COVID-19

The world is currently going through something different than anything I've experienced in my 42 years. There is a pandemic that started in Wuhan, China and is now sweeping the world. It's a novel coronavirus that is named COVID-19. It is a respiratory infection that causes a cough, fever, and shortness of breath. In some people it can lead to pneumonia and death. It is especially hard on older people.

At the beginning of this year, the virus started making headlines because of the widespread effects in China--schools closed, businesses closed. Andrew had some insights through work of what was happening. The Lunar New Year was extended so that people could stay home longer. It all seemed so far away...

Starting in March, our lives here in the US began to be affected. On Thurs, March 12th, all the stake presidents and their wives were invited to attend a special temple session with Elder Martino of the Seventy. It had been scheduled for months. Actually, Andrew was supposed to have a work trip that week, so we didn't think we'd be able to attend. But all work travel was canceled, so we were in town and able to go. Work had gotten crazy for Andrew. Lots of chaos about which plants to close, work-at-home arrangements, pay continuation, what to do when an employee tests positive for COVID. So. many. decisions. I drove us to Raleigh and Andrew worked the whole hour and a half drive up there. Then, unfortunately, he had an emergency work call that he needed to be on. So, I went in for the endowment session, but Andrew had to stay in the van on his call. Lame.

I was so happy I got to be in the temple that night. What a peaceful place to be in the midst of so much uncertainty. While we were in our session, the church announced that it was suspending all meetings globally to help prevent the spread of the virus. After our endowment session, we met in a sealing room with Elder Martino for some leadership training. What a special opportunity! Andrew's call had ended, so he joined us there. Elder Martino taught us about the importance of the restoration and we read some scriptures from the Doctrine and Covenants. At the end, he was flooded with questions from the stake presidents. How do we sustain callings when we aren't meeting together? What about engaged couples who have temple sealings scheduled? Are we allowed to give priesthood blessings to someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19? Can we live stream a sacrament meeting to our wards? Again, so. many. decisions.

Poor Andrew has been more stressed than I've ever seen him over the last month. He has so much responsibility on his shoulders with both work and church. It is a very heavy burden to carry and it is overwhelming for him. It is hard to just stand by and feel like there's nothing I can do to help lift that for him. The girls and I just try to make our home life as positive as possible and be cheerleaders for him. He has an amazing man and I know he can do whatever is asked of him, with the Lord's help.

Friday, March 13th was the last day of school for the girls. Guilford County closed schools until at least May 15th to help curb the spread of the virus. They have switched to a distance learning model and the girls have assignments, video chats, quizzes and tests online now. It is not idea, but I'm grateful for the teachers who are putting forth so much effort to help our kids continue to learn while we're at home.

Starting on Sunday, March 15th, we have had home-centered worship. It has strengthened my testimony to see how the Lord has prepared us for this time. Over the last couple of years, under His direction, our church leaders have encouraged home-centered, church-supported worship. We have elevated our home-study with the Come, Follow Me program. And starting Sunday March 22nd, the priesthood holders in our stake were authorized to administer the sacrament in our homes.

We were also asked to reach out to our ministering sisters who may not have a priesthood holder in their home and arrange for them to receive the sacrament at least once a month. I have three ministering sisters in that situation. One of them is not active and didn't feel comfortable having the sacrament taken to her home. One of them has ministering brothers who will provide that service for her. And one of them, H'yuan Siu, came to our home on Sunday and Andrew was able to bless and pass the sacrament for her. It has been a sacred experience, both with our own family and to serve Sister Siu. What a blessing to have so many priesthood holders all over the world who can serve in their homes and to other ward members.

With the suspension of church meetings, seminary has also moved online. We took one week off when school was first canceled so that we could figure out which technology to use and what time would work best for our students. My students decided to use Skype for our class. They still do an independent-study module on Mondays. Then on Tuesdays-Fridays, we meet through Skype from 8:45-9:35. There was a bit of a learning curve and we have a few technical difficulties, but overall, I am so thankful that we are still able to meet as a class. I look forward to learning and studying the scriptures with my students every day. They are an amazing bunch of kids.

Since March 13th, we have mostly stayed at home. I do my grocery shopping online every week and a half or so and pick them up at Wal-Mart. People have done some hoarding of food and supplies, so I can't get all of the things that I want, but we have enough food and supplies. Toilet paper was a hot ticket item and hard to get your hands on for those first couple of weeks. Thankfully, I had recently purchased our normal Sam's Club-sized package, so we were fine. I was almost out of paper towels, though, and couldn't find those anywhere. I finally found some on Target.com and I was so happy when they arrived. 

During the first two weeks of school cancellation, Caroline would play with KK every day. I was so happy that they had each other and could still have fun even though they weren't able to see any of their school friends. But, starting on Friday, March 27th, Guilford County was put under a stay-at-home order. I figured the girls should probably stop hanging out after that. Sad.

The girls and I came up with lists of things we could do to make sure we were using our time wisely while we're at home. Some of the things on my list: Duolingo, family history, workout, go for a walk, read, serve, play a board game, work on seminary. It has been so fun to have more time to myself and do some things that I normally don't have time for in the whirlwind of driving the girls to their activities and events. Whitney has spent a lot of time working on her music--piano, guitar, violin. I have the girls learn a new duet every week, which has been fun. Whit also enjoys art projects. She painted an awesome picture of Homer Simpson for Drew. And she's working on a drawing of St. Basil's cathedral. Caroline has spent a lot of time on her iPod. She shoots hoops in the backyard. She has been reading some. And playing a lot of Minecraft.

As a family, we've come up with some fun ways to entertain ourselves at home. We've had a couple of backyard firepits, roasting s'mores. 

We re-downloaded some Jackbox games and have had lots of fun playing some old favorites as well as trying some new ones.

Andrew and I continue to play Pandemic at lunch most days. Ironic.

We watch more TV at night than we've ever watched. We had DVR'd America's Got Talent: Champions, which was really fun to watch as a family. We're also watching the new series Lego Masters on Fox all together, which we enjoy. Caroline has started watching Survivor with us this season. It's the 40th season, Winners at War, where all the returning players have won a previous season of survivor. It is SOOO GOOOD. We look forward to it every Wednesday.

I've taken on some home improvement projects around the house.

Put up a faux backsplash that I love.

Great $35 project.

Power-washed the front porch and walkway.

Caroline picked out a vinyl mural for her wall

that we installed together.

Looks good!

I taught Whitney had to mow the lawn.

Brandon came to visit for a few days for his spring break. Dixie has moved to all on-line classes for the rest of the semester. But when he was getting ready to fly back to Utah, both of his jobs were still open. Andrew and I tried to talk him into staying here, but he wanted to go back and work as long as he could before they closed down. The climbing gym actually closed THE DAY AFTER he got back. The Chocolate Factory is still open, but the amount of business they're getting is very, very small. Since Brandon makes the treats, he is only needed when more stock is needed. And that's not often. I think he will come home in the next ten days or so and will probably stay for the summer. But I haven't been able to actually nail down a date for when he wants to fly back. So.... who knows what will happen.

So far, all of our extended family members have stayed safe. I know this virus will continue to spread and I pray for all those who are currently suffering and for their caregivers. It will be interesting to see how long this impacts our lives. And what long-term changes may take place because of this pandemic.