How do I even begin to wrap up a month as wild as this one. We are living in an unprecedented global situation so I can’t pretend that everything is normal. COVID-19 is changing our world as we know it with consequences ranging from inconvenient to catastrophic – depending on many variables. What I can do is tell you what we managed to do before the world (almost) stopped turning and what we are doing now to cope. Know that I am praying for you and I am here if you need to vent or have prayer requests or just need to communicate with someone other than your kids! Pop over to my contact tab and send me an e-mail or comment on this blog post. Or click on my social media buttons on the right hand side of this page. To quote from the modern day classic High School Musical, “We’re all in this together.”
We started the month with some presidential primaries. Maybe that should have been an ominous foreshadowing of things to come. I picked up an extra work shift helping at a memorial service. That was an interesting first, but now that I can’t work at all because I’m in the fitness/ service industry, I’m thankful for those few extra hours.
I praised God for one friend and one family member who received favorable medical news this month and thanked Him for the opportunity to have lunch with both sisters and two childhood friends – all together. So fun. We were in church youth group together just a couple of years ago. Such great memories. And then a couple of days later, my favorite hairdresser/friend (ok she’s the only one who fits both of those descriptions for me) treated me to the best chinese restaurant. Yum!
My 15 year old daughter spent the genesis of her spring break in Austin helping out our church plant there. Then I took her to get her first hair highlights (done by the same fabulous hairdresser/ friend). My oldest, Shelby, enjoyed Camp Summit during her time off of school (little did we know there was much more time off to come). This camp for special needs kids and adults provides fun, healthy activities for her and much needed respite from caregiving for my husband and myself.
The second half of spring break, we headed to the St. Louis area to see our son and his kids. Being with them is always a whirlwind of activity including a trip to Meramec Caverns, ice cream treats, playing outside and a disgusting round of Beanboozled! I really enjoyed getting to see our son and put my arms around him during a difficult time.
Then the times got more difficult. With the announcements that the kids would be out of school for two weeks (at least) and my son needing to work as a doctor, we made the last minute decision to bring the two oldest kidlets back to Texas with us. So this very non-kid person has been entertaining without the benefit of movie theaters, bowling alleys, libraries or any other public attractions. I know many of you can relate right now. So we have done online art classes, music lessons, cookie baking, game playing and lots of park time when the weather permitted. Thanks to some amazing neighbors we even acquired a bike and a scooter for them to use.
Tucked in around the edges of grandparenting, we watched Dolly Parton’s Heart Strings. I loved most of the stories but wouldn’t recommend all. We checked out Stargirl on Disney+ with our teen. A sweet teen-centric drama. She also talked us into The Perfect Date with Noah Centineo. The hubs and I caught Murder Mystery, Always Be My Maybe and Brad Paisley’s Comedy Rodeo. We also watched the first episode of the Netflix series Murderous Affairs (Don’t judge. I unfortunately knew the subjects.), and a couple episodes of The Movies that Made Us and The Toys that Made Us. My sister and I caught Emma at the movie theater and I finished two books – Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son’s Journey to God, a Broken Mother’s Search for Hope by Christopher Yuan and Angela Yuan, and Wally Funk’s Race for Space: The Extraordinary Story of a Female Aviation Pioneer by Sue Nelson (mentioned in last week’s post).
To wrap up, reader friends, the days ahead will not be easy. Just know that it’s ok to have lows – to feel sad or frustrated or even a little anxious. But lean into our Heavenly Father. None of this surprises Him and He is our ultimate source of comfort and purpose. And I consider it an honor to pray for you. If you need to vent or have specific needs, please reach out to me. And tell me, too, if you have been given the gift of extra time (I realize this does not apply to everyone), what are you doing with it?
And now for this week’s featured post!
I love the honesty and realism that Linda Stoll expresses in This One’s for Anyone Who’s Not Feeling Especially Strong and Courageous Right Now. The truth is that you can hold both anxiety and faith in God at the same time. So often we pressure ourselves that it has to be one or the other, but this post shows what it is to be human – and have faith. Visit Linda at lindastoll.net and thank her for linking up.
Now for this week’s link-up! Let’s bless and encourage one another in our walk with the Lord.
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Maree Dee
Lauren Sparks
Heather Hart & Valerie Riese
Lisa Burgess
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It sounds like you have been extremely busy! Thank you for your prayers and you are so right on leaning on Him for strength. I try to remember that in every moment.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
We all need that reminder right now.
It sounds like you are doing a marvelous job in a really trying time.
We are doing the best we can, Joanne. Saying a prayer for you.
Your post just oozes compassion and grace for your readers. I am priviledged to be one. Thank you for your prayers.
Thank you, Donna.
Wow, Lauren. I just popped in to say ‘hi’ and what a jolt to see my post featured. What a lovely gift. Thank you so much for connecting me with your friends and followers.
I’m so appreciative.
Bless you!
Well I appreciated what you had to say, Linda. Keep up the good work.
It surely is a crazy time Lauren!
We are now in Lock down here in Australia only allowed to go out for food supplies, essential work or solo exercise in a walk or jog!
But God is still God & He is with us in this time, we are rejoicing in this! 😀
Bless you,
Jennifer
Yes we are, Jennifer.
Lauren, I feel like you’re going to be writing this —> “How do I even begin to wrap up a month as wild as this one.” at the end of April too! *cry cry cry* What strange times we are witnessing! Take care!
Thank you for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
You might be right, Patsy. Take care!
The current situation does make you appreciate those “lasts”, doesn’t it? Last lunch with friends, last time you worked, last, last, last…Thank you for your prayers. We all need them!
I hadn’t even thought of them as “lasts”, but indeed!
It’s so strange how our months all ended so very differently than they began this March. I look back at all the social and group activities I was able to participate in at the first of March, and am grateful, not knowing what was about to come. I do feel a mixture of emotions–high and low–throughout the day, but thankful in the end that I can rest in Christ.
I’m with you on the mixed emotions, Lisa. Resting in Him is all we can do!
The title of this post could be more accurate, Lauren! March was definitely a mad, mad, mad, mad, very mad, mad indeed mad month. But we ARE in this together. And together we will survive and then thrive. Many prayers to your son and his work and lots of calming energy to you with a house full of kids and grandkids! Thanks for sharing your light.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Thank you for the prayers. Means so much!
Wow! You have sure had a busy month. Stay safe and healthy.
Same to you, Angela. Thank you!