Our New Normal?
It seems like with all that is happening in the world we are all trying to understand what are new normal looks like... Our current normal is relaxed and trying to find the joy and simplicity in the time we have. Initially we were told that schools would only be closed for three weeks here in Ottawa. I am confident that we all know that is no longer the case. Now all non-essentials shops and business' are closed. The world is becoming a strange and quite place that seems to have moved us far away from the daily hustle we are all used to. People have wildly different opinions and emotions regarding this time. Here are a few of my thoughts.
COVID-19 Is serious, there is no question about that. It has gotten far out of hand and we need to take it more seriously, but equally there are steps that we can do to help prevent the spread of this virus that do not involve fear mongering or intentioally panic buying. We has a family are doing our best to follow the instructions that the government and medical authorities have given us.
Is it wrong that we are enjoying it? In saying that we are taking it seriously, I do feel bad that we are having fun through this time. We are having to learn the new normal for our family (or at least those of us that are together). Our house currently consists of myself (Eileen), Nathan (17yrs), Zachariah (8yrs) and Jeremiah (6yrs). Aaron is in Ottawa but still in quarantine from his travels until April 6th (he is healthy and showing no symptoms, we are simply following the rules laid out in the situation). Caleb is still at university in Cantebury, UK. Eden is still with the OM team in Belgium. This new normal still has to allow for chores, my work, Nathans work and various unmovable parts of our schedule but it also allows for long (socially distances) walks and bike rides each afternoon. Lazy evenings of reading by the fire instead of rushing to get things prepared for the next day. I am not sure why but there is a definite mental shift. I work from home so the idea of being home all day is not new to me but this situation has shifted how I view being at home. I will work each morning but I have cut my work day down to about 3-4 hours each day, also some of the events I have been working on are currently on hold so this easily allows for this change. It seems to be a mental change by not only myself but also those around me, on social media, radio news and phone calls.... we seem to no longer have the expectation on each other to just fit one more thing in.... we seem to now understand that are bodies and minds need time to rest and enjoy those we have close to us. so... that is what we are doing... a little learning, resting, having fun and enjoying this new normal. Don't misunderstand me, we are only on week two... I am fully aware that in a few weeks I may be willing to lock my family out of the house but for now... we are safe, happy and enjoying each other.
COVID-19 Is serious, there is no question about that. It has gotten far out of hand and we need to take it more seriously, but equally there are steps that we can do to help prevent the spread of this virus that do not involve fear mongering or intentioally panic buying. We has a family are doing our best to follow the instructions that the government and medical authorities have given us.
Is it wrong that we are enjoying it? In saying that we are taking it seriously, I do feel bad that we are having fun through this time. We are having to learn the new normal for our family (or at least those of us that are together). Our house currently consists of myself (Eileen), Nathan (17yrs), Zachariah (8yrs) and Jeremiah (6yrs). Aaron is in Ottawa but still in quarantine from his travels until April 6th (he is healthy and showing no symptoms, we are simply following the rules laid out in the situation). Caleb is still at university in Cantebury, UK. Eden is still with the OM team in Belgium. This new normal still has to allow for chores, my work, Nathans work and various unmovable parts of our schedule but it also allows for long (socially distances) walks and bike rides each afternoon. Lazy evenings of reading by the fire instead of rushing to get things prepared for the next day. I am not sure why but there is a definite mental shift. I work from home so the idea of being home all day is not new to me but this situation has shifted how I view being at home. I will work each morning but I have cut my work day down to about 3-4 hours each day, also some of the events I have been working on are currently on hold so this easily allows for this change. It seems to be a mental change by not only myself but also those around me, on social media, radio news and phone calls.... we seem to no longer have the expectation on each other to just fit one more thing in.... we seem to now understand that are bodies and minds need time to rest and enjoy those we have close to us. so... that is what we are doing... a little learning, resting, having fun and enjoying this new normal. Don't misunderstand me, we are only on week two... I am fully aware that in a few weeks I may be willing to lock my family out of the house but for now... we are safe, happy and enjoying each other.
We had big news....
We had planned to send this update out and let you know our plans... We are moving back to the UK. I now use this as past tense that we 'had' big news as with all that is happening it the world, this doesn't seem as big any more.
Our plan is to have our shipping container be packed up and leave Ottawa at the end of June and then our family will follow it the first week of July. We had also planned to spend May visiting family, friends and churches in the US.
We have no idea if any of this will still happen anywhere near the scheduled time. We are starting to assume that the plan for May will not happen which will mean we will have to find another time.
At this point we are still moving forward assuming that we will be able to make our move in July, we don't know if that is still realistic but we do feel that we need to move forward until it is clear that we are delayed.
We came to Canada with the intention of being here for 2-3 years but with a willingness to stay longer if that was what God has for us. We have taken time to pray about the options we have as well as seeking council as we made this decision but the more we talked and prayed about it the more evident it was to us that we still have a heart for the ministry in London and going back is what the Lord has for us. We have greatly valued our time here in Ottawa, it has not been easy but we have loved it but like all good things... it must come to an end.
Please continue to pray for our family through this process over the coming months.
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