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.