Perry Family
COVID-19 Reflections
June 2020
As a family we have weathered the COVID-19
pandemic quite well. We are all healthy and everyone is still employed. That is
a real blessing, not to be taken for granted. Thanks to all of you who have
contributed to this unique newsletter. We are grateful for your love and
support as we continue to see what the future brings to each one of us. Enjoy
this little bit of history.
The Emotional Roller Coaster
So many emotions were felt as we have navigated through these past months dealing with COVID-19.
· Gratitude - that we were asked to stay in
Germany, as well as, guilt in some ways.
· Anxiety - as I entered the little market near us
and seeing all the warning signs and new plexiglass at checkout or riding the
train wearing our masks while trying to social distance.
· Joy - at being able to connect with the family
more often and at the same time, worrying about their safety and welfare.
· Anxiousness - as we watched the number of cases
increase in the UK and then in the US affecting our family.
· Loneliness - as most of our friends had been
evacuated back to their homes and Dave is very busy working with the
missionaries.
· Peace - knowing that the Savior is in charge. I
have felt the spirit of the Holy Ghost as I have prayed for guidance in
fulfilling my missionary purpose.
· Appreciation - for God’s creations as we’ve been
able to be out in nature and enjoy the beauty of Germany.
· Connection - as Dave and I have been able to
lean on each other for strength and comfort.
On one of our
weekend wanderings to Burg Eltz Castle, this view really grabbed me. The
contrast of the struggling tree with the beauty of the castle in the
background. The tree has a very unique beauty, not because it is perfectly
shaped or covered in delicate flowers. Its beauty comes from the struggle it
went through. As it grew, its roots had to dig deep to find a way to hold on
despite the rocky barrier or the mighty winds above. Its branches reached
heavenward, but as you can see its path wasn’t without obstacles.
Like the tree, we need to root ourselves in good and noble causes and reach heavenward for direction and comfort - focusing on the beauty beyond.
Resilience and Simplicity Amidst
Chaos
As my head
hit the pillow the evening of March 15, 2020, I had no idea of what lay ahead
on our mission in the Europe Area and living in Frankfurt, Germany. That day we
had said good-bye to 21 senior missionary couples who were being sent home from
the Area office, a small part of the over 500 senior missionaries being sent
home from all over Europe. Age and
physical challenges were cited as the reasons for this decision in the face of
the COVID-19 virus reaching world pandemic proportions. We had thought we would
likely be asked to return home too until the phone call came from a member of
the Area Presidency, Elder Erich Kopischke a few days earlier. He asked if Joanne and I would be willing to
stay in Frankfurt to help our over 3,000 young missionaries and mission leaders
weather the coming storms associated with quarantine and the uncertainty of the
virus. He said our role was considered vital and our answer was simple, “yes,
we will.”
Not long
ago, I read a book that quoted a famous jurist Oliver Wendell Holmes as saying,
“I would not give a fig for the simplicity (on) this side of complexity. But
I would give my life for the simplicity on the other side of complexity.” In my daily efforts to help struggling
missionaries find peace amongst the chaos of prolonged isolation in their
apartments, and deal with the uncertainty of their futures, I discovered that
trying to help them find simplicity on the other side of their complexity is
what was needed. I received daily reports with charts like the one below that
showed the daily new cases of this virus in each country.
I assist nine
of the 26 missions in Europe, which includes both Italy missions, so this graph
was always important to review each morning. For a time, all Europe was
rocketing up in new cases.
In seeking that simplicity for myself, I discovered in the gospel
of John something which really spoke to my heart. In the 16th chapter, verse 33, it
reads: “These things I have
spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In
the world ye shall have tribulation: but
be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” I discovered that by praying more diligently,
studying the word of God, and doing my best to serve those people around me,
that I could find peace in the chaos.
I have been able to witness in the
hundreds of counseling hours with missionaries and their leaders throughout
Europe during these last three months, the resiliency that follows finding the
simplicity in the midst of uncertainty which is the other side of
complexity. The Savior’s message of
love, peace, charity, forgiveness and compassion is unchanging and is so
simple. As Leonardo da Vinci said, “Simplicity
is the ultimate sophistication.” The
teachings of Jesus Christ are simple even though living them has become a
life-long journey for me.
For me personally and for the many
missionaries I serve, we have found that the simplicity in this chaotic world
is found in Christ. If we live by His
teachings, we won’t discriminate, hate, persecute or judge another by his skin
color or ethnicity and we can learn to trust Him. This simple message has been reaffirmed to me
over and over again through the lives of these amazingly resilient missionaries
I serve. For many, over 90 days of
isolation without being able to go outside, except to shop, would push them
beyond their emotional limits. This has
not been the case for the amazing missionaries I know. They have grown in their discipleship, used
their talents to proclaim the gospel message and have adapted by using social
media to find interested people and teach them.
Many miracles have happened throughout Europe. I consider it a privilege to be serving the
Savior during this time and am so grateful for what I have learned.
-Dad
by Valori Infanger Perry
A global pandemic, among many things, is a giant light that shines down on all of humanity. It shows the dark corners we wish could have stayed hidden, just as it provides a spotlight for worthy and inspiring performances. We are living in a time of stark contrasts. Experiencing this unprecedented time in England, while the majority of our family and friends are in the USA has been unique in and of itself. There are vulnerabilities that are coming through on individual, national, and global levels. We feel we are getting to experience the national ones from two vantage points. As with any form of weakness, they have been followed with comparisons and contrasts. Only time will be able to accurately explain who got it right and how. Hindsight is always 2020.
One of
the things that I believe we’re doing correctly is showing more appreciation
for those who have typically been in the shadows. Each Thursday evening from
exactly 8:00 until 8:01, most of Great Britain stands on their front doorstep
and applauds the efforts of those who are essential workers. Our road, in
particular, is very fond of this time. We have one neighbor who brings out her
bongo drums; another bangs his pots and pans. As we are so close to the River
Thames, we hear the boats blaring their horns in the distance. Despite this
being a weekly occurrence, it’s hard not to be moved by it.
We have
contrasted our image of champions. Just a few long weeks ago, when a child was
asked about a hero, they were likely to name their favorite sports star. Now? Doctors, nurses, postal workers,
delivery drivers and grocery store clerks have their own line of action
figures. Our everyday worker is putting
their lives on the line, hoping to make things easier for the strangers around
them.
In a
sense, we are all engaged in a global conflict, but this is no ordinary war.
For once, all the world is on the same side; all united in purpose to rid the
earth of this invisible assassin. What
makes this conflict particularly scary is that every person, including
yourself, could be harboring the enemy. It’s a strange time indeed. If someone
would have tried to tell me that within a weekend my crazy-busy city with its
crowded streets, markets and tube stations would turn silent, I would have
never believed them. I guess that’s what
a pandemic does, for good and for evil, it makes you believe in the impossible.
My hope is that as these contrasts continue to emerge, we’ll be able to move
forward with those concepts which have always deserved the spotlight, while finally
leaving behind those which desperately need to fade away.
COVID Musings
By Will Perry
I took these photos in
January and February of this year. In the photos above I’m among my fellow
sardine commuters as we make our way off the train to the turnstiles to scan
out.
The photos below were taken in late February at a packed Twickenham stadium for an international rugby tournament and depict what a line looks like just to get into a train station after a rugby match.
Revisiting these
photos makes me wonder how public space will change after the pandemic is in
the history books. Perhaps we will all soon forget our unique periods in
quarantine, but that doesn’t seem likely. Our behaviors and expectations have
and will continue to change. There have been many unexpected changes I’ve
embraced over the past few months and while I am anxious for some things to
“normalize”, I’m not ready for all things to return to how they were. What
changes have you embraced during these strange times? Which have been
unexpectedly positive? What things are you most excited to do when this is all
over?
This crisis has awakened us to the fact that
we are far less in charge of the direction of our lives than we pretended. The
endemic fragility we all share has been laid bare by the events of the last few
months. We’ve all come to realize how vulnerable we really are. The health of
an entire nation can depend on the health of one person or a group of people
from far-off lands. And today, our basic freedoms of movement are dependent on
strangers giving up a measure of their own freedoms. No person nor institution,
regardless of size, is fully shielded from the uncertainties of this storm.
When we’re on the other side of this virus I hope we emerge stronger, more compassionate, and more responsive than we were before. As we embrace these attributes, we can grow through our circumstances to build a more secure and inclusive future for us all.
Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Mom of Toddlers
During Quarantine
As a stay-at-home mom I wake up every morning to the sound of our four-year old’s feet pounding on the wood floor and erupting into our room. As I try to remind myself what day it is, I remember our days all look the same now that we are in quarantine. There is no longer the feeling of running late to classes and appointments. Scrambling to find shoes or take potty breaks before running out the door. There is no longer preschool or music makers class or story time at the library. There are no more park playdates or trips to the children’s museum or church activities. There is just me and my boys and the stillness that isolation has brought. Though I miss my brief respite from the little ones that childcare at the gym gave me, I appreciate all the tiny successes my boys have achieved as our lives have slowed down.
Tom, working for the hospital as a home health physical therapist, takes his morning conference calls from home, makes a quick stop at the central office, then heads to his first patient’s home. Though his patient load may have decreased temporarily, the workload feels more intense with the ever changing protocols for PPE (personal protective equipment) and increased meetings, which are now all online, to be sure that everyone is staying safe with the impact of COVID-19.
We savor every moment we have
together because we know this is a rare moment in history where the world slows
and the focus is on our relationships. We are blessed with routinely pleasant
weather in Virginia so most of our time is spent in our yard though it feels
the boys have been spoiled with more allotted screen time than usual. Anything
to give me a slight break from being the constant source of entertainment. The highlights of the week for our family are
the video chats with family and friends and having church at home. Theo and
Ollie think it is the best thing in the world to be able to take the sacrament
at home. They sit so reverently as Tom blesses and passes the bread and water.
Then as I begin the Sunday school lesson their bodies cannot seem to sit still
for another moment and total chaos ensues.
Though
I enjoy my biweekly trips to the grocery store, armed with my mask and hand
sanitizer, the moment I look forward to most every day is when Tom walks in the
door after work. Not just because I haven’t had a second to myself all day, but
because Ollie and Theo rush to him in excitement and Tom keeps them at arm's
length until he is able to change out of his work clothes and the boys tell him
everything we did that day. Then when Tom has changed he scoops them up and
smothers them with love. Then, in that moment, life doesn’t feel so hard.
So
though this time may feel challenging, uncertain, and by the end of the day my
patience and sanity is wearing thin, I am able to be with my family as we try
to spread a little of our happiness to others.
Sincerely,
a stay-at-home mom (Brenna)
T H E B A UM C H E N B E A T
Staying home
Planting our garden
Having dance parties
Focusing on gratitude
Building relationships
Embracing our new
normal
Saying sorry &
trying again
Grateful to be safe
& healthy
Enjoying the time for
hobbies
Working together &
helping neighbors
“I am enjoying spending more time with family. Online school has its ups and downs but overall, I like it a lot better than regular school. I have a lot more time now to explore interests that I didn’t have time to during our normal routine (baking, painting, training Koda, family history, driving, and watching 90210 with my mom). I really miss watching my brothers play baseball a lot right now and the tournaments we would have had together.
I’m enjoying creative time with my brothers, eating lunch on the deck together and waking up later. Almost every day I’m making one of my favorite drinks: strawberry lemonade, smoothies and frozen cocoa. I’m really grateful for the relationship I have with my family, that we have plenty of food and good health, and for all of the people helping.” - Cassidy
“I have mixed feelings about quarantine. I've missed playing baseball and getting to finish my basketball season at my state tournament. It’s been a bummer not being able to see my friends and talk to them. A few good things about quarantine are: I’m getting stronger mentally and physically, enjoying drawing and sketching and riding my BMX. It has been awesome being able to eat lunch outside with Cassidy and Elliot and spend quality time with my family, playing Monopoly Deal and other fun games. I’m extra grateful for our good food, shelter, safety and for all the helpers.” -Myles
“I miss going to Spokane and seeing Nana and Pa, going to our friends’ beach house, playing with my friends at school and my sports. Even though I can’t do those things, I’m glad to be home with my family. I’ve been playing in my room building my wooden car track and forts, going on bike rides with Cassidy and Myles and helping work in our yard and our neighbors’, too. School work is different now, but I have fun doing my math, reading and coding online. I am thankful for my family, house, water, food and want everyone to stay safe.” - Elliot
HALEYS
With the entire Covid-19 situation I can’t help but look
back and remember last October’s General Conference and how President Nelson
revealed that something was going to happen. I don’t think any of us thought it
would be something like this, ha ha. But I guess that’s the whole point of
prophetic revelation, we just have to go forward in faith.
But I’ve also been thinking a lot lately about my mission
and how crazy it would be to be there now and how appreciative I am to live in
the US with such great blessings. Really makes me think about how crazy it
would be to be stuck in Argentina, especially now that it’s starting to get
cold, without a job, and probably living in a house that’s too small for me and
my family. Obviously Covid-19 has opened all of our eyes in so many ways, but I
hope that we don’t completely “go back to normal.”
-Morley
Covid has been cool. Best high school ending possible. I’ve been having fun and working hard. Yeye
-Drew
COVID-19 is pretty chaotic from everyone making a really, really big deal about it. Like the toilet paper shortage. That’s pretty stupid if you ask me. You wouldn’t need to panic-buy if you already had food storage. I just hope everything turns out to be normal again.
Online school was actually easier than regular school. I was able to go at my pace and I wasn’t rushed as I would’ve been during actual school. I could take my time on assignments without being penalized. I’ve had a lot of free time doing the things I like to do, like enjoy the outdoors. I did miss sports and seeing my friends. It’s been alright being home with the family more. Ha.
-Brayden
I have many perspectives on this
situation we are in due to COVID-19. One of them is: it’s not fun. I couldn’t see my friends for a
long time, all sports for the last quarter were canceled because we couldn’t go
to school, around the world people have lost loved ones, and many people have
had activities or events they were looking forward to canceled. Another
perspective is that my family’s community is very fortunate compared to other
communities because we have no cases and we were able to have a “graduation
ceremony”. One last perspective is that this pandemic has brought people
together. Around the world stores and restaurants have lost business, but
people are helping them stay in business by buying their products. Also, some
celebrities are giving back or providing joy for others and people are doing
great acts of kindness and thanks to our doctors and other courageous people
helping fight this pandemic. Having the extra family time is good, too. I have
been watching a movie every night with my mom and also playing with our new
chickens and ducks. We also decorated my room for my birthday which was
awesome.
-Ella
This whole Covid-19 thing seems like a dream. Or a nightmare. We left for Spring break March 11th to Idaho for a college visit and to visit Morley and never returned back to school. Matt and I started working from home and homeschooling. It was hard and somewhat stressful for the kids doing so much on their own and not seeing their friends. We only were going to the grocery store every two weeks or so. School ended May 1st - 19 days early. Everyone was relieved to be done with the online learning and Zoom meetings and homework. We seemed to never leave the house and even had to have Drew’s graduation virtually. We had a 15-minute ceremony just with our family and it was all put on a recording with his classmates.
Morley
came home the first of May for Ella’s birthday, Drew’s graduation and to
celebrate his birthday early. We have enjoyed the extra family time, time
to read, organize, do projects and just slow down our busy life. We have
enjoyed home church, also. We are thankful to have the opportunity to have the
Sacrament each Sunday and spend time together. Now it is the end of May and it
feels just crazy that we have been quarantined for 2 ½ months. Our
excitement is going to Wal-Mart for groceries. We did get chickens and
ducks again. It has been fun and Ella is a good chicken momma. My big
project has been the chicken coop. Why not, we have the extra time. It is
almost ready! We are happy things are opening up more, but we are still
cautious and careful when we go out. We’ll see what the Summer and Fall brings.
-Alison
BRAATENS
Derek: Extinct species: Social butterflies
Kayson had a surprise Birthday Parade consisting of two Baumchen vehicles and Papa Braaten. He was pretty excited to have candy thrown at him.
The kids' last day of school was March 13th, 2020; they were let out that Friday with an unknown return date. Candice worked a few more days until her company had to shut down due to the Governor's orders. Thankfully through unemployment and her company recently started paying her regular wages we've been receiving regular pay.
Roger
began working from home exclusively at this time as well taking over the
office/playroom/spare bedroom. He
continues to work about 10-hour days and comes up and takes breaks with the
kids. They'll play little games, things to just unwind from school and work.
We've all been healthy and feel blessed to have a home full of love and personality to keep us entertained.
With fishing/State Parks being closed Roger hasn't been able to take the boat out in the last six weeks. The governor just announced that on May 5th those will be open!
Candice has
enjoyed being home with the kids during this time, for at least six weeks and
available to support the boys in their schoolwork. Only a 'MOM' shout away,
which she loves!
Fresh
bread, home-made breakfast and lunches on occasion are a great treat, too. This
slower pace has been such a positive outcome to the pandemic we're facing.
Mya supervising Riley’s Zoom class.
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