MARCH 2020 at a
GLANCE:
March 1: Our baptism company began to scatter
today. It has been surprisingly lovely
even though our living room furniture is in the garage and the piano in the
pine cone room. We’ve had Randel and his
children, his parents, Andrea, Jordan and Hyrum and Janna and her boys. Robinson’s provided night accommodations for
Andrea’s family. The rest were here.
March 2: We spent the day with Janna and her
boys before dropping them off at the airport. It’s always hard to see our
children and their families leave. Today
was no exception. Janna came at some
sacrifice to their family. I know she
came partly to visit the homestead one more time in the event that we sell our
home. Darrel’s brothers are in the
process of selling the farm and hope to close within the month.
March 3-6:
We were able to get the living room and ceilings in the hallways and
kitchen painted and ready for carpet.
The carpet was installed in March 6th.
March 7:
We had our missionary portraits taken today. Jordan and Andrea joined us and had family
pictures taken as well.
March 9-13:
Darrel and I traveled to Arizona to spend time with Tyler and Katie’s
family. We drove so we could see the
Grand Canyon on our way down. We saw the
Coral Pink Sand dunes and other magnificent geological wonders. We experienced spring and winter on this
trip. We spent the first night in a
small Bungalow in Page, AZ. We
experienced Horse Shoe Bend, Glen Canyon Dam, and that part of Lake Powell on a
beautiful, clear spring day. Our time at
Grand Canyon was disappointing. Winter
returned overnight. There was snow and
thick fog enveloping the area, but we felt the spirit of that great place and
the rich history it represents. The
clouds parted enough for us to see the bottom of the canyon from a view point a
mile up. Being aware of the corona virus
made us even more aware of the cultural diversity of the visitors there and the
countries they represented. Honestly, it
encouraged us to walk more and ride the bus less. We enjoyed a night with the Wilkins family in
a remodeled old School house in Flagstaff, and then a wonderful day at
BEARIZONA with them. We traveled to
their home for a short visit, but came home a day early because of impending
restrictions in Arizona due to the high population of retired residents. Mark and LeeAnn subbed at the temple for us
while we were gone. The temples were closed to all but live ordinances, by the following week.
March 15:
Today was our first week of in home Sunday worship services. We had Lionel and Linda down as well as Ben
and Sariah. Bethany and her kids were in
Idaho. The sacrament in a home setting
brought a Spirit that I don’t often feel in a crowded chapel. For certain, where two or more are gathered
in His name, He is there also. We had a
wonderful experience today.
March 17:
Today was Shellie’s 39th birthday! I felt grateful to get my missionary dental
evaluation done today with the restrictions increasing daily in response the
COVID19 pandemic.
March 18, 2020: It snowed! There was a 5.7 magnitude
earthquake that knocked Moroni’s trumpet from his hands on the SLC Temple. It
centered in near Magna, Utah. Darcy and
Brian Marvin and Ken and Karen Shaw’s homes and families are doing ok. Karina LaPriel Vorwaller was born this
morning. I had my doctor’s physical for our mission. The corona-virus situation
is beyond comprehension for me at this time.
The mortality rate is 2%, but boarders have closed, airports closed,
stores, recreation parks, theaters and restaurants as closed. The temples, chapels, historical sites, BYU,
and temple square are closed. Many
senior missionaries around the globe are being sent home. Elders and Sisters with under-lying medical
conditions are coming home as well.
There are no church meetings, no schools open, and no sports. All
political gatherings and performances at BYU and Hale Theater have been
cancelled, as well as General Conference in the Conference Center. I am thinking this whole thing will turn out
being more valuable in promoting God’s purposes than the hoped health benefits.
I believe it will help re-focus people on home, family, and God, allowing us to
assess where we are and what over-programming and busyness to doing to the most
important things in life.
March 18-31:
Most of my calendared events were cancelled overnight because of the
pandemic. I have loved being free to
stay home and focus on the things that are most important to me without
distraction or limitations on time. I’ve
worked many hours on my Mom’s personal history. Knowing that we are judged from
the things written on earth, I have felt a strong need to collect a record that
advocates for the success, beauty, and goodness of her life. Dad and I have
gone for a drive each Wednesday to get him out of the house and spend some one
on one time together. That has been
good.
Almost by accident, I found my “sacred grove”
at the end of our lane to the south. The
feeling, perspective and view invite the Spirit for me. It has become a place to pause, reset my
focus, hear the Spirit, and find peace and rest. Darrel carried a lawn chair down for me when
he walked with me because of my desire and need to linger there. Before long, he carried one down for him,
too. We’ve had some deep, meaningful
discussions there. I’ve been so grateful
for that.
Part of this
COVID 19 situation that has touched me the most is clear evidence of the
resilience, ingenuity, resourcefulness, creativity and goodness of people in
time of crisis. Individuals, families, and communities hold the answers
to the problems we are not facing and will face in the future. The answers cannot and will not come from BIG
GOVERNMENT. They have forgotten that
their job is to “promote the general welfare”, not solve every individual’s
problems. Individual problems are best solved by individuals, families and
communities. Economically, society will be recovering for some time and I will
be watching with wonder to see the Lord’s hand, made manifest through it
all.
