Mandy - Missoula, Montana
Occupation: Associate Pastor
What Covid-19 related restrictions are in place where you live? Stay-at-home. Restaurants, schools, libraries, churches, are closed.
What has been your biggest challenge during this crisis so far? The biggest challenge for me is simply juggling all the hats I wear, while everyone is home at the same time. The juggling of roles is not a new thing... just doing it all together now at home. Working from home and homeschooling at the same time is the challenge.
Describe the emotions you/your family are feeling through this crisis? We have had times of laughing, playing, and working together, along with some good conversation that have come up at home. We also have times of feeling annoyed, impatient, and a need for some personal space. In some ways this is bringing us closer together, because of the extended time together. Its been an opportunity for all of us to grow in loving and serving one another better. It has also exposed areas of weakness in one another. Its been humbling, but we have all had to say sorry to each other multiple times every day for something. Its helping us to become more and more grace-filled.
What are you doing to help cope? We have tried to create a schedule/routine. So there is devo time, school work time, be outside and active time, some screen time (so I can work time), and a consistent dinner time. We also try to spend time outside every day.
If you have a religious background, how has this crisis affected your faith? God is everything to me. This crisis has opened my eyes to the fact that any thing can happen at any moment that can affect all of us in drastic ways. And when that happens, what will we stand on. This crisis has made me thankful for the Word of God. Because heaven and earth will one day pass away, but God's Word will remain. Not one letter or comma, or period in God's Word will disappear. So this crisis has caused me to cling to the Word of God in a new way. And its God's word that builds me up and gives me great peace in this time. Psalm 91:1 has been a great source of encouragement.
Have you seen any small victories in all of this for you or your family? Absolutely. Each day is different, and I find as we are doing things intentionally together, like writing about different topics, or cooking dinner, or going on a nature walk, its providing lots of opportunity to coach and disciple my kids through everyday real time moments. I recognize that the time I have with them is a real gift. Every time I see them pray out loud, serve one another, or build each other up with their words, these are the victories. For me, God is exposing areas of weakness, and rather than running from or denying those areas that everyone in the house can see plainly, I invite the light of Jesus in, I can see his grace flowing to me in new ways, to change me and make me a better mom and a better wife. These are the victories.
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