March 21, 2020

Did you change your spring break plans because of the virus? From what to what?

Yes. I was supposed to go on a mission trip with my church, the Austin Stone, to Memphis to serve the communities there in various ways. I also supposed to fly out the California for my fiance’s cousin’s wedding. We ended up just staying put in Austin to do our part to avoid further spread. Now we have just been hanging out with the same few friends.

How did you feel when you were informed the remainder of the semester would be held online?

I wasn’t surprised given the circumstances, but at the same time this all feels really surreal. I don’t think the full reality will hit until a few weeks into online course. I don’t expect to like it and I am sure it will be hard to do, given a learning environment makes such a difference. So I am pretty bummed.

Where will you be living while courses are held online? Is this a change from usual?

In my apartment. I live alone in Austin, same place for the past year.

What has been your experience with moving classes online? What’s good? What’s not so good?

The thing I love about St. Edward’s is the learning environment. Each class is made up of so many different individuals, all coming together to learn. And given our small class sizes, a community forms there. The community that grows within each class with each professor is special and, in my opinion, vital. So it will be hard to not have that the same way, being with each other each day or so, going through the course side by side. I also just love our campus and will miss it a lot.

Given our situation though, I think it will be good to have the flexibility and freedom that online classes offer. I can’t imagine it to be as rigorous or consuming–which is the last thing we need right now. So, I think in the end it will be good for the time being. I’m just excited to be over with this whole season.

How has the virus (and the precautions taken to prevent it spreading) impacted your daily life?

I try to stay home and within my small social circle as much as I can. I’m not particularly worried about myself and my own health, but I want to do what I can to help protect others who are vulnerable by not contributing to the spread in any way I can. So I haven’t been going out, and have also been way more cautious about what I bring in to my apartment.

How worried are you about getting the virus?

Not too worried. I know there is always that uncertainty of how it can affect you, but I am not really in the vulnerable population. I am more worried about those who are vulnerable getting it. Yet, ultimately, I trust that God is sovereign over this and that is where I find my peace and rest.

Do you know anyone who has gotten COVID-19?

Not personally, but my uncle’s step-father just passed away from it. His mother and sisters were in quarantine as well. So that was heart-breaking for him.

Are you staying in? What are you doing to pass the time?

As much as I can. Alone– I’ve been giving myself small chores/tasks each day to remain productive, so my apartment is cleaner than ever. I’ve also taken the free time as an opportunity to read a lot. Other than that, cooking and watching movies. And with my small social circle– we take turns hosting, share meals, watch movies and play games. Lots of card games and bananagrams. Community is so vital to get through this. We also do home church together since our church, the Austin Stone, cannot hold services. They provide online resources for worship and a sermon, so the six of us come together to worship and fellowship together. It’s really sweet to see how the church of Christ is not a building, but a people, and nothing can stop it from going on.

Are you going out? Where do you go and what is it like?

I’ve only gone out to go to the apartments of my social circle and to buy groceries (that I actually need). Grocery stores are kind of a downer when everyone panic buys and the shelfs are empty.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about what you’re feeling or experiencing right now?

Within the first few days, I had a panic attack. I’ve struggled with anxiety for years and typically am not bothered by it at this point in my life, but those first few days were just insanely overwhelming. Everything was changing so fast and I couldn’t catch my breath. It was only two days prior to everything getting cancelled that I had picked out my wedding dress–how could such a joyful occasion contrast such a bleak reality? I sobbed at the prospects of how people I love could get sick or how it could meddle with my wedding, which is set for July. It was just crazy how life could change so fast and the time ahead could be so uncertain. But something has changed since then. Slowly, the light has peaked out from the end of the dark tunnel. As I’ve clung to God and sought solace in His power, He has given me so much peace and joy. It may feel like it, but this is not the end of the world–it is just a season. And it will pass. And we will learn from it. It may break our hearts and hurt our bodies; lives may be sadly lost and our way of living may change; the world may drastically transform–but God remains the same. No matter the trial, no matter the sorrow, I can trust that He is good and He is working in this. Our feeble minds can’t comprehend it now but His ways are always higher. So take heart, this too shall pass and we will be better because of it. Ultimately, it’s going to be okay. There is still joy to be had, even in this.