Silver Linings...

When I think about all of the families that have been affected by COVID-19, it breaks my heart.  We are praying for them and hope they are healed and find peace. Many people have struggled with finances and work. Many are on the front lines of this disease and risking their own lives.  I try to learn from all experiences in life. I've spent time pondering this as we've passed through the uncharted territory these past five and a half weeks.

Church has been canceled, and we've been on our own for our spiritual enlightenment and the Sacrament.  As we tried to figure this out, I'm grateful for church leaders who have prepared us for times like these.  Back in 2015,  we began being told to keep the sabbath day over and over.  At the time, the TV was on most of the day.  Sunday wasn't much different than the rest of the week.  As I heard this repeatedly through General Conference and at church, I decided it was time to make a change.  

We have chosen to make the day more about the Savior and family.  If we watch anything, it is faith-based and right at the end of the day. We play together, go on walks, and visit or talk with family on the phone. We spend time on family history.  It doesn't happen as often as it should, but it's a start. Sunday has felt different for many years.

I noticed a tender mercy a few months back.  When talking with the kids about this, I learned Hailey, who was 10, doesn't remember Sundays any different.  She had no idea I used to let them watch TV most of the day.  I'm grateful for that.  Also, when we first made the change, kids complained often, saying they hated Sundays.  Now, for the most part, they enjoy Sundays and look forward to family time. I'm grateful we heeded these teachings.  I can't imagine trying to do church at home, competing with everything else we do for the rest of the week.

The other big one was about a year and a half ago we went from three-hour church to two.  This had an expectation that we'd spend that time at home teaching our children from the "Come Follow Me" manual.  We set up a plan and decided to introduce the lesson on Sunday at dinner and study in the morning before school.  I teach during the week, and Bo does Sundays.  We've seen the benefits of this in many ways. 

First, our kids have learned much better how to sit still and contribute to a lesson.  I have prayed for help in learning to teach with the Spirit.  I've seen that prayer answered. I don't claim to be great, but I've gotten better.  I think it's a great blessing for the kids to see we have testimonies, and we don't just go to church out of tradition or habit.  

I love going to church with other people, but for now, I'm so grateful for this opportunity to be able to have the Sacrament in our home and having our spiritual upliftment in our home.  We have had many tender moments during talks and testimonies.  The Spirit is strong in our little meetings.  I also get to play prelude each week, which I love (so grateful for my organ).

Here's how our little meetings go.  We open with a prayer and Sacrament Hymn.  We move to the table to have the Sacrament.  We then have a talk, musical number, and another talk by Mom or Dad.  Then a closing song.  Come Follow Me is at dinner.  It's short but truly sweet, and the Spirit stays in our home much better throughout the week.  I can tell because the kids are getting along better.  Life is just more peaceful:)

General Conference was a couple of weeks ago.  It was indeed a breath of fresh air. I've been trying my best to have faith and not fear as this pandemic creeps in and then attacks cities. It has been hard at times.  I've worried about food, the business, our health, and others who are struggling.  I have felt strengthened and been able to worry less.  I instead look for blessings.  We had fasted the week prior, and the prophet asked us to fast again.  This time those of different faiths all over the world joined in.  We have seen things begin to turn around.  The gospel brings so many blessings.  The knowledge we have brings comfort, and I can understand better why we must endure hardships.  

Finally, I've felt I needed to study the book of Revelation the past few months.  I started a little before all of this began.  It has been an invigorating study, and I've seen plagues in the world that were prophesied in that book.  It isn't anything any of us want to live through.  One of the most significant insights I've had through all of this is that we shall not fear if we are prepared.  As we listen to our leaders, follow their counsel and teachings, hard times still come, but we will be prepared for them.  We will be strengthened and able to endure what comes.

Sweet is the peace the gospel brings! This phrase goes through my mind often. Because of the Savior and His teachings, and because I have tried my best to study His words and follow them, I have been able to have peace in my life through all of this turmoil.  Scripture study is one of the most important things I can do.  It grounds me.

This is more the spiritual part of the silver lining.  Once again, this post has gotten a little long and was more than I planned on writing.  So, I'll do another post about what we've been doing in our daily life.