Life During COVID-19

During this strange COVID-19 pandemic situation, I've had the opportunity to spend time with family, work on a few projects, and go on several adventures, and decided to document some of it here. Life doesn't stop just because there is a pandemic and the world is practically "shut down."

1. Family Time 

 This brother (16) has been growing like a weed lately, and when we accidentally matched a few weeks ago, he grudgingly agreed to a photo to 1) document our matchiness and 2) show just how much he's grown.

 Ending many evenings watching a TV show with my sister and brother-in-law and snuggling their youngest, Baby Chloe.

 Braving Costco for the first time with this sister (we had so much fun, honestly; it was amazing to be among people! The masks couldn't even put a damper on our excitement)

 These sisters and I went on a Memorial Weekend trip to the mountains, and had a lovely time going on a short hike, having lots of snacks, watching a few movies, conducting a spontaneous dance party, and staying up late talking.

 Silly group picture from our weekend trip.

A close friend and I "social distancing" running together this morning. My physical therapist finally cleared me for running 1 minute and then walking 10 -- six months post car accident, but at least it's progress!

2. Projects

 Playing around with cooking some more. The latest cooking adventure has been figuring out different ways to prepare fish. Working from home means I have more time to actually prepare real meals!

 Gluten free baking adventures! These are cinnamon rolls (before going into the oven, I think); they turned out amazingly well, and you couldn't tell they were gluten free.

 More gluten free baking adventures: dinner rolls (also super good)

Gardening! This is about 2/3 of my "garden"; the slugs got to my basil in the front yard, but we had the yard treated for slugs shortly thereafter, so I am hoping it will revive...

3. Miscellaneous "Adventures

I went into the office one day about a week or so to work on clearing some of the piles that had accumulated on my desk, and it was a bit overwhelming, to say the least. Wearing a mast was also a bit strange, but kind of exciting at the same time. 

 The conclusion of my second year of Russian classes was via Zoom -- and honestly, it wasn't really an issue. So thankful for the opportunity to take two years of classes! However, I feel like I still don't know hardly any Russian...

 Many, many Zoom and FaceTime calls with lovely people!

Driving two hours to watch the sunset on a Friday night. 

A Lesson From My Teacup Garden

Two weeks ago today, I planted a little herb "garden" on my bathroom window sill, and checked it eagerly every day (possibly multiple times a day...) for any green buds to pop through the dirt. 

To my tremendous joy, six days after planting, I saw the first hints of green popping through. As the day progressed, a couple more little plant babies popped through. Today, there are several happy little stems in all three pots, eager for sunlight. 

As I was checking on my plant "babies" (yes, I discovered I'm "that" lady) a few afternoons ago, I noticed that the stems were angling toward my open window, being guided out of the dirt by the sun and fresh air (yes, I also leave the window open during most of the day so they get daylight...and yes, it does get chilly in there). I turned the pots around in hopes the stems would straighten up a bit and not grow crooked. A couple hours later, the plants had angled toward the window again, in the opposite direction. And so, I've been "rotating" the teacups around throughout the day to encourage my herbs to grow straight and tall. 

Here we come to the crux of the matter: my little herbs, drawn out of the dirt toward the sun, reminded me of life. We are little humans, growing in a crooked and dark world, but as long as we look to the Son, we will grow strong and healthy in our faith. He lifted us out of our darkness and into his "marvelous light"! See 1 Peter 2:9 (English Standard).

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Hebrews 12:1-2 (English Standard, emphasis mine).

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:14-16 (English Standard).

I hope this simple story of my little teacup plants, looking to the sun for growth, will encourage you to look to the Son for salvation, endurance, and encouragement.

Hold fast to Jesus!

Sonia