mormon, a companion to the Holy Bible.  Both books testify of Jesus Christ.  We know that you can feel the love and Spirit of God when you read it."  Sharing the Book of Mormon and our testimonies was definitely a Christmas highlight.

Christmas Eve we shared the hospitality of President & Sister Winters and three of their six children - Rachael, Sarah, and Joseph.  The Winters are an accomplished musical family.  After dinner, we read and sang through a Christmas script that had been written by Sister Winters' father.  Elder Lewis and I felt like we were participating with a quintet from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  It was amazing!

On Christmas Day, we loved hearing from our children and grandchildren about their Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Micah and Julie announced that Baby #4 is on its way and due on April 24, 2021.  That will be Grandchild #30 for us!  Fifteen grandsons and fifteen granddaughters.  We are thrilled!

Christmas Day we had the four office missionaries and two Assistants over for dinner and games.  The missionaries taught us how to play Unstable Unicorns, and we taught them how to play 7's and Mormon Bridge with Rook cards.  It was great fun!

Playing Unstable Unicorns and Mormon Bridge on Christmas Day 2020 with the office Elders and Assistants.

Final thoughts:  I know there are times when I feel like I'm not doing enough, and that I could do more.  Holidays can often enhance those feelings. While I was studying on Christmas morning, I came across this short video.  It reminded me that Christlike service received and Christlike service extended are happening everyday, often in small and simple ways that we don't even recognize.  We hope and pray that this video reminds you of all the good you do .... EVERYDAY!

https://youtu.be/mJmAV0gTp_Q

Blessings to all and best wishes for a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Elder & Sister Lewis

Season's Greetings & Galapagos Islands

 

From our hearts to yours.....

We send our love to all as 2020 draws to a close!

This year has brought unprecedented challenges and blessings.  We are grateful for both and we feel a deep sense of appreciation for the sweet and sustaining knowledge that God is good!  Despite all that has happened during 2020, we pause to confirm that God knows and loves each of His children.  He seeks to bless us as we come unto Him - individually and collectively.  It is our hope that you will feel of His love and share that love with those around you.  

Elder Lewis and I are approaching the final days of our missionary assignment.  Our official release date is January 19, 2021.  We will be returning to the states shortly after that.  Our first stop will be in Utah to witness the temple marriage of our son, Ethan.  Following the wedding, we will be going to northern Wyoming, where we were born and raised, to visit our mothers and see if we'd like to settle there.  If Wyoming is not our final destination, we will consider other locations.  It's a BIG world out there with endless possibilities.  

 

To prepare for our departure, we are training missionaries to assume our office responsibilities.  We also took a few days to visit Galapagos Islands.  It was a wonderful adventure and we enjoyed our experience.

Waiting in Quito to board our flight to Guayaquil, then on to Galapagos.

Arrived on Baltra Island.  Intense biosecurity in Galapagos.  

K9 Security sniffing for drugs at the baggage claim in Galapagos.

Once we arrived in Galapagos and retrieved our luggage, we were met by our tour guide - Nacho. No kidding, that's his name and it's easy to remember when you're hungry.  We ferried from Baltra Island to Santa Cruz Island where we met Cedro, our driver.  With Nacho as our personal guide we spent the afternoon exploring a tortoise farm, lava tunnels, and the Charles Darwin Research station.

Ferry from Baltra Island, where the airport is, to Santa Cruz Island.

A view from the ferry.

First stop was El Chato, the Giant Tortoise Reserve on Santa Cruz Island.

Lots and lots of tortoises!

Hiking lava tunnels at El Chato Reserve.

Trying out a tortoise shell.  

What's at the Charles Darwin Research Station?  Lots of vegetation, turtles, lizards, iguanas, and birds.

The vegetation on Santa Cruz Island varies from desert to rain forest and is beautiful.

Our island accommodations were very nice.  Boutique hotel - La Isla.

Day 2 began with a morning hike to Tortuga Bay and time on the beautiful beach.

The side-wall of the walking trail to the Tortuga Bay Beach was constructed out

of volcanic rock and cement.  

This cactus was very old.  Young cactus' have a green spiny base.  As the cactus ages, the

spines fall off leaving a beautiful flakey and distressed wood-like trunk.  

I think this is the cleanest beach I have ever seen.  The sand was extremely fine and the waves brought little 

or no debris.  When we arrived, no one there except for.......a few iguanas and a pelican

After lunch we met another tour guide - Eddy, who took us to the Canal de Los Tintoreras and the Playa de los Perros.  

Can you see the sea lion lounging on the rock?

Islanders call these birds - Blue-footed Boobies.  Their striking blue webbed feet look artificial.  

I kept thinking Crocs for Ducks!

The contrast of red-orange crabs against the gray volcanic rock were amazing.

Again, the color contrast of the aqua blue Canal water against the stone and

vegetation background was breathtaking.  You could not enter this water.

It was interesting to see how iguanas adapt to their environment.  Camouflage at its best.

Salt flats on the way to Canal de Los Tintoreras and the Playa de los Perros.  

Swimming was allowed in this Canal.  I dipped my feet in, but decided it was too cold;

not to mention the sharks we'd seen in nearby waters.

Honestly, the color schemes on Galapagos are a designer's dream!

Wednesday evening we explored the small community of Santa Cruz.  COVID has reduced the number of tourists by 75%.  Consequently, many of the small shops and restaurants were closed, but there was still plenty to see.

Ending our day with dinner and an evening walk along the harbor.

We were originally scheduled to travel to Isabela Island on Thursday, but our tour was cancelled on short notice because of policy changes.  To help generate business, an overnight stay was required on Isabela Island, and ferries were only running once a day.  We had already paid for our room on Santa Cruz, so our options were limited.  However, that didn't stop us from finding others things to do.  We walked through the town and found The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint chapel, took a ferry around Santa Cruz to Finch Bay, enjoyed some beach time, had dinner, soaked in the hotel's hot-tub, and closed the day with a double-scoop waffle cone.  Actually, 3 double scoop ice cream cones..... 1.5/person.

Checking out the top floor of the hotel.  Yes, the Wifi works up there too.

The Church of Jesus Christ chapel in Santa Cruz.

Making a new friend?  Actually, I woke this snoozing sea lion up from his nap.  I think he was waving me away.

Sorry sir, I missed the "Do Not Disturb" sign.

Swimming at Finch Bay as the tide rises.

A beautiful view of the harbor on our way back from Finch Bay.

Lobster for dinner.  It wasn't as good as it looks....disappointing!

Enjoying the view of the bay and relaxing in the hot tub.

With few tourists on the Islands, night life was quiet.  Perfect for two senior missionaries!

We had an amazing week and we appreciated the opportunity to see more of this beautiful world.  

God is good! We give thanks this Christmas season for the priceless gift of His son, Jesus Christ.  

He is the Gift!

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2014-12-1460-he-is-the-gift?lang=eng

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that 

whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  

John 3:16

Love and blessings to all!

Elder & Sister Lewis