Sheltering in Place

We've now completed week two of self isolation. As an introvert, I believe it's easier for me than for many others. I do miss seeking my friends, but we talk on the phone and via Facebook. Some people seem to be getting a lot of projects done, but I've worked from home and find myself with very little extra time. I do think in reading a bit more.  

My daughter is adjusting to school from home, but misses her friends too. My son is working with a plumber. (I suppose all of that excess toilet paper will cause problems.) I do hope you'll join me and pray for his protection each day.

I am thankful for what we have: running water, good, safe homes, electricity, ways to communicate, working from home, sunshine, warm weather, etc. The list goes on and on. Americans are so fortunate in this crisis. We have access to doctors, nurses, hospitals, police, rescue personnel, medicine, etc. We are so very blessed.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Be Strong and Courageous

God knows exactly what is happening in our world. I just participated in a Zoom Bible class and watched my church service online. Both were very helpful in calming my spirit. I encourage you to find an online group.

I think there are many lessons I will learn during this season.

• Need vs. Want
• Sufficient vs. Preferred 
• Kindness vs. Selfishness 
• Faith vs. Fear
• Peace vs. Anxiousness 
• Time for things that matter vs. Entertainment 

God spoke this to Joshua as he was about to take over leading the Israelites following the death of Moses.

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

This is powerful for those who are children of God. I pray that all who read this have given their lives to Christ.

And the World Changed

I've learned a new phrase - social distancing. In a week we've gone from hearing about COVID-19 to a national emergency which encourages each person to stay away from large crowds and only venture out as needed. I've already been informed by my child that she is bored, even though most of her weekends consist of staying at home. Our only change was not attending church, but rather watching online. This we did together using Chromecast on our TV. It worked well.

Monday I'm going to attempt working from home all day. It is an experiment to see if we can get all of the pieces working in order to run the office regardless of location. Although instruction has been halted for two weeks, staff members are still required to work and keep the office open. In my opinion, this defeats the purpose of social distancing. I don't want anyone to catch the virus and I honestly don't understand why universities need to stay open to the public when instruction has halted. In this age of technology, why not temporarily use email for all correspondence? 

I also don't want fear to be a driving force. Instead I want to lean on faith. Faith that we should take precautions and let God take care of us as He always has done. President Trump declared today a National Day of Prayer. This is something that was done in Old Testament times and it is up to us to follow suit.

II Chronicles 7:13-14 When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 

And also, I leave you with this blessing.

Number 6:24-26 

24 “The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” ’

A Different Kind of Weekend

My normal weekend consists of house and laundry cleaning, and church. This weekend I decided to mix it up a bit. On Saturday I convinced my BFF and my daughter to join me at a book signing. We went to the square in Gainesville, ate burgers at The Collegiate, then met with the author and his wife at the local bookstore. It was fun to reminisce and catch up on life. 

However my daughter only agreed to go if a shopping trip was included, so she did get a couple of items. She also commented that we had a good day and she was happy that she was actually social on a Saturday. I was thrilled! Perhaps I can get her out in the world more often. :)

Sunday after church my BFF and I trekked around Gibbs Gardens. I had never been and it was wonderful. Definitely a place I will visit again many times this year. I can hardly wait to drag the daughter there for a bit of photography!

Sometimes I get so bogged down in what I need to do that I forget to look up and enjoy the great adventures around me. Doing so is like learning to sing a new song. Just trying something different, I was able to soak up a ton of joy! 

Psalm 33:3 Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy.

Leap Day and Spring Forward

In a span of 8 days, we will have added 24 hours and taken away 1 hour. February 29th (aka Leap Day) was yesterday and next Sunday at 2 am, we will be springing forward to Daylight Savings Time. I'm just amazed sometimes when I sit back and observe how we as humans put so many constraints on time.

An extra day is added every 4 years to 'catch up' to the fact that the span of a year is approximately 365.25 days, based on 24 hour days. It could have been different - we could have a year of 487 days that lasted 9 hours each and there would be no need to add an extra day to catch up. Just think, you could work 9 hours, sleep 9 hours, be off 9 hours, but still work 162 days or 36 weeks a year (if the year had 487 days). Probably not the wisest plan. Good thing I wasn't on that planning committee. :D

So we added 24 hours this week by extending the year by a day, but wait. Let's not be hasty. Someone thinks we need more sunlight in the evening, so let's arbitrarily create a 23 hour day, then have a 25 hour day in about 8 months to balance out the year. Why? Because that's the way it's been done off and on since WWI. Personally I'm not looking forward to it. (Pun intended!)

Regardless of the length of a day, the number of days in a year or our arbitrary counting of those, I'll focus on two things.

Psalm 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. 

Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.