March started out pretty typically. The track season was in full swing. The girls had a track meets the first Friday and Saturday of the month. Their relay team got first place at the meet on Saturday and both girls were showing a lot of promise of having a really great season.. Caleb was also enjoying the track workouts, running long distances at the practices. All three kids we’re excited for the choir concert that was set to preform in Mid March. I was enjoying singing in the community choir every Tuesday night. Adam planned on taking our family to Utah during spring break. We were all busy with school, church Work and other activities.
About a week and a half before spring break, we started hearing more and more about a pandemic (Covid-19) that was currently wreaking havoc in China, and had started spreading throughout the world. Originally, it was being described as being a lot like the flu. We weren’t too worried about it. I mean, getting the flu is no fun, but we’ve all had it and gotten over it just fine.
As each day went by, we’d get a little more information. news reports started coming out of Italy, this new virus was causing a lot more deaths than the Flu typically does. The elderly were especially vulnerable and the entire country went into lock down. Soon afterwards, a nursing home in Washington state had an outbreak every day they reported more and more deaths. More countries and states began reporting outbreaks. The healthcare systems and hospitals all over the world were being overwhelmed.
Here in Taylor, things were still pretty quiet. So we still wondered if we’d be effected at all.
Then, our prophet, President Nielsen announced that church buildings around the world would close their doors. We would now be required to have our sacrament meetings at home.
Then the governor of our state announced that effective immediately, all schools Arizona were required to close. At first, the school closures were to last just for a couple weeks, then for a month, then finally it was announced that schools wouldn't re-open until next fall.
Within a matter of weeks All church activities, school activities, track practices and meets, piano lessons, choir practices, my preschool classes, movie theaters and many restaurants all cancelled and closed. oh, and that spring break trip...you guessed it, cancelled.
So now, here we are, not stuck at home, but safe at home. We’re trying to stay Safe from a virus that scientists and doctors are still trying to figure out treat and prevent.
We’re limiting contact with the outside world because, not only do we not want to catch This dangerous virus, but because we don’t want to spread it. We are blessed that Adam’s line of work allows him to stay busy, without having a lot of contact and interaction with others. A lot of people have lost their jobs and have had to close their businesses. The economy has been hit really hard.
Another effect this virus has had is that so many people are hoarding essential groceries and household supplies, in case they got sick and couldn’t leave home for two weeks. . The first thing to go was toilet paper. You literally can’t buy toilet paper anywhere. Things like soap and hand sanitizer. And groceries like eggs, milk and bread are scarce. We try to limit our trips to the store. So far we haven’t had to go without any necessities. We’ve always been able to find the groceries we want and need. (Except for toilet paper, but we have a decent supply here at home and pray it’s continues to last.)
Some things that have kept us sane and busy this month include;
Spring cleaning
Church at home
Hikes and buggy rides
Snowmobile rides
I’m giving my dining furniture a much needed makeover.
Puzzles!!!
Sarah has been trying new recipes.
We are so thankful for modern technology that allows the trio to continue with their school and seminary studies from home. We also stay in contact with friends and family though phone calls, texts, Marco Polo, and other apps that help us stay connected. We feel very blessed and peaceful at this time.
We recently joined in a world wide fast to bring relief from the effects of this pandemic.
We have faith that the Lord will hear and answer our prayers.
