To paraphrase a country song from many years ago, happiness is 2020 in my rear view mirror! I can’t say I think anything much will change, at least not on January 1, 2021. Our pastor in Wichita preached a sermon series called Worst. Year. Ever! It was a reminder that even in the dumpster, useful things can be found. I was encouraged to look for the good in 2020 and that’s what I’ve tried to do.
In February, we flew to Hawaii and spent a week with Robert and Shelly. Shelly is a fantastic tour guide! We went deep sea fishing our first full day there and the guys caught a black marlin. We loved seeing Pearl Harbor from the Admiral’s Barge and walking along the shore and eating wonderful food. Even though our 55th anniversary wasn’t until July, we considered that trip our real celebration.
In March when so much of the country was under stay-at-home orders, we isolated in warm weather in Yuma where we could go walking outdoors even if we couldn’t go to church or shopping. We enjoyed livestreaming worship services for three or four locations every Sunday, not quite the same as being there, but feeding our souls anyway.
Our summer plans were in limbo for a long time. Colorado wasn’t allowing the camp to have residential camps, so we weren’t sure we would be needed and the RV park we have gone to several times was permanently closed. In July, Golden Bell was open to campers but with size restrictions on groups, masks indoors and temperature checks every morning, so we spent a couple of months there in the cool mountains. A lot of our friends we normally would have seen both there and on our way home were not going out or accepting visitors, so that was different.
Fall in Kansas was a mixture of cancellations, proceeding as normal and combinations thereof. We attended football games, volleyball games and bus rallies, even worshipped in person, but other things were cancelled. “Normal” is just a setting on the dryer!
We’ve been back in Yuma since early November where restrictions are largely ignored, except for masks in stores. Part of LeRoy’s exercise program is going back to the car to get his mask! We’re doing our best to stay safe and trusting the Lord to take care of us.
I hope everyone has taken time this season to remember that Christmas is connected to Easter, the baby in the manger came to be our Savior. Even when the decorations are tucked away, Christmas lives on in our hearts.
