Social Distancing: Week 2

It's a bizarre world we're living in these days. Every day there are more confirmed cases of Covid-19 and more deaths. More restrictions, more closures, more uncertainty. On Wednesday, the state of New Mexico issued a stay at home order and mandated that all non-essential businesses cease in-person operations. We're not to gather in groups greater than 5 people. The government (department of energy) is telling national labs to go back to work, but Sandia is saying stay home, so that's being tricky. Workers were told two weeks ago, when schools were initially closed, that they could take FMLA to help with kids and homeschooling, then told on Thursday (the day time cards are due) that actually they couldn't and that they had to take vacation or no pay. Matthew has been teaching math for a couple hours each day, and we would have done something different from the start if we knew we were going to have to take vacation for it.

Temples are all closed. Missionaries all over the world are returning home and the ones who are still out are quarantined and can't leave their apartments. It was a really neat, special experience having the Sacrament at home, but our little meetings don't quite meet our needs the way fellowshiping with the saints can. I'm so grateful though that we have three Priesthood holders in our home, and I recognize how we've been being prepared for home centered Gospel study and worship for the past couple years. I'm so grateful for my testimony in a loving God who is all knowing and full of mercy.

Grocery stores have limited hours, and shoppers are only allowed one or two of high demand items. Despite the stress of it, I've been able to get most everything I want. We did finally find some yeast on the shelf at Walmart yesterday, which is just about the only thing I hadn't been able to acquire. It was bread machine yeast, and expensive, but I'll take it over nothing. I'm grateful for the food storage I do have, but wish it was better. 

Utah had several earthquakes, followed by snow storms reaching from Salt Lake to Denver and beyond. On the whole, we've had beautiful weather here in Albuquerque. We had a couple rainy days, and a cold wind has prevailed the last couple of days, but there's been lots of sunshine, which does so much to keep my spirits up. I'm grateful for that.

Matthew has been working from home for six days and the kids have been home from school for twelve. On the whole, I think we all prefer homeschool to regular school. The schedule is great and the boys especially like being able to go at their own pace (that is, faster than they do at school). Mercy is really benefiting from the one on one instruction and she loves all the attention. I think everyone misses friends though, and while I love my children and my husband endlessly, I admit I don't exactly love being around them endlessly. We have a big home, but at the end of week two, it's starting to feel a little crowded. I miss the stillness and quiet that comes from an empty house. We learned this morning that school is cancelled for the rest of the school year. Now, at least, I can get out of survival mode and make a plan for the long haul.

The most bizarre thing to me is time. It's hard to remember what day it is, and one hour feels so much like the last that morning runs into afternoon and evening without the same sense of progression that I'm used to. I feel like all I accomplish most days is homeschool and dinner. Twice this week I was able to run out for groceries, but other than that and walking across the street to collect school lunch every day, we're just here all together at the house. Matthew and I thought we'd have oodles of time to get projects done, but by the time the dinner dishes are cleaned up, neither of us have an ounce of energy left for anything but screen time.

These are strange times, but on the whole, we are so blessed. Matthew has a stable job and we have savings and even money to spare to put in the stock market while it's been so low. We have a big, comfortable house, plenty of food, resources for homeschooling, and endless entertainment. I am not that worried about the future, and can't really complain about the present. These are the latter days, after all, and I for one am looking forward to the Second Coming which they herald.