"Sure is a long way up here God but I wanted to get as close to you as I can." Does anyone remember this episode where little Laura climbed up a mountain to pray for a miracle for her brother? I don't know about you but lately I've been wanting to climb up as close to God as I can. I also feel a little bit like we are currently living like Little House on the Prairie right now. I mean think about it, really. Families are all under one roof. Days are filled with schooling, chores, finding ways to provide basic needs like food and essentials. Lots of praying and resting when it gets dark out and waking up when the sun rises.
I believe amidst the chaos that there's a ton of beauty and when this is (God willing) all over and done with, we are going to possibly look back on these times and miss certain elements of it and I am doing my best to remember that.

For me personally, my two daughters are learning to know one another again. As most of you know, my oldest (22) has struggled with drug addiction and the past 8 years has been anything but "normal" and my daughters grew super far apart. Since her accident in December, she's been home and healing and getting used to new friends, a new life and a new routine.. but like everyone else.. that is haulted now and I worry about her going backwards. My three step boys are in Denver with their mom and we now only see them virtually and that's an adjustment for sure.

My very social 20 year old daughter made the choice to move 9 hours home from Arkansas and to leave the few friends and roommates still there, behind. She's learning to be around her sister again, to honor their differences and to put up with isolation like we all are. But last night for the first time, I realized just how much I am trying to hold it together for all of them.. to be the positive and happy go lucky cheerleader when one is afraid of her weakened immune system from the accident, when one is terrified of how long she will be kept from her "life" and also afraid she is going to accidentally bring the virus to us from college, and a husband who is working non stop while he can to support us but whom also loses sleep afraid he will get sick. I wanted to reach out to someone, to text, to vent, to cry.. but I didn't want to be a burden on my friends who are also going through the same thing. Long story short.. I am offering the UNLIMITED "package" so that you can have that person I needed and we can all get through this in creative ways.

Laura Ingalls, I get you girl. I also know we don't need to climb a mountain for Him to hear us right now. He's right beside us. He's not angry. He hasn't forgotten us. He didn't bring this on all of us as a punishment or a curse. I want to be there for the real emotions, for those wanting to maybe be uspet with God right now. I want to be there for those that may not know how to pray, how to mourn, how to ask for help.

I am here. Keep looking up. xoxo Coach Kim

I don't have the words, the wisdom or the ability to make everything okay in the world right now.
It's okay to feel uneasy, not ok, and apprehensive.  
I can post all of the positive images and verses and pretend that I am ok.  I am real. We all are.  There are some of us so alone they aren't sure what to do. There are some who have so many littles at home, they are losing their mind.  There are some who are older, sick, poor, unable to work or order in.  Some have steady incomes, some have lost their job, some have always worked from home, homeschooled, been a stay at home mom, but for most, this is all very new.   

My thoughts won't apply to everyone but I wanted to share them for what they are worth today.  
I have found myself several times in my life battling the darkness, the sadness and the guilt for having those feelings just added to them.  I learned a few tips and tricks along the way that have eased my worry about them returning but I have to be mindful, cope ahead when I know I could be susceptible again and above all, to put God before my emotions.  

Our lives are mostly topsy turvy right now.  I THRIVE(d) on a schedule and a routine.  Yep, I was that  that girl, that child and now that woman that isn't a fan of weekends or summers or school breaks because the lack of routine freaked my mind out a bit.. can you imagine??  So.. what do people like us do in times like these? 

Set an alarm.
Thank God from your knees.
Spend time in your Bible and in your meditation.
Make your bed.
Make a schedule so you feel you have a purpose and a checklist. 
Carve out a time each day for work, kids work, yard work, homework, work work.
Carve out a time for exercise. Get creative here. Most of you have been a member of a gym or a class and you have the skills in you. Pull up a youtube video for abs or booties or cardio.  
Carve out a time for rest.
Have set meal times.
Buy groceries and supplies once a week and get creative with your new budget or your new time.
Have a set TV off time during the day.
Have a set bed time.
Make a certain day be laundry day.
Make a certain day be housecleaning day.
As part of your schedule, add in an outing and you may have to get creative here and even toss some options in a bag and pull one out each day.  Socially distant is tricky but think of wildflower drives and a picnic. Think of a day you visit all your old homes if you live close.  

I know a lot of you have babies, toddlers, youth, adolescents and teens at home and these are going to be trickier to do but trust me when I say that looking at a schedule takes less time and energy than trying constantly to figure out what to do next.

I know some of you are alone.  Reach out daily in a video or phone or text. Don't isolate. 
I know some of you are scared.  Look up please and find a relationship with Him maybe for the first time.  Make some prayer journals, some prayer rooms, some connections you've felt you didn't have with Him. 

Come to Me.. all you who are weary  and  burdened and I will give you rest.  Matthew 11:28-30

Maybe this is His greatest way to bring us all to Him. To get us to slow down, to look up, to come together, apart. I want you to stay above the darkness, out of the shadow, ahead of the sad.  Take this one day, one "schedule" at a time and keep looking around for the reminders of Hope.  

Cry if you need to. Pray when you can.  Laugh at the crazy times.  Provide Hope to those who may need it today and ask for them to give hope to you on the days you need it.
I am a holler away.
Coach Kim