We spent March 17th during the day..finishing up packing, giving away all our food to Firas and the faculty families. We had just bought a lot of meat a few days before we were told we had to leave early, so we had lots to share. It was kind of a surreal time--leaving 5 months early, saying goodbye to the staff that we love, taking an N-95 face mask to Neomi, who met us in front of the Center, but had us put that and alcohol wipes on the ground for her to pick up--she stayed 15 feet away, so no hugs goodbye. A couple days earlier, I had taken baked goods to all of the staff to thank them. The Security, maintenance and house keeping staff were all so kind and generous. There was no way to thank them enough. Lee and I met with Eran (the director) to thank him for our 13 months there, and we gave him all of our shekels (1300) and asked him to give them to whomever could use the money. We learned the next week, that the staff was cut down to 30% and then the next week to 15% (government required it so there weren't so many people in the building) and wished we had given him 50,000 shekels, as the need will be so great.
Did I mention that just before this time, when I was studying 2 Nephi 32, I felt the Spirit focusing my attention on Pressing forward...with a brightness of hope. I felt the Spirit very strongly and pondered on this scripture many times.This hope is really needed, as we left our dear sisters in Beersheva. They cannot meet together, which gave them such strength. Fortunately, they can join in an online meeting with Tel Aviv, but can't take the Sacrament. These women are so faithful and remind me of the branches of the churches described by Paul in the New Testament. The branch at Bethlehem is similar, but with fewer people. We learned today (April 5) that Brent Allred, the branch president of Bethlehem was able to get money to Yolaunda, a member there, and she was getting groceries for a family there.
We had an excellent flight home. Our seats were upgraded, so Lee had plenty of leg room and I slept better than I have ever slept--8 hours! It was a 15 hour flight to San Francisco, so there was still lots of time to waste. We landed at 6 AM in San Francisco. The airport was nearly empty. As if the COVID19 wasn't bad enough, we learned that SLC had an earthquake that morning and the airport was closed down, so many of the students couldn't fly back to SLC that day. They had to spend the night and fly the next day. We got on a flight to Seattle about 9 AM. There were very few passengers, and we all spread out. One person was coughing a lot and I worried that she was spreading COVID germs everywhere, but Lee and I have not gotten sick.
We spent a great week with Powells and then drove down to Nevada to spend 10 days with Salls. We stopped to get luggage at Hales (they had been in Jerusalem with Lynne and Lee's cousin, Ron, and ad brought 2 suitcases for us), spent the night with Grams and left the next day for Henderson Nevada. We had a great 10 days there playing with the kids and helping Janet and Jeffrey with chores and date nights (take out food and dinner on Jeffrey's office roof). Then we drove back to Grams's home for General Conference and for the rest of the month, most likely. There is still a shelter in place order, so no one is going out except to walk for exercise or to do grocery shopping. All non-essential businesses are closed. Millions of people have lost jobs because their businesses were forced to close. Even Toyota of Kirkland has fewer hours and had to lay off many people. Luckily, Adam is still working, but reduced hours. It's really hard to stay at home all day, but much easier for us than for families! All schools are also closed. The church has closed all Temples, all church meetings, and all missionaries have been sent home. This is especially hard for the young missionaries, because they will have to see if/when they can return to their missions in the future. The prophet called for a world-wide fast last week and again this coming Good Friday.
Today is General Conference. It is a celebration of 200 years since the First Vision. A new Proclamation on the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was read by Pres. Nelson. There is a new insignia for the church with replica of the Christus statue as part of it. We had the Hosanna Shout today after the 1st Sunday session It was so spirit filled--Hosanna to God and the Lamb. Lee and I were with Grams in her family room, watching and participating.
