Good morning everyone!

I know I’m not super consistent at posting but life is busy and sometimes chaotic and sometimes I just don’t know what to share. It’s okay to feel disrupted during this chaotic time in the world. We are about to enter a second year of a global pandemic. People are trying their best to continue to thrive and survive and be okay. We are trying to work on accepting and embracing this new normal. And then things shift and it might be a small change or a large one but you have to adapt again.

I went back to the office February 1st after being home since mid-March last year. It has been a month of adjusting for me. I had some anxiety over potential exposure to COVID-19. I was also adjusting to commuting again, a different sleep schedule, and having to put on real pants more often. Working from home I really enjoyed sleeping in, wearing sweatpants or gym shorts depending on the weather, and not driving very much. But as I adjusted back to “normal” life and working in the office again, I realized there are benefits there too. I get to see my friends at work in person (although still briefly, since I spend most of my day in my office with my door shut), and it is nice to have that feeling of togetherness and support back. There are more people there to help me. I’m not doing everything through a VPN connection. There are benefits even in the challenges that we face. And I learned it takes me about a month to adjust to a different sleep schedule—I’m full of energy and hope again.

This month, I’ve also made more of an effort to turn to God for help, support, kindness, and grace. Starting in January 2020, I’ve been reading a devotional every day. But this month, I’ve taken it a step further. For Lent, I started a bible study through zoom with family members. We are completing our second week today, and it has brought peace and perspective to my life already. It is okay that life is chaotic, because God only gives us what we can handle. Taking time each day to reflect on my faith, reflect on the Bible, and reflect with God has been amazing. Honestly, after this bible study I plan to continue to study the bible and learn and reflect in the grace that God provides. He helps me feel centered in the chaos.

~Natalie