President Nelson said, "There are many things the Lord wants us to learn from our experiences during this pandemic. I invite you to make your own list, consider it carefully, and share it with those you love."
1. I have learned that I do not want to live far away from my kids. I don't want to have a border between us. I don't want to be the grandparents that only see their grandkids once a year. I want to be able to go to my kids' and grandkids' events. I want them to come to our house to rope and ride and celebrate holidays.
2. I have learned that we can simplify. The events we plan can be simplified and streamlined. The time we spend together is more important than the decorations or fancy refreshments.
3. I have learned that isolation and separation is not the way it is supposed to be. The only reason drive-by receptions, funerals, birthday parties, etc are meaningful is because we have a previous relationship with people. We built those relationships by gathering, spending time together, and enjoying activities together.
4. I have learned that prayer is essential. When the world seems so frustrating, pour out your heart to God. He hears your prayers and will comfort you. "Be Still My Soul, the Lord is on Thy Side."
5. I have learned that the Savior has prepared us to survive and still progress through a pandemic. We were prepared with a plan to study the gospel at home during the time we couldn't go to church. We were prepared to minister to others in new and creative ways, even when you can't go visit them in their homes. The mission rules changed about a year before the pandemic that missionaries could call home every week - before it was just on Mother's Day and Christmas. Having Hanna be able to video call us every week has been essential. It gives her something to look forward to. It gives us a chance to be together. It gives excitement to her P-Day since they are in lockdown and can only go buy groceries. They can't do activities with their district or other missionaries. We talk to her for 4-5 hours every Monday.
6. I have learned that time goes fast and slow. The days and weeks are sometimes long, but here we are 13 months into the pandemic.
7. I have learned that it is so important to choose who and what we are going to listen to. Are we going to listen to the random post on Facebook, the forwarded email, and the random blog? Or are we going to listen to the prophet, our church leaders, and trusted professionals? There is so many opinions and so much information out there. It is vital that we choose our sources of information carefully and follow the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
8. I have learned not to procrastinate. On the day the pandemic started, that was what your grade was in school. It couldn't go down. You could raise it, but that was your grade. (I don't think Westwind School Division would go with that policy again - students stopped doing school work after a few weeks of online learning because they knew their grade wouldn't go down). Also, the standings for high school rodeo became the qualification to compete at provincials. Since we couldn't have spring rodeos, there was no chance to improve your standings. Another example is that the US gave economic stimulus money to all of its citizens who filed a tax return in 2019. All of a sudden we had dozens of clients come to our office who now wanted to file their US tax return so they could get the stimulus money. Those who had faithfully filed all along had already received the stimulus money.
9. I have learned to be patient and something I still need to learn is to have more hobbies. I love events. I love going to watch games and rodeos and going to church and community activities. I am not as good at doing nothing. We did get tons of projects done in our yard last year. I have also done lots of cleaning projects, but after a year it all could use another good cleaning.
10. I have learned that technology is a blessing. For several months, we had church with Austin's extended family and got to know them in a way we never would have before. We have also had some great zoom calls with our kids and with my extended family. We have also been able to watch baptisms and funerals and our family member's speak in church all around the country. Also, a shoutout to Marco (a video messaging app) for being able to stay close to family and friends.
