March, 2020

March, 2020.  Who would have thought that our world would change so quickly in just a month's time?  We are sheltering at home as COVID-19 infects more people day by day.  As of today, April 3, there are 30 cases associated with a nursing home just 20 miles from our home.  We are much in prayer.

The photo above with the red checked tablecloth was taken March 1, the last family dinner we had before we were instructed to stop gathering in groups because of the pandemic.  We celebrated Daniel's birthday that day, several weeks late...so glad we got to do that.

John no longer stops at our local Casey's each morning for his iced tea, and we've tried to take regular walks for exercise since I'm not getting out of the house much otherwise.  Business on the farm must go on as usual so John visits our local grain elevator often for fertilizer and anhydrous tanks, but everyone is getting better about social distancing.  John now carries Clorox-wipes with him and wipes down the trucks he drives following another driver.  We take the precautions we can and trust the Lord.

For some reason, pie has seemed to be my comfort food of choice.  I made 3 coconut cream pies in March, one for each of my kids and their families, and one for us!  I believe the photo above is of the egg free version; it can be done.  I used coconut milk in the pudding and cool whip instead of meringue for the topping on the one for my allergic kids.  I also made an apple pie as a gift for our daughter and son-in-law's 16th anniversary March 27. 

The photo above left was taken on our 46th anniversary, March 30.  We celebrated by building fence together in the morning (my role was to hand John the fence clips) and eating the last two T-bone steaks from our freezer with chocolate pudding cake from dessert.  (We have since had a critter processed at the locker plant a few miles down the road, and so once more have a freezer full of beef).

We are so grateful for the blessings provided us in the eye of this storm.  We are trusting and praying day by day.

I wrote a little rhyme a few years ago when my mother was struggling so with her Alzheimer's disease, and it seems appropriate now:

Joy in the midst of sorrow,

Peace in the midst of pain,

Faith in the truth of God's promise,

There will be sunshine after the rain.  

God bless and protect us.  We are so grateful for His unfailing presence with us.