Faith. Not Fear.

I have been thinking about the current pandemic. The seemingly sudden onset. How almost overnight, things in everyday lifestyles in our country took on a vastly different look and mentality. How people have reacted and continue to react.

What did that look like for us? Well, personally, it sure didn't look like what was featured in national news stories. There was a lot of fear in news stories .... understandable, since few people actually grasped what we were dealing with. There is still fear, even today as I write this. Just this morning on my national news program, the host talked about people who are afraid. I don't feel that kind of fear. Concern? Sure. Care? Yes. Worry? Not as much now. But fear?? ....... No.

Social Distance? Hello, fresh air!

(We didn't build them -- but we admired them!)

I've also thought that the virus would be a whole lot easier to deal with if it presented itself like the last plague in "The Ten Commandments". A weird, green, finger of fog that wends its way through the streets. Then at least, it could be identified.




No, there hasn't been fear in my house. Do we wash our hands more? Absolutely. Do I carry disinfectant wipes and face masks in my vehicles? You bet. Do I stay home a lot? Yes to that, too. Do I sometimes walk the "wrong" direction down an aisle at Wal-Mart? Yes. Yes, I do.

So, here is our timeline, how our lives changed this spring:

Starting around March 14, 2020 (I believe), we were encouraged in our state to start "social distancing".  I don't like that term. Stay away from people, don't talk to anybody ----- be afraid!! That irks me. It would be more accurate to call it "physical distancing". But the concept was bigger than that .... stay away from other people. I think that avoiding all human contact also has unhealthy aspects. But the unknown virus was out there -- could be anywhere. Right?

On March 15th, they closed our schools locally: effectively creating what looked like a 2-week Spring Break.

On March 25th, 2020, it became a stay-at-home mandate/order from the governor. The next day, it became clear that schools would be closed at least through April 20th. Monday, March 30th, they began distance learning/virtual classrooms. Today the newspaper tells us that virtual learning will extend through the end of this school year, and the "soft closure" remains in place. (And yes, we still read that archaic bit of history with actual printed words on thin, inexpensive paper. We especially like it for local information.)

(This was spelling practice -- before "distance learning"/virtual school started)

We did not close our store. It was a decision we mulled over, and eventually decided to remain open. We figured there were 2 reasons: 1 -- to provide service and repair for peoples' home heating units, and 2 -- to provide propane--a fuel--to those who needed it. And believe me, ... propane was really selling big, too. People wanted their tanks FULL. And, since business is typically slower for us in springtime, it's hard to gauge how much we have been affected by it. It has been a blessing that this all has happened during our slow season, and not our busy season. And it remains to be seen whether it will affect us this coming fall. Will people decide on a new stove/fireplace/insert this year, or was money too tight, and they have to wait? We're not sure. And may I say, that it's really hard to get people to actually pay attention to signage and other visual clues to get them to follow distancing rules? Yeah, that's a thing.

Well, when shortages began in stores in other locations around the country, we went shopping, and found no shortage. We picked up one more package of toilet paper, but really --- we keep it on hand for our family ANYWAY, and it would be a long time before we'd be getting desperate. It has not been a problem for us. The verse in D&C 38: "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear" comes to mind. Later, our area experienced the same shortages and outages of toilet paper and other products, but we had/have adequate for our needs. That has truly been a blessing. (The toilet paper crisis is truly mind-boggling. Insanity. People are crazy.)

As I thought about the changes beginning to take place, I heard some (national news program) commentary about children's fears. I certainly didn't want our Emma feeling fearful. So I sat Emma down and we talked about it. Maybe kids reflect the feeling of their parents? I wasn't afraid. And she wasn't afraid. Still isn't.

We talked about ways we could make the most of the situation, especially since she would be out of school. We took 4 categories ... intellectual, social, spiritual and physical, and she chose some goals to work on. We need to revisit that. We've done some, and forgotten others.

I’m very grateful for the extra time at home with Emma. I’m glad and feel very blessed to be able to be at home with her. We’ve gone on a couple of hikes, and need to look at that again.

These pictures that might seem randomly tossed in .... are kind of a summary of things we did and adventures we had before and during the social distancing that has been part of our lives for the last 2 months. We wanted to make some memories, and we definitely did that!

Also, when classes for Darcie went to online only, she decided to kick-start a planned trip, and come home for a little while. I think it helped her focus on schoolwork, but we were the ones who truly benefited.... Darcie brings life and joy when she's around:

(A study break for both of the girls!)

And if we're blessed when Darcie comes home, then that blessing is doubled when Alyssa comes, too!! We absolutely LOVED having the girls back home again!!!

Of course some softball was definitely involved:

(Not only did she pitch a full game's worth of scrimmage practice for a local team, this girl also hit one out of the park during our family batting practice!)

(Darcie? That girl plays HARD. Two of us came away with bruises off her, and 1 of us had stitch marks from the ball. Love her zeal for the game!)

Back yard picnic. And we beat the rainstorm, too!

(We had to prep a spot for a new shed. Cameron got driving rights!)

"Are you not entertained?"

We have definitely been eating well......

Cinnamon Rolls! Emma was shocked, because it wasn't Christmas day!

French Bread

Pizza Calzones!

Mmm... bacon-wrapped asparagus!

Science Experiment.... a density column.

Totally drinkable!

I am not one who goes into a panic mode in times like these. I have faith.

Faith in God. An understanding the the big picture is a whole lot bigger. A confidence that comes from an inner peace. A faith that everything will come out ok in the end.

I hope I instill that faith in my kids. I hope they have faith, too.