Last Wednesday, all missionaries in our mission (and I think all missionaries in general) now have to work from their apartments, so basically everyone is somewhat quarantined.
First of all my heart goes out to all the missionaries being sent home! It makes me SO SAD to hear about. My trainer has some health issues and might be sent home, she's only been out 6 months! It's still up in the air. For now we are on lock-down quarantine. Which means we can't leave the apartment, except for the occasional fresh air. Let's just say we will become far too familiar with the inside of our apartment.
Our ward mission leader is a doctor and talks to us about coronavirus statistics a lot - he told us that, (according to the statistics and predictions he's looked at based on China and Italy) with the rate things are going so far, the virus will PEAK in JUNE here in Oregon. So, basically what I'm saying here is that I'm getting ready to buckle down to the quarantine missionary life.
Honestly I'm pretty used to everything at this point. It was hard at first but after two weeks Sister Atkin and I have figured out things we can do. Such as:
-Post on Facebook
-Do video lessons
-Call formers and inactives
-Righteous entertainment
-... Post on Facebook
Moral of the story: tune in to my facebook for some spiritual upliftment. (There's not a ton else we can do as far as missionary work goes.. as you can see.)
This is what social distancing looks like: Sister Atkin and I went on a walk on this trail the other day (before we were told to be on lockdown quarantine). In order to maintain 6 feet between us and anyone passing by we would literally veer off the path and pretend to take pictures. SO different from normal missionary work: before we talk to everyone, now we PRETEND to take pictures on our phones in order to avoid them haha.
We've seen a lot of miracles! We are actually teaching MORE non-members right now than we have this entire transfer! We almost have someone on date to be baptized! Jill is praying about a date, and we are still helping Eugene out. I literally am SO happy for these two, the Spirit is SO strong in our lessons with these too, even through video.
We have around threeish video lessons a day - the members in our ward have been super good about signing up for video lessons with us. We also just got a referral of someone new to teach as well! I'm so grateful that the Lord has blessed us with ways to still do missionary work through this crazy time.
Times are definitely not easy. But stay close to God. Remember that there is peace in Christ. They will walk with us through these hard times.
"And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yeah, God has delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me."
Alma 36: 27
"But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions." Alma 34:41
Remember God and how He has helped you in your life. Have faith that He will perform miracles. Most of all, get STOCKED out of your MIND for general conference - it is going to be spectacular and is so needed right now.
Sister Carlson
