Just three weeks ago, I was planning my week with some apprehension of this virus going around, but within that first week our world completely changed. Initially, Hurricane Harvey came to mind. We were frantic to make sure we had enough supplies to hunker down and wait this thing out, eager to do our part, and our eyes became glued to our screens. We were checking for updates and information. How long would this last? How bad would it get? What were the ramifications of a worldwide quarantine? Were we really prepared? That feeling of fight or flight took in, and then, going to the store solidified the changes. Bare shelves left me feeling more apprehensive and the weight of the situation took hold. We made light of the situation with our many memes and tried to look for the positive, but with the upcoming birth of our fourth child, I did have moments of great fear and anxiety. What if Andy or I were to contract this? How long would we be separated from our newborn? What if the hospital policy changed again from only one support person to no one? I was worried and scared, and so I turned to prayer. The Lord answered my prayer on Thursday. His boss told Andy that he would remain home for the next month and work on a home study course to keep his exposure from this virus to a minimum. Then on Friday the US government prohibited hospitals from eliminating that one essential support person during delivery. Today Andy and many others from our church fasted for healing. Healing for the world from this virus and its economic affects. I believe in the power of prayer and fasting and I can’t wait to see what miracles come from this unified effort. I am also extremely excited for General Conference this next weekend. You can watch that here. In my personal study today I read in the Doctrine and Covenants, section 84 (one of the sections our prophet encouraged us to read to prepare for this upcoming General Conference). Verse 97 really seemed poignant to the crisis we are facing today. I don’t doubt President Nelson is a seer, and this merely confirmed that to me. It states, “And plagues shall go forth, and they shall not be taken from he earth until I have completed my work, which shall be cut short in righteousness–” It will be our righteousness that will end this pandemic. I found this on my Facebook feed and I find it very fitting. (My friend, Melody Steele posted it, but I’m not sure if she’s the original author):
🏭 Store workers are stocking the shelves all night and store managers said, we are letting elderly people shop first in the mornings.
🛳 Carnival cruise line told Trump we can match those big Navy Hospital ships Comfort and Mercy with some fully staffed cruise ships.
🚘 GM said, we can make those ventilators where we were making cars starting next week. We will retrofit our manufacturing equipment immediately.
🕋 Restaurants said, we have kitchens and staff we can feed kids who’s parents need some help.
🏀 NBA basketball players said, hold our basketballs while we write checks to pay the arena staff.
💰The wealthy said, here we will donate funds for the research and support of beating this virus.
📚 Teachers said, here let me help you virtually to teach your children, we will do online lessons and I will help parents enrich their children.
🎼 Celebrities said , let us read books to your children and sing songs on Twitter live feeds for those of you stuck inside.
🧵Crafters said, we will sit at our sewing machines for hours a day, sewing masks and caps for the nurses and home health care workers.
👩👦Moms said, here are my blogs and activity ideas for your children. Let’s stand together in staying home with our kids.
👬 Young Americans said, let us volunteer to run errands, and get food for the vulnerable.
👩⚕️🥼 Nurses and Doctors putting themselves at risk to help the infected.
🚔 👩🏽🚒 🚑 Police, Firefighters and First Repsonders, Military standing strong and continuing to protect, serve and work while everyone else is safe in their homes.
⛪️ Churches are finding creative ways to bring a message of hope over social media to keep people connected and safe in their homes.
🇺🇸 We look like a nation divided sometimes. But we are a nation that will stand and will fight together.
We will survive this.
I have seen many other miracles and tender mercies during this time, such as Jennie’s boss cutting her booth rent in half, neighbors helping each other out, home gospel study as family, the waters and air clearing up in more populated areas due to a decrease in pollution, greater appreciation for teachers and the medical field, and the list could go on and on. I hope that in this time of uncertainty, we can turn to the things we are certain of- our family and our faith. Take a minute to listen to the “Some Things Never Change” song from Frozen II, it is strangely comforting.
Nice!