Week of March 8 - 14, 2020

Highlights:

Spiritual

We had another wonderful Sunday. We drove Alice Hacking to church, and since her former ride cannot take her as early to church as she wants to, she asked us to take her every week. Alice is a few years younger than me and cannot drive, and lives with family, so we are blessed to help her out. A missionary returned from South Korea and reported on his experiences. Our new Relief Society Presidency was set apart during our meeting and we had a wonderful lesson based on D. Todd Christofferson's talk in General Conference.

I enjoyed choir practice in the afternoon and Dad had a stake Sunday School presidency meeting late Sunday night.

I had planned on attending the temple on Tuesday, but rain came, Dad was gone all day in Gilbert, and my car must be covered in rain or the battery will short out and water leaks in. Dad attended Wednesday night and I attended Thursday morning using his car.

There has been a medical situation developing over the last couple of months, beginning in China and a Corona Virus has been spreading leading to very unusual circumstances, including missionaries reassignments and returning home early, missionary training from home rather than at the MTC, temples closing (as of Friday, ours remains open), and General Conference being online only, as in no one attending. We received this letter on Friday...

Brothers and Sisters,
You have likely received recent communications from the Church regarding changes and responses to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).  An update was provided by the First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve Apostles this afternoon and can be read at: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/gatherings-worldwide-temporarily-suspended

We would like to summarize what this means in the Phoenix Thunderbird Park Stake effective immediately:

·        Ward Sunday meetings, including sacrament, will be temporarily suspended until further notice
·        Ward and stake activities should be suspended unless they can be done via technology
·        Essential leadership meetings should be conducted via phone or other form of technology
·        Specific questions may be referred to local priesthood leaders (the Stake Presidency will communicate routinely with Bishops via teleconference)

Coordinating with each Bishop, we will find a way to make the sacrament available at least once a month to the members.

We encourage the following:

·        Study the “Come Follow Me” lessons with the scriptures as individuals and families
·        Consider the needs of others as we seek to bless and lift
·        Take time to ponder what this situation may be preparing us for

Individual responsibility reminder:

·        Wash hands frequently >20 seconds
·        Stop shaking hands
·        Maintain social distancing of >6 feet
·        Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
·        Practice respiratory hygiene: covering mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough, then washing hands immediately
·        Stay home if you are in an at-risk group or feel unwell

May the Lord bless, guide, and comfort you as we strive to be true followers of Christ in any circumstance presented.

With our love,

Phoenix Thunderbird Park Stake Presidency

Then later Friday afternoon, temples were closed for all ordinances for the dead, and will only will be open for living ordinances for awhile.

I continue to read the Book of Mormon, study Come Follow Me lessons and youtube presentations, and listen to a General Conference talk each day.

I have indexed 4702 records and reviewed 26145 records so far this year.

Family

The Wilkins Family

The change in phones for Allison delayed our catching up for the week. I did get to Marco Polo at least twice and we were able to share our goings-on. Mike is doing well and completing as much training as he can before the end of the month. Allison continues working and she volunteers in Sam's class on Mondays. Adam completed his ACT testing. Since his school allots a snow day, and it was not needed this year, he was off on a Monday, so he was able to go to school with Allison and share lunch with Sam. Sadly, Grace was not selected for entrance into Las Vegas Academy, but she is looking forward to riding the bus and attending Las Vegas High School where the children of Allison's best friend attend. Grace still is as happy as ever. Joshua and Sam started soccer practice and are loving it. Sam said he is learning to dribble a soccer ball, which is different from dribbling a basketball. A couple weeks ago, Sam was scheduled to have a field trip, but he "barfed" (his words) right before, so they sent him home. He was very sad! However, the next week, they celebrated Read Across America and Nevada Reads week. They had crazy hair day and pajama day, and mismatch day and Sam's class was visited by a police officer. He was able to see a police car and everything inside it. They fed the missionaries some yummy pot roast on Sunday. All is going well and they are hanging in there even with the news that the temple will be reducing hours.

The Ethan Rice Family

Kaylee sent Papa and Grammy some cards she made in the envelope Ethan sent fuel filters for Dad's chainsaw.

 We spoke via Facetime on Friday night. Kaylee had a half-day of school that day and is now off for at least two weeks for the Corona Virus. Her teacher sent her home with "twenty hundred papers" of schoolwork. The kids were having fun with their neighbors riding bikes and toys in the lovely evening. Food shopping is crazy there too and even the Asian Market Ethan went to was crazy. 

The Doran Rice Family

Doran and Amber had an interesting week. Amber's Dad drove from Ohio for a visit, but due to extreme measures being taken back in Ohio, he arrived on Tuesday and returned home on Friday (they drove). They did have such a great time with them and with the kids off on Spring Break they had great fun. We visited with them as they came by on Friday. Doran got some of our millions of drywall screws to have for himself. They found milk at Target on their way home and that was a blessing since every store they went to was empty. They also spent a long time in line on Saturday after finding a bit more milk, so now with five gallons in their fridge they feel safer.

Morgan

Dad talked for a while with Morgan on the phone on Sunday. Morgan is still working and has a goal to pay off fines from many years ago within the next few months.

Kayty

Kayty had a good week at work though changes are being made as of Friday to keep germs from spreading. Those who work part-time from home will now be full time at home, and she again must move her desk so there is a desk between her and her next coworker. Hockey games were canceled due to the virus as well so it has been quiet here. She has turned into a cake baking queen with lots of time spent baking and icing. 

The Nathan Rice Family

No news from Nathan and Jessica this week.

Dad's Garden

Peas are nearing their end. I picked carrots this week for use in dinner and for a salad for Dad. Cilantro that volunteered in the garden was picked to dry. Tomato plants all look good. 

Other highlights

Monday was power clean up day due to rain forecast for the week. I got bare wood painted on the storage boxes in the tent trailer, got blankets and sleeping bags wrapped in plastic and loaded and Dad helped me put the top down and then he made a cover to keep any rain from coming in. I rolled tarps, moved boxes, organized and even labeled and we got more in its permanent spot, and another load for DI and added more bags to the trailer. 

Rain for the four days during the week totaled 3 1/2 inches!

We built more shelves and finished a lot of shed cleaning on Saturday. Just need to purchase a tub or two (and with this Corona Virus shopping frenzy, it's impossible to even get into a Walmart!) and get some final things organized. We should have it nearly complete next week. 

After five days of covering up my car with plastic, when I removed it on Friday, NO WATER inside and it started right up!!! Hooray!!!

It has been an interesting week to see what happens when the media whips people into a frenzy. While I have only been to one store this week, I saw meat cabinets empty and people filling their carts with breakfast cereal. Some stores are closing early and opening later, some have wisely limited items purchased.