May 2, 2020 Covid at Home! Running around Lake Royale for the first time.

It's been about 50 days since the call to quarantine due to the Coronoa Virus. My life has been more busier than ever before with the height of tax season, kids at home, managing their home school, and running my business. The tax deadline has been extended to July 15, 2020. It got so busy in the tax world as there were many changes occurring even on a daily basis. The CARES Act was established (Coronavirus Aid, Relieve and Economic Security Act) where every qualified individual can receive a $1200 relief fund from government and every dependent, $500. Our family received a total of $3900 that showed up on our bank account, which account we used with our tax return. There were much confusion and anticipation at the time the decisions were being made and I got a lot of questions and calls about their "stimulus check" even the ones in the neighborhood that were not actually my client.

I did my final off boarding with Intuit and I am happy to say that I did a great job being my first season. I was on category 3, as per my manager that means that I will likely to comeback or be asked to come back and I am hoping so. I opt in on the 401k matching contribution that will only vest on the 2nd year of service. I have received about $1000 of spotlight incentive in Intuit, which was not cash but rather can be spent on gift cards. Mind were mostly spent on Lowes, since we have been doing a lot of renovation.

My goal has been to fund my retirement fund so that I can better prepared and hopefully Scott and I and go on our couples mission sooner rather than later. Hopefully in about 15 years, that would make me 57 years old and makes Adam 22 years old. I hope and pray my kids do well, more importantly, for them to ever have a strong anchor on the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Quarantine has been good for us. More family time, albeit there is more screen time for the kids, but I love the fact that I have more time with my family. Scott works from home, although his salary was cut by 20%, that's like $800 loss a month, but he saves about $200 in gas. This experience has really made me reflect about the blessings of listening to the counsel of the living prophet. I am so glad we have no mortgage, even with the expansion we are building, we have managed to do so without getting a loan. We are basically debt free, except for the mortgage in the Burnaby home, but thankfully we have renters that pays on time and I pray they continue to be great tenants. We are so blessed despite Scott's salary being reduce, the Lord has blessed me so much with growth on my business. Although I have not seen about 35 clients of mine, I have already exceeded what I made last year since I also got the Intuit job. The Intuit experience has been great and I really enjoyed it and I really hope that I can be hired in the fall if not next tax season.

Our family has had more time to read scriptures, play tennis, bake, build, renovate, and play. Audrey just got her Aerial silk fabric so her and I have been working out and trying it out. Lots of upper body work out and stretches.

Donna on Aerial Silk April 2020

April 22nd, I woke up and said my prayers, then I went for a run. I just kept on running and by the time I knew it I was at Pavilion and although I set out to ran just that far and turn around, I realized why not just keep going since I am half way there. And I made it around the Lake in 1.43 hr. I was so impressed. I had feared setting that goal before since I didn't think I could do it, but it was awesome. It felt good to do so. I know it was Sunday and I came back home before everyone else woke up. I enjoyed running because it was my time to reflect and ponder.

Elias has been learning how to do programming with Raspberry Pi. Adam has been reading the book of Mormon diligently on his own. We have been playing a lot of tennis lately and Elias is now able to beat me if he puts his mind to it. Audrey is also learning to do some programming and she has been doing amazing on piano. Their recital is postponed, but they are doing well on piano and learning hymns, which I am very excited about.

I feel like I still have much to do. I am currently working on Quick Book Pro Advisor certification and hope to get this done before the end of May. I need to spend some time and focus on obtaining some new bookkeeping clients because the income is year round and they provide potential tax clients. I like setting goals and praying about them. The Lord has always blessed me when I set goals and plead with the Lord's help.

March 22, 2020 Sacrament at Home

Last Sunday, my home turned into church, just as well the spirit was so strong I could hardly sing the sacrament song and I choked bearing witness of the tender mercies of the Lord. We actually went 10min over 2 hours. We learned that the sacrament bread at home were bigger.😁 I was humbled when my husband, Scott gave a talk on how the church was first organized, it started with 6 people. Similar to how we gathered in our small living room, just the 5 of us in our family. Last Summer we actually got to visit Peter Whitmer's log house in NY where the church was first organized. It also reminded me of how my family was the very first member of our branch in small town of Damortis, Philippines. I remember being young and we had a small house as our meeting house. Now there is over 16 M members world wide. Much like the virus that is spreading, the gospel of Christ is too. Last Sunday was our first to have church at home and first time for Scott to bless the sacrament at home. Very historic. I am so thankful to have the priesthood in my home and my very own deacon, Elias to pass the sacrament. My daughter, Audrey prayed and was thankful to be at church. My little guy, Adam, who is 7, was our chorister. Our primary was a blast, we learned about blind spots and how the Jews missed the Savior because they were looking beyond the mark. My kids actually asked if we can have church at home again next Sunday, and we are so blessed that we can.

In D&c 1:17 The Lord knew the calamity that is to come to his people so he called Joseph Smith, replaced that with Pres. Nelson. Thankful for direct revelation. This whole come follow me program and home centered church or church centered home, really prepared us for this event. The Lord knows it, the prophet knows it, and I know it!