Tsz Monastery

Tsz Shan Monastery - February 1, 2020
This is a step back to our final outing before our swift removal from Hong Kong

All are wearing masks – it was comical on February 1, now it is necessary

 Note the small orange bushes at the entrance to the monastery.  The New Year celebration was still taking place. Taking pictures was forbidden inside the monastery.

 The Guanyin bronze statue stands 76 meters tall.

 The view surrounding the monastery was spectacular and serene.

 It was a perfect day to enjoy this secluded attraction.

We enjoy every activity with this fabulous group of senior missionaries.

Apartment Quarantine

June 8, 2020

Welcome to our apartment, all 600 square feet, where we spent 14 consecutive days in quarantine.

 The day begins with cardio and aerobic workouts.

 The living room currently serves as Rick’s office.  Notice the files stacked on the window ledge.  Our “Susie Bake Oven” can also be seen.  There is not enough counter space for it in the kitchen.  Enjoy our splendid view of the freeway.

 Aha!  The kitchen – small but quite efficient.

 Our ‘under the counter’ washer/dryer does not perform either task well.

 The clothes drying rack is a marvelous contraption.  We expect no visitors and we can't leave so the entry way is the perfect drying location.

 Puzzles provide a much needed diversion by mid-afternoon.

 The master bedroom is compact.  The space between the wall and the foot of the bed is approximately 10 ½ inches. 

 The bathroom is quite a nice size with mirrors everywhere.

 We enjoy the luxury or a 2^nd bedroom.  I feel like it’s my personal cubby-hole office.  The clothing bar is perfect for partially dry shirts awaiting the iron.

 Rick breaks the monotony with guitar music.

 The 2^nd puzzle is completed a day before quarantine ends.

 Yea!!  We spend our first free Friday night on the harbor promenade taking in the light show.

Our first P-Day provided an opportunity to visit the Brass Factory and the Jade Market.  They LOVE missionaries!  I can understand why when I see the purchases we made.  It feels good to be in Hong Kong again.

Hong Kong - Here we go again!!

May 31, 2020

We began our journey to Hong Kong with an early morning flight from St. George to Salt Lake.

 MaryAnne met us outside the SL airport and transported us to a local park for a lovely walk and visit on a beautiful day.  This was the best part of the entire journey.

 Our lay-over in LA was a mere 8 1/2 hours.

 The apparel of our fellow passengers entertained us during the waiting hours.

 Are these hazmat suits???

 We questioned, "Are we in the Twilight Zone??"

 Face mask extraordinaire.

 No germs permitted to enter here.

 The Hong Kong airport greeted us with lines, lines, lines.  There was no end to the number of lines.  Paperwork needed to be checked, checked, checked, and checked again.

 Downloading the “stayhomesafe” app was required for everyone, as was the wearing of a lovely monitoring bracelet.

 Finally, (2  1/2 hours later) our transport to the nearby convention center is arranged.  There we deposit our luggage and spit in a vile for the Covid-19 test.

 Aha!  The waiting room!  Picture 300 people appropriately distanced from each other and assigned a lovely desk with a hard plastic chair as we await test results.  During this 8 ½ hour process the monitors offered bottled water and plain, weak, tasteless sandwiches.  Thankfully we received a previous warning and packed edible snacks. 

 Traveling with this remarkable couple, Elder and Sister Latimer, kept us positive and focused on the end goal. 

 48 hours after closing the garage door at home we entered our Hong Kong apartment.  What a beautiful sight! The church office stocked the refrigerator and cleaned everything.  The OGC office provided a basket of treats, fresh flowers, a puzzle and so much more.

 The OGC office welcome included this poster complete with all the legal policies in tiny print, in case our quaratine becomes so boring we feel desparate enough to read anything.

These bracelets will adorn our wrists for 14 days, notifying the powers that be if we step foot outside our apartment. 

If this seems like a long, long post then you can truly relate to how we felt on our trip to Hong Kong.

Next week:  THESE FOUR WALLS – What can be done in 600 Sq. Ft. of space for several days, sure to be a riveting post.

May 2020 - Time to Return to Hong Kong

As we prepare to return to Hong Kong I recap a few of our needed adjustments

 while serving at home.  It has been an adventure balancing mission assignments 

with home tasks, especially during our quarantine.

 Zoom meetings were held four times each week with the staff in Hong Kong.
 Pictured in the office are Marty (ALC), Polly, Jennifer, and Steve (ALC).  Elder
and Sister Lemmon (large on the screen) bid "farewell" as their release is only
 days away.  The three couples displayed at the bottom of the screen are the
Hafens, Blackwells, and Latimers.  Lance (paralegal) is missing from the office staff.

 I'm working in my home office.  This is usually our dining table but for several
 hours each day it transforms into my work station.

 Rick returned to his office in the basement.

We enjoyed our time reuniting with family.  Paul and Ramona (Grandma Hafen)

 celebrated Mother's Day with us.

The grapevines needed to be pruned.

  Thinning grape bunches.  

 We'll miss the birth of our granddaughter.  Making this blessing dress was a

 welcome release from mission assignments and a labor of love.

 Social distancing was required for Lori Hafen's birthday lunch so we enjoyed

 "salads in a jar" on her cool and pleasant patio.

 We may be missionaries but the farm still needs discing.

Working on the tractor provides a much needed break from the office.

Santa Clara Mission

Home isolation continues in Southern Utah.  Covid 19 creates an unusual 

phase in our missionary service.  Life is practically normal yet we spend 

most of the day completing mission responsibilities and finding 

blessings in the small and simple things.

     Morning walks with these fine partners keeps me fit and moving my muscles.

     The mental benefits of walking surpass the physical thanks to Julie (Therapy) 
     and Angie (Sanity).  We maintain an appropriate social distance.

 Our beautiful daffodils

 The peach blossoms were stunning this year.

 We enjoyed our visit with Konrad in March – Paul especially had a good time 

with his older (not taller) brother.

 

Rick and his 91 year old mother, Ramona

 We united with these wonderful people for our General Conference dinner.  

Paul and Diana prepared home-made tamales!   Buon appetito!!

           Deviled eggs – It must be springtime in Dixie!

 Ryan (returning from the Kenya Nairobi mission), Lindsay, and Debbie Hafen 

made a safe distance visit to our front porch prior to their return to 

highly infected Detroit.

Visiting with Lyndsey Bringhurst, former piano student and future 

missionary, was a Relief Society highlight!