COVID-19 Pandemic Update

Things can change quickly.  There's no time better than now to be people full of grace and Good News! But, I miss my people. I'm concerned for friends and family who are at high risk for contracting the virus. These past two weeks have literally seemed like two months to me. We are now living during the Coronavirus Pandemic, also knows as Covid-19.  Just over three weeks ago, we found out Elliott would be moving home from the University of Cincinnati so that he could study remotely. Max hasn't had school for two weeks but is set to start NTI (Non Traditional Instruction) on April 7.  Spring break plans canceled. Professional and College Sports (March Madness, NBA, etc.) canceled. Kentucky Premier League canceled. Louisville City Soccer Canceled.

'Social Distancing' is the new word and is key to stopping the spread of the Coronavirus. Non-essential retail stores have been closed. Restaurants offer drive-thru only.  Last week, Kroger didn't have bread or meat in-stock and they still don't have toilet paper. People are filing for un-employment like crazy. Executives are taking major pay cuts. It's unprecedented times. It's a season.

The internet helps, even as we distance from each other socially. I am becoming well acquainted with Zoom calls and Google chat. I had my first zoom call with Lisa and Julie. We pray together most every Wednesday morning at 10 am and I'm glad we were able to pray together via Zoom. Wally and I had our first Zoom call with our small group on Monday night. Wally is still working. I am still working.  Northeast Christian Church's Compassion Initiative for the most vulnerable in our city has kept me really busy. In addition, our staff at Northeast has tried our best to care for the healthcare professionals on the front lines. We've set up a resource line to help people navigate challenges during this time. For the past two weeks, we've had Church Online. Elliott and Max bought two new board games for us to play and in addition we have played the Wii together. Who knew I still had our Wii? Elliott did. He found it. And, he has crushed us all in Just Dance. 

We miss our schedules. Max really doesn't miss his school schedule. He's enjoyed a break. Elliott misses the college life. I miss the energy from Iron Tribe Fitness.  It's hard to do lots of burpees without peer pressure! We miss our distant family members and just hanging out with friends. Elliott isn't able to visit his grandparents as to not pass along the virus. On another note, we've talked more to our neighbors than ever before.

I'm wondering if we will choose to live differently as a result of this pandemic. Will our values change? What will we learn about ourselves? Will we allow this challenging time to make us better?  Better citizens? More Faithful Christians?  Better spouses? Better parents?

One thing I do know is that I need God's wisdom in navigating this "new normal."  Lord, hear our prayers and grant us wisdom.