A joyous Easter to all! It is an Easter unlike any other as we "shelter at home" during the COVID-19 Pandemic. But the great gift from our Savior Jesus Christ, the Atonement, gives us hope that we can rise above our sicknesses, trials, fears, sorrows with hope for a better tomorrow or at least in the next life where all will be made right.  Easter week began with the sacred remembrance that Christ entered Jerusalem on a humble donkey not on a horse (symbol of war and physical power). He was, and still is, welcomed today with shouts of Hosanna and rejoicing. 

His Resurrection promises a resurrection for each of us (a union of body and spirit restored to perfect form), a return to live with Him again, and a reunion with those loved ones who have gone before us.



There are many positives as we come together as households and as communities. Two signs in my neighborhood:

On a garage door: we offer help sometimes in a phone call or note that we are thinking of "you." 

In a yard: Acceptance, tolerance, inclusion, love and kindness.

Our wonderful Prophet Russell M. Nelson, a tender-hearted, wise, optimistic and inspired leader has traveled around the world to bring messages of courage and peace to all. We have been uplifted by all the messages we heard from our leaders (broadcast throughout the world) last weekend at our semi-annual General Conference (to an empty hall, even the speakers sitting 6 feet apart as they obeyed "social distancing"). Friday we were invited to fast for those at risk as first responders, medical personnel and all affected in any way by the virus. We all wanted to "flatten the curve" by sacrificing in that small way, to focus on others.

Our chapels and temples are closed but we as a congregation meet on "Zoom" each Sunday morning to visit with each other and to share Gospel messages. One speaker this morning shared the thought that we all have our Fridays, not to the degree our Savior suffered in Gethsemane and then on the cross, but times of trial, but 'Sunday' will come as we embrace the message of hope and joy. The Gospel is everything if we choose it to be the focus of our lives. 

Sometimes I see double, too! So much reading!
I just finished "Becoming Mrs. Lewis" (C.S.) and am now reading some of his works as I feel like I know him (and her) better.
My roses are blooming. How wonderful to watch flowers open!

Meanwhile, for many of us who are fortunate, we can enjoy the spring flowers, the time we have to spend more time with family and households, to discipline ourselves to do some of those projects that need doing, and enjoy activities and deepen relationships with those closest to us. For me it has been a time of reflection, simplification, and connection with others in a different way. When I'm out walking my conversations are often with those across the street, 6' apart in a driveway or park, or as one walks in the street with the other on the sidewalk. I have managed to stay away from the store for a month and I have not lost weight unfortunately. My books keep me company, too!

It's given me more time to keep in touch with friends. An Ecuadorian friend from my mission there sent this photo of her son (3rd from left) leaving his mission in Mexico to return home to Ecuador. Like the US missionaries, all have now returned to their home countries where they may be reassigned at home or resent later. This has been a bonding time, a chance to laugh.

My housemates and I have enjoyed more time together. Last night we celebrated Angie's birthday. Elsie (left) and I did a puzzle shared by our neighbor who left it at the gate (where any mail is left to keep social distance). We've saved on gas, movies, non-essential shopping, and gained on friendship, closeness, appreciation for things we never considered before.
I hope your new week is full of good surprises, that you learn something new or deepen your understanding of something. Try to record this crazy time...in general we won't forget, but the details may interest our posterity. My sympathy and love to all, especially to those of you suffering at this time.

A planeload from Johannesburg of smiling missionaries who had been serving in Africa, all headed home to North America.  Many will be reassigned to serve in the US. Those nearly finished with their 2 years will be released. African elders will continue to serve in Africa. Most missionaries worldwide have now returned to their home countries. They are wonderful. There are many young women serving throughout the world in safe locations. All are teaching virtually. Elder Weidauer sings as he signs, Elder Richards and Cook, now home...see photo below...those fingers can really play the piano (who have served in our ward/congregation) share Gospel messages through song and word on Facebook. 

We are sheltering at home until May 3, 2020 or longer in the Bay Area. Many of the restrictions are locally imposed, but the guidelines are similar: stay home, keep a 6' distance when outside, wash our hands, exercise In my experience there are many positives: we are developing a greater sense of cooperation, compassion for those with employment and illness and loss, and community, as we are all in this together. We are learning we can do without many things, we can use our creativity, we can learn by internet/outside of school, we can have fun in our own households, with our own families, and can enjoy nature, simple pleasures. What are yours? 
Our playgrounds, parks, libraries, schools (probably for the rest of the school year), and stores except groceries, pharmacies, hardware and other essential services are closed or suspended. Most churches are not holding services ( Buddhist Temple and Russian church in my neighborhood), the YMCA is closed.
We do not meet at church, but have used "Zoom" to hear talks, lessons and prayers on Sundays, which buoy us up, give us hope, unite us in this challenging time. (below a screen shot from a talk given by Marguerite Gong Hancock) to the women on Tuesday.

I have drawn closer to my family and friends through video conferencing, too.

Along with medical personnel treating life and death situations where they are putting their own lives in jeopardy, police, fire , sanitation and food workers and others who keep us safe and well are our postal workers who make deliveries overtime for mail and every internet service.
This COVID-19 crisis has inspired more emails, letters, video conferencing, and creative songs, poems, jokes, and ??

The last week before the Baylands and open spaces were closed, I enjoyed wonderful walks, now I just explore neighborhoods I can walk to.

These ducks should be sheltering at the Baylands, but have chosen my home instead, sometimes on the roof, sometimes in the yard.

As I walk, I enjoy more than ever the gardens, trees and flowers...

The azaleas by my front door lift my spirits as I leave and return home. Working in my garden is joyful.
As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, we look forward to the twice a year General Conference broadcast to all the world this weekend. Please join us for the broadcast (this Saturday and Sunday, both days 10-12 and 2-4 MDT) with wonderful inspiring, comforting talks of hope & practical advice from our President Russell M. Nelson, truly a man for our time, and other leaders, for dealing with whatever challenges you are facing at this time.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng

There are also many wonderful videos at this site (and on 
youtube ) as we approach Easter and celebrate the 200th anniversary of Joseph Smith's "First Vision" and the Restoration of Christ's Church for our time. (Below is a tribute to President Nelson).
I know we can all get through this time together as we love and support each other, take one day at a time, and remember that our Heavenly Father promises comfort and peace if we bring our worries and burdens to him.
Happy Easter, too, to you and your loved ones!

“When you have someone like President Nelson,” Elder Jensen said, “who has excelled at every stage of his life, and who has been a world traveler, who speaks several languages, who had experiences in his profession, in church leadership, in community leadership, whose raised exceptional family, to have someone like that as our prophet and seer, it just is stunning to me how blessed we are, how fortunate we are to be able to place our confidence, our faith in someone like him.”

He already can see past decisions by church leaders, such as the ministering program, the focus on home-centered, church-supported learning and the “Come, Follow Me” program to have prepared the church for interruptions like COVID-19.

“I think when we look back,” Elder Jensen said, “we’ll see these threads that will intertwine and give us a sense we were uniquely positioned as a church to weather this storm.”