Covid blather

I just realized I haven't time to type this out right now. sigh.

I think the virus itself shouldn't be a cause of concern for most people, but the government response should be. Of course, the outcome is the opposite - many people are worried about the virus, and few people are worried about personal freedom.
When I think about the levels of conspiracy, mistrust, corruption, and violations of rights, I get very frustrated and upset, and feel powerless to do anything about it. When I think about God's sovereignty, and His love and care, I feel peaceful and empowered. I know that all the schemes of man cannot stop His plan for us. I know that He can do what is needed, and so can I! I can pray. I can share. I can listen to those who need to vent. I can get lots of work done at home since all our appointments have been canceled.
The first week that Arkansas was "shut down" - in quotes because we haven't shut completely like some states have - our family did go to a church meeting anyway. It wasn't crowded, and people refrained from shaking hands and hugging. I enjoyed the meeting , but some others thought it wasn't worth going out if we couldn't go tour regular fellowship. So the following 3 (?) weeks, we have stayed at home, and either had our own service, or watched one online.
I was initially prepared to "dare" someone to stop me from going to church, or to arrest me, or whatever. I had my dander up, so to speak, and wanted to rebel against the stupidity and the system. Let me be clear: I never thought that "church" would protect against the virus. I felt that it was better to exercise my rights than to be safe from the virus. I thought it was right to do my reasonable service to God, whether or not it put me at risk. I remembered the martyrs and the persecuted church throughout the centuries, who risked life, limb, family, job, and just about everything else, in order to fellowship with believers. And I thought that the worst we can do is maybe get a ticket, or get sick. Since there are numerous viruses going around at any given time, we already risk getting sick when we go to meetings.
But, somewhere along the way, I felt that desire to fight was fading away. I still get frustrated when I think of the governments' behaviour, but I don't feel that I am on a personal vendetta against it. I believe God is making a way, even in this. And if it's the way to the end, so be it.

Meanwhile, we have plenty of food and toilet paper, and everyone is healthy. The boys haven't got their braces yet, but I guess that's ok. We are working on the house, anticipating a mortgage which will allow us to renovate the kitchen, replace the roof, and pay off our credit card debt. People in town display a lack of knowledge about how to stay sterile, and the recycle center is closed. The counting at the door of Walmart seems a little over-the-top, but so far I haven't had to wait outside.
And I was right; I didn't have enough time to write. Must go fix supper.

What else - Corona

I'm getting frustrated at this virus thing. Restaurants closed, churches closed, curfews, etc. Because of a cold!
Would love to blather on, but I have work to do

blah!

The mental noise! Naysha's trip tp Ireland, dental insurance, budgets, shopping, taxes, family! In case it doesn't show up there, I will share here what I typed to my brother Wil in response to his response on his blog, to our grandma's letter to him.

Hi.
First of all, let me assure you that Mom and Dad read and reread and talk and agonize over every word you write. They may not respond, being at a loss as to how to communicate effectively, but they do not ignore what you say.
Anyway, I had some thoughts on the matter, and will let you decide if my attempts at communication are effective. :)
We - your relatives who have reached out to you, and probably many others - value you as a person, even when we disagree with you. I, personally, would like the opportunity to show you that I care about you (and I assume the same is true for the others, but do not claim to speak for them). Our shared history (not to say, necessarily, our blood relation status) seems to me to be a claim at least as strong as that of location. That is to say, if you can "put politics aside" - not to deny your values, but to choose to find common ground or non-controversial topics of conversation - for the sake of a neighbor or co-worker, could you not do the same for your extended family?
If I thought someone was claiming a "right" to my time, money, and company, I would probably be somewhat irritated. However, on further consideration (as regards Mom, Dad, and Granny), it does appear reasonable for them to feel that way. They have given so much of their time, money, and company to me (and you) that they really do have a right to expect some return on the investment.
I feel like there should be a concluding paragraph here, though perhaps I have said enough for the present.
Still loving and praying for you,
Shari

Anyway, time to get a couple other things done.