Keith & Karen's Spring Newsletter

Greetings from Graham, North Carolina where the shut-down continues but we're on the back side of the slope. Lord willing we'll soon meet the criteria for Phase 1 of the re-start! Here's our latest newsletter and yes, it went to press BEFORE the shut-down started. Production lead times sometime fall behind reality. May our newsletter provide a brief insight into rolling back into our roles with MMS Aviation!

Karen on "Living the Corona Life..."

 Me "facilitating" a conversation between Keith's Mom and the on line banking help line.

Keith's Mom is tucked away in her apartment being very well cared for and protected by the staff at Brookwood. We are so blessed to know she is in a good place and close by even if we can't visit right now. Yesterday she needed a bill paid so I went on the handy-dandy on line banking that I had previously set up for just such a time as this. So glad we set this up! This will be a piece of cake! Oops! The account I want to pay her bill from hasn't been activated for on line bill pay. A quick call to the bank provided another opportunity for a "quick call" to the help line for on line banking.....well, maybe not so quick. Turns out they needed her expressed permission to make any changes even if my name is on the account. The young lady was so helpful, patient and kind! When I explained that Mom W was locked in at her home and we were locked away here at our home she came up with very creative ways to help us get this little problem solved. Kudos! I did have to laugh however as I held up two phones so the helpful young lady could talk with Mom W! Corona Creativity! Bill paid!

A bear for the bear hunt!

Last Saturday our neighborhood had a bear hunt for the kiddos. What a great idea! I wanted to help the kids have a good time so I dug into my sewing stash and found some fuzzy-wuzzy-fabric that was just asking to be a bear! He fit perfectly on our garden flag post. Keith got in on the fun and put stuffed critters in the tree, on the roof and above the garage door! We had as much fun watching out the windows as the families who drove or walked around searching for bears!

Keith & I model fabric masks.

When I heard that fabric face masks were becoming a needed item I pulled out some more fabric and what elastic I had and revved up the sewing machine. There were several medical workers in our neighborhood who were glad to receive them. We kept a couple for ourselves for food hunting excursions or other such necessities.

As I hear from our many missionary friends in so many places all around the world I have been filled with thoughts of how blessed we are. I know this is hard for everyone. It is a strange and new feeling knowing that we can't just run out for a simple errand or worship as a congregation. I am surprisingly affected by that even though I often am at home anyway! However, it is a huge blessing to be "stuck" in such pleasant places: a home with a roof over my head, cool when it's hot, warm when it's cold, dry when it's raining; running water; all of the basic supplies we need (plus much more!); electricity; phone service; technology to communicate, work and connect outside of our solitude; a yard to enjoy; things to be entertained by. Not to mention a loving husband to walk this "shelter-in-place" with! The list goes on and on. It's good for me to remember what I often take for granted.

Mr. Blue heading into his nesting box.

Watching the birds nesting and the spring blooms coming and going and the trees and grasses getting beautiful and green it reminds me that many things around me continue to be predictable and life is going forth as usual in many ways. Keith caught this shot of "our" Blue Bird heading into the nesting box out back preparing for a new family. So normal! Ahhhh. Smile.

In my devotions this week I was reminded how we panic when we feel like things are out of control. Who hasn't felt that panic at least at some point in this pandemic environment that is so disrupting our lives? This really IS pretty much out of my control. However, it is NOT out of God's control and I can rest in that. I trust. No matter whether my personal circumstances seem "good" to me or "bad", I know God is using all this in big ways and small for good. He is trustworthy. He has proven that to me many times in my life.

In the midst of this time I pray you are able to let God fill your heart with trust in Him and give you eyes that will take notice of His blessings in the midst of (and even in spite of) your circumstances!