We're nine months into this pandemic. It has been a difficult year. The vaccination is now available for health care providers and teachers. My mom is a teacher's aid and is going to get it in the next couple of weeks. Since we have been able to go back to church in person (it has been several months now), we have divided the ward by last name - the first half on one Sunday and the second half the next. The group that didn't go in person would do in-home church and more recently, watch it broadcasted. The chapel was pretty sparse with people. Everyone was grouped with families only and then one bench blocked off for social distancing and then another family on the bench after that. Today was the first Sunday we have had our entire ward meet together since the pandemic started. I saw some families I haven't seen since March. As I looked around, tears came to my eyes. I have missed our ward family. I have missed the unity and feeling that comes with all of us filling the chapel and cultural hall. Listening to the songs about our Savior and singing hymns of praise, I felt peace and joy. I don't want to ever take for granted being able to worship in our chapel together. To sing (for a while we couldn't sing - only listen to the organ during the hymns), listen to musical numbers and members bearing their testimonies. As I walked across the cultural hall after church, I still felt a pang of sadness because that is where my exercise class was and I miss it so much. But things will not always be this way. Looking forward to brighter days ahead.
