My walking support gave up the ghost

I always walk or hike in sandals.  My feet are most comfortable and healthier when I wear sandals to trek the countryside and beach.  Even mountain hikes are best unless it is in snow and then I HAVE to wear boots.   This week my trusty Skecher sandals that have taken me for many miles passed away when one of the straps broke.  I can still wear them but I felt I should have more secure foot wear to walk the bush, so I had to replace my friends with some new sandals.

We had 3 new community based cases of COVID this week in South Auckland in one household.  They were immediately placed in isolation.   At 11:59 on Sunday, 14 February, we went to Alert Level 3 in Auckland region and Alert Level 2 for the remainder of the country.

At Alert Level 3 we were essentially in lockdown with all businesses closed except for essential support such as grocery stores and pharmacies.  People were to work from home and schools were closed except for children of essential workers.  All were to stay within their bubble.  No gatherings of more than 10 people and that was only allowed for weddings and funerals.   Masks and physical distancing was enforced with numbers of people limited in stores, etc.  We could still exercise outdoors maintaining distance of 2 metres.  No sports allowed that could possibly end in accident or injury that would require the care of first responders.  We were to stay in our local areas with no travel to other regions of the country.

Every business, school, church, apartment complex, and in fact every building (not private homes) has a sign on the door or entrance.  

All are encouraged to use the COVID tracing app on phones to register their movements so that the spread of infection can more easily be traced and managed.   If one doesn’t have the tracer app on their phone, they can sign in on a register to record their visit.  

Another 2 cases, friends of one of the first 3 cases, were also in isolation.  With no new cases, we moved to Alert Level 2 at 11:59 on Wednesday, 17 February.   With Alert Level 2, businesses could re-open as long as they were able to provide spacing and distances.  Group gatherings were expanded to 100.  With that restriction though, Church was canceled for Sunday.

So because movement has been restricted, I was not out and about as much this week.  I did have two occasions to accompany missionaries to urgent care for problems that couldn’t wait.  We have had a stomach virus causing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea going through the mission this week too so I have still been busy offering advice via phone for treatment and some TLC/moral support.

Because of Alert Level 3, we had to postpone transfers for 2 days.  We had 6 missionaries conclude their missions and we received 4 new missionaries.  We had an orientation at the mission office for the 4 new missionaries.

Monday and Tuesday it was windy and it rained all day, both days.  It always makes for wet walks but with the temperate climate, it is really quite fun to “play” in the rain.  Going before or at sunrise makes it easy to not have to worry about physical distancing as we met few people on early mornings this week.

The “Master Gardner” did some heavy duty thinning of the kelp in the ocean during the 2 stormy days.  Tuesday morning, the north end of the beach was covered in seaweed.

Wednesday morning, the kelp/seaweed was still probably 6-8 inches deep.  We don’t like to walk through the seaweed as the sandflies like to breed there.  They give nasty little, itchy bites on your feet and legs.   We had to take a circuitous route to get past the weeds.

Wednesday morning was gorgeous!

Saturday morning with the Alert Level down to 2, there were swimmers and rowers.

Saturday evening, Sister Lucas and I decided to go get ice cream.  We went to Movenpick which is close to the beach.  So to compensate (partially) for the caloric treat and because we don’t walk on Sundays, we decided to walk the beach for the second time that day and at sunset.  We had to be more careful about physical distancing as the beach was crowded!  We doubled out steps!!

Very much enjoying the summer fruits and vegetables.  Fall will soon be here so many of the “goodies” will go by the way.

I saw this interesting critter on a tree.  With some research I found that it is a large brown cicada nymph.

This is the picture I found online with my search.

From Wikipedia:  “After mating, the female lays her eggs on plant tissues using a sword-like ovipositor. Depending on the species, these may be laid in distinctive herringbone cuts on branches and twigs, or in grass stems where their presence is revealed by tufts of plant fibres.

Nymphs

Wingless cream-coloured nymphs emerge from the eggs, armed with two claw-like forelegs and four smaller legs. They drop to the ground, where they seek out cracks and crevices and burrow into the soil using their powerful, digging forelegs. Cicada nymphs may dig down as deep as one metre, but generally range down to 40 centimetres.”

The article is really interesting.  If you would like to read it, you may do so here.

Again from the article:    “As the nymphs grow they shed their skins, usually going through five stages (known as instars). As the cicada nymph reaches maturity it burrows upwards, until it is near the surface. When the conditions are suitable, it emerges from the ground under the cover of darkness. Having climbed up a support such as a tree trunk, the nymph then enters its final moult.

Casting off

In its final moult, the cicada changes from a drab, ground-dwelling nymph to an often colourful, energetic, winged adult. The exoskeleton is entirely shed, including the linings of the breathing tubes, which can often be seen poking out from the cast skin. In areas dense with cicadas, dozens of skins can be seen on tree trunks.”

In this picture I took on Saturday, if you zoom in on the cicada, it looks like maybe you can see the exoskeleton breaking apart and you can see the adult emerging.

Sunday morning since Church was canceled, Sister Lucas and Elder and Sister Mayberry came to my flat to hold our “bubble” meeting.  Elder Mayberry administered the sacrament and then we had a discussion about the importance of missionary work.  Elder Mayberry is the area doctor for the Pacific area missions but he and Sister Mayberry are also assigned to support a ward in a neighboring stake.  They work with the young missionaries, when invited to accompany them, to teach investigators.  Elder Mayberry speaks Spanish so they have been helping with some Spanish speaking investigators.  They shared inspirational experiences they have had these past few weeks.

I have been blessed to have this type of experience as well.  I have friends in NYC and China who have blessed my life as I have come to know them through the missionaries.

My parents were wonderful examples to me of member missionaries.  My father never missed an opportunity to share the Gospel.  

In studying the scriptures and the Come Follow Me lesson this week, I read this quote from a talk given in April 2003 General Conference by Elder M. Russell Ballard titled:  The Essential Role of Member Missionary Work.

“Don’t ever forget, brothers and sisters, that you and I have in our possession the very points of doctrine that will bring people to the Lord. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ has within it the power to bring deep and abiding happiness to the human soul—something that will be valued and cherished for the rest of time and for all eternity. We are not just trying to get people to join our Church; we are sharing with them the fullness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. But as powerful as our message is, it cannot be imposed or forced upon people. It can only be shared—heart to heart, soul to soul, spirit to spirit—by being good neighbors and by caring and showing love.”

I love the last sentence: “It can only be shared—heart to heart, soul to soul, spirit to spirit—by being good neighbors and by caring and showing love.”

Everything we do in life is best done by caring and showing love whether it is within our home, church or community.

I love my Savior.  I love you my family and friends.

Happy Valentine Day!

Sister Lucas brought me the roses you see here.

A friend sent her a dozen roses.  She was so kind to share half of them with me.  What a thoughtful gesture!

This has been a quiet but busy week.  I have had several doctor’s appointments with missionaries and a dental appointment.  I arranged for and attended a COVID test for a departing missionary.  (I had to attend to pay for the test using the mission credit card since the insurance doesn’t pay for that.)

 I organized Hepatitis A vaccinations for 2 missionaries who have been assigned to missions outside of New Zealand.  They are serving here while waiting to travel but need to be ready to go if borders open, so best to get these things done ahead of time.  I had health council meeting on Thursday.   I scheduled doctor appointments and appointments for physiotherapy and some lab work.  It doesn’t sound like much but phone/hold time, drive time, wait time all add up to make the week “fly” by.

Rush hour traffic.  Slow moving, almost stand still, so I dared to take a picture. It was strictly a point and shoot but you can see the heavy traffic in my rear view mirror as well as to the front.  Did get a pic of the Sky Tower though.

As always, the beach walk is the bright beginning to every day.

Tuesday morning it was high tide and sprinkling.  I decided I might as well not dodge the waves since I was getting wet anyway.  

Wednesday morning.

As we walked home, the sun rose higher over this house causing it to appear that the house was on fire.

Friday morning

Wednesday and Saturday morning boaters and swimmers

I have a Fitbit that counts my steps.  I have worn it for about 5-6 years.  Not positive exactly when I got it.  I get a weekly report as to the number of steps I take.   This was the report I received last Tuesday.

Friday I received an email with this badge.  I can’t believe that I have walked that far even if it did take me 5-6 years.  My goal is to repeat this in the next 5-6 years.

Friday evening I joined the other senior missionaries at the Pacific Area Office for a farewell dinner celebrating a couple leaving to fill another assignment.  It is fun to be with the group.  

LuAnn and Steve Peterson

Dinner was followed by a game called bunko or bunco.  I have seen it spelled both ways.   Although I had never played it before, it was a fun learning experience.  However, I have decided that I am not aggressive enough to keep the game moving along speedily and I slow down my playing partner.  

Game Winners

I had occasion to visit with a friend this week about some of the things they were feeling and about struggles they were having.  We talked about how our attitude can set the stage for our lives.  We can’t always control the things that happen to us.  

In the conversation, a quote that I like and share often with missionaries came to mind.  I believe I have shared it in a previous blog as well, but it is worth repeating:

ATTITUDE

by: Charles Swindoll

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.

From an article in January 2016 Ensign Magazine titled We Believe in Being Positive: “As we put our trust in God’s plan for us and choose to live with a positive attitude, our ability to deal with life’s challenges will be strengthened. Our worries and fears will affect us less, and we will experience the joy He wants for us.”

Another quote I like on this same theme:

“So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment. … We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude.”   President Thomas S. Monson, “Living the Abundant Life,” Ensign, Jan. 2012, 4.

I hope that you will have a happy, peaceful, safe, healthy and positive week ahead.

I love my Savior.  I love you my family and friends.

Happy Waitangi Day!

Waitangi Day (Māori: Te Rā o Waitangi), the national day of New Zealand, marks the anniversary of the initial signing – on 6 February 1840 – of the Treaty of Waitangi, which is regarded as the founding document of the nation.    I have visited and toured the Waitangi Treaty grounds in Paihia several times.  I have posted pictures and videos of this in previous blogs.

Today our closing hymn in Sacrament Meeting was the national anthem of New Zealand.  It was a touching experience.  It always brings me to tears when I stand and sing The Star Spangled Banner, the national anthem of the United States of America.  Today I was moved to tears as I participated in singing God Defend New Zealand.  We first sang one verse in Maori and then other verses in English.

I found this beautiful video.  I hope you will appreciate the freedom and beauty of your homeland, where ever you are, as you watch this rendition of God Defend New Zealand.

I enjoyed another road trip this week.  Tuesday I drove to Whangarei, about 2 ¼ hours north of Auckland.  I transported a missionary to Northland and went a day early for the Northland Zone Conference which was on Wednesday.

I enjoyed dinner with some sisters serving in Whangarei on Tuesday evening.

Sisters Moutere, Escabarte, and Staite

My smoked salmon salad

I missed my beach walk Wednesday morning but I still arose before the sun to walk the Hatea Loop Walkway – Huarahi o te Wha I -- in Town Basin which follows the Hatea River.  I didn’t have time to walk the entire loop but I did get my steps.

I did my presentation in zone conference on healthy eating and then took a missionary to the dentist in the afternoon before returning to Auckland.

The week was full with calls, texts, appointments, etc but I still managed to play Azul one evening with Sister Lucas.  Elder and Sister Mayberry introduced us to this game during COVID lock down.  Sister Lucas and I still find occasions to play.  It is a fun game.  I am going to purchase it to play with my family when I get home.

I usually score between 80 – 110 points.  It truly is rare that I score over 100 but one of the games we played that evening was exceptional.  Sister Lucas insisted she take my picture because it was so unusual to score that high!    165 points!!   I think Sister Lucas was more excited than I as I usually am the low scorer.  I am not a strategist and even though strategy is not required, it can be helpful.  Luck of the tiles one gets is more important, I did something right in that one game.

Sister Lucas used the calculator to score my points as the board only goes to 100.

The beach has been great this week as the tide has been low and the clouds ever changing.

Saturday the beach, sun and clouds were too beautiful all around to show in one or two pics.

Had to share these clouds

This week as I have read/studied the Book of Mormon, I have come to the end of the book by reading Moroni.  It always makes me cry when I think of Moroni living alone for the many years before his death. He witnessed such atrocities and yet was faithful.  

Moroni 1:

1 Now I, Moroni, after having made an end of abridging the account of the people of Jared, I had supposed not to have written more, but I have not as yet perished; and I make not myself known to the Lamanites lest they should destroy me.

2 For behold, their wars are exceedingly fierce among themselves; and because of their hatred they put to death every Nephite that will not deny the Christ.

3 And I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ; wherefore, I wander whithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life.

4 Wherefore, I write a few more things, contrary to that which I had supposed; for I had supposed not to have written any more; but I write a few more things, that perhaps they may be of worth unto my brethren, the Lamanites, in some future day, according to the will of the Lord.

What great things of worth have I learned by reading the last words of Moroni.  In those last few, short chapters, he has taught me about the sacrament.   How the Spirit of Christ can help me know the difference between good and evil.  I have learned about faith, repentance, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and charity.  He wrote about spiritual gifts, eternal life and enduring to the end.   

Moroni 10:

32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

I can in nowise deny the power of God.  I testify that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.

I love my Savior.  I love you my family and friends.