Shakin with the Virus

This has definitely been an interesting week.  We have been in social isolation with all the buildings closed and missionaries asked to stay in their apartments and work from home.  We have been working on our own history, indexing, and Family Search.  We have worked one on one with a few missionaries to teach them indexing and reverse indexing.  So many things change day to day we just wait for the next direction.  I have to say we are not nervous about the virus.  The thing that shook us up this past week was the earthquake that literally shook us awake and continues to make our hearts skip a beat as the aftershocks hit.  The earthquake was Wednesday morning at 7:09 AM.  Bob's first thought was what was I doing shaking the bed so much?  I knew immediately and yelled "earthquake" It was an experience, and for that entire day we were on pins and needles as there were over 100 after shocks registered.  We have only felt 3 that registered 3.8-4.0.  The others were so small we didn't notice them.  We have been going for walks everyday just to get some fresh air.  We walked over to the temple to see what was happening there and then found the Angel Moroni's trumpet wedged below on the first tier.  It does not show up in the pictures but you could see the sun glistening off it.  They pulled all the workers off the job and they did not go back till Monday the 23.  There was also a chunk of granite that had fallen to the ground from off one of the spires.

Angel Moroni without his trumpet.  He still stands despite the swaying and shaking!

Notice the missing stone on the lower right.  It hit the ground with great force!

After the Earthquake March 18 2020

 When we walked over yesterday the construction goes on with full force.  The flowers around the square are so beautiful and the weather has been so nice.  We have had a lot of rain in the valley and lots of snow in the mountains, so it has been perfect for the flowers.  It is too bad most people will only see them in pictures and pictures do not do justice for them.

West side of the temple

West side of the temple construction.

South Wall coming down.  Where the south Visitors center used to be.

The work goes on.  We cannot get shots from above now as the buildings are closed.

Salt Lake is like a ghost town.  Few people on the streets, few cars, and all the stores and malls closed.  It is a little concerning with the economy but we have to have faith that the Lord knows what is happening and it is all part of His grand design.  There have been quite a few of our missionaries go home, especially those who were within two months of going home and those with health issues.  The hardest part of this is not being able to see the people we work with.

This is the way we watch Music and the Spoken Word now.

Sunday we did Sunday School by way of a Zoom meeting.  It was good to see so many of the training zone people and be able to share insights into Come Follow Me.

Just some of the beautiful flowers

LDS church across from the State Capital.  Very unique and colorful roof and brick.

Another unique LDS church building.  19th Ward built in 1890. 5th North about 150 West.  It is now an acting school.

More beautiful Spring flowers

We pray for the missionaries that are returning home from all over the world, and their families.  Our grandson, Joshua Barton, is serving in Dallas Texas Spanish speaking.  He has been there for one month and at this point they are keeping their missionaries and staying in there apartments and doing online proselyting.   We carry on and pray for all our loved ones.