It's the End of the World as we Know it and I Feel Fine

Apparently I haven't blogged in about a year. It's been a busy year and I keep telling myself I'll catch up. But catching up is daunting, especially the longer you wait. There keeps being more and more I should post. So no catch up, I'm just going to move forward.

This week was tough. Extremely tough. The world is suffering from Corona Virus and this week Utah's number of cases has increased exponentially. Because of this everyone is freaking out and rushing the grocery stores trying to stockpile everything the need to survive months in isolation. Media says the hoarding is worse in Utah than most other places.

I suspect it's because many Utahans were either were or are Mormon so they know they should have a food storage. Either way it's been difficult to find what you need in stores. Last week Wednesday or Thursday I stocked up on milk, eggs and meat. I've decided I'm not going to the store for at least another 2 weeks, possibly longer. It's strange to not go to the store, school, library, friend's houses or even the park "HOW CAN THEY CLOSE THE PARK MOM?!?" but it's a way I can help not get and pass the sickness.

Home School started off really rough. The first day (two Fridays ago) Dustin took 4.5 hours to complete his lessons (supposed to take 2 hours) and Logan took 5 hours. Each needed me to walk them through each step so I was working on homework for 9 hours strait. I didn't eat lunch, didn't get dressed, didn't do anything other than school. The boys couldn't be in the same room because they could hear each other's computers and it bugged them. Dustin had to be on the desktop in the basement and Logan insisted on being upstairs. So I was running up and down stairs all day.

Over that weekend I had a chance to purchase headphones for each of the boys, and Monday I was able to pick up Chrome books from the kids school so each of them can do their own work on their own computer. This helped substantially. Along with this the kids have gotten into the groove and can run their lessons with  minimal help from me. Still not enough for me to take a shower (ask me how I know), but I can work on something else as long as I'm close by and available to answer questions.

Just when I felt we'd figured out Home school Wednesday hit with a boom. We were woken up by a 5.7 magnitude earthquake. It was long, shook the whole house, and terrified the kids. Fortunately for us we were all ok, had minimal property damage (just a big crack in our cinder block wall lining our property), and didn't loose power. We spent the day snuggling, eating junk, and riding out the after shocks. We've continued to have aftershocks since (the biggest a 4.1 today), but we're getting used to it.

The kids have been extra ornery and clingy since. Especially Brooklyn. She told me two days ago "Mom, I so stressed out by all the earthquakes! I just so stressed out!" She has been carrying around her babies and animals too and tells me that "monkey is so scared Mom!" It breaks my heart but I'm glad she can express herself. I'm trying to be understanding and they are getting better given time.

I'm currently the Young Women's President for our ward. This has been challenging when we're not supposed to meet in person or visit. The weekend school shut down we got together as a presidency and put together 3 church from home packets to deliver to the Young Women. They contain something spiritual to do on Sunday and something fun to do on Wednesday. Each Sunday we drop one off at our girl's doors. I'm also working on starting up a Marco Polo group for each class so the girls can interact with each other. Hopefully this will help they have good spiritual conversations on Sunday and have some fun throughout the week. If I can get everyone on it.

The highlight of our home quarantine has been home church. We have a little devotional each Sunday and it's been great to be able to pray, discuss the scriptures and take the sacrament. The first Sunday I was repairing the bread and water for Dave to bless and couldn't figure out what to use for cups. I dug around looking for medicine cups or small Tupperware, and eventually found a stack of disposable shot glasses I bought for the boys a few years ago. Felt a little sacrilegious taking the sacrament out of shot glasses, but it's the best we have.

Last Sunday we discussed what a great blessing it is to have a Prophet giving us guidance and direction. We discussed how fortunate we are to have listened to his words and how we can see the blessings while we try to navigate these trying times. This week we discussed how Christ can help us through our struggles. My friend Brittney (a single mom whose family joins us for Sacrament Meeting) lead the discussion and the kids were able to think of examples of how their lives have been better for Christ's help.

As the kids ran off to play I shared a quote with Dave and Brittney from President Dallin H Oaks. He said this in a Missionary Meeting in Las Vegas on March 14th:

"This is not the end of the world but merely a test. A trial run for the 2nd Coming if you will - Physically and Spiritually. If you've been following the counsel from the Prophet about ministering, emergency preparedness, and at-home church, you have no need to fear. You passed the test."

It's brought me a lot of comfort as I reflected back on this today. I know this week has been hard. Never have I been so needed by my family. Never have I worked so hard and been so exhausted by the end of the day. But I know I'm doing what I need to do. And there is peace knowing there is food in the pantry. We know how to lead or family in church discussion. We can help take care of our friends and family with just a phone call or text.

This weekend I found out there is a shortage of medical masks for health care workers so I've spent my "spare time" sewing face masks for my friends in the medical field. I am trying to make two for each of my friends so they can wear one, take it off and throw it in the wash and still have another to wear the next day at work. They aren't hard to make, just take time. I have a plethora of material, although most of it is kids material. I figure if we take care of the medical workers now, they will be better equipped to take care of us later.

Over all we've been very blessed. I'm grateful we have a home and yard we can hunker down in. I'm grateful for my family, and all that we have. I'm grateful for a Prophet letting us know what God wants us to do to prepare. I'm especially comforted to know he is a Doctor and has that knowledge to help guide us through these times of medical uncertainty.