The world shut down just days before a romantic night out, where I envisioned holding my husband’s hand as we swayed and sang to For King & Country in concert. I was also excited for a spring weekend in Vancouver with my sisters.

If we made a list of cancelled, closed, lost, or missed things because of COVID it would be endless.

I am not in a season of milestones—like a graduation, wedding, or new baby—but know many people have made adjustments for these special celebrations. We did have a funeral for my grandma in June, before masks were mandatory, and I am so grateful for that special day.

Gathering with extended family and friends has been a highlight over the last eight months.

While there has been plenty of loss and devastation in 2020, let’s seal this month of gratitude with gold!

Today I’m sharing my Pandemic Top 10:

1. Grocery pickup

Remember the craziness of those first weeks? Shelves were emptied of toilet paper, meat, and yeast. Even those of us who weren't hoarding bought a few extra non-perishables.

I am thankful I had a good grocery pickup routine before all the hype and line-ups. 

For a few weeks the grocery systems were flooded and pickups were delayed but things settled down and I still raise the roof when I drive off with a van full of children and food after just a few minutes of waiting at the PC Express stall—don’t worry the children were already in there.

I rave more about grocery pickup in the post What's For Dinner?

Let’s keep panning for gold in this year’s rubble…

2. Homeschooling

We were sitting around our Thanksgiving dinner table when my brother asked me how it felt being a veteran homeschooler now that homeschooling is more widely validated.

I laughed as I shook my fists and hips like I had won. 

My reaction surprised me, but when heading down a road less traveled and suddenly the world joins you for a while there is a sense of affirmation and camaraderie.

Our day-to-day life wasn't disrupted in those early weeks and I feel for all the families who had to make huge adjustments overnight. 

I wrote HOW Do I Homeschool and WHY do I homeschool if you want to learn more about this beautiful (and sometimes crazy) way of life.

3. Church

Here's a gem! The church I was born into (and dedicated, baptized, married and welcomed my six children at) moved online overnight. Despite some trial and error, they have done an amazing job of connecting our congregation in worship during this pandemic.

Early on I cried after a few streamed services. I wasn’t missing corralling kids or picking up crushed Dorito chips and muffin bits off the church carpet—I missed the people! 

Chocolate muffins were delivered to our doorstep by one of the funniest members in our congregation, cookies were handed to us by our heroic children's leader, and donuts were dropped off by dear friends on their way to church when we were self-isolating due to a cold.

These thoughtful gestures, and many more, remind me that the church is Jesus and His people—the building is a bonus. 

We’d banter with church members on Facebook in the chat section of the stream and when regulations allowed us to attend in-person again we lined up our six kids in the back pew and hoped for the best.

Sunday school re-opened a couple months later and I felt another wave of emotion watching the masked children enter their classrooms. Before long this all became our new normal. 

I will probably cry as I sing my heart out without a mask in church… someday.

Change stirs up emotion—no matter if it is good or hard.

4. Zoom

Most of us are ‘zoomed’ out but this medium is a gift.

Our ladies group went straight to Zoom for our weekly lifeline to study Biblical truths, share our hearts and pray together.

My quarterly homeschool moms group also gathers this way.

In late spring my husband and I began a video series, Alpha, with our neighbors over Zoom.  We were able to put our kids to bed and then watch the videos and support each other through the changes happening in our lives.

These connections were wonderful and we enjoyed a couple of in-person campfires in the cul-de-sac over the summer as well.

5. Walks

Mr. Rogers would have smiled at all our lovely walks in the neighborhood—one of the only places I went with all the kids during the day. This wasn’t too different from normal, so I guess we were already living the COVID life!

6. Camping

Our camping trips were great escapes. Fires, lakes, hikes, books, playgrounds, smores, and bikes left us oblivious to all that was going on in the world.

If there is ever another pandemic I highly recommend camping.

You will feel like the richest person on earth when you mine the gold in simple living. We connected with friends and family, rested in nature, and returned with nourished souls.

7. Date nights

I’d also suggest including a babysitter in your cohort if there is every another pandemic—especially if you have half-a-dozen children!

While we are consistent on weekly date nights (a.k.a. ‘us nights’) we happily share many of them at home after the kids are in bed.

But with all the isolation we went out more: take-out dinner picnics, biking, walking, kayaking, marriage ministry and even two nights away at a hotel this fall.

I must say, Aunty Cherisse handles our six kids like Maria from Sound of Music!

8. Family movies

While we haven’t officially increased our daily screen time, we added Disney Plus for variety on family movie nights, while self-isolating, or when the weather is poor. The new Peter Rabbit movie is delightful, and we’ve enjoyed classics like Honey I Shrunk the Kids.

The new Pilgrims Progress is a great family movie and the World’s Toughest Race is an exciting series on Amazon Prime.

An exceptional amount of popcorn must have been eaten this year—thank you Costco for your large container of kernels.

9. Reading

Libraries should be banned from closing during a pandemic. But seriously, I was thankful for our packed bookshelves.

We completed the Chronicles of Narnia series and started reading aloud new books. Personally, I read stacks and stacks of interesting books each year, but am humbled and grateful that God awakened a deeper desire for more of His Word.

Discover the 4 questions to ask if you want to read the Bible more in Starved Souls.

10. Personal growth

Even if it was only at first, suddenly we had more time while we waited for things to reopen.

The early weeks left many of us buzzed, anxious and restless but also gave us opportunities to evaluate our lives and decide how to invest in this new world.

I explored the idea of this blog early in the pandemic and a couple weeks after my grandma passed away I felt a release to launch this site. Many know I have been dreaming about writing intentionally for years and would steal opportunities to share a longer post on Facebook every now and then.

I also joined Hope*Writers and am showing up regularly to do the work of writing!

This is gold.

I needed to be shaken awake.

When I was piecing together memories for my grandma’s tribute back in June I gained more clarity. I want to live deeper into the dreams God has put in my heart and be faithful with what He has put in my hands.

My heart is to connect on here, and in person, with people who value slowing down and caring for their souls—so we can shine more of Christ’s light!

There is struggle and beauty when living through a pandemic.

As I review this list, I realize these TOP 10 are also best yeses for the non-pandemic life!

What gold have you mined this year?

What dreams are growing or birthing in your heart?

Message me or share in the comments if you’d like—I love hearing from my readers!