That same evening, a Utah Jazz player tested positive for the virus. The NBA quickly made decisions that they would cancel the rest of the season. What? How do you just cancel the rest of the season? It seemed like everything was changing very quickly.
Thursday if you weren't watching the news you missed something changing every 5 or 10 minutes. First, the schools decided that they would play the state basketball tournament with no fans in the stands. Ten minutes later they announced that the tournament was canceled totally. I was sad for the kids that had worked hard to get to the tournament, but it didn't directly affect my family. Thursday was definitely a day of change. The NCAA canceled March Madness. Northwest College decided to give the students extra days for spring break so the college could be prepared to go all online for the rest of the semester. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints announced that there would be no meetings for awhile. We are authorized to do the Sacrament at home. The missionaries going to the MTC after March 16th will just stay home and be trained with online videos. The temples are now closed except for living ordinances.
On Thursday, Matthew called and said that BYU was going to send students home and go to all online classes for the rest of the semester. I was sad for him because his experience at BYU was cut short. Bethany said that BYU-I was going all online, but not sending students home.
The hardest part for me of all the cancellations on Thursday was that Dallin's robotics championship competition in Houston was canceled. They worked so hard to get there and they worked so hard to earn the money to go. I was so excited for Dallin to get to fly. I was so excited for him to get to go on this trip of a lifetime for him. I am so sad that it won't happen for him and his friends. A few weeks ago someone asked if they were going to get to go with the Coronavirus outbreak and I was sure it wouldn't get to the point of canceling big things like robotics championships. Little did I know.
Matthew was super excited that Brother and Sister Stewart were being sealed at the Jordan River Temple on Saturday, March 14. I was afraid it might not happen if the temples were closed. Thankfully, they were able to be sealed and Matthew was able to attend. He said it was amazing. He drove back to Wyoming after the sealing and got here about 11:00 Saturday night. It was fun to hear the basketball being shot when he got here.
Friday the kids were supposed to go to the temple, but because of no church meetings or activities, it was canceled. We decided to take David, MaryAnne, Dallin, Joshua along with Grace Long to the temple to do baptisms. I went and was able to do some initiatory work while the kids did baptisms.
It was great to be in the temple together. It was Joshua's first time going to the temple.
President Nelson gave a good message of hope and faith during these challenging times. You can watch it here: https://www.facebook.com/russell.m.nelson/videos/199840471336927/
I feel like these are signs of the times. I don't like all the changes that are going on around me, but I trust the Lord and know He is aware of all that is happening in our lives. I am sad for all the broken dreams this is causing, but I trust it will all work out. I am washing my hands a thousand times a day and encouraging my family to also. Stay healthy. Pray. It will all be alright.
