So, in my last post from October I mentioned all the things going on in 2020. Well, they haven't gotten any better. In fact the COVID outbreak has escalated again (forget that it IS cold and flu season which remarkably has shown an all time low occurrence rate). Places are shutting down again and going back in lockdown. People are being told not to travel. The presidential race is still not over. Joe Biden is the "presumed" winner but there are numerous examples of voter fraud being brought before the courts so who knows how it is going to end. The rioting has calmed down since the left thinks they have won the election. I can't even imagine what will happen if the results are reversed. Let's not go there.
Thanksgiving this year was good but hard. One of my nephews and his family came down with COVID the week before while they were visiting us here in Columbus. That meant we were all exposed. His brother also tested positive for COVID though I never spent time with him but the others did. So, that meant that neither could come for Thanksgiving. With the hint of COVID being around, the Minnesota Millers and the Georgia May's and Baltzers decided not to come either. And with Sue and Phil being older they opted to not come as well. It ended up being 4 of the Baltzer's, 10 Hoffmans and me. (Don't tell, we had more than 2 families and more than 6 people.) It turned out to be a fun day but we sure missed the others.
The government is threatening to cancel travel for Christmas as well. Phil will turn 80 on the 20th and we are planning a small gathering for him on the 19th. Hopefully that doesn't get canceled.
So, 2020 continues to be a challenge with 29 days left. God is good and He will prevail but it sure is hard right now.
As far as traveling goes... Obviously I am morbidly obese and traveling by plane has not been fun in the past. With this year it is even worse. Not only have I had to buy (2) tickets in order to travel but this year I will be required to wear a mask in the airports and on the plane. I can barely go into a store for a few minutes with a mask on. I don't know what I am going to do for over 4 hours. See, I am planning on going to Florida to visit my dad later this month. I used to love to fly on a plane but there is so much anxiety leading up to the flying that it is not fun right now. As I sit in the airport waiting to board the plane I can just imagine all the other travelers hoping they aren't sitting next to the fat lady. Even though I know I have two tickets they don't. Then finally getting into the plane and needing a seatbelt extender. Fitting through the aisle's. Fitting between the seats. Sitting like that for over 2 hours. Plus I will miss a day of work and I am hurting financially right now so that is going to hurt big time.
It's just not fun!!! If my dad and Carol didn't want me to come down so bad I would not be doing it. I just don't know how many more years I will have with him so I don't want to say no.
What's next? I have no idea. I know God is working on my heart. I know He is changing me through all the stuff this year has brought. I am seeing what is good and what is evil. I am praying harder for the good to overcome the evil. We will see. I am 1 1/2 years out from my 55th birthday where I want to try the dude ranch trip again. 1 1/2 years to get to a healthy weight. 1 1/2 years to make small goals and to grow closer with God. Each morning in the last few weeks I have woken up and just talked to God thanking Him that together we got this day.
Are you not sure what's next for you? Life does not give us clear answers. God asks us each day to pick up our Cross and follow Him. He knows our steps and as the famous poem, "Footprints in the Sand" remind us, when we only see one set of footprints during the hard times it is because that is when God is carrying us. Turn to Him. Give Him a chance. Together you and God have got this. People will ultimately disappoint but God never will.
Heavenly Father, what a crazy year we have been going through. Thank you for your love and protection. Lord, we don't know what's next. Sometimes you make our paths clear and other times you bring the fog and tell us to just take the next step. Thank you for taking that step with us. God I just ask that you continue to bring clarity to this messed up sinful world. Please help good to overcome the evil. Lord, help me to trust you in the upcoming travel. Thanks for the opportunity to see my dad and Carol. Help me to be excited for this trip and to be able to handle wearing a mask for that length of time. Thank you most of all for the reason for this upcoming holiday. Your Son's birth!! In Jesus' name, Amen.
