I am not good at keeping a journal. As much as I love to blog about our travels, I find writing down our daily minutiae and my thoughts about it quite dull. However, I listened to several podcasters suggest that we all keep a journal of our times during the coronavirus, because it will be like nothing else we’ve ever experienced…a reminder and memoir of this global halt in history. So I’ve done it.
I won’t bore you with our day to day details, but I can imagine all of our diaries read like a roller coaster. Our family of three has its ups and downs. We enjoy laughing and reconnecting with friends and family, but I’ve burst into tears at random moments. We rely on our faith and prayer to keep us focused on the things that matter. I’ve begun taking photos of all of the spring flowers and trees in bloom in lieu of travel photos usually filling my feed. And, Mitch smartly suggested that we don’t speculate on anything further than 30 days out. Because we just. don’t. know.
When our spring break plans to Vietnam were cancelled, we decided to create a list of 10 things to accomplish over this stay at home, two-week “holiday.” Full disclosure, I am in the camp that whatever you can do to survive is perfectly acceptable. I’m personally not able to wrap my head around learning something complicated, tackling a huge project or bettering myself in exponential ways. It’s just too much for my brain to handle. I’m counting it a win if I can maintain my sanity, marriage and pants size. That’s it.
To keep us motivated to climb out of bed each morning, the list we developed gives us purpose without stretching us too thin. Admittedly, some of these are only for Luke (I don’t code) but many are meant for us to spend this time together. Because the most impactful thing I’ve heard as advice (much more important than keeping a journal) is ensuring that our children remember this unprecedented time in their lives with immediate family as one filled with shared experiences, protection and love.
Rut to the Ledge 2020 Spring Break Challenge
- Make a gratitude list every day (5 things)
- Read 3 books each
- Write encouragement cards for neighbors
- Re-watch Indiana Jones trilogy
- Finish Fast and Furious series
- Ride 100 miles on our bikes
- Teach Luke 3 new recipes
- Create something new
- Finish building remote control car
- Learn some coding
I hope these provide a bit of inspiration for you or your family. Keeping it simple and attainable sets us up for success, and we all need to feel achievement over something in our lives right now. Stay well, dear friends!
Out of our Comfort Zone to Explore the World 
Thank you Suzanne! Love your challenge goals! Here are some of our family goals during this quarantine time:
1. Read at least 2 chapters in a choice book and 2 news items and share with one another at dinner.
2. Spend time outside every day either walking, running, gardening, or playing.
3. Watch a nature or educational show as a family in the evenings and take turns choosing the show.
4. Have family devotional time on Sunday mornings where we take turns sharing what we read and then pray together.
5. Ask ourselves each week how we – as a family – can encourage others … by reaching out to grandparents, friends, and neighbors by sending photos and texts, scheduling FaceTime, and writing letters.
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These are great Candice! I’m going to try and incorporate some for our second spring break week (and beyond!) Miss you guys!
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