I am pretty fed up with all the fear and lies going on about COVID. I understand that people are dying; however people die everyday from millions of different reasons. God has numbered our days and it matters not whether we wear a mask or not. The thing that has me the maddest is how they have weaponized this virus to make people distrustful and fearful of others. 

Our church is back to in person services, with "socially distanced seating" of family-sized sections of chairs. As a homeschooler, our school has not been thrown off track too much, other than a few programs / classes we used to enjoy being cancelled (or put on hold for the Fall semester). Our local school districts have all started back up now - offering in person or virtual classes. From several friends who chose the virtual option - it's miserable, requiring the kids to sit at a computer from 8-3, with classes and assignments dribbling out throughout the day as if they were in school. Even if a child gets an assignment at 10, finishes by 10:15, they will have to sit and wait while the rest of the class finishes and the next assignment comes at 11. I believe one of the local high schools had a few student and staff cases pop up, so the high school went back to online learning for a couple weeks.

All of our Bible studies are back to normal, as far as I know. Our trip to Florida that was cancelled back in April still isn't rescheduled yet, but I think we have a year to use our flights before we lose the money paid. I want to wait at least until we are out of hurricane season! 🙂 We are back to normal with visiting family and friends now too.

As far as parties go, I have been scarce around here the last few weeks because I was coordinating a wedding for my best friend's daughter. They did have to cut the guest list from the 350 RSVPs down to 250 (total - including the wedding party as well as servers). That was very painful. 🙁 We also had to make a last minute change in the venue from the church to doing it all at the reception hall. A buffet was not allowed, so we had servers who stood behind the tables scooping food onto people's plates instead. They were required to wear masks and gloves. Attendees were just recommended to wear masks. Of the 250-ish attendees, only 3 came in wearing a mask. 😉 It was a beautiful, Christ-centered celebration that turned out joyous in spite of all the sacrifices the couple had to make. We are 10 days out from the event and so far, no one has gotten sick. That day, the photographer (also not wearing a mask) came up to me and said "This is so much fun! It's just like it was before the virus!" It made me a little sad to think about the freedom we have lost and the kindness of seeing someone's smile in passing.

Our state has a mask mandate for indoors, so I wear a face shield when I go to stores. I had been adamant that I would not wear a mask, and didn't even own one, until I saw a video (it may have even been one you posted? I don't remember.) that discussed how as a Christian, we are to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. I was convicted that if I was causing fear in someone else by not wearing a mask, it was not a nice way for me to act as a Christian. Do I think Jesus would wear a mask? No - he walked around touching lepers. 😉 I'm not Jesus though, and I can do a small thing to help comfort others.

I am not concerned about catching it. If I do, I do. My husband is higher risk - he has diabetes and high blood pressure, and though he was worried at first, he has mellowed out and isn't worried about it either. My dad is 82, has diabetes and COPD, as well as multiple other medical issues. Unfortunately, he is living in fear and has not left his house or car since March. At least he has been letting us come into the house recently, which is an improvement. His younger sister is in a nursing home in Illinois and she tested positive in May or June. She had a fever and a bit of a cough, but recovered and is fine now. I was hoping that might help my dad to relax a little, but no. 🙁 Strangely enough, everyone in my family is Republican, including my mom, but my dad "converted" to the other party when he retired and he's the only one terrified of the virus. My mom has hearing aids and just turns them off when he starts ranting about Trump. LOL

Wow. Sorry for the novel! 🙂 Hope you and yours are well and surviving. Has your governor allowed you to go outside yet? 😉 What's your take on all this?