| Helping Cooper spread cow manure in Preston, ID on a remote work break |
How We Got Here
Apparently this version of the virus came from Wuhan, China, where it's believed to have originated with a bat. It's a virus that attacks the respiratory system, and is especially dangerous for older people. At first, everyone here (including basketball players like Rudy Gobert, our family members, etc.) thought this virus would just go away. We never imagined that it would reach the United States, or the mountains of Utah/Idaho. We were very wrong. And it seems to just be getting started.
| Ashton holding "Lil Lestie", one of Cooper's chickens. We were at Shaun & Celeste's home in Preston during the first week of "quarantine" where people were asked to isolate themselves and their families from regular social gatherings (besides with Chickens, of course) |
The virus spread very quickly, and within a matter of months, the world essentially shut down. Just two weeks ago, I was driving home from working at the IT building at BYU when I heard over the radio that the Jazz vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game was being postponed due to a player who tested positive for the virus right before the game started. Rudy Gobert was that player, and Donovan Mitchell tested positive the same night. The NBA postponed it's season the next day, and the rest of the world seemed to follow.
Within a few days, the virus was spreading exponentially (and still is) in the United States. The economy began to feel the effects of people being warned (or scared) into not travelling or going to public places such as restaurants. Stores became flooded with people stocking up on things such as toilet paper and non-perishable foods. I've never walked into a grocery store and seen multiple shelves almost completely empty until this all happened. It's still nearly impossible to find toilet paper in the stores.
After sports leagues such as the NBA, NHL, and later the Olympics postponed their events, many workplaces did the same. Luckily, Ashton and I can both work from home on our laptops, but many people are not so fortunate. A lot of people have lost their jobs. This is especially true in non-essential industries such as travel and hospitality (airlines, hotels, etc.). The stock market dropped quicker, and has fluctuated more than anytime since the Great Depression (1930s). We don't have a lot of money saved up, but I bought some stocks at a very low price with hopes that they will return to normal eventually.
| Max & Shaun helping spread cow manure on Leonard's farm (where Cooper sometimes works) |
Where We Are Now
Over the past few weeks, many states have issued "Stay-At-Home" orders/advisories asking that people do not leave their homes unless necessary. Even with these instructions, the virus is growing exponentially in many places including the United States, and in Utah. So far, only a few people have died, including Bob Garff, the former Bountiful Temple President and Area Seventy who performed our sealing in the Bountiful Temple.
It's been very difficult for me to adjust to working and taking classes from home. At first, staying home all day sounded nice, but it's truly driving me insane. Our regular routine of going to classes, going to work, going to the gym, and going to social gatherings has been completely halted. In order to not go crazy after doing about 10 hours of homework and work each day, we do at home workout videos, paint, read, watch movies, and take drives (like the one pictured below). I do push-ups and sit-ups every hour while on my computer just to keep the blood flowing.
| Beginning of the Nebo Mountain Loop Rd. |
The First Presidency gave instructions to Stakes to decide how the sacrament is administered in homes. Blessing, passing, and partaking of the sacrament at home is a unique experience. The Spirit is strong in those settings. Because President Nelson asked us to spend time at home each week studying the scriptures in the Come Follow Me program over a year ago, the transition has been fairly easy. I am extremely grateful to have the chance to make Jesus Christ a more focused center of our home through things such as the sacrament, our study, and our discussions. There is a unique peace that comes from living the Gospel of Jesus Christ at times such as these, when the world is in turmoil and uncertainty abounds. We know that God's plan for us all will be better than we could ever imagine, regardless of the challenges we face on earth.
What the Future Holds
We hope that the virus subsides in the coming months, and that life returns to normal. Although normal may have a new definition. More than anything, I hope that we come closer together as a country, as a world, and as children of God.
We hope that my upcoming internship with Goldman Sachs in Salt Lake City won't get cancelled. We hope that our families (especially our grandparents) won't get the virus. We hope that we can continually adjust to social isolation from others (it helps when we can see our families). We hope that our ability to drive and see them isn't taken away with more strict isolation guidelines. We hope that General Conference next week helps us feel more confident about the future.
| McKay & Ginger - We drove to their house one evening for a game night |
We hope that whoever reads this understands the impact that it's had on us. Although it's difficult, we have come closer together, closer to God, and closer to having an appropriate level of gratitude for all of the blessings God has given us.
More Pictures
| Spencer & Shawn Pehrson trying to stay warm while playing Corn Hole at a park in Layton, UT |
| Daniel and Annie the "neighbor dog" (Shaun & Celeste's neighbor Easton's yellow lab who visits their yard frequently) |
| Ashton's painting from our "Bob Ross painting session" |
No comments:
Post a Comment