Week 32

What an interesting and crazy and wonderful week! At the Mission Office we have resisted working from home because frankly we believed that it wasn't possible for us to get what we needed at home. The rest of the mission was ordered home a couple of weeks ago and there have been some amazing projects for them to work on. Some missionaries don't have those types of responsibilities so they're asked to index or work on their own family histories. I must admit that I have been a little wary of the crowded nature of the mission office, especially later in the day when the young elders come in. They tend to congregate around the office, and they weren't very good about keeping six feet away from us at the front desk. I mentioned this to President McKnight and he said they would discuss it at their presidency meeting. Thankfully they agreed with my suggestion that they be asked to go around and avoid the front desk unless they had a reason to be there. Here's my sign. It works! This was Monday morning.

On Tuesday after their meeting the mission presidency came out with a pretty strong directive that we need to figure it out. They really want us to work from home when at all possible. So on Wednesday I stayed home and got help from global and missionary support to be able to log in to the databases and files I need to do my work. Well it's not possible to do all the printing of files and letters from home. So I did have to go in to the office on Thursday. Elder Drummond had made signs  telling everyone that we're working from home. Except when we're not. 😄 I was able to get all my April letters out, so I hope there will be few times I actually have to go in.

The Church Office Building cafeteria is really cracking down too. Last week, we could go in and get a selection of meals - still pre-packaged or served by the staff, nothing self-serve. And they weren't allowing us to eat there. But this week they changed their system. You have to pre-order before you go to the cafeteria. They have it ready for pick-up. There is blue tape on the floor so that people are reminded to stay six feet apart, and the sweet cashiers are seated at desks by the exit.

One of the things that the CDC has still recommended is that we get outside to exercise. So I went for a walk Friday afternoon. It was a beautiful spring day. Here are some of my pictures. 💕

This is the courtyard between the buildings where I live.

We have to look for the sweet tender mercies through all this darkness. Yesterday was the first day of this historic General Conference weekend. In Elder Andersen's talk Saturday morning he told us to look for the "spiritually defining" moments in our lives which tell us of God's love for us. Here's one for me: I have been feeling lonely the last couple of days and especially this morning as I started to watch conference by myself in this tiny apartment. Today and tomorrow are historic sessions of General Conference because only those speaking and praying are in the small auditorium where conference is being broadcast. All the music is pre-recorded by the Tabernacle Choir. To my surprise the recording of Joseph Smith's First Prayer was from April 2008, and I was singing. There were a couple of glimpses of me. After the song I got texts from friends and family saying they saw me. I also got texts from dear friends now who didn't know me then asking if they were seeing me. My kids and grandkids spotted me and like old times Nathan pointed me out. They took a picture and sent it. I no longer felt lonely.

Here's a picture of the street today taken by my missionary friend who lives across from the Conference Center. This usually very crowded corner is empty as we're all watching conference from home.

Even though I couldn't be at the Conference Center today, I have a ticket for this historic event. It's taped in my journal.

This conference was also historic and memorable because it is one of the few occasions where members of the Church participated in the Hosanna Shout and Anthem. This is usually done only at temple dedications, but it was also done at the dedication of the Conference Center where I was blessed to be. They used that recording today.

President Nelson reminded us in his talk today - What does it mean to me that the gospel has been restored to the earth?

• That me and my family can be sealed together forever
• Because I have been baptized and confirmed, I can enjoy the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost
• I will never be left comfortless or without access to the power of God to help me
• Priesthood power can bless me as I receive essential ordinances and make covenants with God and keep them

I'm so very grateful today for the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ through His prophet Joseph Smith. I'm grateful that my ancestors received the missionaries and accepted the invitation to be baptized. I'm grateful that they all remained faithful and that my mother took me to church when it would have been so much easier for her to stay home. I'm grateful for my celestial marriage to a worthy priesthood holder, and for the righteous and faithful lives of my children and grandchildren.