Journal March 24

As a writing activity for Evangeline we decided to write down our feelings in a journal during the first week or so of quarantine.  I thought it might be nice to record the entries here so we can go back and read them someday...

Written by Adrienne on March 24, 2020
We have been home for a week as of today.  We got the word that school will be closing a week ago Friday....Friday the 13th no less.  It wasn't until after school that the message was delivered that all schools in Illinois would be closed for two weeks beginning the following Tuesday.  I was in shock.  We had had a meeting the day before with our super intendent and he told us that the plan was that we would stay in session for as long as we could.  The hardest part for me was that only 9 of my class of 19 showed up for school the following Monday, which meant that I didn't get to say a proper goodbye to my other 10 students.  I have this looming fear that we won't be going back to school at all this year, but we are praying that's not the case.  The governor of IL issued a "Safe in Place" order which means essential trips out of our homes only.  School has been pushed back another week.  I haven't taken the children anywhere except to ride along in the car for a grocery pick up.  Kyle is still working each day, but the court house is locked so he is only exposed to his coworkers. 
Things are weird right now.  No one seems to really know how to feel.  At first I was very scared.  Mostly for my parents.  I was also uneasy because we have had some real trouble getting some of the groceries we need.  I went to the store once last week because we couldn't get milk.  I took a chance and ran out after a friend told me that he saw a few jugs of it at Walmart just a short while before I talked to him.  I was able to get 3 half gallons.  I only took what my family would need for the week since that's what we've been advised to do.  The store shelves were so empty and it was the weirdest thing. 
I've had a week to get things in perspective....people survive on much less on a daily basis, not just in a state of global crisis.  We will be ok without items we've been taking for granted our whole lives.  Most of this is just an inconvenience for us and we can use this opportunity to get perspective on just how blessed we are.  I think the biggest thing now is just the fear of the unknown....how long will be in isolation, how fast will the disease spread, will my parents and loved ones be ok.  Also, I miss being able to see my parents.  If this goes on for months and months, which is rumored, how much time will I loose with my parents that aren't getting any younger. 
I'm trying to focus on the positives of all of this time home, that in fact is the positive.  I get to be with my two little loves every single day.  We are finding all kinds of simple things to enjoy together.  It's allowed me to let my creativity thrive.  I'm reading a lot more, creating a lot more, finding organization, getting things in order, enjoying the small things and finding a lot of time for movement.  All these things lead me back to myself.  I'm really enjoying that part of it.  We all get to slow down...we are forced too.  Looking at it that way is definitely the bright side of things.  We'll find and fix our eyes on the bright side every single day.....

Written and typed by Evangeline on March 24, 2020
Life has definitely been more difficult now that corona virus is going around. Things are constantly getting worse. The corona virus started out in China, and now someone has been tested positive for the corona vires in Terra Haute! Almost all paper products are out of stock all around the world. All kinds of food are gone from most stores including milk, which is a problem in our house because we drink a lot of milk! The government told our super intendent that all Marshall schools had to close down for at least two weeks. It was the end of life for me. Two weeks!!! No way! And I thought that was bad. A week later, it got moved to THREE WEEKS! Now its the end of the WORLD! Mom said that we shouldn't count on going back to school this year. But its March! We can't stop now! I will miss a whole quarter of school. And AR reward. Usually you'd think, well she can still have fun at home. She can go and see her friends and family still. Well guess what. I can't. The day before yesterday, every one got a text saying at 5:00 everyone could only go to places that are essential, like Walmart. You could get in trouble for going somewhere not essential. Mom has been going to Paris Illinois for Walmart pickup to avoid the germs in the store. They keep having to substitute some items at the store like orange juice. But the worst part is church. We can't go because of the corona virus. I told mom, "It's church!" You can't just close down church!" "It's God's home!" But it made me feel better when Pastor Bob gave a message on Facebook about God and our problems on Earth right now. I wright in my devotion on Sundays and pray a lot like I am really at church. I am also worried about my grandparents because they are older and they are more likely to get it. Mom tells me not to worry until something to worry about happens. But I still pray. A LOT.