COVID 19 Encouragement - 04/01/2020
Encouragement to CHESS Families During This Challenging Time
Hello CHESS families!
Whether you're in your pajamas, sweats, dressed in "real" clothes, showered or not, I hope that this finds you well (both physically and mentally)!
During the last few weeks on "lockdown", I have been enjoying a slower pace of life, while at the same time, tackling projects around the house and finding new ways for my daughter to occupy herself all day, every day (helllloooo only child!).
What I miss the most, like I'm sure you do, is contact with those in the "outside world". As the Connections coordinator, I really enjoy planning opportunities for our family to get out of the house and meet/socialize with other families. While I know that there is no good substitute for in-person contact, I'd like to share some ways that our family and others have been connecting to friends and loved ones. *Full disclaimer - We don't use all of these, but have friends and family who do use the ones that we don't. As with anything, you can find good and bad aspects on each of them. In addition, I don't allow my 10 year old access to these apps with out my supervision. The only app that she has access to that isn't on my phone is the Messenger Kids app. I have full control over who she can communticate with and also have it on my phone, so I can see all of her messages that she receives and sends. All that to say, do whatever is comfortable for you and your family. I'm not advocating putting these apps on your kid's phone or tablet, giving them access to whatever content is on them.*
Facebook Messenger: Allows you to share the screen with multiple people at once and has silly games to play against each other as well as fun/funny filters.
Messenger for Kids: My favorite! Allows your child(ren) to have contact with people who you, as the parent, authorize. This gives the kids a safe place of their own to stay in contact with family and friends without access to your personal accounts.
Marco Polo: Allows you to take videos of yourself and send to a friend or family member. There is no real-time communication through this app though.
Facetime: Allows iPhone users to talk via video in real time.
WhatsApp: Allows you to keep in contact with friends and loved ones throughout the world via message/video/phone calls using the phone's internet connection.
TikTok: Allows you to engage in making and watching entertaining content. Everything from coffee tutorials to dance challenges are found here.
Facebook: Allows you to engage with anyone from a select few to the whole world. It can be an opportunity to share encouragement with others during this time of isolation.
Instagram: Allows you to engage in a creative community with a mostly positive environment. The stories can give you an inside look into others lives and help make you feel like you're not alone. Also an opportunity to post/share encouraging content there.
Zoom: Great for meetings/small groups/bible studies/online classes/getting family together at one time to celebrate a birthday/etc.
Phew! I hope you found that information more helpful than overwhelming! I admit that I'm not the first to jump on the bandwagon when it comes to these new apps, but during this time, I personally feel like it's ok to make an exception, just to feel more connected with others. Whether or not you choose to is completely up to you. I just wanted to give you some info in case you are thinking about exploring the options, but didn't know where to start, or which woud work best for you.
Now, I would like to challenge you with a couple of things!
First - I would like for you to find a way to connect with others outside of your home. Easter is coming up and is a perfect time to share our faith! If you live in a neighborhood, you can decorate your window with crosses, write Bible verses on the sidewalk with chalk, or even make a yard sign with the message of Easter on it. If you don't live in a neighborhood, or aren't able to implement those ideas (or just don't like them!), I would encourage you to use a social media platform to lovingly share the Easter message and even invite others to tune in to your church's livestream services.
Second - I would love for you to share how you're using this time to connect more as a family unit inside of your home. Since most husbands/dads are home now, has your family dynamic changed? It has in our household! Even though my husband is working full-time from home, he has more time to spend with us because he doesn't have a commute/meetings/gym time/etc. So, what's it like in your home? Are you watching more family movies? Playing more board games? Going for family walks? Having spontaneous dance parties in your kitchen? "Camping out" in a tent in your living room? Taking an online art class with your kids?Cooking/baking together with your kids? Having family exercise time? Huddling around the computer or lounging in front of the tv together to watch your church services? Taking communion together as a family? Finally getting in those family devotion/prayer times that you've always wanted to have, but never seemed to have time for? I'd love to challenge you to try something new to do to connect as a family. Get your kids input! See what interests them. We need to get out of our comfort zone and get excited to try something new!
Finally, I want to encourage you to take care of yourself. While I'm so grateful that we've had mild weather during the last few weeks, the gray skies seem to contribute to my mood and energy level. I need to make a conscious decision to "set my mind on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth" (Colossians 3:2). I have so much to be thankful for in Christ! I can "rejoice in the Lord always...and let my reasonableness be known to everyone...not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let my requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus" (philippians 4:4-7). I am trying to focus on "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (Philippians 4:8). A wise friend/mentor recently shared with me a saying that was passed on to her years ago by a friend/mentor to her. It goes something like this: "Thoughts have a way of untangling themselves over lips and through fingertips." This means that when we get overwhelmed/anxious/depressed, we can seek help by talking to a trusted friend, reciting scripture outloud, praying, singing hymns or praise & worship songs and/or keeping our hands busy by journaling, crafting, writing to someone, copying scripture, etc. Our kids are looking to us to know how to process this crazy time that we're living in. Let's be a light to them for Jesus! If you aren't already in the habit, take a few minutes in the morning to pray, read a Psalm, listen to/read a quick devotional, or recite scripture to start your day with a positive mindset. Try to end your day in the same way. I know for me, depending on the news, some days the morning is more of a struggle for me, and other days the night is a struggle. That's why I'm recommending getting into the practice of doing both.
Please know this, dear friends, your CHESS leadership team is here for you! We are keeping an eye on the news looking forward to hearing that we can get together again. We are still planning our next school year. Most importantly, we are here for you! Please reach out if you are in need of anything - encouragement, prayer, food, toilet paper(!) - we want to be a blessing to you! Most of us are available via email, Facebook, Instagram, text, or a phone call. In addition, if you feel like you have the time, resources, or desire to serve others in our community in some way, please let us know and we can direct you to whatever need that needs to be filled at the time.
With blessings,
Gen Kolbasa
Connections Team