Easy vs. Difficult

This week, 41 native Ecuadorean missionaries who were serving in Mexico missions were released from quarantine and welcomed into the Ecuador Quito Mission.  Receiving 41 missionaries at once is a pretty BIG event.  This time, the welcome was hosted in a large conference room at the Hilton Hotel where the missionaries had been quarantined.  It went very smoothly.  As seen in the photo below, the conference room was set up to accommodate social distancing. 

Honoring social distancing for the introduction meeting.  Missionaries moved a little closer together for a group photo.

The missionaries arrived with their masks on, left their luggage in the large gathering space outside of the conference room, came in, and took a seat.  President & Sister Barlow and the Assistants conducted the meeting from the front of the room.  Elder Lewis and I were invited to make our brief introductions and we did so in Spanish. 

Following his introduction, President Barlow gave some brief instructions and then, one at a time, announced new companionships and their area of assignment.  The new companionships came to the exit where they received a smartphone, keys to their apartment, and a welcome packet by the office secretaries.  After exiting the conference room, they picked up their luggage, and were directed to one of the 4 buses that were waiting outside to take them to their sector.  Logistically, it was exceptional!

With quarantine restrictions partially lifted, President Barlow's was planning for the missionaries to begin teaching again in public locations between the hours of 2 - 6 PM.  However, shortly before he made that announcement, the Area Presidency texted him and said, "Absolutely NOT!  Missionaries are in quarantine until further notice."  So, 41 new missionaries went from hotel quarantine to apartment quarantine.  We continue to fast and pray that they will soon return to their labors. In the meantime, we are impressed with their optimism and obedience.

Wednesday we had a severe thunder and hail storm.  When you live at an elevation of 9600 feet, a severe thunder storm sounds and feels life-threatening, and heavy hail makes you appreciate quarantine conditions.

Hail collected on the tin roof below our apartment window.

On Thursday, we had a Zoom verification meeting with the new missionaries that had arrived 3 weeks ago.  Elder Lewis and I had the opportunity to do our office presentation in Spanish and it went well.  Elder Lewis did exceptionally well.  We are learning Spanish, and we're feeling more comfortable trying to use what we know.  We appreciate the patience and encouragement of the missionaries.

During the verification meeting, while President Barlow was talking about adjusting to mission life and a new companion, I felt impressed to make a list of the things that I found to be EASY and DIFFICULT as a missionary, and then to discuss it with Elder Lewis.  It was a timely impression because on Friday, June 5th we reached our 10-month mark in Quito.  Here’s the list I made:

EASY - it was easy to:

Love the people, culture, climate, and food.

Love the missionaries.

Love President & Sister Barlow.

Find new friends.

Love our little apartment.

Overlook the language differences.

Use technology for frequent family communications.

Use the same currency - US dollar.

Adjust to the time zone (same year round) and the year-round consistency of sunrise/sunset - 12 hours of light, 12 hours of dark.  

Let go of home, yard, and car maintenance.

DIFFICULT - it was difficult to:

Miss important family events - birth of Baby Jane, baptisms, temple experiences, etc.

Not be busy enough and occasionally feel a little useless (especially during quarantine).

Rediscover companion differences - extrovert vs. introvert. (Who's who?  Your guess!)

Experience language limitations.

Loose so much hair.

Have my phone stolen.

Be without my desktop computer, grand piano, and sewing machine - especially during quarantine.

I'm sure my list will have modifications as we continue our service.  But, at this point in time, we are extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve a mission, and for the incredible blessings that the gospel of Jesus Christ has brought into our lives over the past 10 months.  

Perhaps you have seen the recent photo of President Nelson preparing for "home church" and the sacrament by vacuuming their dining room on Saturday.  I'm pleased to share that Elder Lewis has been doing his part to maintain our apartment.  

Elder Lewis vacuuming his office area and removing any evidence
of chocolate bars eaten while studying.

For the first time in over 75 days we were able to take an Uber, go to the mall to buy some much needed ink for our printer, and shop at Megamaxi (equivalent of a Super Walmart).  It was liberating! I was also able to take a long walk in the late afternoon and enjoy the beautiful weather.  Wonderful days are upon us!

Quicentro Mall - temperature and a spray-down were required before entering.
Each store within the mall had its own requirements for entering. Some required
another temperature check and another spray-down, others didn't require anything but a face mask.

We send our love to all!

Elder & Sister Lewis

COVID Restrictions Roll Back - Test Results......NEGATIVE!

This week, COVID quarantine restrictions in Quito will begin to rolled back.  On Wednesday, June 3, businesses are supposed to open and curfew hours will be extended from the existing 2 PM - 5 AM hours to a 9 PM - 5 AM curfew.  After 79 days of quarantine, we consider that to be a very good sign and we're anxious for some degree of normalcy to return.

To the extent possible, missionary work continues to move forward.  This week the mission received smartphones for every companionship.  That is a welcomed blessing.  Missionaries now have better tools to contact and teach investigators, and share their testimonies.

We also welcomed another 8 missionaries - 4 new and 4 reassigned.  The mission continues to refine the welcome and orientation process.  As you can see from the photo below, parking spots become social distancing stations as we welcomed this group of missionaries.

Incoming missionaries on left, companions to be assigned on right.

Group Photo on Tuesday, May 26th minus the 1 new missionary who arrived a day later.

Elder Ramirez seeking some virus killing sunshine on the patio outside the mission office.

On Friday, the Ecuador Quito Mission was privileged to attend an online meeting with Elder Dale G. Renlund, an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife - Sister Renlund. 

Elder Renlund opened his remarks by explaining to the missionaries that he was going to follow the format of Paul's letters in the New Testament:
- Greeting
- Thanks and commendation
- Address questions & concerns
- Offer a message & testimony

The missionaries had been invited the week before to send their questions to President Barlow, who would forward them to Elder Renlund. 

Elder & Sister Renlund used a major portion of the time to address those questions.  It was impressive to see how they responded to question after question by guiding us back to the scriptures and the words of the living prophets for answers. 

Elder Renlund concluded his remarks with a powerful testimony of our Heavenly Father, and our Savior Jesus Christ. He testified that the restored gospel is true and invited us to read and study the THE RESTORATION OF THE FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST - A BICENTENNIAL PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD.  

Following his testimony, Elder Renlund left an apostolic blessing on the mission.  He said that if we follow mission rules and the direction of President & Sister Barlow, that we will be watched over and protected, and our health will be preserved.  He also said that as we focus on our mission purpose we will bless families and bring miracles into their lives.  

It was an incredible meeting.  We were being taught by an apostle of the Lord though an audio experience that felt like we were sitting in their front room having a one on one discussion.  

We send our love and blessings to all!  
Elder & Sister Lewis

Grandchild #29 Arrives & COVID Strikes the Mission!

We are pleased to announce that our 29th grandchild arrived this afternoon - Jane Lew Cooper.  Congratulations to our sweet daughter Staci and her husband Kraig.  Dad, Mom, and baby are doing well.  Little Jane weighs 8 lb. 9 oz. and is 20 inches long.  Jane is welcomed by her two sisters Mae (4) and Emma (2).  Mission blessings for us!

JANE LEW COOPER: Her Mom's summary - "Fresh from Heaven.  Two weeks late, but worth the wait!"

Today, we discovered that COVID has been in the Ecuador Quito Mission for several weeks.  On Thursday, we sent back 10 Peruvian missionaries.  When the missionaries arrive in their home country, they are quarantined for 2 weeks.  The Peruvian missionaries were also given the antibody test and 3 of them tested positive for COVID.  One of the missionaries was Elder Felix, the housing secretary, who we have been working with nearly everyday for the past 6 months!

Missionaries test positive for COVID-19 in the Ecuador Quito Mission! 
Precautions were taken and will continue to be taken to insure the  health and safety of all missionaries.

About a month ago, Elder Felix missed a few days at the office because he was sick.  I assumed that he'd either picked up a stomach bug from one of the other missionaries or had eaten some contaminated food. It never occurred to me that he might have COVID.  Once he returned to work, he seemed a little despondent.  I attributed it to his disappointment about leaving the mission before his release date in December.   Poor diagnosis on my part.  With current pandemic conditions, my mind should have been screaming ...... "COVID!"

This week, those missionaries who lived in the same apartments as the Peruvian Elders that tested positive, will be tested for the virus, along with the office missionaries (which includes us.)  I'm pretty sure that Elder Lewis and I have not had COVID.  However, knowing that we've been so closely exposed will keep us on red alert for symptoms.

Our mission continues to welcome new missionaries.  This week we had 4 Elders and 1 Sister arrive.  These missionaries are the first remotely trained missionaries to arrive in the mission.  Their arrival was notable for me, because when President Barlow asked Elder Lewis and I to introduce ourselves I stood up and started my introduction in Spanish.  It just came out!  I wasn't planning on it, I hadn't rehearsed it, and I was not expecting it.  After the first few sentences, when I realized I was speaking in Spanish, I quickly reverted to English.  Looking back, I think I could have said almost everything I did say in Spanish, IF I would have just continued with faith.  Don't misunderstand, I'm far from conversational in Spanish and I have absolutely no fluency, but I'm making progress.  YAHOO!

[L-R:] New missionaries arriving on May 19 - Elder Oviedo, Elder Torres, Elder Abad, and Hermana Tuapanta. 
All are native Ecuadorians, and the first remotely trained missionaries to enter the mission. 
Not pictured is Elder Yambela who arrived on May 21.

With 65 days of ongoing COVID  restrictions, we have noticed some enterprising individuals adapting to the circumstances as they work to provide for their families.  For the past 3 Wednesdays, this truck has pulled up and parked outside of our apartment complex to sell fruits and vegetables.  The truck doesn't arrive quietly and wait for costumers.  Rather, the entrepreneurs make their presence known with loud announcements and music.  This week was especially boisterous, interrupting both Elder Lewis' and my morning study and reverie. 

Love and blessings to all!
Elder & Sister Lewis

HELLO - goodbye - HELLO!

HELLO - goodbye - HELLO!  Those 3 words would best describe our week!  On Monday, we said "HELLO" to 8 new missionaries.  On Tuesday we said "goodbye" to 8 missionaries.  On Wednesday, we again said "HELLO" to 28 more missionaries.  We call it the "missionary shuffle."

The incoming missionaries are all Ecuadorians who have returned from various countries, have been quarantined for 2 weeks, have entered our mission - the Ecuador Quito Mission, have been assigned to new companions, have moved to a new apartment, and have returned to quarantine conditions until further notice! 

The outgoing missionaries are doing the same.  Returning to their home countries, staying in quarantine for 2 weeks, entering a local mission, getting a new companion, moving to a new apartment, and returning to quarantine conditions until further notice. 

Ecuador Quito Mission welcoming a new group of missionaries.  As I look at their face masks, I'm reminded of the Lord's words in Doctrine & Covenants 33.  Missionaries then and now are instructed to "open your mouths."  And to "..... be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom -- For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that I come quickly.  Even so.  Amen."  Our missionaries are ready to open their mouths and share the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is an honor to serve with them.

It may sound confusing to some, but it is amazing to see how orderly the "missionary shuffle" takes place. It's even more incredible to see how adaptable the missionaries are as they make the transition.  It requires an attitude of faith, patience, resilience, flexibility, and obedience to make the sacrifices and adjustments that they are call upon to make. 

It is much easier to say "HELLO" than it is to say "goodbye."  There is excitement in the air when a new group of missionaries arrive.  However, the atmosphere is somber when missionaries depart.  We've been through this shuffle a few times, but I can't say that it gets any easier.  Especially when missionaries leave earlier than expected.  The great blessing is that they do leave with honor, and we are confident that they will be a blessing to the new mission where they are assigned. 

 

Missionary Shuffle - new missionaries arrive with their luggage to meet existing missionaries.  After a brief orientation meeting in the parking lot with President & Sister Barlow, companionships are announced and missionaries prepare to depart for their assigned sectors.  (We work hard to keep groups small and maintain social distancing, but it is difficult!)

This man arrived during a missionary shuffle to disinfect luggage, vehicles, and the parking lot.
I'm not sure it made much difference, but the visual was impressive.

The mission was sad to send back one of the Assistants - Elder Ruiz (4th from left). 
He was a fearless missionary and will be missed, but he told us that his mother would be thrilled to see him.
L-R:  Sister Barlow, President Barlow,  Elder Orben/AP, Elder Ruis/AP, Elder Ramirez/secretary, Elder Fueres/AP, Elder Felix/housing secretary, Elder Chepe/housing secretary to replace Elder Felix. 

As of today, we have officially been in quarantine for 62 days.  Rumor has it that quarantine conditions will be lightened at the end of this month.  HOORAH!  We are looking forward to that.  It will give us more flexibility to get out and about, and more choices of places to shop.  Our weekly outing has been walking to Supermaxi on Saturdays to buy groceries.  Yesterday, when we arrived at Supermaxi, we were pleased to see that the social distancing line was much shorter, we didn't have to have our temperature checked before entering the store, we were asked if we wanted to get sprayed by disinfectant before entering, and the store was not crowded.  Wonderful days are ahead😊!

I know you've heard stories like, "I walked 5 miles to school in snow that was 3 feet deep."  Well..... our trips to Supermaxi are not that dramatic, but with quarantine conditions there are few taxis available, we walk 8 blocks from Supermaxi to our apartment complex carrying 50 lbs. of groceries between the two of us.  Yesterday, Elder Lewis made a record and single-handedly carried 35.2 lbs of groceries with only 1 stop to readjust his load and get some circulations back into his fingertips. 

Elder Lewis managing 35.2 lbs of groceries from Supermaxi.

As we look forward to those "wonderful days ahead," we pray that the Lord will continue to bless and keep you.

With love,
Elder & Sister Lewis

Happy Mother's Day! Wonderful Days are Ahead!

Happy Mother's Day to the wonderful mothers and women who have touched our lives.  From my sweet memories as a small child to my life today, I have been blessed with wonderful examples of motherhood and womanhood.

Here's a short and simple verse that I'd like to share:

Mothers - A Child’s View

Kary S. Lewis

May 2020

God sent me here to be on earth,

To learn of my eternal worth.

He knew I’d need a loving hand,

To help me navigate this earthly land.

Partners He called, whom He could trust;

Moms were created, just for us.

Daily they nurture, guide, and plead;

For all the world to truly see,

That Mothers are sent from heaven above,

To help us remember God's pure love.

A special shout out to our children and their wonderful families for the Mother's Day video.  What a treasure to see and feel of their love!

A few months after Elder Lewis and I were settled in our apartment, we found a small garden shop and purchased 2 starter plants that were about the size of my fist.  It's impressive to see how much they've grown in this Quito climate.  As I watched our family's Mother's Day video,  I couldn't help but notice how much our 28 grandchildren have grown and how they are thriving in their home climates.   Climates that are established and maintain by wonderful mothers!

This past week, we enjoyed a productive week in the office and here in our apartment.  We are prepping for new missionaries who will begin arriving on Monday.  We expect 8 missionaries on Monday from Honduras, followed by 28 missionaries on Wednesday from Guatamala.  All are Ecuadorian missionaries who have returned to the country and have completed their 2 week quarantine.  In two more weeks, we will welcome  40 more missionaries from Mexico.  It's exciting to think that normalcy may be returning!  As President Russell M. Nelson said in his latest message - "Wonderful days are ahead!"

When there are a few extra minutes during our work hours at the mission office, I enjoy going up to the 6th floor of the office building and playing the piano.  For the past few weeks, Chopin's Nocturne in E Flat major, Op. 9, No. 2  has captured my interest.  This is Chopin's best-known Nocturne, composed when he was around twenty years old.  It's beautiful to listen to and challenging to play.

Quarantine has definitely changed our eating habits.  We use to go out to lunch every day.  Now, I'm cooking and experimenting with new recipes.  Here's a Chocolate Cookie recipe that I will take credit for.  If you try it, let me know how it works for you.  Slightly different ingredients and a higher elevation can make a difference.

Chocolate Cookies w/White Chocolate Chips

CREAM TOGETHER:

3/4 cup butter softened

1/4 cup shortening

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2/3 cups cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

ADD & MIX:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

ADD:

2 cups white chocolate chips or a mix of white & chocolate chips

Roll into 1.5 inch balls and chill for 20 minutes.  Bake at 350 degrees F or 180 degrees C for 15 minutes.  Cool.  Serve.  Makes approx. 32 cookies.

Kary's Chocolate Cookies!

Friday evening has become our pizza and movie night.  I have been using a pizza crust recipe that I received from our son-in-law Kraig.  The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of olive oil on the pizza pan before spreading the dough out.  I misread the recipe last time, and I put the 1/2 cup of oil in the dough.  The dough was soft, but still made a great pizza.  This time I corrected my mistake and put the oil in the pan as directed.  When I baked the pizza, the oil was dripping over the sides of the pan, burning on the bottom of the oven, and sending billowing clouds of smoke throughout our apartment.  Of course the smoke alarm went off in our apartment before we could get the windows opened.  When the smoke began to clear I opened the door of the apartment to increase the air flow and set off the apartment complex's 3 floor smoke alarm.  It was crazy for a few minutes before we got everything under control, but the pizza was delicious!

Yesterday, we discovered that Supermaxi has added another layer of COVID security - a temperature test.  In the past, you would get sprayed down with disinfectant before entering the store.  Now, you first get your temperature taken, and if you past that test, you are sprayed down with disinfectant and allowed to enter the store.  

Elder Lewis getting his temperature taken to enter Supermaxi.

Here'a a colorful make-shift hazmat suit that was worn to enter Supermaxi.
I asked this man if I could take his photo for my blog and he was happy
to pull his goggles over his face and straighten his belt.

We send our love and blessings to everyone.  Have a wonderful week.  Stay safe and healthy.  Remember........wonderful days are ahead!

Elder & Sister Lewis

Celebrating 9 Months in Ecuador!

On Tuesday, cinco de mayo, Elder Lewis and I will celebrate the 9-month mark of missionary service in Quito, Ecuador.  What an incredible experience it has been for us to serve together as Senior Missionaries.  Elder Lewis does not like to be considered a "senior" missionary, but we are in fact....."Senior Missionaries."

How would you describe a "Senior Missionary?"  Old? Fragile w/health issues?  Experienced, but unable to adapt to current policies and practices? Technologically challenged?  Outdated skills and ideas?  Old school biases?  Forgetful?  Slow to learn?  (Especially a new language.)  Grumpy?

Well......we probably manifest a few, or a lot, of all those characteristics.  BUT, we are here, we are willing, and we are serving.  In Doctrine & Covenants 64:33-34 we read, "Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work.  And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.  Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days."  

This past week we have had some meaningful discussions about our lives, our marriage, and our family.  (Covid quarantine takes you to places you might not otherwise visit😉!)  In the course of those discussions we've concluded that in spite of our flaws, our children have turned out miraculously well.  We are grateful for their goodness, for our amazing children-in-law, and for our grandchildren.  Their goodness blesses us each day and allows us to serve without unnecessary worries and concerns.  Thanks to all of them!

Missionary work continues to be slow, but we have taken advantage of the time to read and study. I loved rereading all of the general conference talks, and this weekend I enjoyed watching and listening to BYU's Women's Conference at https://womensconference.byu.edu/digital-event.

Yesterday, I noticed that the Supermaxi grocery store and a local fruit shop had taped off or painted social distancing markers outside their stores to help customers maintain the recommended 6 feet distance.  Do you think "social distancing markers" will become a permanent result of Covid-19?

Squares or Circles?  

While standing in line at Supermaxi, we also enjoyed some sideline entertainment from a street juggler.  He was actually pretty good!  I would have thrown a few coins into his collection tin if I had had some cash with me.    

We were finally able to return the missionary luggage that was left behind by the missionaries who were evacuated in late March. It was not a difficult process to inventory the bags, remove prohibited items, weigh the bags,  prepare an address & phone number list, find a carrier, wait for the carrier to send the shipping tags, tag the bags, and schedule a pick-up time.  However, it did take about 2 weeks for all of that to happen.  We were glad to see the FedEx truck arrived on Wednesday morning to pick up the bags.  The luggage is on its way and will be delivered to 27 different US locations.  It will arrive on each missionary's doorstep by Monday or Tuesday of this week.  

When the missionaries were informed via email, that their bags were being returned, one sister missionary, who had only been in the mission for 6 weeks, expressed her appreciation this way.......

"You all are my heroes!! Thanks for all your efforts of getting this stuff back to us!! We are truly blessed because of your dedication. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!"

We know that some states have and are lifting quarantine restrictions.  We understand that Ecuador is going to start doing the same tomorrow - May 4th.  It will be a slow and gradual process, but we are hopeful that things will go well.  May we all stay healthy and strong in the process.

Blessings to all!

Elder & Sister Lewis

Are We Getting Lazy?

As I stare at my keyboard, I wonder what I can write that might be of interest to family and friends.  We have been quarantined for 5+ weeks and each day seems to get a little slower and a little longer with less and less to do at the mission office.

Truthfully, I worry that we're getting lazy.  We get up in the morning, exercise, shower, and get ready for the day.  Then we have individual study, companionship study and discussion, companionship language study, and breakfast.  After breakfast, we leave for the mission office. We work for as long as there is something to keep us busy and then we walk back to our apartment; sometimes stopping along the way at a small market to buy milk, eggs, or fresh fruit.   By 2 PM we are indoors and quarantined  for the rest of the day.

We do find things to keep us busy, but our options are limited.  Daily highlights include visiting with missionaries, communicating with family, reading, preparing healthy meals, watching a Hallmark movie in Spanish, checking the news, journaling, etc.

I keep thinking of all the things we could be doing IF...... quarantine was lifted, missionary work was happening, stores were opened, and traveling was allowed.  I know that the hours in our day from 2 - 10 PM would look a lot different.

You might be asking if we're sorry that we didn't return to the US with the rest of the North American missionaries.  Nope....not yet!  We're grateful for the opportunity to continue our missionary service. We love the Quito weather and the time we spend together.  And, we enjoy having someplace meaningful to go everyday, even if its only for a few hours.

We suspect that you are feeling much like us and that you're looking forward to the day when life will return to some degree of normalcy.  In the meantime, we send our love and blessings!  Take care and stay healthy.

Elder & Sister Lewis