Fase 1 Begins in Madrid
May 25 is the first day of the last week of distance learning for Susanna and Austin, and the first day of Madrid's entering phase 1 of the quarantine deescalation. The main thing that changes is that we can now gather in groups of up to 10 people, in our homes, at the park or in churches. So, on Wednesday we will send Chris to prayer meeting at the church - the kids and I will stay home so that more local people can attend. Another change is that we are allowed to travel as a family by car, so we can venture to more stores (with masks, of course), or parks further away. I have a monstera deliciosa that seems to be suffering from compacted roots so our first outing will be to the plant store. Whee!
To keep up with the hard work the kids put into school and distance learning, we are going to do this 100 Day reading plan over the summer. Will you pray that God uses this time in His word to reveal truth to Susanna and Austin?
Last week we timed a trip to the park at the same time as some friends. Right when we met up, two of their little ones fell down, were inconsolable, and they had to head home. I had so many mixed emotions during that time: elation at seeing my friends, sadness that I couldn't greet them with customary Spanish kisses, frustration at the limited time we have (we are still only supposed to be outside for 1 hour), joy for the simple, normal act of being outside, dismay at how difficult it was to understand my friend's Spanish behind her mask, anger at our kids for being "hot" and "bored..." the list goes on. I was tired when we got home!
To be honest, this all makes me a little nervous for the reopening up of... life. I am afraid I will be as frustrated with the new normality as I have been with the restrictions. It feels exactly like when we first arrived - we have a new, new culture to navigate.
I wrote and sent a newsletter today as well. If you don't receive those in your inbox, here's the link: https://mailchi.mp/ea08c6e37c3e/may-2020-duryee-family-quarantine-edition