An Imperfect Christian Mom's COVID-19 Diary #8

 

A whirlwind of emotions this week. We heard the investigation into the COVID-19 outbreak at the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke is wrapping up soon. Will the families get answers? Probably not ones we can trust. The attorney for the superintendent that was placed on paid leave because of this fiasco held a press conference this week. He pointed the finger at the state. Well, the state officials have been pointing their fingers in his direction, claiming they weren't informed of the situation. 

Sometimes it feels like it's all a game to everyone except the families who have suffered as a result. Lawyers and politicians have no idea what we've gone through. Nothing will bring my father-in-law back. No investigation will change what happened. But, change is necessary to protect the remaining and future residents of the Soldiers' Home. So, the families continue to keep the story out there in the media. We continue to share memories of our loved ones. We continue to try to find a way to contribute and make a difference.

This week, I spoke to a woman whose father befriended my father-in-law. They had a group of eight guys hanging out, sharing stories, and enjoying one another's company. Five are gone now. What must it be like for those who remain? What must it be like for the staff that remains? I shuddered to think of it. 

I'm eager to hear they are open to visitors again. There are people I want to see and veterans who I would like to spend time with. We all must heal together. 

The good thing is that going back to work has helped a bit. I'm also writing some. If my mind stays busy, the darkness can't take over. I opened my Bible app today to Psalm 55:22: Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. Oh, I needed to hear that today. If I were a better Christian, the darkness would be drowned out by the light. If I spent more time in prayer, my frustration would subside. I am reading the Word, but definitely not enough. In some ways, I feel unworthy, since I should immediately flock to the comfort of the Word in times of trouble. Why haven't I spent the long nights when I struggle to sleep reading my Bible? 

Brighter days are coming. They might not come easy, but they will come. I feel it will be easier once I find a new church. That needs to be a focus once life returns to some form of normal. I miss singing. I miss fellowship. I miss that time dedicated solely to something to refresh my soul. 

E-Book Sale: Truth Unchanging by Becky Thompson

Motherhood is often noisy and rarely silent. Learn to hear God speaking above all the noise in these daily devotions that can be completed in five minutes or less.

As moms know, even when there isn't noise around us, there is usually noise within us. The constant to-do lists that spin in our minds, the worry and wonder if we are doing a good job, and the need to stay two steps ahead of our families when we feel two steps behind keeps our minds routinely restless. So when quiet time with God isn't so quiet, and alone time is nearly nonexistent, how does a modern-day momma tune in the voice of the Lord?

With Truth Unchanging, you don't have to wait until you're alone to talk with Jesus. Designed to be read in five minutes or less, each powerful, hope-filled devotion will:

* refocus your heart on the Word of God
* refresh your mind with God's Truth for your life
* revive your spirit as you realize God is speaking to you personally

Truth Unchanging is not just a devotional. It's an opportunity to begin daily conversations with Jesus, the One who has everything we need to take on the days ahead, the One who wants to speak to you right now. Tune in to His voice today.

Purchase for only $1.99 at:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Books-A-Million

Task it Tuesday - May 26

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task it Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

After a busy weekend, I'm looking forward to Thursday when I can concentrate on some editing of The Sisterhood. I finished taking photos of the crafts we needed to complete for additional material in A Christmas Kindness. I'm not sure if the publisher's plan is still to release it this fall. COVID-19 has changed so many things that I didn't want to ask. I'll find out once I send the photos.

Here is my list for the week

1. Bible reading
2. Meetings Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
3. Cooking 
4. Editing The Sisterhood 
5. Clean bonus room (This really isn't happening this week, but I want to keep it on the list.)
6. Prospecting

Did you have a  nice weekend? What's on your list to accomplish this week? 

Mailbox Monday - May 25

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Happy Memorial Day! I am behind in getting things posted, but it was a hectic weekend.

My baby celebrated a birthday. Hard to believe he is 33.

I planted the garden.

I am learning a new diet because the Lil' Princess insists she wants to eat healthier. 

Well, at least the furry residents of the house enjoyed some relaxation.

Being busy actually feels good. I'm out showing houses again--had an accepted offer from Saturday showings. I'm still ordering groceries online and having them delivered, but I go shopping for special occasions--like cupcakes for the birthday boy. I'm editing the first full length novel I ever completed. We are making plans to visit the Outer Banks like we do each summer. 

Massachusetts is in Phase 2 of re-opening. Do you know what that means? I can get a haircut! I'm not sure when the last time is that I've been so excited about that. 

My physical mailbox had a fun little surprise this week.

I also grabbed a couple of Kindle books.

That's it from my neck of the woods. Hope you have a great week.

Task it Tuesday - May 19

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task it Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

Lately I am goofing off more than accomplishing anything. Today is my day to get a few things done. I need to get the crafts photographed for one of my books so the publisher can proceed with it. I have a busy two days of meetings on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday will be an easier day.

Here is this week's list:

1. Bible reading
2. Meetings 
3. Continue closing out my father-in-law's affairs (almost done)
4. Cooking 
5. Re-organize The Sisterhood ( one of my works in progress) to figure out what to do with it
6. Clean bonus room
7. Crafts 

Did you create a to-do list this week? What does it look like?

Mailbox Monday - May 18

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Here we are at Monday again. Since I already posted about my emotionally draining week, I won't repeat myself. The weekend ended up with some nice weather and I managed to accomplish a few things beside showing houses. It almost feels odd going out to do that, especially since we have gloves, masks, and hand sanitizer everywhere we go. Oh, and can't forget the booties.

Nothing in my physical mailbox, but I had a credit for Great on Kindle and picked up this one.

I've never read anything by this author before, so I don't know what to expect. We will see what happens.

Hope you have a blessed week.

PBS KIDS for Parents Launches Play & Learn Engineering App

With distance learning growing across the country, you can count of PBS KIDS for Parents to help.

Developed through a collaboration with childhood experts, the PBS KIDS for Parents Play & Learn Engineering App is made to assist parents in helping three- to four-year-old children explore engineering concepts through play, both on screen and off. Users can design and test roller coasters, use simple tools to problem solve their way through an obstacle course, build clever contraptions to deliver food to hungry animals, and construct boxy towers to rescue a kitten from a tree. Activities include tips for parents to engage young players in conversation and extend in-app learnings to the real world. What a great parent-child engagement resource!

The app includes:

• Eight engaging games that encourage kids to design and test solutions to solve problems while exploring STEM concepts
• Parent section with English and Spanish localization helps to guide children’s learning while in and outside of the app
• Within the parent section are tips for how parents can engage with kids as they are playing the games in order to enhance learning

The app will be featured in the Amazon App Store, and is available in the iOS App Store, Google Play Store, and online at PBS KIDS.