Weekend in Review

Last two 1,000 piece puzzles that Nadia, Paul, and I have done together

 Last Sunday we had a picnic after the second worship service as well as an outdoor baptismal service. For three months in the spring our church had only offered an online service. Then for almost three months they offered the worship service in person twice on Sundays. This was a wonderful step in the right direction, but prior to March 15 our church was filled with people seven days a week. Sunday mornings used to entail far more than just a worship service. Last Sunday it felt like we took another step back toward "normalcy" through the outdoor picnic and baptismal service, although baptisms are usually conducted indoors during a worship service. Those serving the food wore masks and gloves, and they set things up in such a way that the rest of us only touched what we were using. They had a tent for those who wanted to be in an area where everyone was wearing masks, and the rest of us didn't have to wear masks. We realized at the baptismal service that we need to purchase a fifth camp chair. We never needed five chairs when we were using them to watch the kids play soccer or flag football. I should have purchased one before the bonfire, but I didn't think of it at the time. Oops!

This weekend the church more steps back toward "normal," but in some instances it didn't feel at all normal to me. On Saturday night they hosted a bonfire. They had spray painted circles on the grass. When you were with your family inside your circle, you could take your mask off, but at all other times you were supposed to wear your mask. Ian stayed with Paul and I in our family's circle. Nadia sat in a circle with three of her friends plus one of their moms. Oliver spent most of his time with the family who lives across the street from us. They took everyone's temperature as we were walking up to the field. Yes, my temperature has been taken at various places this summer, but it was the first time our temps were taken at our church. On Sunday I *thought* all of the classes were resuming, but the adult classes didn't resume yesterday. We all attended the first service together. We had been going to church in one car the past 3 months, but we went back to going in two cars yesterday because Paul only attends one service. I am teaching the elementary class during the 2nd service next week and helping in the nursery in three weeks. I hope in two weeks that I will be able to attend an adult class during the 2nd service as I didn't what to do with myself yesterday. The youth (grades 6-12) are operating under the same expectations as has been the case for the worship service the past 3 months - you can take your mask off once you are seated, and they didn't go to any great lengths to keep the youth 6 feet apart at all times. It's a different story for ages 9 month to 5th grade. I had to register the boys ahead of time, or they couldn't attend. They took my temperature plus the boys' temperatures. They have a bag prepared for each child so they can just sit in one seat the whole hour and not touch anything that isn't in their bag. Diaper bags are not permitted in the nursery at this point. They definitely kept the kids at least 6 feet away from each other at all times. The kids (ages 2 through 5th grade) must wear masks at all times as must their teachers. I am very glad they have resumed offering classes for children and teenagers. Hopefully the temperature taking, mask wearing, etc. won't be a requirement for TOO many months.

There is a bigger gap than usual in between the two services because they need time to sanitize and also want to ensure that those who attended the first service have left before the people start coming for the second service. Yesterday we filled that time by eating Rita's (YUM!) as they had a truck there to celebrate promotion Sunday. I also took Oliver into the bookstore to buy a CD for his spiritual birthday, as I had forgotten to bring the gift card the previous Sunday. They were selling face masks with verses and other inspirational sayings on them. I really prefer my foam mask because it doesn't bother my ears, otherwise I probably would have purchased one of the facemasks they were selling. At some point I might try a face shield. My glasses shouldn't fog up with one of those, right? In March we thought all of these changes would be temporary. Six months later it doesn't feel temporary, but hopefully sometime in 2021 life will truly go back to normal.

Because of Labor Day weekend the youth group didn't meet last night. The kids and I are staying at home today and tomorrow. Paul gave his crew the day off today, but he went to work. I usually have not given my kids the day off on Labor Day, but I decided to do an "unschooling" type of day today as a compromise. I read them two nonfiction picture books from the library, we listened to My Name Was Keoko while Nadia and I finished the 1,000 piece tiger jigsaw puzzle, they each earned a junior ranger badge, and they each read independently. In Oliver's case he read two chapters with me, and all three kids are having fun playing outside with two other kids in the neighborhood. I wonder when we will have our first full (5 day) week of school? We took August 25 off to go to Six Flags and spent September 2 in Hershey. Speaking of field trips, I did add one to our calendar! I'm planning to take the kids to Refreshing Mountain again on September 28. Nadia and Oliver are VERY excited because they love to go zip lining, climb rock walls, etc.