Look for the Rainbows

 My first post this month and I still seem to be running on empty.  I was intrigued by my brother’s post (found here) and often wish that I was as profound and gifted with words as he is.  I absolutely love his comparisons and thoughtfulness. 

I recently gave a thought on light and had meant to include rainbows in my thought but had forgotten to.  It wouldn’t have been as good as how Steven had put it.  I suppose I could use real names now.  He isn’t Corey nor am I LaTiesha.  The photos I have used are pictures of how we look though our names were changed for various reasons (some of which I explain in the very first post on New Years Day 2012)

The news has said that the mask mandate will lift come March 31.  I noticed many have already decided to enforce the lift as Roland and I had gone to Costco today and I saw more patrons without masks than with them.  All of the workers were wearing masks.  I didn’t notice any signs saying they were required.

Our governor tried the same thing last year in June, to lift the mandate – but in August it went back into affect.  If it isn’t COVID, it is something else such as the elements or the truck driving strike.  I get it.  But I don’t comprehend how it’s going to solve anything.  I would think it would damage the economy even more.  But we need to look for those rainbows, right?  The storm isn’t going to last forever.

At What Sacrifice? Or Whose?

         I recently learned that Brigham Young had told Ephraim Hanks to shave his face.  I have probably heard the story (here) several times but did not resonate like it does at present.  “Wear a mask”. How hard is that?  Few people enjoy being told what to do.  We all have our free agency.  Not everybody will wear a mask – or if they do, they will wear pretend masks or fail to cover both mouth and nose.

https://www.amazon.com/Mustache-Handmade-
Washable-Copyright-Protected/dp/B08DK461YP

        Ephraim Hanks had free agency.  He didn’t have to shave.  He chose to obey the council.  It’s not that he needed to prove anything to others or even God.  He had to prove to himself that he was willing to obey.  This act played a huge role with his ability to lead others. 

        This article reinforces that wearing a mask is showing Christ

like love.  We wear masks in order to protect others – even those that have received the vaccination.  Asking some people to get a vaccination shot is even worse than asking them to wear a mask.  Really?  What is the big deal? 

    According to several sources (here) we could have avoided prolonging the pandemic if we had all cared about one another in the first place rather than how uncomfortable it might make for ourselves.  I don’t mean to wish bad upon these self absorbed people but sometimes I think how would they like seeing a family member in need of surgery being operated upon by a team of unmasked surgeons?  Or have their dentists breathe into their mouths while working on them?  But too bad for all those unmasked surgeons and dentists. 

        My brother purchased a book called “Would You Rather” and each day he posts a question.  A recent one was “Would you rather to be able to control the elements or go back in time?”

        I have always questioned time travel.  It’s fun to watch in movies, but what would it change really?  Different outcomes?  Better?  Worse?  There are all kinds of scenarios.  The thing is going back in time to warn others about the pandemic will not change what is going on right now.  We were already warned.  We’ve been divided.  We’re at a civil or cold war with one another.  Even at church.  There are those who still refuse to follow the prophet. 

        How hard is it to wear a mask or shave?  How hard is it to look at the staff that is stretched before us?  

I don’t understand all the pride.  For what?  Things will only get worse before they get better.  Why is it so difficult for so many to see what is right before them?  Especially when it parallels with scriptures. 

Our current situation may not be exactly like Zion’s camp or the movement of the pioneers or picking up our tents to move even further into the wilderness and crossing the ocean into the unknown.  We put our faith in God that He really does have our best interest at hand.  I would rather follow God into the unknown as I know the He does know what’s ahead – even if I don’t. 

I have seen far too many westerns, sci-fis and other movies to recognize that human leadership is often faulty. Though not always, but often, bad things happen to those that follow – maybe not all of them, but a good number of them.  For example the movie Poseidon Adventure. 

https://www.cinemaessentials.com/2017/11/the-
poseidon-adventure-1972-review-gene-hackman.html

How many souls were lost?  Not all humans know what they’re doing.

        It’s mind boggling, too, that there are those who are still defending Trump.  I don’t trust a man who desecrates religion.  So many of his followers are portrayed as idiots.  I think there’s a difference between being ignorant and being stupid. Evidently I am surprised at the large amount of stupid people that exist.

        Still judging though I’m trying really hard not to.  Currently I am just shaking my head in disbelief.  I also pray a lot.

Polio Had Claimed Many Lives Back in the Day

    My brother posted an 11 minute video which he labeled as “ranting” but he had some valid points. One was that if you are purchasing a ticket to the place where he works you are agreeing to a contract to follow the rules – one being “Wear the mask”.  You DON’T have to purchase a ticket if you can’t wear the mask either by choice or because you are not medically able to.  It’s a rule.  The mask has to be worn.  The employees have to wear the mask the entire time they are at work – which is three to four times greater than those who purchase tickets.  Not a big deal.  At least it shouldn’t be.

Jenna and I have a mutual acquaintance who has decided to abandon her teaching career so that she doesn't have to get the vaccination.  OHMIGOSH!! Just overcome your pride and get the damn shot already.  Students are required to have certain vaccinations before they can be accepted into school - which I guess is one reason that some parents choose to homeschool.  Homeschooling doesn't require students to be vaccinated.

 Another one of Corey's comments was about our great uncle Reese who died of polio when he was only 17 years old. My dad loved his uncle.  He was only eight years old when Reese passed away.  More than 40 years later he still choked up about having lost him when they were both so young.

  The vaccination for polio did not come out until ten years later.  Polio was the COVID of the day. People then were probably excited to get the vaccination.  It prevented many others from dying.  We don’t even hear about Polio anymore.  We should be grateful for the opportunities we have to receive an effective vaccine and have it available without having to wait decades.

 How better off I think we would be if people could understand the seriousness of COVID as they did Polio or Measles or Scarlett Fever for example.  But  then again, those that think this whole COVID thing is a hoax probably don’t believe that Measles and Mumps were a real thing either. 

There are those who were against the vaccine who have chosen to follow the prophet and sadly there are so many others who most likely will learn and have learned the hard way.  Those (as the former educational instructor I suspect) that may lose loved ones that could have prevented it.  And sadder still, there are those who will never admit that they could have done something to slow down the disease to keep it from spreading.

Separating the Wheat From the Tares

          The prophet announced for church members to receive a vaccine and mask up to all of those who don’t have underlined health issues where a mask/vaccination would only jeopardize the underlined complications. Many who are capable of wearing masks and refuse vaccinations are upset just as there were some women upset about the revelation to stay home.  There were members finding it hard to believe black men would be able to hold the priesthood.  Each time we disagree with the prophet we are rejecting counsel from God. This act of rejection has been compared to those who shot arrows toward Samuel the Lamanite for preaching to the people a message that they didn’t want to hear.   

Mormonad by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

 

         It isn’t just the prophet relating this message but many political leaders as well.  Several states are making it mandatory for health workers and teachers to get the vaccination or risk losing their jobs.  At first Oregon was giving instructors the option to get the vaccination or agree to be tested for COVID once a week.  But because the Delta Varient becoming so popular and flooding the hospitals out of beds, there is no longer the option of being tested once a week. Vaccines are now mandatory. The county where I currently reside had been reported to have the most cases in the state.  Of course there is only one hospital.  The most recent upset has been that a patient died in the waiting room while waiting for a bed. 

          Jenna has several friends whose parents are against the vaccination.  One of her best friends’ mother works as instructor in the school system.  I think her pride will cost her job.  I also believe that she will either organize or join a group of those who desire not to have the vaccine but wish to keep their jobs and sue the governor I guess.  I’ve said it before that I would not wish to be in the governors or other leaders shoes for anything.  What a wicked and prideful time which we live in.  

          My head is swimming with thoughts, judgments, offense, disappointment, betrayal, confusion.  I have attempted a post so often and it has always come out disjointed and as hard to follow as the media, opinions and misleading information of others.  Perhaps I ought to take an idea from each paragraph and try focusing on just that instead of trying to transition each one into the next. 

          Our schools seem to be short staffed as it is.  And while I agree with it, I think this mandatory vaccination is going to leave schools short staffed even further.  I predict that there are several people who will have to learn the hard way.  Sadly, there will be some that will never learn.

Welcome to the Superstition of Friday the 13th

 Today is Friday the 13^th.  Mandated mask restarts today.  I would have not made the connection if Jenna hadn’t been so vocal about it. A year and a half ago (also Friday the 13^th) we had our last day of school and were sent home for the remaining of the year.  They opened up too soon in my opinion.  Trump had bullied them and they willingly followed.  Now our kids are sick.  Our hospitals are filled up again.  Some say the pandemic is worse than last year when they sent us home.

“We are a rural county” some say.  “We shouldn’t have to mask up as the larger cities do.”  Really?  Everybody in our county just stays in our county?  No traveling to Lane County?  Roland went to Lane County just the other day.  I heard that our county has the most cases and the least amount of beds.  Granted, there is only one hospital besides the VA. 

We managed an RS activity last night – I would guess our last one this year – that is in person.  Stake has one planned for next month.  I would guess that one will be recorded for viewers at home.  The committee wants to do a quilting activity in November.  Call me pessimistic, but I don’t see that one taking place either.  This pandemic is going to last forever because we don’t all agree.

I heard that Canada just opened its borders to Americans but that America hasn’t opened up to Canadians.  Why would anyone from Canada even want to come to the states right now?  And why would they open their borders?  No Canada.  Stick with your guns.  Do not let the Americans in.  Stay safe.

Truth is I am fine with staying home and having virtual contact.  I have said it before and will express it again:  It isn’t the disease that frightens me.  It is man’s behavior – which I suppose in itself is a disease.  It’s not a hoax.  Too bad some others have to find that out the hard way.