COVID-19 Isolation - CARLY RETURNS

Due to the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have closed their borders.  Most US missionaries that are serving international missions are coming back home.  All have to spend the first two weeks in self-isolation, then they will be released or reassigned somewhere stateside to continue their mission "virtually" until it is safe for them to be out with the public again.

We are very happy to have her home safe and sound!  She's disappointed that she had to come home after just 6 months of service, but is looking forward to possibly completing her mission after a 12-18 month hiatus.  Hopefully the COVID-19 situation will be calmed down by then!  Until that point, she plans to go back to BYU to continue her studies-- which will include Mandarin Chinese this time!

If you'd like more details on Carly's mission experience, check it out here:
SincerelySisterMartinez.blogspot.com

Jan 2020 - Honolulu HAWAII

For Daniel's birthday (and an early anniversary), we traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii.  It was so wonderful to spend time alone together and get out of the cold weather for 6 days!

We found a wonderful out-of-the-way beach, attended the temple, drove around BYU-Hawaii, and went to the Polynesian Cultural Center... and did I mention the beach? We also visited Costco for possible souvenirs -- and they serve hamburgers at the Honolulu Costco.  They were delicious.

We agree.  We plan to make this an annual trip--  Next year, Maui!

Christmas 2019

We feel very blessed as 2019 comes to an end.  The family is back together in Washington State, with the exception of Carly, who is serving a full-time mission teaching the Mandarin-Chinese-speaking people of New Zealand about Jesus Christ.

Carly arrived in New Zealand!

After spending many weeks at the MTC, Carly has made it to New Zealand! She had 16 hours of travel and we received a letter from her Mission President along with this photo to confirm her arrival.

We were so relieved to receive this "proof of life"!

It's interesting that since Carly entered the MTC, a lot of my personal life now revolves around what she's doing.  I'm thinking about her, sending her things, emailing, posting on Social Media or updating the Mission Blog I created for her letters.  Her good friend, Eric Webb, is also on a mission, so I'm doing some of those things for her as well!  (Here's a pre-mission photo of them from our photo shoot):

Erica is like a sister to Carly!  I'm happy that they can share this experience together even though they are serving in different countries!

Here is the Mission Blog I set up for Carly's correspondence:

SincerelySisterMartinez.blogspot.com

Dropping off our Missionary

The time has come to say goodbye for a short time to our daughter, Carly!  The day before taking her to the Provo Missionary Training Center (MTC), we were able to attend the Provo City Center Temple.  It is a beautiful, older temple with lots of history.  The grounds were amazing -- a perfect place for a photo shoot! 

The next day it was time to take her to the MTC.  The whole process is so organized!  At the specified drop off time, we drove in the main entrance where there is signage telling us which direction to go.  We followed the signs to the underground parking garage/drop-off area.  There is a lane specifically for drop-offs, with many helper-Missionaries waiting to escort the new Missionaries into the building!  It was a quick goodbye at the car, then our special little girl was gone.

As we drove away, we were relieved.  Excited.  Apprehensive.  Overjoyed.  It was an amazing feeling!  We didn't want to "wallow" in Carly's absence, so next we started our drive to Reno NV.  We took a detour on our way back to Washington to have a little break.  It was very nice to have a little relaxation time in the sun before we headed home.