Greetings!
Is everybody ready for things to get back to normal? I’m not sure I even remember what normal was!
I used to pack lunches but now I juggle kid’s computer time for online classes.
I used to dread running errands but now going to the grocery store is about my only outside recreation.
I used to enjoy getting together with friends but there is only so far that Facebook can take you.
Perhaps the only saving grace of this pandemic is that it is happening to everyone. Just like we can’t control the weather, we can’t erase the virus and its effects on our lives. We just have to deal with things. And therein lays the secret to sanity and happiness. Much has changed in how we go about our days, but the basic needs of our families and those around us have not. If the world gives us lemons we have to learn how to make lemonade!
I have found some keys to the lemonade recipe. I’ll share one with you here.
Key #1: Readjusting priorities so the important things don’t get lost.
One of the things that I have put as a priority in my home is meal time. Since we are empty nesters sometimes we just graze. Do any of the rest of you do that? So to make meal time a pleasure instead of a chore, I started making freezer meals and pulling them out at the beginning of the day and popping them in my crock pot and then I know that we will have a healthy meal at the end of the day. It has also saves us plenty of money with the cost of gas to go out to eat and the cost of the fast food. Click on the link below for 18 of my freezer meal labels that include the recipe on the label. Maybe they will be of value to you.
2021-02 -Sharon Lay Freezer labels
Key #2: Looking outside ourselves – Service
Service has been difficult since few people want us to come and visit, but we have found ways to serve while we are staying at home. My sweet neighbor started feeding the homeless in downtown Salt Lake City when the Burrito Project was discontinued. Several times I was able to make about 100 sack lunches send to Salt Lake City with her to distribute to those in need. We also collected hats, gloves, coats and blankets to take downtown to those who needed them.
We have had several family members who have needed help during this time and were able to send some very meager resources to them. Most of all we have included them in our prayers and have seen the Lord’s hand in their recovery from illness and financial issues. When my neighbor’s husband became very ill, I was able to take some freezer meals over for her to throw in the crockpot before she headed to the hospital each day. Fortunately I had them in the freezer and could grab them and go.
Next month I will share Key #3 that I have learned during this past year.
Have a great month!
By Sharon Lay, President, American Mothers, Inc. of Utah