Pajama Sunday or When the Moose Came to Church

Krista has tried to talk every staff she's worked with into having "Pajama Sunday." Finally, today, we had PAJAMA SUNDAY! We started with a LATE breakfast (because we NEVER have a late breakfast on Sundays) of breakfast burritos. 

Popcorn signaled it was time for church!  We staged a couple of photos and settled in to watch Pastor Shannon's message. (Because I honestly was paying attention and not bopping around getting photos). 

Last week we started a new series at church, "Saved." The plan is for Michael, Shannon, and Krista to each preach on various aspects of salvation.  Moving to a new venue is an added challenge! We discussed having Sunday messages to reflect our new dynamic, rather than trying to recreate a Sunday a.m. service online. We were glad Pastor Shannon had the first week. LOL  These are short online clips, meant to be discussed as a family and online. He had also posted worship play lists and a kids' video.

Michael shared last week that we "belong." Today, Pastor shared we are "blessed," which has little to do with external circumstances. He shared how we are blessed by God with His presence, purpose and peace.

After we watched the clip we discussed which of the "p" words impacted each of us personally. This led to insight as to "where" each of us are with  Covid-19 and to a good discussion. Three of us felt the word "peace" hit home, 2 "purpose," 1 "presence," and 1 "power to become or live like Christ."  Yeah, it's a houseful of pastors (four of us) you KNEW there would be at least one addition. ::snort:: We came to the conclusion that it all flows from presence....when I walk in relationship with Him, His presence leads to peace, purpose, and power. 

We knew our "service" was over when the moose came to church!  

This one concerned us most...thought she may have her calf outside our window!

Thus, ends our first church service during this season of life.

#thechurchhasleftthebuilding

We Should Have Bought a Cow

Yes, we should have bought a cow - or at least a goat. If we'd known 2020 would be the year of Corona....Michael looked for milk when out for his doctor's appointment and found none. Today, we didn't find any at Fred Meyers or Carrs....but we found Cascarones! We've not seen any of these outside of Texas. 

The confetti would litter the parks like snow the day after Easter. I envision a giant hunt and party here on Easter, but I know it's not likely...ah well...G Dog is going to think I've gone crazy when I bash an egg over his head on Easter. 

How are we doing on those "Quarantine" Goals?  BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

• Made progress on snow removal - what cutesy rhythm is work Rebekah Lyons. I better read the book....
• Got OUTSIDE and participated in meaningful movement
• Tried out the Egg Molds from Japan - Create
• Made meals from our pantry - Create
• Tried out Zoom with myself, Krista and Stacia and Arielle and Benny - Connect
• Chatted with Nate in K - stan - Connect 

Now - if you want more than the BLUF - read on....

My first time outside in 3 days. I am VERY happy to be feeling better. I drove into town to pick up Alex from work - because fast food is still considered essential. 

True love - a shoveled pathway to my van's door. 

Some of you may remember during the cold snap and BIG snow storm we got enough snow to block our back door...snow is now sliding off our roof and landing right here too. We actually have no passage between the red chicken coop and the house. Just a wall of snow. Michael spent 5 hours a couple of days ago moving snow- while I was sick and the boys were working. He unearthed our trash pile....today, I joined him. The goal is to unearth the rest of the trash and more of the house.

Michael suggested I clear a path to the back door...first he mentioned moving all the snow away from the sides of the house to avoid water in the house during the melt. This was simply too much of a goal for me. I tackled the door.

 I was OVER-joyed when Alex came out to join the fun. We miss having him here to help keep up with snow moving. He chose the weakest spot on the wall and joined me.

We worked about 40 minutes and were within reach of the door.

The girls came to assist. Out the door they came it was suddenly very doable. We had a work party!

We loaded the snow into a sled and shovels and drug it back to the garden area...which is always a swamp during break up. I don't have to water much with the lay of our land. 

Michael did great on his part of the wall....trashcans uncovered, snow moved to the drop off behind the RV.  He's a beast. 

Last year we cleared the chicken yard...they seem to be wondering why no one is enlarging their snow-free space....Last summer Michael built them a covered area and he deemed getting the mountain of snow away from the side of the house is more of a priority this year. 

Yes, the kids haul snow in shorts! Why? 

The kids and I reached the door....Michael had been loading trash into the back of the truck. The landfill and recycling ARE open. He and I headed off to dump....keeping at least 6 feet from all people and never being in a group of more than 10.

When we came home the kids had finished up to the first window...working their way towards Michael.

Josiah jokes he will survive on pancakes and salmon if he can't make it to the store when they are open. He's working long hours just now!  I found a big bag of pancake mix left from "fish camp." I am concerned about my flour and milk stock...but made pancakes for breakfast.....and as we worked outside I remembered Michael has been asking for Salmon chowder...a dinner request I filled.... Pancakes and salmon. We shall survive.

I wanted a photo of this odd shaped potato from the garden....and  I captured the potato, eggs and salmon - all stuff we grew, raised or caught.

 Michael was sweet to filet the salmon for the chowder, making this the first time I've made chowder without the assistance of band-aids.

I tried out these molds. Quite fun....

After dinner we checked out Zoom. I'm gearing up to use it this week for women's ministry and need to figure out how it works! 

Via Arielle

 G Dog went to bed early. We watched some funny YouTube clips and everyone headed off to their rooms.

Nolan got home around 9:20 p.m.

As I sat down to blog late last night....this popped on my screen. 

Fun memories of a Nate and Heather's summer visit. They are currently in Kazakhstan. He is "teaching from home" and  even his introverted self was ready for a bit of social interaction. ::wink:: I'll read much of our chat to G Dog this a.m. It will make him smile. I offered to stock the RV with food, and let he and Heather hole up for 14 days inside of it...::snort:: They are well in Kstan and it was good to hear from him.

Another good day in "quarantine." We rested, read, worked towards goals, and connected with family we aren't physically able to be near just now.

We Saw it with our OWN Eyes and More

 Living in Alaska, we've heard stories of  moose stomping dogs and people to death. I never thought we'd see this scenario begin outside our window.

Dad called for me to come look. I don't know who this is. Someone saw a baby moose and GOT OUT OF HIS CAR. I am guessing he didn't see mama moose when he got out. There is a moose at the front of the car, a moose at the rear of the car, and he's BEHIND THE TREE.

He eventually did make it back to his car. Maybe he won't get out next time?????

In other news...Krista went back in to the school today. She will now work at home until at least May.

Alex was called in to McDonald's for a couple of hours. Nolan is a manager and worked a full shift at McDonald's.  We're haring rumors that drive up windows will be closed and we're hearing that fast food will be deemed essential...along with grocery stores, banks, and medical facilities.  We shall see. Each new day is an adventure, isn't it?

Michael is feeling "off."

Stacia schooled.

I paid our bills and Dad's bills. Who knew they'd still want to be paid? I also spent another 90 minutes dealing with Medicare and Healthnet of OR. I have been assured they are mailing the paper that says they disenrolled Dad again - this makes the 4th time they say it has been mailed. I may personally inspect every piece of mail that comes into the house for the next 10 days. I rested and read and slept a lot.

Dad read and called friends. Thank you for talking if he calls. He has been home since March 8th.

In the evening - NOTE THE SUN!!! -  the kids began playing a game. Pandemic! I am happy to report they stopped the world-wide pandemic. I may send them to Juneau next week. ::snort::

After dinner we watched some fun  YouTube clips - and laughed. Then we watched Tim Hawkin's "That's the Worst!"

Humor heals.

What a beautiful place we live....I am content to stay here as long as needed.

Well - OK! My extroverted/ ADHD self is a bit terrified of being in once place forever....but this is a beautiful spot to be with some of my favorite people.

"Quarantine" Goals

We often wish for more time at home. We often voice a desire for a slower pace.  We are certainly getting it...and the state of Alaska is just beginning this journey many of you have been on for weeks. 

I did some thinking while I was sick. I want to be intentional about the extra time with family. I don't want to let the time just slip away. 

Krista instictively knew having a goal would help with the tendency of the walls to close in. She started a Quarantine Quilt.  I think it's destined to be a family heirloom. I want to start one...but my skills are...well.... lacking. 

Some Ideas I have....

• Keep up my practices of spiritual discipline
• REST and RESTORE
• Continue tracking my food
• Continue working out
• Continue schooling
• Read
• Blog - I have 2 summers and falls to "catch up" 
• Enjoy our evenings together
• Play games
• Stay in touch with my peeps - church and family community -  CONNECT
• Get seeds and plant seedlings so there will be something to plant in June - CREATE
• Figure out Zoom and help other ladies maintain community
• I'm sure I'll be helping with video clips of sermons with 2 pastors in the house

What I do NOT want to do is fill this time with too much screen time...or ministry busy work.  Of course, we ARE switching ministry venue and that comes with a learning curve and some time investment....but I want to be mindful to use the gift of this time at home to rest, restore and connect as well as create....

What are some of your goals and plans for the next few weeks? How will you thrive in this season? How will you handle more time at home? 

Sick You Are....

I feel human - you can tell as I am blogging. My fever has broken and I'm happy to report I just caught the regular old 3 day flu bug. Yes, I am staying home. And, yes, I  communicated with my doctor...I had to cancel an appointment.  Shoot - postponed that A1C another week - I could sure use a Blizzard. 

But thinking back (and post dating this) - Wednesday I spent some time with Benny. Cory is deemed to work in an essential industry and must keep working. As Arielle says - they've been exposed to every germ in the valley. She also is working in a field still deemed essential. We didn't want to bring Benny home to Grandpa - so I went there. Ironically, I went out to protect Benny from germs and ended up exposing him to a germ I had no clue I had.  ::sigh:: 

Benny is pleased with his green cow!

I came home and Krista was working on her first Journey Youth video to post to the church's facebook page.

Within hours of getting home I had a sudden fever.  It is now 3 days later and Benny is fine. Just like every other day in history - a person has no way of knowing if they are sick BEFORE they are sick....and this brought home to me the reality we all live with now, we lived in it before but weren't hyper aware of specific germs...or in the middle of an outbreak.

This was NOT Covid-19. It didn't present at all like covid...and honestly, we CAN'T ALWAYS stay home  in case we MAY get sick TOMORROW...but in THIS time with a known virus running rampant...yeah, I CAN STAY HOME.

I will isolate as much as humanely possible not out of fear - but out of love. Dad and the kids were expressing worry about me being out every day. Out of love for them - I will limit my exposure. Out of love for those I meet with and for my community - I will limit their exposure as well.  I've not traveled, I don't think we ARE infected...but the Governor is asking for us to limit interaction - and I can do that - it's a small thing to do if it helps keep the community I love well.

I had been praying for clarity on which appointments to keep the rest of this week. The flu answered that quite qiuckly for me. I cancelled dinner, 2 counseling appointments and a doctor appointment.  I would HATE to come down with Covid (like I did the flu) after being out with someone....

This bug hit FAST...I was normal, then flushed, then chilled...the family began teasing me as they watched it hit..."Next you'll be seeing Yoda."

"Sick you are....to bed you will go."

I think our governor is handling this well. Listening to his briefings have become a highlight of the day.

I don't do sick well.

 I don't do isolation well.

 I do family well - so I'll focus on family and it  will help.

Saint Patrick's Day - Day 2 of isolation

Frankly, I'm not feeling very isolated...

Pastor Shannon came over today so the staff - much of  which lives at our house - could brainstorm and plan for  "church" in a season when groups under 10 or 50 are recommended.

It's SNOWING.

I put a corned beef into the instant pot...and then had to leave home.

I did NOT want to go out again - but I didn't make it to the feed store yesterday and in our prepping I need to have chicken feed, scratch and shavings.  Krista was gracious enough to come with me - she even drove. We stopped at the feed store. We went to Three Bears. Three Bears is now only allowing customers to buy 2 of any item in the store. It was NICE to be able to find a few of the items we needed...I'd forgotten to buy COFFEE - Dad is our only coffee drinker.  We filled the van with gas.

On the way home Krista treated me to tea from her favorite spot.

Look at THIS....look at my pretty silk spring flowers...the blasted moose ATE them...then spit bedraggled silk flowers all around. Poor things are getting hungry and must have thought we had the one spot of fresh colorful food in the area.

The guys came home early again. They all enjoyed video games this afternoon. 

Stacia made an Irish toffee dessert. I pulled out the beef and added potatoes and carrots. Krista made yummy cabbage, and we were ready for St Patrick's Day dinner.

We poured a new batch of kombucha. Okay - we double filtered this batch...so he is pouring it back into the big jar to be filtered into smaller jars. Look at that foam! 

 Stacia and the boys headed to bed early. They are up early for work and school.

Dad decided to go to bed.

Krista, Michael and I decided to read - well I've spent the time blogging and am now the only one in the living room. ::snort::

Oh, Krista and Stacia have picked out material to make a "quarantine quilt." This could be a fun idea.

This ends day 2 in "isolation."

Choices

I want to take a moment and write about choices.

First, God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and sound mind (disciplined mind). 2 Tim 1:7. 

Quickly, that means we are motivated by faith, the power of the Holy spirit and wisdom (disciplined, sound mind) and NOT FEAR.   We also believe in obeying the authority God places over us...and so at the very least we will follow the dictates of our Governor and President.  As of last Sunday morning no numerical limitations had been set on the size of gatherings.  This means we made our choices based on faith, love and wisdom.  There is another dynamic to consider - FREEDOM.  In a spirit of faith and love we need to allow others the freedom to make choices different than ours - within the clear recommendations from the CDC.

Michael and I have lived through natural disasters before (Japan's Tsunami Quake, Alaska's Quake). We observed a sad dynamic in Misawa which we are doing all we can to avoid in THIS situation.  We were given choices in Misawa. Families could choose to go back to the states or stay in Japan. Each family considered their dynamic and many prayed as they made their decision. We did not make the same decisions. Shortly those who left were saying those who stayed were unwise, fool-hardy, using up Japan's national resources...and those who stayed were saying those who left were cowardly, trying to get a "free vacation" et al. It was sin on both sides. We are not called to judge one another. When we came back as a community it was hard to get back to our former level of intimacy. Some shared they couldn't forget the comments another had posted online and they kept thinking "They think I am......"

Motivated by love, faith and power, let's give each other the freedom to make choices for their families within the recommendations we all abide under.

Sunday some states were closed down. We were not. Our Governor had not limited the size of gatherings. Our schools were shut down.   This is what our family did.....

BreZaak stayed home from all gatherings.

We asked Dad to consider and pray about staying home. He is in the high risk category....and he is still not insured. I have been trying to get a PIECE OF PAPER from Healthnet of Oregon since November. They have to send me a paper saying they cancelled him as he moved out of their area, before the new insurance company will grandfather him into their policy. They've dragged it out so long,  I've had to start all over again with the new company. SO....he has no insurance and if he gets sick or needs treatment, it is all out of pocket.  Dad stayed home on Sunday.

Stacia has had a cold. She stayed home - distancing as far as we can in the home...and disinfecting often throughout the day. I've long quarantined sick children...even bringing them a portable DVD player to keep their germs contained. With a family of 11 - we lived in an endless cycle of germs until I discovered the benefits of quarantine. LOL

Alex chose to go to church. Nolan stayed home.  Krista, Michael and I went to church. Michael was preaching. Krista was working with children and I needed my people.

CoRielle stayed home from church. Cory is a manager at Fred Myers and must go to work, even when others are told to stay home. They didn't go to church as they wanted to come over to our home for the evening and didn't want to chance picking anything up that would be carried to Dad. Cory went home and showered and probably sprayed himself with Lysol before donning a hazmat suit and joining his family at our house. ::snort::

We decided, as ministry leaders, not to offer mid-week events while the kids are out of school. We'll follow the recommendations the schools are following.  Then Sunday we heard group sizes limited to 50, and now 10...and so we will abide by those...but even within those there is room for personal choice. Some will continue to have small groups, some will not. Some will meet for coffee one on one, some will not....

My point....as we EACH pray and seek God we should be quick to listen to the Holy Spirit, quick to answer in faith and quick to give each other the freedom to do the same. I have two high risk members in my home; others may be healthy 20 years olds and feel they CAN have a small group in their home as long as they have less than 10 in attendance. It would be FEAR for me to pretend I am not being prompted to be cautious during my prayer times. In other words, we can't always tell as we observe others if a reaction is fear or faith - and it probably isn't my concern anyway.

Let's be kind to each other. Let's be the ones showing consideration and love when we are at Costco (or Freddies as the case may be). Let's walk in faith, love, wisdom and freedom.  We have a great opportunity to bring God's peace, love and joy into a very concerned population.  Let's be salt and light.  Let's be the church.