We were supposed to be in the throes in the Spring baseball schedule, with multiple games and practices each week. Instead, we have not had school (or baseball) for a week at this point, and we are not scheduled to return until April 13, which may also be pushed back. Only time will tell. Caleb has been doing his work online, plus some additional work I have been giving to him. We've been doing P.E. with dad:
And art with mom:
We've also taken to all playing music together in the mornings. One of us on the recorder, one or two of us on ukuleles, and one of us playing the viola. It's an interesting sound.
The term social distancing has become part of everyone's lingo, meaning that you should refrain from going into public unless absolutely necessary and then you cannot get within six feet of another person with whom you are not already living. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but, in practice, it's hard. While I've always been someone who likes to be out and about, I consider myself neither an extrovert nor a touchy-feely sort of person, but right now, all I want to do is go to a packed football arena and start hugging random strangers - not because I want to get the Corona virus (obviously), but because I miss being close to other human beings. As someone who makes a living by meeting face-to-face with people and helping them with buying a house, making a will, or solving legal problems, I have felt the weight of this. It's just not the same from six feet away (or over the phone). But we are adjusting and doing what we must. I just hope and pray that these are only temporary measures and that soon I can step back in to people's personal bubbles.
Sadly, the gym has also been closed for a week. I miss it and my gym buddies. Thankfully, we have what we call "the dungeon" - our own personal gym in the garage, so we're able to get out workouts in. I also now have some new and interesting gym friends:
While he doesn't really pull his weight in returning the weights to the rack or spotting, Checker does make for a fun distraction during water breaks. It is a bit annoying that he insists on rubbing against my legs while I'm doing deadlifts, but I guess there could be worse workout partners.
These two really know how to torch a Tabata workout:
The run on toilet paper continues to rage on, but thankfully, we had just restocked before this all started. The store shelves are often looking like this (especially in the toilet paper aisle):
No one really knows why everyone is hoarding tp, but that's what's happening. We've mostly been able to get everything else that we need, though we've had to make a few substitutions and adjustments here and there.
I've been trying to get the kids to do more chores around the house. "Trying" being the operative word there. But I was able to get them to clean the lower kitchen cabinets. So when this is all over, there's at least that. The game was to see who could make their wipe the dirtiest.
The kids have not stepped foot into a public place in about 10 days. In order to keep them from going stir crazy, we've taken them to various outdoor places to run around and play. Here they are by the creek in Ellijay:
And here they are riding their bikes:
Or course, normal life actions, like haircuts, must still go on. Tony was preparing to give himself a hair cut, when Caleb picked up the clippers and gave himself this:
Yikes! Tony creatively turned it into:
He loves it, but I told him it was only while school was out. Tony thought of trying the look too:
Thankfully, he thought better of it and shaved it all off.
Church has been "virtual" for these past two Sundays. Though it's not the same (and not just because there's no childcare at our house), it's still been good to maintain our normal Sunday ritual, more or less. I've also been immensely blessed by my personal devotions. Here is the reading for one day:
How providential that my week's focus was on the providence of God during a week when I especially needed to hear that!
On another day this week, I read Esther chapter 4. That very same day as I was driving down a road that I frequent often, there was a small yard sign that I have never seen before that simply said "Esther 4:14." I don't believe in coincidences but in the providence of God, so I knew this must be something God is trying to tell me (or all of us). The second part of it says: "And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" Though I am still working out what this means and it's application, right now, I'm taking it to mean that we are all exactly where we are meant to be and that though there is sickness and fear all around, we are called to be a light in a dark place and to share the love of God with people who need it. "For God gave us a spirit, not of fear, but of power and love and self control." 2 Timothy 1:7
So as we continue to hunker down for who knows how long, I am thankful - for all the things that we used to be able to enjoy without question but no longer can and for how God continues to provide for us. I also pray that our family can be a helping hand and encouragement to those in need. But most of all, I pray that we would rely on God to supply our needs, to heal the world of this disease, and to not let this suffering be wasted but be used to draw the nations closer to Him and to each other.
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