We had a fun discussion around the table the other day. Earlier we had become aware of a nation-wide mandate that people could not gather in groups larger than 10 people.
"So when the baby is born, who do we leave at the hospital?" Dad put out to the crowd.
Unfortunately for him, I think he was elected as the sacrificial lamb ;), although Maia graciously volunteered.
**********
This Corona virus situation has led to some interesting scenarios.
-Drew is fortunate enough to have some personal space at his aunt's house right now, which is a huge blessing for him. She also has a comprised immune system and is super susceptible to viruses and we all need to be extra careful. So other than if we see him walking on the street, all our contact with him is now through media...thank goodness we have that! I will sure miss his hugs, although know this is for the best.
-Tova is considering whether or not she is going to move to Texas to be with her boyfriend if he should move early in accepting the job offer he received for late summer after he finishes school. Again, fortunately, we have family in Texas that might be open to her staying with them, but we will see how that unfolds.
-Seminary will be online once a week through a group chat and they are on homestudy for the rest of the week.
I think my favorite scenario that has come up has been having church at home. Even before the nation-wide mandate was announced, our Church leaders announced some modifications to our church services, gatherings, temple worship and missionary work. So last Sunday, we had Sacrament Meeting in our home.
I saw a whole bunch of cool posts on Facebook from others who had a really spiritual, special experience. I was super happy for them but kind of chuckled, thinking of our own. However, it wasn't until my mom asked for a detailed report that I realized two things:
-I am good at setting realistic expectations
-my normal is definitely not everyone else's normal ;)...not really a shocker, but there it is!
Here are some key moments of our meeting:
*pre-meeting lecture/instructions: "don't call out comments, etc. during the meeting, as we wouldn't do that during our normal meeting."(ideally.)
*selection of first song: "Spirit of God" with following commentary about how that is the longest song in the hymn book especially when played largo. Hava was our pianist and took the challenge and kept up a good speed :D.
*subsequent ongoing "commentary" with accompanying commentary that "commentary" was not acceptable.
*sacrament performed in little paper cups that miraculously made it all around the group with no spillage and only one close call
*immediately after the sacrament, Xai turned to me and demanded, "where's the treats?" Well, not only did I not think about them because all food is vile to me right now, but really? The meeting is only going to be 20 minutes long! (Albeit with maybe a 5 minute extension for "The Spirit of God"...). My explanation was not sufficient and he proceeded to throw a very elaborate demonstration of his unhappiness despite my attempted bribery with a nice large treat after it was done if he was good...at which point he tried negotiating the size to compensate for his disappointment....only 15 minutes to go...
*we listened to a conference talk I had selected and bore testimony about. About half-way through said testimony, Liesl began throwing a full-blown tantrum, rolling back and forth across the floor. It was at this point that I realized something truly beautiful about home church: everyone there was used to her tantrums and, if necessary, they could be ignored and we didn't have to take her out! I am sure at another time, I may take the time to deal with it, but in my exhausted, nauseous state, it felt good to just ignore it.
*we carried on beautifully through to the end through Xai's closing prayer, tantrum now winding down.
Success! I came away from it feeling super happy. We felt the Spirit and no one was really mad at each other over all. (Xai's frustration is quicksilver.) I'll take our meetings, craziness and all. They make me smile :D.
"So when the baby is born, who do we leave at the hospital?" Dad put out to the crowd.
Unfortunately for him, I think he was elected as the sacrificial lamb ;), although Maia graciously volunteered.
**********
This Corona virus situation has led to some interesting scenarios.
-Drew is fortunate enough to have some personal space at his aunt's house right now, which is a huge blessing for him. She also has a comprised immune system and is super susceptible to viruses and we all need to be extra careful. So other than if we see him walking on the street, all our contact with him is now through media...thank goodness we have that! I will sure miss his hugs, although know this is for the best.
-Tova is considering whether or not she is going to move to Texas to be with her boyfriend if he should move early in accepting the job offer he received for late summer after he finishes school. Again, fortunately, we have family in Texas that might be open to her staying with them, but we will see how that unfolds.
-Seminary will be online once a week through a group chat and they are on homestudy for the rest of the week.
I think my favorite scenario that has come up has been having church at home. Even before the nation-wide mandate was announced, our Church leaders announced some modifications to our church services, gatherings, temple worship and missionary work. So last Sunday, we had Sacrament Meeting in our home.
I saw a whole bunch of cool posts on Facebook from others who had a really spiritual, special experience. I was super happy for them but kind of chuckled, thinking of our own. However, it wasn't until my mom asked for a detailed report that I realized two things:
-I am good at setting realistic expectations
-my normal is definitely not everyone else's normal ;)...not really a shocker, but there it is!
Here are some key moments of our meeting:
*pre-meeting lecture/instructions: "don't call out comments, etc. during the meeting, as we wouldn't do that during our normal meeting."(ideally.)
*selection of first song: "Spirit of God" with following commentary about how that is the longest song in the hymn book especially when played largo. Hava was our pianist and took the challenge and kept up a good speed :D.
*subsequent ongoing "commentary" with accompanying commentary that "commentary" was not acceptable.
*sacrament performed in little paper cups that miraculously made it all around the group with no spillage and only one close call
*immediately after the sacrament, Xai turned to me and demanded, "where's the treats?" Well, not only did I not think about them because all food is vile to me right now, but really? The meeting is only going to be 20 minutes long! (Albeit with maybe a 5 minute extension for "The Spirit of God"...). My explanation was not sufficient and he proceeded to throw a very elaborate demonstration of his unhappiness despite my attempted bribery with a nice large treat after it was done if he was good...at which point he tried negotiating the size to compensate for his disappointment....only 15 minutes to go...
*we listened to a conference talk I had selected and bore testimony about. About half-way through said testimony, Liesl began throwing a full-blown tantrum, rolling back and forth across the floor. It was at this point that I realized something truly beautiful about home church: everyone there was used to her tantrums and, if necessary, they could be ignored and we didn't have to take her out! I am sure at another time, I may take the time to deal with it, but in my exhausted, nauseous state, it felt good to just ignore it.
*we carried on beautifully through to the end through Xai's closing prayer, tantrum now winding down.
Success! I came away from it feeling super happy. We felt the Spirit and no one was really mad at each other over all. (Xai's frustration is quicksilver.) I'll take our meetings, craziness and all. They make me smile :D.
