Finding Faith

It's Hump Day!

Today is Day 23 of my period of "Coronavirus Isolation."  It's Wednesday of Holy Week, the first day of Passover.   So far today is a tough day.  I didn't sleep well last night, so I'm feeling crappy.   Add to that, my allergies are acting up.   I so want to crawl back into bed.  I may just do that.

Let's get to the fun stuff first...

Spring Sightings

Spring has definitely sprung!   It was in the mid-60's yesterday and was a perfect day for a walk.    The forsythia bushes are fully in bloom.  The local elementary school has hearts on their cafeteria windows and a sign that says, "Brunton students ROCK."  When it's just me and Leia walking, she's so good.  She walks right next to me (lower left) and is easily able to walk off leash when we aren't near cars (lower right).   I have really come to love our walks.

Project Update

On Sunday I started a garden from seeds.   So today is Day 4 of my garden and you can see the lettuce seeds just beginning to sprout in my peat pellets.  Kind of exciting!  The other seeds aren't showing any activity just yet.   (And still no progress on Mitch's room.)

Laundry:  The Joke's On Me

I think I figured out a solution to the laundry problem by changing my routine.  Instead of doing laundry every day, I decided to do it 2-3 days instead.  It means more laundry at one time, but I don't have it looking at me every day.   As of 12:00 p.m. today, one load is folded and put away, another is in the dryer and a third is in the washer waiting to be dried.  I just need to go and move it so I can finish it all.   Fingers crossed this will make the whole laundry scene less maddening to me.   (As long as Brian doesn't continue to deliver mystery laundry out of who knows where.)

Finding Faith

As Christians, the story of the crucifixion may have become a ritual part of our faith history.  We know the story of the Last Supper, Christ's betrayal, arrest and crucifixion.  It's a story that we retell every year at Easter.  It's a tradition.   Maybe we go to Mass or church; watch a movie about the life and death of Jesus; attend a Passion Play; and have a special family dinner.  (When I was growing up we always watched Charlton Heston as Moses in the 1956 film "The Ten Commandments" on Easter night.)  

This year I'm having a hard time with the idea that Easter is this Sunday.   This is Holy Week.   This is a time when we are supposed to gather together to remember and reflect the sacrifice of Jesus' death on the cross and to celebrate the triumphant miracle of his resurrection.  I'm just not feeling it.

This whole "THING," this Coronavirus "thing" has me feeling disconnected.   I miss Mitch.  I miss my parents.  I know I can talk to them on the phone and FaceTime them.  Facebook Live and Zoom have brought Church right into my living room.   But I miss the human interaction, the community.  All of "THIS" just seems so impersonal.

When was the last time you really thought about the story of Christ's death and resurrection and what it means to us today?  I've been reflecting on this all week and am reminded of the message Pastor Brian shared with us on Sunday.  Right before Jesus was betrayed and arrested, he went with his disciples to the garden of Gethsemane to pray.  While his disciples came with him to Gethsemane, they fell asleep, so he was alone.  Even though Jesus knew what was going to happen to him, he prayed to the Lord, "Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.  Yet not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:39)  Three times he cried out to God.  But heaven was silent.

Today in-person interactions are pretty much off-limits, but we are able to stay in touch by phone, Facebook, Zoom or other "virtual platforms."  In spite of this many of us feel very much alone in the face of the we are experiencing in light of the Coronavirus Pandemic.   In the Garden of Gethsemane, despite the fact that his disciples were there with him, they kept falling asleep, so Jesus was all alone.   Whatever you are dealing with today, whether you have a loved one who is sick or who has died, or you've lost your job, or you just feel alone, maybe like Jesus, you have cried out to God for mercy and maybe you may feel like heaven is silent.  

Be encouraged.  Remember, there is hope.  Christ chose to die for us so we could know his presence.   So that we will not be forsaken.  Christ accepted his fate so that we could know the cup of salvation.  Psalm 116:13 says, "I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the Lord's name for saving me."   Jesus suffered so that we can be saved.   We do have to face trials on earth.  We are not saved from those.  But because of Jesus, we are not alone, we are not forsaken.

We can find faith in the darkness.

Seeking Smiles

The Coronavirus Pandemic has directly affected every one of us to some degree.  In the face of darkness and despair, it is so important to seek out the good in the world - whether near or far, surely there is light in the darkness.   If you haven't seen or heard of it, let me tell you one place you will surely find smiles.  John Krasinski started his own YouTube channel entitled Some Good News.

Some Good News with John Krasinski

The show features dozens of stories featuring good news across the world, from... 

• Salutes to healthcare workers across the world
• A flashback to The Office featuring an interview with Steve Carell
• Weather report from Robert Deniro 
• Reflections on how people are making up for the things we miss, like a trips to the salon, amusement park rides, getting your hair done and date night
• An incredible interview with young Aubrey who missed Hamilton because of the Coronavirus Epidemic including a surprise Zoom Bomb from the entire cast of Hamilton

He signs off with a reminder that, "No Matter How Dark It Gets, there is ALWAYS good in the world."  You must check it out - you will most definitely find some joy.

Today's Meditations

So now, O Lord our God, save us, please, so that all the earth may know that you, O Lord, are God alone.
2 Kings 19:19

Way Maker by Michael W. Smith

Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness

My God, that is who you are

How are you and your family dealing with this pandemic?
Feel free to share your updates with me, either in the comments or by message.

My journey through the Coronavirus Pandemic:
Day 1:  Boo boo paw
Day 2:  Let the projects begin
Day 3:  A photo journal
Day 4:  Love wins
Finally Saturday:  It's starting to get to me
The Long Haul:  Be strong & courageous
Who Made the Clouds?  Day 7
Time Out:  Day 8
Fever, Cough & Shortness of Breath (Day 9)
May 4:   Days 10, 11 & 12
Koby Update: Day 13
Random Thoughts:  Day 20

     

Random Thoughts

Today is a very special day.   Today is my 20th Day of Coronavirus Isolation.  20 Days.  It also is Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week.   Not only that, but it's Alex's Birthday! (my son from another mother)

Alex (left) and Mitch (right) on our trip to Jamaica, 2011

Last week I told you I'm back to work (almost full force), which limits my time to work on the 100 different home improvement projects around here and cuts into the time I have to blog.  Here's a recap of the past week and some thoughts on this time in isolation.

This past week, I decided I wanted to use this time to read the Bible, so I started a 90-day Bible Reading Plan in YouVersion, a Bible app.   In addition to that, I've also been participating in a couple of different devotional reading plans for Easter.  Each morning, it takes me about an hour.  In the past, I tried to read through the Bible, committing to read 4-5 chapters a day, with the intention of reading it a year.   I've failed every time.  I don't know if it's because it's my perception of "forced reading" (I mentioned that last week), or if I get distracted or busy, fall behind, don't feel like I can catch up, or what.  But something strange has happened this time.  I can barely wait to read my Bible each day.  This particular reading plan goes through the Bible in order, from Genesis to Revelation.   If you've never read the Bible before, let me tell you, those first books are FULL of drama.  Not only is there the whole Adam & Eve story, the fall in the Garden of Eden, the story of the first murder, Noah and the Ark, but the Bible provides a complete history of God's province to his people.  Again and again.  God makes seemingly impossible promises, but His word never fails.   Never.  The people of Israel fall down again and again.  Yet God is there for them every time.   He even details how they should live, what is safe for them to eat, how they should settle disputes (they must have had a big problem with the oxen back in the day), and what is an acceptable sacrifice to Him.   He leaves out nothing.

It's like this time, I am reading the Bible with a new awe.   I feel hungry for more.  The nice thing about YouVersion is the option to have it read aloud aloud to you, which I enjoy sometimes.

When this whole period of social distancing and isolation started, it took a while for me to adjust.  I had mostly good days, with a few bad days mixed in.  I expect the same to continue, but I find gratitude is the best way to get me through.  I have so much for which to be grateful, most of all my husband who loves me, with whom I get along great, who laughs and jokes with me through some of the craziness, and who is sharing this period of time and isolation with me.

Laughter is the BEST Medicine

Where is my desk?

What Netflix series have you been binge-watching?  Brian and I started watching The Office.   It is so bad, it's hilarious.  Jim's antics, Dwight's obsessive nature, and Michael...such a tool.   Michael is such an @$$, you hate him so much, but you can't look away.  Sometimes I laugh so hard, I almost pee myself.

Speaking of Netflix...have you seen Tiger King?

Apparently COVID19 has the entire nation tuning into this not-appropriate-for-children series.  It's like a bad car accident.  You just can't look away.  The more you watch, the worse it gets and the harder it is to turn away.

OVERLOAD

Working from home, how I feel every day:

We (administrators & teachers) spend our days trying to figure out how to deliver School Online, tracking seniors who are supposed to graduate in June, planning for next year, and a host of other things I can't even begin to list.  By the end of the 99th ZOOM meeting, my head is on complete overload.

Big question:  Does working from home mean I can work in my PJ's and keep my bed-head going for days on end?  I've made a few attempts to at least try to feel human.  I created a somewhat "homey" work space in the dining room, every day is now "Bring Your Dog to Work Day", and I get to sneak in quick walks with Leia when I have a short break between meetings.

Brian found me on one of our walks and delivered a coffee from Dunkin!  Told you, he loves me!

Scenes From My Walks

I really think I should make some hearts to put on our doors or windows.  

I met up with Giselle one day and we walked six miles!   Notice the warnings on the trail....

Spring is definitely here!  

LAUNDRY - the NEVER ENDING Story

Who else strips and puts their clothes straight in the wash?

I started doing laundry every other day instead of every day because it is so maddening!  This afternoon, Brian cleaned out the garage and put a huge pile of dirty clothes on the floor next to the basement stairs.  Even when it is all folded and put away, there's some out there somewhere just waiting for me!

A Blessing

God can and will make things better.

This period of isolation has afforded us all time.   Time to be grateful.   Time to appreciate the small things, like hugs, haircuts, toilet paper and dine-in service.   Time to focus on faith and family.   In many ways, the time has become a blessing.

The ever changing "situation"

Every day the CDC guidelines regarding the Coronavirus are changing.  The latest update asks us to cover our faces when we are out in public.  I've got this!  I have a bunch of headbands I wear during cycling season which can easily be converted to a face mask.   Just like that, viola!

Grocery Store Adventures 

Project Update

Today I endeavored to start a garden.  Planted a bunch of seeds and set up a lighting station in the dining room.  This meant I had to relocate the items that were on the buffet table.  So I enhanced my work space a little.   Still need to finish Mitch's room...

Online Church

Our church broadcasts the worship service on Facebook Live, with a follow up Zoom meeting for members.  Today's message was really powerful.  The Zoom meeting provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the message, pray for each other's needs and join in community together.  Service airs live at 10:30 a.m. Sunday and is rebroadcast on Friday evenings.  You should definitely check it out.

Today's Meditations

In the middle of all that's going on around us right now, it's only normal to have anxiety, to be afraid.  The Bible gives us permission to be afraid, and even tells us what to do when we are afraid.  I mentioned earlier that I have a prayer list going.  Sometimes I pray through each request individually and other times, I lift the list as a whole to the Lord, asking him to answer them.  Laying them at His feet.   Meditate on these verses...

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.   In God, whose word I praise -
In God I trust and am not afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?
Psalm 56:3-4

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petitions, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6

I Surrender by Hillsong Worship

How are you and your family dealing with this pandemic?
Feel free to share your updates with me, either in the comments or by message.

My daily posts since my Coronavirus Isolation period began:
Day 1:  Boo boo paw
Day 2:  Let the projects begin
Day 3:  A photo journal
Day 4:  Love wins
Finally Saturday:  It's starting to get to me
The Long Haul:  Be strong & courageous
Who Made the Clouds?  Day 7
Time Out:  Day 8
Fever, Cough & Shortness of Breath (Day 9)
May 4:   Days 10, 11 & 12
Koby Update: Day 13