Lindstroms in Lima: Another Week and a New Different Quarantine!

It's amazing what a new week can bring. We didn't think we would be leaving so early! There were Senior missionaries that were older and that had health problems that we thought would go before us. But here we are all packed up and ready to head to the United States. We will head to Miami and fortunately stay the night there. Then our flight will take us to Atlanta and then on to Salt Lake. We were able to travel with missionaries from the Lima South Mission. They were a blessing to us as we traveled homeward.

March 29, 2020 Day 14 of Quarantine

All our bags are packed. We are not ready to go. Our friends were standing outside our door (to help us take our bags down to the taxi.) Already we're so sad to leave we could cry.

But first to the embassy to stand in a long line. Then on to a bus to spend some time. Where do you think that Taruka Tours really goes? We don't know. But it's heading today to the Air Force Base. Because we're leaving on a jet plane. Don't know when we'll be back again. Don't know when we'll be back again…

Leaving our apartment at 193 Montevideo #201

Other people trying to get to the United States.

The line at the Embassy.

Waiting in line at the Embassy

On the bus!

The Air Force Base

March 29, 2020 Day 14 of Quarantine continued

Event: On Sunday, March 29, 530 Americans departed Peru, bringing the total number of repatriations to approximately 2,830.

We were part of that 530 Americans.

We were processed in a hanger. Since they didn't have the regular scanners, they had two different dogs come through and smell the bags. Then finally off to the American Airlines plane to fly to Miami. It is hard to leave Lima. Many of the passengers cheered as we ascended into the sky. But Elder Fristrup (from Lima South) is shedding a few tears (as was Elder Lindstrom) as Lima receded from our view. We reached Miami about 7:30 pm. The airport was a ghost town and so many cancelled flights... We got to our hotel and then blessed sleep.

Elder Romney and Elder Jones in the airplane hanger

One of the dogs checking the luggage

Thor boarding the plane

Elder Fristrup watching as Lima departs in the distance

The terminal in Miami--it looks like a ghost town

Cancelled flights in Miami

March 30, 2020 Transitional Day

We officially weren't in quarantine today. Unless you can say we were in quarantine because we were in two different planes with a lot of people and no social distancing! I don't think that counts though.

We started in Miami. We flew to Atlanta and then the last leg to Salt Lake City. We spent the day with the cute sisters and elders that were flying home from the Lima South Mission. They reminded us of our missionaries from the Lima East who are still stuck in Peru.

After landing we were picked up by our beautiful chauffeur. Thanks Mari! She drove us to 700 east in Kaysville where Ward members lined the street and welcomed us home. Thanks Kaysville 4th Ward! We feel so loved.

Miami Airport

A smiling Elder Fristrup

On a plane again

Atlanta Airport--they have good chocolate shakes!

With the Lima South Elders

With the Lima South Hermanas

Salt Lake Airport

March 31 & April 1, 2020 Day 1 & 2 of New Quarantine

Hard to believe that we are still in quarantine! We do have the blessing to be able to take walks here.

In Peru, it is sunny and warm (no snow on the ground, like this morning). One of the things that I love about Peru is the bougainvillea. It is a beautiful flowering shrub. It comes in many colors. People have it growing up and over their walls. It seems to bloom all year. Every morning I could look out my window and see the one growing across the street.

Kaysville snow in April

bougainvillea

April 2, 2020 Day 3 of New Quarantine

The blessing of technology is wonderful. We were able to meet with our Pathway students this evening. 7:30pm Lima time through Zoom. We are just finishing up the second semester with this group of great people that we love. We have watched them grow so much from last fall. When the quarantine happened we all had a steep learning curve with going online. (In person gatherings are more interactive.) All of us did pretty well this evening!

The students took this picture one night when we weren't there and our sub didn't show up. They said it was the best night ever!

Our Pathway students

April 3 & 4, 2020 Day 4 & 5 of New Quarantine

Meet our upstairs neighbors in Peru, Elder and Hermana Pratt! We had great times with them. We would usually be together on Monday nights for Family Home Evening with all the seniors. I was able to teach English Connect with Hermana Pratt on Friday mornings. When we both had a free evening (it wasn't too often) we would get together and play games. Our standard game was Five Crowns. Elder Pratt made a spreadsheet of who won and lost. Just want you to know that I was the consistent loser.