Last week, a friend inquired how the Mason clan was doing during Corona. She said, “I cannot imagine what it would be like in a house full of six children, husband and four dogs, cooking three meals a day, managing all the laundry, and home-schooling to boot! I giggled. It’s beautiful chaos.I confess I’m making a flat D in the teacher department, there are currently five baskets of laundry that need to be folded, and we are basically living off of Nutella! Oh, and did I mention that my thirteen-year old created a power point presentation last Sunday on all the reasons why we should get ducks. Number 1 on the slideshow was, “Ducklings don’t smell!” David and I caved and we just added five ducklings to the Mason menagerie. Actually 4 now, because within minutes of their arrival, Atlas, our husky, ate one! You just can’t write this stuff!

A personal strength of mine that has served me well in the ups and downs of life is the ability to get excited and savor the smallest pleasures!  For over twenty years, I have relished a cup of tea in the afternoon with a spoonful of my honey. I am like a child again set up on my stool watching my bees return to the hives with their wings dusted with yellow, orange and red pollen. William Faulkner said the most successful human beings are the ones who best adapt to change. I think it’s the souls that are determined to find glimmers of light in the darkness. Soulful people look for silver linings and seize any morsel of joy they can find!

Today I am going to share a small pleasure that is “sweetening” these Corona days for my crew and it includes Nutella! Who knew a thick slice of sourdough bread, toasted with salted butter, spread thick with my homemade nut butter and Nutella could put such a big smile on my face! Trust me, this is a Corona game-changer! My friend Hadley gifted me with this recipe a year ago and it has become a family staple. I actually substitute liquid vanilla and Pink Himalayan salt. The trick is to not burn the nuts, and blend in small batches. Be patient, the time watching it turn into butter is worth it!

On a serious note, I pray you and yours are finding your way through this crisis with grace and peace. If you are struggling, I hope you will reach out to me.

I filmed a piece last week for my church, entitled, “Fill Your Soul Cup,” with ten ways you cane make these Corona days feel a little more soulful! Hoping it will give you a boost for week 8 of quarantine. 

May our lives reflect the Truth

Hope is real

Healing is possible

Life is a privilege

We exist for a purpose

Grace is available

Love prevails

God has us.

Amen.