Covid-19
There has been so much in the news this past month about the COVID-19 Virus, a lot of which is down right scary! I had to step away from social media and news stations early in April due to becoming consumed by the negativity. With each “breaking news” alert or every news conference by the governor in our state or the presidential task force, anxiety began to well up inside of me. Having gone three weeks with very little sleep, I sought the help of my physician via a videoconference. Finally, I am so grateful to be sleeping a little bit better these days, with all things considered.
If news of this pandemic is affecting us this way, imagine the impact it is having on our children. I have a 23 year old and a 15 year old, and my heart worries and prays over them daily. Right now, my adult daughter is in the direct line of fire while working in the emergency department at our local hospital. When personal protective equipment was scarce, my anxiety grew by leaps and bounds. Now, over a month into this, she is sheltered behind a glass in what she describes as a “box” as her workstation. She still wears her mask, and my heart is thankful for improvements to her working conditions.
My 15 year old once loved the thought of homeschooling. Now, however, she has come to realize that socialization found in a school setting is not only desired but necessary and essential to her wellbeing. After six weeks, it feels like she has been in isolation. We are under “stay at home or work” orders from the governor, so my husband and I only leave the house to go to work, go to the grocery store, or the pharmacy. We are thankful that we have a big yard for my daughter to get out and play volley ball with us in the evenings, but the days are long for her with limited social interactions when we are not here.
My husband and I are both considered essential employees, so we have continued with our routine of going into work. I am so thankful that my employer has allowed us to alternate days that we are in the office. This prevents my coworker and I from being in the office at the same time, so that if one of us gets it, the other will be safe. That is the theory at least. The times I am working from home enable me to be present for my daughter, even if we can’t go any where like we are used to doing. We are together, and that matters so much more now with the isolation she has felt on days we are away at work.
Early on, I was not able to see my oldest daughter due to both of us working on the front lines. That was hard. Extremely hard. Finally, we decided we had to see each other, and we took steps to ensure social distancing. Close knit families are impacted when they are not able to see other family members who do not reside in the same household. When you’re used to hugging your children, and now you’re not able to … it really tears at your heart.
My parents are in their early 70s, and extra precautions are being taken to ensure their safety during this pandemic. A part of that is limiting contact with them, which absolutely rips my heart out. My mom is actually celebrating her birthday TODAY! We should all be gathered around her over a delicious meal, purposely singing off-key to get a smile out of her. Yet, last night when I took her a freshly baked homemade pound cake, I could not get close to her. She and my daddy stepped out on the front porch, and I stood in front of my vehicle at their chain link fence which seemed like miles and miles between us. We talked for a few minutes, and I was thankful to see her and my dad in person. But, we didn’t dare go inside and visit with them like we used to do. She wanted us to, and she insisted several times. However, I could not live with myself if something happened to either of my parents due to my exposure to them, if I was an unknown carrier.
Covid-19 has closed businesses and placed hundreds of thousands on unemployment across the United States. We are lucky in that our employers have continued right on, so our paychecks have not stopped. However, it’s not entirely “fair” that people on the front lines are working for the same pay; meanwhile, those on unemployment receive their unemployment benefits PLUS an extra $600.00 a week. There is no hazard pay being received from my employer, nor any other perks for being an essential employee working on the front lines. Our paychecks have not stopped, so for that I am thankful even if we aren’t receiving any more like those that are on unemployment.
As I write this, the governor of our state is on television once again … he says things are clearing up, so we are hopeful. As for my family and I, we will continue with social distancing, even as they talk of opening up beaches, state parks, stores, and even restaurants. Until we know it’s entirely safe, our family will continue to take precautions.
Throughout all of this, I can say that God has not left our side. He has been looking out for each of us, and I believe He will continue to do so. He knows how this pandemic will turn out and when it will all end. So we trust in Him. This isn’t the first time the world has been struck with a pandemic, although it is the first we’ve lived through. I hope we can all live to a ripe old age and tell our great-grandchildren all about it with firsthand accounts, instead of what they will read later on from a History book.
Inspiration With QVC
Are you ready for some inspiration with QVC? I know you’re probably thinking this is not the typical place you’d go to as a source of inspiration; however, QVC will air a live Inspirational Gifts Show April 3, 2020 at 10 a.m. Central Time, 11 a.m. Eastern Time, that will change your opinion. I was so excited when I first learned that Candace Cameron Bure would be on the show featuring products from DaySpring, StephanBaby, Vintage Sparrow, and Headbands of Hope. With the threat of the Coronavirus, Candance will not be live on the show; however, she will be on video with some products of her own! There will be some real treats on display and for sale on QVC!
There are two companies I’d like to share with you that will be featured on Friday’s QVC show! Here is a little background information on the first company …
Annie Moss, Founder of The Vintage Sparrow, made it her mission to awaken courage within the hearts of women from all over the globe after raising money to go on a Kenya, East Africa mission trip! The commitment of The Vintage Sparrow is to remind women of their God-given identity so they can walk fully in all that God has called them to be!
Women love jewelry, and The Vintage Sparrow will be offering two necklaces for under $30.00 – what a deal as they are normally $24.00 each. There are four themes to choose from: love, faith, brave, and joy. I, personally, had the pleasure of receiving the Faith based theme. At a time like this, the necklace is a reminder to have faith and not to fear what is going on around us. God is greater than ALL of this in the world today that threatens us. Believe it, claim it, and know it is true!
When I was getting ready for work, I purposely chose this piece to slip around my neck as I greeted the day. With all the news media talking about the Coronavirus, it is easy to get caught up in this and feel extreme anxiety welling up inside of us. This necklace served as a reminder to not fear what is going on around us but to have faith. We are reminded in the bible that all it takes is faith as small as a mustard seed.
The Lord answered,
“If you have faith
even as small as a mustard seed,
you could say to this mulberry tree,
‘May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’
and it would obey you!
Luke 17:6
New Living Translation
What a beautiful reminder of God’s spoken words!
The next item I had the pleasure of receiving was from Headbands of Hope. This really touched my heart when I realized that for every item sold, a headband is given to a child with an illness. You can receive two headbands for under $30.00, which is a steal!
Allow me to share some background information on this company as well …
This truly inspiring wish-granting organization was brought about from Jess Ekstrom’s college dorm room as a result of desiring to donate headbands to children with cancer. Having researched and found that there was no business donating headbands, only hats and wigs to chemotherapy patients, Jess made it her mission to get this business up and running to help these children! It was so refreshing to find that these Headbands of Hope are now carried in thousands of stores across the world. Not only that, they have been featured on shows such as Today, Vanity Fair, Good Morning America, and Seventeen Magazine! There are also a variety of celebrities that have supported the cause. The most important “takeaway” from this is that for every headband ordered, a headband will be donated to children’s hospitals in American and also 15 other countries as well. You will receive a donation confirmation with each headband order that will state the exact hospital your purchase benefitted. Not only does this organization support children with childhood cancer, but it has opened up to ALL children with any type of childhood illness. Now that is a cause worth supporting!
Don’t forget to watch QVC’s Inspirational Gifts Show, which will feature meaningful gifts to help you convey your affection for the ones you hold so dear to your heart!
Tune in Friday, April 3, 2020 at 10 a.m. Central Time, 11 a.m. Eastern Time, on the QVC main channel (check your local listings) OR watch live on the QVC Facebook page!
#LoveQVC
#FlyBy
Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing the product/product information. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did/will receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
When The World Seems Crazy
We have all made jokes about the Coronavirus, but it is of great concern in the community. Schools are closed, businesses are taking heed to President Trump’s recommendation to limit gatherings to no more than 10 now, instead of the original 100 or 50 … TEN!!! This is NOT a time to be out and about socializing. STAY AT HOME as recommended, if at all possible. If you do have to be out, limit the amount of people you come into contact with. Wash your hands! Keep your distance from others, at least 6′ to 10′ away. Cover your coughs and sneezes. If you are experiencing any of the known symptoms of the Coronavirus, have traveled overseas, or have been exposed to someone that has tested positive for the Coronavirus, please EXCLUDE yourself from any gatherings PERIOD. This should be common sense. We can help prevent the spread of this virus if we all take part in this. It will take ALL of us!!!
Now that I have this off my chest, let’s talk about what to do when the world seems crazy.
If you have been watching televison, on social media, or just decided to venture into the store, I’m sure you’ve seen what you consider some craziness going on in your neck of the woods. It is enough to provoke extreme anxiety in us, if we let it. That is the thing right there … it’s key. IF WE LET IT!
It will drive you crazy worrying about this pandemic that is the Coronavirus. A lot of us, myself included, have found some relief in making jokes about it, just as I did just yesterday about the shortage of toilet paper. Hmm, and here I thought this affected your respiratory system, not “the other end.”
What can you do to relieve some stress, anxiety, and worry with all of this virus talk?
First of all, make yourself a priority! Do not push your exercise routine to the back burner. Also, don’t take this time to overeat or eat food you know is bad for you, all for the sake of “emotional eating” or “stress eating.” That is just an excuse. You know that you’re not supposed to overindulge, so choose NOT to! If everything was right in the world, would you abuse your body in this fashion on a good day? If not, then don’t rationalize at this point that it’s “okay” because the world is in such an uproar. Instead, this should be the very time that you make good food choices to keep your immune system up to fight this virus and other illnesses off. Keep in mind also that when you exercise, you are raising your body temperature. This is a good thing when you have illnesses going around. You want to do all you can to ward them off. So, keep making good, healthy food choices and having healthy options available, and keep that appointment with yourself to get in your exercise! Now is not the time to fall off the wagon.
Listen to some good music. Whether you choose to listen to music while you work out, or if you just want to kick back with a beverage of your choice and listen to some good quality music … know that music is good for the soul! Every morning before I get into the shower, I turn on my bluetooth speaker and play some of my favorite tunes. It helps me greet the day with a much better attitude when I do this. It just helps to get some feel-good type of music going in the morning as I greet the day. It doesn’t have to be blasted loudly, why, it could even be soothing music. The point is that music helps us no matter what … it can be a mood enhancer. Use it to your advantage. I do know that certain types of music can bring us down – there are some that just want to have a minute to wallow, so they turn on some sad songs to do so. Now is NOT the time to do that. There is enough depressing things in the world today … turn on something upbeat … and sing your heart out. Again, it is good for your soul!
Pet a dog or cat. Honestly, it has been proven that petting an animal will help lower your stress levels and your blood pressure even. For me, my animals are my fur babies. I love each and every one of them, with their unique personalities and charm. It helps to gather them all on the couch with me in the evenings to just snuggle with them. They have waited all day for me to sit down and allow them to curl up in my lap, and I gladly do this as it helps ME in the process also.
Take time to check in on your relatives. We are so busy going here and there in the world today, but at this time, slow down and check in with your loved ones. You especially want to check on the elderly that may be afraid to venture out with the threat of the virus being more harmful to them. If they are low on food or supplies, be the hands and feet that gather these items so they don’t have to go out in this to put themselves at risk. I know for me, I have even taken supplies and put them on the gate so that we did not even have to come into contact with my parents when one of them was sick in the past. They didn’t want to go out to get the things they needed, and they felt bad when we offered as they didn’t want us to get sick. So this worked for us. This way, we were helping them, and we were limiting our exposure as well. Now, I’m NOT saying that ANYONE in my family has gotten this virus – thank God they have not – I’m speaking of other illnesses in the past, be it the common cold, what they suspected was just sinuses, or the flu.
Last, but certainly not least, PRAY, TRUST, and BELIEVE. God is not going to leave us. He is right there with each and every one of us. Talk to Him. He wants to hear from you, and not just in times of trouble. God loves each and every one of us, and He is on our side. I know there are people that argue “why does God allow things of this nature to occur?” I don’t have the answer and doubt any of us will this side of Heaven. Just know that God will never leave us nor forsake us. Take comfort in that one thing that you know with ALL of your heart. God is faithful to us.
Remember. We are all in this together. If you have supplies and you know your family is lacking, offer them some of yours. Don’t hoard it all for yourself when others are in need, too. My family and I did not go crazy like some we’ve heard about on the news and social media, but we did get to the grocery store to get some supplies that we needed. Shelves were bare in a lot of places, but we were able to get food items, since my daughter’s school closed along with the rest of them. We have some cleaning products, if we need to sanitize our house should someone get it and have to be isolated – which we pray does not happen!! And, yes, we even have some toilet paper.
Be safe, everyone. It is going to get better.
