The Number 40

“Forty – A Period of Testing

The number forty is mentioned 157 times in Scripture. The number forty symbolizes a period of testing, trial or probation.” – Scriptures Revealed

The article then goes on to remind us that Moses was in the desert for 40 years.  He had gone to Mount Sinai for 40 days and nights.  He was still there receiving God’s law while the children of Isreal lost their faith and built a golden calf.

For 40 days and 40 nights the Ark floated around in the water before there was sign of land.

For 40 days Jesus fasted before his ministry began. This site has a whole list of the symbolisms of the number 40. More than Roland had mentioned when he asked me if I thought this COVID thing would last only 40 days. 

It has now been 40 days since the students spent their final day for this school year.  It’s been 42 since the church announced no more meetings.  And not everybody was quarantined on the same day.  When would the “40” have started if his method is correct?  Or perhaps we are looking at 40 weeks?  40 months?  We may have enough food supply for 40 weeks but definitely not 40 months.  Our house is not big enough to store 40 months worth of food.

I don’t know that 40 is a symbolic number for what is taking place now.  But it is interesting to think about.   

Today's Walk Around the 'Hood

Jenna and I went for a walk today.  Here are some of the sights we saw and pictures that she took.

Love the blue

Jenna has always posed with fire hydrants
since she was small.  Keeping up the tradition.

she took this one from our backyard

Every Shade of Purple

          We finally finished the Sugar Spigot American puzzle. 

 Roland glued it so that we can hang it in our game room (should we ever get one built) and we started a new puzzle  that is over 50% purple – granted different shades.  Crayola might lable them as periwinkle, orchid, lilac, heliotrope, plum, etc. for there are many shades.

  

         There are only 750 pieces as opposed to the thousand of the last two puzzles, but we can already tell that it will work up a lot quicker.

I think my brother would enjoy this puzzle. It is the Mont Saint Michel castle in France. 

  

He’s had a thing for France since he was in elementary school (I would guess) and he loves the color purple – surely there are a few puzzle pieces that would match his preferred shade.

Memes Shared on Facebook

My Ignorant Friends

          There are so many creative posts to facebook lately, and just as many that are hurtful such as warnings to NOT buy products from the Chinese.  Really?  Someone has the odyssey to promote bigotry during these trying times.  I would think the citizens of China have even less to say about their government than do US citizens.  Though there are Trump supporters and followers many Americans are just as offended by his lack of leadership skills or lack of compassion as perhaps citizens of other countries are ashamed.  In China it is against the law to cross the government whereas in the USA citizens have the right to voice their opinions and even criticize the government without being arrested.  This pandemic is not the fault of the Chinese citizens.  They are victims just as much as anybody.  They did not choose to become guinea pigs of some governmental experience anymore than soldiers of this country when fighting in Vietnam chose to become victims to agent orange from 1962 to 1971. 

          People make mistakes.  Leaders make mistakes.  It happens.  As of now we are not or should not pit country against country.  We are not against one another (as a whole – I know Trump has said many things that have offended those outside of the U.S.  But trust me, he has offended just as many American citizens with his sometimes childish but mostly idiotic behavior) as we are all fighting the same demon regardless of where it originated.  Let’s not throw bigotry into the mix as well. 

          I have some friends who live in fear as well as isolation .  I have other friends who are skeptics and view this entire pandemic as a hoax staged for an upcoming election.  There is so much out there – some truths, others misinterpretations of the truth, still others that are bold faced lies.  I don’t even know what to believe anymore and may think of this as a hoax myself except for the church’s involvement.

          When else in history has the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or any other denomination) closed its doors?  The church had announced the cancellation of all meetings before the government did.  They have closed the temples.  Seamstresses who worked on temple clothes have been asked to sew masks.  Other organizations have put their teams to work for sewing masks.  Even when the leaders are fooled into thinking the pandemic is over, it won’t be over.  If we’re not careful it will sneak upon us and perhaps become worse for it is than it is right now.

          Let us not cast blame.  Blame doesn’t solve anything.  We need to be cautious of the disease not necessarily one another.  We need each other’s support not prejudices.  We are in this together.  Let us remember the children of Israel who made it out of darkness after the first Passover.  Let us remember the citizens of Jerusalem and around the world who came out of darkness after the first Easter’s resurrection.  We too will come out of darkness.  But we have to lift one another into the light.  If we point fingers or cast stones at one another, it will only prolong the darkness.

Read the Directions Several Times

          As a student, for me personally, it was always easier to receive verbal directions than written ones.  I would do the research for whatever class I had online and discover the assignment was very different from my interpretation of what I thought I had read.  So often I would have to change my sense of direction – sometimes resulting in starting from scratch.  I’m finding the same is true with some of the students who are used to being in public school but are online currently due to the pandemic.

          On of my daughter’s friends asked if she could come and film herself performing CPR on Jenna.  That is NOT social distancing.  Jenna does not have that same assignment as she is not currently taking the required health class that her friend has on her schedule.  Her friend seemed certain that she would have to practice on another person – which for me sounded irresponsible.  Why would an instructor ask that of a student at this time?  The entire reason we are not in public schooling right now is because there is no such thing as social distancing among students. 

          The directions say to perform the CPR – if necessary student may demonstrate on something like a stuffed animal or doll.  The LAST comment in tiny letters is demonstrate on an actual person without really doing it.  So I am thinking 1) why would she turn in a project in which she has obviously broken the rule of social distancing 2) why not perform on a stuffed animal or pillow even – then you will be able to press as hard as actually required because the pillow won’t be hurt no matter how much pressure is applied.

          It seems like an unrealistic requirement for all students as not all students do have access to making the video or transferring the information correctly.  I could be wrong.  Many of Jenna’s friend do have cell phones.  They upload videos all the time on Tik Tok – but still – we live in a poor area and not everybody has access to electronics – though I think under the circumstances perhaps schools have issued chrome books for students to “borrow”.  I know my sisters kids have borrowed chrome books from their school.

          Written directions should be read several times.  They need to be read out loud.  They need to communicate to the mind what needs to take place in order to express that the directions were followed.  I hope Jenna’s friend realizes that our not allowing her to come into direct contact with our daughter is nothing against her personally.  We love this friend.  Under normal circumstances I would take her under my wing and have her stay with us.  But it’s out of my control.  It isn’t my place. 

Stay Home Order

Jenna has a friend who is somewhat of a rebel.  She likes to push people’s buttons just to see how far she can go.  Or perhaps not.  That’s just how I perceive her.  She’s not a trouble maker, really.  Just likes to bend or perhaps even break the rules that shouldn’t apply to her.

On Thursday she wants to have a party for another friend who is moving out of state and across the nation.  Jenna doesn’t know if she will ever see her friend again and would like to go show her support.  Jenna’s a hugger.  She will not even try to keep social distancing.  I tried to relate our circumstances today to the scriptures we read this morning and the thoughts of her seminary instructor,

“ Think about what happens when people don't heed warnings and guidance sent to help them. Think about what guidance and instruction you have received in your life”

I related this to the instructions which we have been given to STAY HOME.  She was in tears as I compared various situations to today’s circumstances. 

A member of my ward posted this picture to our ward page on March 26

He had written these words just above the picture: “Sometimes it's the simple things that are answers to prayers....”

Since that posting I have often thought that looking at the staff would have been more simple than staying home and not have physical contact with any of those I consider family and friends.  Virtual contact definitely has its place but definitely does not make up for hugs or handshakes.  The need to do for others and staying home seem to conflict although there are some things that can be and are done by those who stay home.  Making masks for example: 

Isn't it awesome that God has given us revelation and promptings?  I think about the last meeting held in my home ward.  Four sisters were called and set apart as the humanitarian committee.  How unexpected for them to fulfill their callings in this manner.  
My eldest granddaughter and a nephew were confirmed in their homewards for the last time we met before it was revealed to not hold meetings until further notice.  Further notice has not yet taken place.

My electronics seem to flipping out on me lately and I could not get into my virtual meeting.  Not in the best mood and sweet Jenna suggested we say a prayer.  I think I heard the most part of the meeting by phone but lost connection after a few of the members seemed to get off topic.  More frustration.

Closing thought I will leave this picture.  Be sure to read all of the titles.

All credits to artist: Mr. Phil Shaw !!!

Originally posted by Regina Kelly with the comment: two smart and saucy librarians posted this...

STAY HOME!!!

Easter in Isolation

              Yesterday we hid twenty plastic eggs for Jenna to find.  The Easter egg hunt has always been a tradition for her.  She has participated in at least one hunt every year - and it is usually with someone other than us.  But as we are stuck inside this year and I won't allow her to go further than the mailbox, I decided to create a hunt for her.  We had purchased Easter candy a while ago and also included scriptures and other Easter thoughts so we could include the true meaning of Easter as well.

Because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to. – Jeffrey R. Holland

 His Atonement makes available all of the power, peace, light, and strength that we need to deal with life’s challenges – Sheri L. Dew

For the Atonement of the Lord and His gift of resurrection—for this sublime message of  Easter  – Russell M. Nelson

To understand the meaning of death, we must appreciate the purpose of life. (…) Our Father knew that because of the nature of mortality, we would be tempted, would sin, and would fall short. So that we might have every chance of success, He provided a Savior, who would suffer and die for us. – Thomas S. Monson

 The Atonement is the greatest evidence we have of the Father’s love for His             children. – Linda K. Burton

decorated Saturday morning

hid only half of the eggs we had

The white Easter lily symbolizes purity and honesty. Some say Easter lilies proliferated in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus wept in the last hours before Judas’ betrayal.

You won’t see any mention of the long-eared, cotton-tailed Easter Bunny in the Bible, but he has become one of Easter’s most prominent (and commercial) symbols.  Seeing rabbits emerge from their burrows in spring, early Christians may have adopted the gentle, meek mammal as a symbol of Christ emerging from his tomb.

Eggs and chicks symbolize new life.  An egg can also be a                      symbol of the Tomb.

He is not here: for he is risen – Matthew 28:6

And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.    Luke 24:36

He is risen! He is risen!  He hath opened heaven’s gate.

                I wanted today to be a beautiful and spiritual Easter.  I wanted to include my family in what I felt.  It did not work out to my expectations however.  By 5:00 I was watching YouTube videos by myself expecting that Jenna would join me eventually.  I figured Roland would stay in the room and watch Sunday morning.  But it’s Easter.  Come on!  We haven’t been to church for a month yet.  Nor have we met as a family to hold Sunday meetings.  I think this is the first Sunday Jenna has not watched the “Come Follow Me” program with me.

                The first video I watched was Finding Joy in Sharing the Gospel (here) as it was the lesson we would have had in Relief Society had we met at the church.  Afterward I watched the video “Don’t Miss This” with David Butler and Emily Freeman (here). How awesome it was that they compared the first Easter to our Easter experience today.  The world in isolation.  Afterward I rewatched  the “Come Follow Me” program (Teaching with Power) with Brad Wilcox (here).

  

               When Jenna came into the room she suggested that we watch “The Littlest Angel”.  She had received a copy of the 1997 original animation of an angel sent back to earth to help two children during Easter. 

I don’t fully remember.  I wasn’t as impressed with it as she.  I liked the version I had read as a child.

Only the trailer of the 1997 was available and so we watched the full Hallmark movie made in 1969. 

That was our Easter together.  I tried getting her to watch “Saturday Night Seder” (here) with me, but she lost interest.  I didn't realize it was a fundraiser for the CDC foundation.  Good cause.  Excellent video.  Such profound words from each of the Rabbis and celebrities.  I enjoyed Judith Lights narration during Ben Platt's  performance of  "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".  I also enjoyed the narrations by Richard Kind and Debra Messing.  I also enjoyed Harvey Fierstein's  monologue on "Next Year in Jerusalem" which gave a whole knew meaning to a phrase I had heard before but never knew what it meant.

I think I’d taken Jenna to a Passover before.  Of course she does not remember it.  It wasn’t even a Jewish Passover, but a Passover that would pay homage to our Jewish ancestors but emulate Mormonism as well. It was nice that I had a little understanding of Passover as I watched the performances that were so well edited and had been written up and posted in such a short amount of time.  It was mind-blowing really.  I highly recommend watching it.

                I missed having the opportunity to attend it for a while.  Our friend Beth was going to invite us to her Passover one year, but we have failed to get together and it didn’t seem possible this year.  But I know of other families who engaged in the traditions.

                After Roland got up, he started cleaning the kitchen and strongly suggested that Jenna watch “The Ten Commandments”.  The problem is it’s just so darn long.  She cannot sit still long enough to watch it.  So thus far we have watched only half of it.  She is now in her room watching online lectures and Roland is watching a recorded episode of “The Profit” – some great ways to spend your Easter, right?

                So I am now recording my thoughts on Easter meaning for me this year.  I like the parallels of the things I have watched and heard.  And I wonder if the amount of time that passed between the initial Passover (before the 10 commandments) and the Atonement and Resurrection was the same amount of time that passed between the Resurrection and Covid 19.