Like trekking through mud, we made it to April!

We did it.

It's finally April. It's not even an April Fool's joke.

I'm not sure why that feels like such an accomplishment, but it does. Maybe the fact that we made it to a new month gives us hope, hope that we will continue to trek through the mud of this crazy existence, day by day, week by week, month by month, for as long as it takes.

As we stay home to protect both ourselves and the weakest among us, it's important to keep watch on our mental health right along with our physical health. When our stake president released Seth from has mission, he told Seth that, though quarantined, he should get out of the house daily and go for walk, as one way to protect his mental health. I agree! As someone who struggles enough with mental health when there isn't a global pandemic (stupid anxiety/panic attacks), I take this seriously. I've upped my walking regimen these past two weeks, and I can feel the positive effect.

Emily has even been able to go with me a couple times, with Evelyn and Baby Jeffrey in the double stroller. Then Seth and I take a 4,000-step walk each afternoon. This is when I hear the best mission stories. You'd be jealous. Really, there's something about the medium of walking that moves conversation along organically, and one by one, I hear all about Seth's experiences in Paraguay. What a privilege it was for him to be there.

Staying reasonably productive is another way to relieve the stress of quarantine. Just before Seth came home, Shulamith and I painted his room, steam cleaned the carpets, ordered new bedding, and cleaned everywhere. The days passed quickly; we were energized by our accomplishments. Now that's over, and we have to seek out ways to be productive. Today we played with the two dogs in the back yard sunshine. It was good for both them and us. Watching Woofie try to removed Waffles' collar was hilarious, and laughter is perfect for healing the mind.

Focusing on something non-COVID-19 related is also helpful. Because this virus has changed our lives so dramatically, seemingly overnight, it's challenging to find other places to focus our attention. But it's also so important to do just that. I am currently between books, but I need to see what's available on my Kindle queue and jump into another time and place. In addition, Seth and I have been watching a Book of Mormon video each night just before bed. Immersed in scriptures, we forget about coronavirus, even if just for 20 minutes, making solid, restorative sleep way more likely.

And then, there's always food! Anyone else obsessed with the next meal or snack? It's like I don't get to go anywhere, and I don't get face-to-face interaction with anyone outside my family, so dang it, I deserve to eat! I've joked that the "19" in COVID-19 represents the number of pounds, on average, people will gain during this quarantine, except I'm only half joking. Be careful. I've been keeping with my intermittent fasting plan and, as mentioned above, walking lots. But during my eating  hours, around 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., all I want is sugar and fat, and every yummy combination of those. Eeeeek!

Like trekking through mud, we made it to April. And we will make it to May. And June. And however long this thing goes on. We will follow the guidelines set up by those who understand it better than we do. We will not be in church by Easter. We will not return to business-as-usual the day after. We're smarter than that. We will stay home. We will do it, no matter how hard it is, because at this moment, it is absolutely our most selfless act of love.

Like trekking through mud, we made it to April.