Monday March 16, 2020
First day of Arndt Academy/Work from home due to COVID-19
We made it until 3:00pm!
I had been mentally bracing myself for the last few days. Things seemed to be snowballing very quickly. I wasn’t paying much attention to the news about the virus. The most attention it had gotten from me was an exaggerated eye roll. But somehow in the last 7 days we went from just a family on spring break with play dates, Bible Study, church events, and a short weekend trip, to a family of five at home with nothing on the horizon.
Stefan is working from home until told otherwise, and the boys are out of school (in addition to the ten days they just had for spring break) until April 6th at the earliest.
This first day has been good, but long. It is quite an adjustment to our daily routine. Usually Lincoln and I get the boys off to school and then either head to the gym, meet with other moms, go to Bible study, or come home to take care of things around the house. With no one going anywhere, and no plans to go anywhere later (for the foreseeable future), I am trying not to get overwhelmed.
The biggest adjustment for me will be never having any true alone quiet time. With our previous schedule, I had my workout time at the gym a couple times a week (gym is now closed), and Lincoln’s nap-time is when I try to write, read, or learn. With everyone here, I just have to remember to stay flexible, and that things won’t look like they did before.
For my own sanity, we needed a schedule. I took some ideas and tips from the various ones floating around from other friends and meshed it with our normal routine as much as I could. It’s going to take a bit for all of us to get used to this, and it will probably go through 25 different versions of it before this is all over. But by the power of the Holy Spirit I pray we can enjoy this unique time together.
How drastically different life is today than just two years ago!
Stefan and I were both still working at State Farm, and Marcia lived with us to care for Lincoln and get the big boys back and forth to school. I’d have to look up the exact day, but about this same time in 2018 we both found out we were losing our jobs. It was overwhelming and life-changing, drastic yet freeing. God carried us through that time, covering me in His peace. There is no other way to explain it. I knew it was scary but I also knew that God had us in His Hands.
I feel the same way about today. But this time, not knowing what will happen, on an even grander scale somehow, I can still feel the peace of the Lord. I know He can bring good from all this.
Hang in there friends! We can do this!
“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.”
Psalm 62:5-8 NLT
Jodi
Day one, temporary homeschooling mama
Jodi Arndt 