A day in the sun. Or a couple of weeks. Make it a month.

If only there were sunny places to nap all day, rather than chores or videoconference that need tending to.

Party lines

We've had up to three videoconferences going on at the same time. It can get a little awkward at times!

We're all doing what we can

It's hard to get your 10,000 steps while you're stuck at home — 10,000 calories on the other hand...

Sketchbook: Building a tower

It would be kind of cool if Lego made Book of Mormon kits like they have for Star Wars. There's an untapped niche market there!

Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide

...and you can't just wander the halls during second hour!

Ahead by a hair

Make it a hard copy, to go

Teleworking. Distance learning. Netflix. Screen fatigue is definitely a thing!

What does Earth Day look like to you?

With all the orders to stay home and avoid any unnecessary trips, doesn't it feel like it's a special treat to go outside? It's easy to get cooped up in order to avoid the coronavirus. But if you keep your social distancing, you should be OK to go outside. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day by getting some sunshine and fresh air.

Friday is also Arbor Day, so now you have another reason to go outside this week!

It comes after the shield of faith

Of course the missionaries around here can't really go anyplace. They're supposed to go outside for an hour a day. If they go anywhere, they're supposed to dress in their civvies so as not be drawn into conversation. 

Sketchbook: I'll go where you want me to go

Remember all the building they had to do to accommodate the surge when all the sister missionaries went out? And all the extensive remodeling they did? And now there's hardly a missionary in sight?

Get ready for the sequel, coming soon: The Missionaries Strike Back. It's gonna be amazing!

How long has it been?

Social distancing can mean different things to different people. It's all a  matter of perspective.

Missionary Training Basement

We had a sister missionary who was just set apart — by a stake president wearing a mask. Only her parents could be there with her — with proper social distancing.

It's great to see how we can adapt!

When you run out of Disney+

...and when you're done with that there's the Bible videos you can re-watch, then The Windows of Heaven and Johnny Lingo (old and new versions). And what about Tom Trails?

An experiment

So we’re all trying new things while we’re sequestered, right? I’m experimenting with a couple of drawing apps. It’s not quite where I want to be yet, but I’ve done worse!.

Shave and a...

I've been watching our local missionaries as they do their Facebook feeds. Each time they come on, their hair looks a little bit longer. It won't be long, I'm afraid, that some of them will try some self-trimming.

Sketchbook: Zooming in

Working from home is a lot more difficult than it seems.

Easter Week: He is Risen!

"And when she had thus said, she turned herself back and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

"Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou hast borne him hence, tell me where thou has laid him, and I will take him away.

"Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

"Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God."

Easter Week: The Burial

"The man went unto Pilate and begged the body of Jesus.

"And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein man never before was laid.

"And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on."

Easter Week: The Crucifixion

"And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

"And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

"And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into they hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost."

Easter Week: Gethsemane

"Then said he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

"And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt."

Easter Week: Teaching His Disciples

"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

"For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me doing; I was a stranger, and ye took me in;

"Naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

"Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

"When was we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Easter Week: Teaching

"Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

"And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

"On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

Easter Week

Palm Sunday

"And a great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

"And the multitudes that went before, and the followed, cried, saying, Hossana to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord' Hosanna in the highest."

Cleansing the Temple

"And Jesus went in to the temple of God, and cast out all of them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

"And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves."

Monday Sketchbook: Early Conference Edition

General Conference was nothing less than amazing! When Pres. Nelson reviewed everything that had transpired over the weekend, I was taken aback. And the new temples? Whoa! What a busy conference!

I've compiled my notes into a downloadable PDF. I find it useful for review, and I've heard of it being used in seminary, Sunday school and Family Home Evening. 

Conference Notes: Sunday Afternoon

Conference Notes: Sunday Morning

Conference Notes: Saturday Evening

Conference Notes: Saturday Afternoon

Conference Notes: Saturday Morning

What a marvelous first session! I think it's everything Sis. Kerry Jo expected it to be!

The stockings were hung

We've been invited to be prepared for conference. How are you preparing?

Old days, good times I remember

One result of being confined to their apartments is that missionaries have become a lot more creative. Our sisters teach using Face Time or Zoom, and occasionally hold open meetings with live feeds on Facebook.

One set of elders in our mission has taken the time to create a simple animated series with pencil drawings and a video app (approved) on their phone.

Times, they are a-changin'!

From a distance

Sure, it's more of a meme than a cartoon, but I like the idea.