Corona Virus and Homeschooling

It is late March and the last few weeks have been unprecedented for our family and for the rest of the world.  The Corona Virus, which originated in China in January, has now spread like wild fire throughout the world, affecting hundreds of thousands.  As of today, the number of cases in the United States grows rapidly each day and hundreds of people are dying daily in our country alone.  All schools have been shut down for 2 weeks and and currently scheduled to be shut down for at least 3 more weeks - we are home schooling.  All non essential businesses have shut down and people are losing their jobs.  No masses or church services are being held - even Easter mass will need to be streamed and watched from home.  There's a panic in the stores and you cannot find toilet paper, hand soap or sanitizers any where.  We are mandated to practice "social distancing" which means not congregating with anyone other than our own family in our homes,  avoiding public places as much as possible, and maintaining 6 feet distance from others.  Our health care systems are being taxed and MASH style tents are being set up to screen patients along with pop up hospitals and drive through screening tests.  It's a scary time.  We all feel anxious about the unknown and the possibilities.  Shawn is surrounded by it at his hospital.  Henry's teacher was hospitalized for 10 days with the virus - as a result our family had to be on a 14 day quarantine.  

We, as a family are praying diligently for an end to the spread, a cure to be found, and lives to be saved.  In the mean time, we are trying to use this extra family time to grow in faith and quality time with one another.  We've been taking lots of family hikes and walks as well as bike rides.  The boys have been working on a lot of their scouting requirements from home and we are playing lots of games, puzzles and crafts.  We've witnessed so many kind acts all around us.  We may never fully understand why God lets bad things happen, but we can see how He can bring much good from it. 

Discovering new hiking trails together as a family 

Home schooling - this has been no joke!  The kids work from 8:30 to about 3 or 4 each day with just a break or two.  Their teachers use Zoom to teach an hour or two per day and the rest of the day is mostly online learning lessons and programs, as well as projects, etc.  It's been a big adjustment for all of us!

It's the first day of spring and we are home schooling, so why not read on the back deck!

Building boats that float for STREAM lab

Praying the rosary in solidarity with Pope Francis for the protection of families.

more great hiking

Crafting a blanket for her teacher

Virtual Mass

Grace has been cooking and making meals for our family often

Father Son bike ride

Walks together 

Henry's den had to cancel their campout and he needed certain requirements done - so we made a fireplace campout one night..

Henry led us in campfire songs

We were even entertained by skits from Henry/Nicholas and Grace/Sam

Smores a la fireplace

Selfie on a walk

More bike riding

Nicholas' scout den had a virtual campout - he and Henry camped in the back yard and then live streamed for a bit to say hello to friends also doing the same in their yards.

May we know we are not alone.  God is with us.  May we turn to God right now in our time of need.  May we bring the suffering of our world-wide community into God's loving care. May God's healing and grace shower down upon us, especially those who are sick. May our weak and vulnerable be protected.    

May we ask God how we are called to respond, to act, and to move forward. May God make our paths known to us.   May we know how to tend to and care for those who are sick and impacted.  May we seek shelter and refuge in the arms of the One who loves us and offers us mercy. May all who have experienced loss be comforted.  May we hope in you, O Lord.  Amen