LOCKDOWN

On March 15, 2020, the city of Manila went into enforced lockdown. It was such a disappointment as we were supposed to leave the next day for Zach's last school break in the Philippines and a much-needed break for all of us, wakeboarding and surfing with friends and family. But we decided to make the best of it and have some fun at home for that week. Since my sister's family lives a couple streets away, we decided to count ourselves as one household for the lockdown period. The first few days of lockdown, we did tons of activities: an escape room, science experiments, water balloon fight, obstacle course, photo scavenger hunt, photo remakes, and game nights. We also chose ideas from a jar for themed food nights that included Korean, Italian, Mexican, Hotdog roast, hobo dinners, etc.

 

 While it was such a disappointment, we were so thankful to have my sister's family to hang out with; and we definitely created some great memories!

Ben and Gabby both have birthdays in March, and they were supposed to have a combined sweet sixteen birthday party, but the lockdown... so that is on hold right now, like so many other things. Instead we did a french silk pie and enjoyed game night as family.

 After spring break, the boys went back to school...online. It has been an adjustment for everyone, but they are handling it well overall. It is funny how different teachers are handling the "online" aspect of school. For PE, Ben has to work out with a clock visible behind him to show how long he is working out. Smart. :) They also do time-lapse videos of their workouts to submit. Zach's Advanced Foods class has been fun since we get to benefit from his cooking (though it is a challenge to find recipes that we can actually find ingredients for at our tiny grocery store).

While there have been lots of disappointments (our family Christmas gift was a trip to Singapore to watch a Rugby 7s tournament this past weekend...cancelled), something cool that has come out of all this is that Zach has picked up guitar again. And he has taught himself a new skill - leading worship with it. My niece has worked with him, and the two of them have been leading our house church worship and Zach has led other family worship times.  

We have been so crazy proud of our guys and how they have handled all this. It has been HARD. We are on day 33 of total lockdown - not allowed to leave our house. ONE person is allowed a quarantine pass that allows them to go to the corner grocery store to buy food (must bring the pass and wear a mask and go through disinfecting tents). For us, Zach is the one with the pass since Steve is high-risk with his asthma, and I can't carry groceries home with my wrist. Last time Zach went grocery shopping for us, he waited 2.5 hours in line outside the store, only to get in and have incredibly limited selection (tiny store) with lots out of stock. Don't worry, we're not going hungry...we're just having to get creative on what to eat, and it's not necessarily our first choice options. For the boys, the hardest thing is that they miss their friends and are sad about so many cancelled things - the spring musical they were both in and had practiced months for, sports tournaments, vacations... And Zach is missing out on his final few months with his friends before everyone says goodbye and heads to their home countries around the world. Honestly makes me tear up if I think about it long. Really hard stuff. But they have handled it amazingly well. Such grace and strength. So thankful for our guys. 

Would you pray with us though? Last we heard, the president here is saying that we won't be able to go out of lockdown until there's a vaccine...who knows if he's serious, but this is nuts. We are supposed to be coming back to the States for the summer to settle Zach into college...but everything is on hold and up in the air right now. And not just inconveniences like for us; many are starving, and things are getting worse by the day. Also pray for health for Steve as he still struggles with his asthma and for wisdom to know if we need to do something else for him.

Ok, I'll leave it on a light note. A friend of Zach's made this meme for him after his last grocery trip.

For those who are wondering about Mikayla. Her college went online now as well, and she is staying with my parents in Missouri. She is doing well, and we are so incredibly thankful that she has them.