Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #88 – Joyful moments in Chaos
The theme of the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge from Ann-Christine correctly depicted the state of the world at the moment, “Chaos.”
According to Wikipedia, Chaos Theory is defined as “the field of study in mathematics that studies the behavior of dynamical systems that are highly sensitive to initial conditions – a response popularly referred to as the butterfly effect.” In other words, Chaos Theory refers to how meaningful and profound even the most seemingly insignificant things are and teaches us that nothing is trivial.
As of today, Schools in eighteen states in the USA are closed, affecting 20 million students. It does not include some states such as California, because districts closed schools voluntarily so far. Los Angeles Unified School District which is the second largest school district in the US with 734,640 students just announced closing of schools as off Monday, March 16, 2020. I went shopping the last few days. Within a few days, two major stores ran out of paper products, water, cold and flu medicines, can goods, bread and a lot more except some perishable items so far.
The California Governor announced on Thursday, March 12 to stop any gathering over 250 people. Disneyland is closed. Our church with several thousand members stopped all Sunday services and group meetings. Sunday services will continue with online streaming viewing.
My friend Debbie and I signed up to host a Spring Brunch on March 14 as a fundraising activity for the missionaries. After the church announcement, Debbie and I continued with the brunch for the fourteen ladies who purchased the event. Our logic was the gathering had sixteen people and some of them were in a meeting together less than a week ago. None of these ladies had any symptoms of illnesses.
It turned out to be a joyful gathering at Debbie’s beautiful home. We teased each other by giving elbow hugs. The ladies appreciated us for keeping the brunch. They lingered for a long time to chat and enjoy the cozy social time together.
Ann-Christine reminded us that, “Let us focus on the possibilities, staying on the right track. Maybe nothing will be quite the same again – but let’s hope this chaos is the beginning of something new and positive.”
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #88 – Joyful Moments in Chaos
The Showers of Blessings 
A beautiful luncheon, Miriam. I think in the coming months, we’ll look back at these moments with longing and nostalgia as more and more people self-isolate. But it’s necessary so we stop the spread of this virus. Take care and be safe, Miriam. Be well!
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Yes, Patti, some families self-isolate from each others not just from social gatherings. I think being cautious is necessary. The news about Italy is alarming. Some younger people think they’re exempt but not really. You take care also!!
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All the photos are beautiful. God bless you and your family & friends 🙂
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Thank you very much, Yari! Take care! ❤
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Beautiful photos of a beautiful gathering. Well done.
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We had a wonderful time, John. Thank you!
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A beautiful home with lovely food and delightful company. A perfect gathering!
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Yes, we had such a great time. We needed this.
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Thank you for sharing the joyful gathering moments, Miriam! Beautiful photos!
Hope things will go normal soon.
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You’re welcome, Amy. I surely home things will turn back to normal soon. This is getting so crazy. The panic is the “butterfly effect” more so than the reality.
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You’re right — these are joyous moments, and this home is stunning. I don’t mind being holed up in my home for a while, but it’s gatherings like these that I miss the most. Stay safe.
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Thank you. Yes, I know. Our weekly women’s gathering will stop to align with the church. We just have to do that on our own and gather in small group.
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A beautiful and comforting post, Miriam! Love the atmosphere and the initiative taken. I understand it was a great event for all as this might be more difficult in some weeks. Interesting facts about how the situation is where you live. In Sweden we have not closed the schools – the approach is that if they would close, there would be parents working in essential areas like health care, social welfare, police and other areas, who would have to stay at home taking care of their children. Who else would do it? But in this ever changing situation, finally the whole country might close down and our borders be closed as well.
Thank you again for an uplifting and wonderful glimpse of “sisterhood” and laughter!
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Thank you, Ann-Christine. I don’t know what would happen in our country as more and more school closing. I understand that Hong Kong has closed all the school since January 22, right after Chinese new year. Many offices are closed also and the people plead to have essential services to be open. We may come to it soon enough. I now have time to watch the news as I try not to be exposed to the viruses to stay healthy. I’m leaving in 10 days to see my daughter and help her when she delivers her second baby.
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Wishing your daughter and the whole family a wonderful welcoming for the new baby into this world ♥
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Thank you, Ann-Christine. ❤
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♥
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Beautiful and homely pictures. Very lovely atmosphere.
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Thank you so much, Kim. We had a wonderful time. We may gather again to go for a walk next weekend if the rain stops.
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Such beautiful pictures and a lovely gathering, Miriam. Let us all pray that our World is a safer place to live peacefully and amicably and we as individuals must not panic. Take your precautions but pl. not panic and hoard things unnecessary.
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Exactly, Kamal. We can find order in chaos. We can use this time of restriction creatively and benefit from it.
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Yes for sure Miriam and being creative will benefit us all.
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Exactly, we must learn to direct our energy to creativity.
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True.
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The reaction to this virus is extreme. I tend towards the herd protection view, Miriam, and am not in agreement with closing schools although ours are closing from Wednesday. I think our vulnerable children will be left in a far worse and less controlled environment that a school here in South Africa as a result of this closure.
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I know, imagine what it is like to have the children and teenagers at home for weeks. The teenagers will get together with peers on the streets without protection. How can the parents restrain them. I don’t know…
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It is very difficult. My boys are having on-line lessons and virtual classrooms but they are the lucky few.
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It is extremely difficult, Robbie. My daughter just told me on the phone everywhere is closed. The daycare is closed but has Face time so families can have the kids follow the activities.
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That is difficult for working moms, even if they are working from. My boys are both studying from home today and it is not easy. A lot of interruptions.
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I can imagine the interruptions, Robbie. People who work at home address not easy either.
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What a wonderful gathering at a time when fear and uncertainty is so paramount. Stay safe and well Miriam
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I know, Miriam. We were glad the brunch was not cancelled. We looked forward to it since November last year. Please stay safe also!
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What a lovely gathering! It’s good that a few friends are able to get together without fear.
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Yes, I think small groups of family and friends gathering is okay so we’re not totally isolated.
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It’s so very sad that these types of gatherings are going to have to be suspended until the worst of this is behind us Miriam. Glad you had a chance to gather before the coming storm. Let’s hope everyone embraces the importance of social distancing while there is still time for it to have an effect.
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Yes, Tina. I had a testing at the doctor’s office and was informed to stay a few steps distance from other individual and not to touch the counter top. I’ll follow that guideline just to be safe.
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That’s our girl!!!
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Thank you, Tina. I have to stay healthy to go see my new granddaughter due in 8 days!!
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Wow!! Photos please😊😊😊
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Oh, yes, for sure! 🙂 🙂
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The dining room looked cosy Miriam and the food delicious 🙂
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We had a great time. Thank you, Brian. 🙂
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Enjoy the pics.
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Thank you, Pastor Cathy!
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What a wonderful gathering with good people surrounding a great cause. One wonders if we’ll still be doing this in a week at the rate things are going. All schools in the county are closing tomorrow in northern California.
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Thank you, Pete for your comment. Yes, pretty soon, California will become the state with all the school closed. I have to find things to do indoor and not risking of getting sick because I’m going to Portland, OR for my daughter delivering her second baby!!
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That should be a very joyous time. I wish her and the baby well.
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