COVID-19

At the start of this year, a new virus appeared in China called the Coronavirus or COVID-19. It rapidly spread shutting down China, Japan, and South Korea due to quarantine regulations. That was not the end however, and soon Italy, Iran, and most of Europe followed, being overcome by the pandemic. Today it is a global pandemic with the State Department advising everyone to avoid travel and stay home. Flights, cruises, trains, and vacations/business trips of all sorts have been suspended until further notice. Essential travel is the only type allowed right now and even that may go away soon. As a result, school has been cancelled until at least April 28th, and parents are going to have to start doing homeschool. Church has been suspended until further notice as well. Restaurants are only allowed to serve takeout, and no gatherings of 10 or more people are permitted. Its been an interesting adjustment. 

Andy and I are both very blessed that our jobs allow us to work from home. My job as a travel consultant consists of cancelling people's reservations and helping them with insurance claims at this point. Andy's job so far has stayed pretty normal. It is amazing to see the prophet's vision as we have now had two years practice with the Come Follow Me home study church curriculum. We are more prepared to teach our children at home and keep the Sabbath more fully. I have felt such a sweet spirit in our home as Andy blesses and passes the Sacrament to our family and then we use the manual and other resources to teach an extended lesson at home. During the week, it's been hard to stay home. The kids get bored with each other. They aren't used to having me oversee their school work. They get tired of their toys and miss their friends, but all these things pale in comparison to the struggles others are having around the world right now. We are blessed to still have an income, our home is warm and comfortable, we have enough food storage to last for months, we have the resources to teach them their schooling, they are healthy, and we have the tools to teach the gospel from home. I find things to be grateful for everyday. My testimony of the Sacrament has grown. As the week went on, I started to struggle more and more with the uncertainty of the future as the virus spread, but I keep reading the scriptures and prophet's promises that all will be well if we obey his commandments. I felt such a sweet peace and renewal of my spirit when I partook of the Sacrament today. I felt its power lift and strengthen me for the coming week. We have also been able to get out and appreciate nature more this week as we have been alone as a family. We took the opportunity to hike up the hill behind the hospital one afternoon, and it was so good to see the beauty of our valley and enjoy the fresh air. I am grateful for my family and the church. I know the Lord is with me always and his hand is helping and guiding me through this challenge. I have hope all will be well in the end.