Lock Down

For the past few weeks the campus has been on lock down.  

Our off duty life has majorly quieted down. I think we, as workers, have the slight benefit of not being as isolated. While we are on or off campus, Nathan and I are trying to be overly cautious and not venture outside of the Gateway circle, but that circle is still pretty big and offers more socializing than others currently self-quarantined/participating in social distancing.

 We are forced able to keep pretty busy and are never lacking in people to talk to.  Albeit, the majority are teenagers.  But, thankfully, I'm not feeling my stir-crazy tendencies. Which are quite strong.

The only times I have ventured out have been to Sams and to Target, both work related.  The reality is, regardless of how bad the virus actually is, or who you believe started it, or when, or what... (I'm getting tired of all of the fear tactics, conspiracies, politics etc), if it were to hit campus, with it's contagiousness and symptoms, it would knock the whole campus out. Staff, residents, and all. We would be a miserable, stressed pile of people.  

The residents have still been able to attend school, since it is on campus.  But, they did have a week of Spring Break last week. With no passes and no where to go, we knew it would be a long boring week. So, we threw them a Beach Day. 

Gideon and Aurelia playing with Bodi on Beach Day

 Beach decor, an 8 hour ocean Youtube video playing in the background, yard games outside, kinetic sand, coconut scented candles, rock painting, virgin pina coladas... it was a great day.  The residents all seemed to really enjoy. We had wonderful weather to go with it too. It was a nice break from the norm.

The warmer weather and sunshine has been a huge boost for everyone.  Being able to be active and get fresh air and wonderful vitamin D helps us all not feel so cooped up.  The residents always want to go rollerblade or ride bikes around the track.

trying out rollerblades for the first time in years...

I at least was a source of amusement for the residents. 

Aurelia and Gideon helped me start a container garden this week. I'm not sure how or when I'll be able to get the rest of the seeds and plants that I want. I really hope the local greenhouses are considered essential businesses.

At the beginning of all of this we were supposed to go to Iowa to visit my brother and sister-in-law and my parents were going to come out and visit us. It's more that we can't that is hard I think, but for the first time since our move, I'm struggling with homesickness.   I can't see family who lives here as much or see those who live farther away, and it makes it harder not to be with them. 5 hours doesn't seem so far when you can make the trip in a weekend, but when you can't make the trip at all, it might as well be the other side of the world.  We can't go to church out here so I miss Washington church even more.

The blessing is, it helps me understand the residents a bit more.  The longing and the homesickness that they feel. But, greater than that, especially during Easter, the longing for earthly places and people has helped me remember daily that this isn't my home.

I don't think Gideon and Aurelia have noticed a thing. They are enjoying the increased MarcoPolo-ing and Face time-ing. We finally set up our trampoline so they are forever playing outside whether at home or at Pine House. 

Gideon does still mention that he wants to go see Grandma. And every Sunday he is confused why we aren't getting dressed to go to church and wants to go. I think that is a blessing of this too.  Even though we can listen all we like online,  we all want to be at church, with each other. That first Sunday, even though it won't be Easter, is going to feel like the resurrection.

In Christ
~Michelle