Last month we joined a Life Group (or two) to get to know people in our church better. We had four meetings before groups were canceled due to COVID-19. It was enough time to meet a few people and exchange some numbers. However, it’s still challenging to deepen relationships when you can’t be face-to-face.
02-26-20
I texted C7 to let her know that I was making gluten-free cookies. She texted later to say that they weren’t coming to Life Group and to save her a cookie. I stuck a few in the freezer for next week.
We played Codenames as a group. I talked a little to T5 at the end of group and we switched phone numbers. Her husband, C8, reminds me of my brother. T6 was back this week after T5 saw her Sunday at church and said she’d missed her at group the week before (the downside to us going to the first service is we don’t see anyone). T6 said something about enjoying editing and I said we should talk and gave her my business card. She texted me so now I have her phone number as well.
02-28-20
I went to my Friday morning Life Group. It was just me and C6 but it was a wonderful time of fellowship. We shared and prayed together. When I left our meeting, I felt both encouraged and energized.
03-01-20
We didn’t see anyone from Life Group at church today, though I did see the babysitter and her mom. We also saw a couple from the newcomers’ dinner.
03-02-20
T5 texted to say she wasn’t feeling well so we rescheduled our meeting for Thursday.
03-03-20
I texted C6 with a song I thought she’d like. She suggested moving our meeting location this week and I agreed.
I also texted C7 to see how her week was going.
03-04-20
We had Life Group tonight. We played Pictionary for awhile. My cheesecake squares were popular. I’ve designated myself as the dessert lady. No one seems to mind. I talked some to C7 and we set up a day next week to get together and go thrift shopping. I confirmed our meeting time tomorrow with T5. T6 wasn’t there and I had been hoping to talk to her so I texted her when we got home from group. She responded that she had a cold.
03-05-20
I went over to T5’s house this morning to get to know her a little more. We chatted while her ten-month-old daughter explored the room and “helped” her clean out the toy bin. It was an enjoyable time. I hope we are able to do it again.
03-06-20
I met C6 at Green Sage this morning, a local coffee shop. We decided to keep meeting there because it’s not as crowded as Starbucks. It was an enjoyable and encouraging time. I’m curious about whether it will always be just us two.
03-07-20
Adam and Kaitlyn went to the SoCon basketball tournament this evening. Adam said he saw a couple from church.
03-08-20
At church, we saw three guys from our Wednesday night Life Group. They were playing in the band and working sound. We talked to them all after service for a bit. It was really nice to have a connection on Sunday morning.
03-10-20
I met C7 at her daughter’s preschool. We drove around to various thrift stores and shopped, getting to know each other more in the process. We stopped for a quick lunch before she had to pick up her daughter. We saw Adam on the way to pick up my car.
03-11-20
C7 texted me to ask if I was going to the Pack Library book sale Friday. We may go together.
Life Group was canceled because the hosts’ son had a cough and everyone wanted to be safe because of COVID-19.
03-13-20
I Facetimed with C6 for our weekly meeting. She had decided to quarantine herself and her daughter because she has lung issues. The connection wasn’t the best but we made it work. I am trying to be more authentic in this relationship and several others. I know I tend to reveal some parts of myself and keep others hidden for fear of rejection. I don’t want to be that way. I want to find people who accept me even though I’m not perfect or we don’t necessarily agree about everything. I want to be able to show up completely.
C7 and I had talked about going to the book sale at Pack Library together but it didn’t end up happening.
03-15-20
We watched church online this morning because in-person gatherings have been canceled due to the coronavirus. Many churches are doing this which I think is good.
03-20-20
I Facetimed with C6 again this morning for our weekly life group.
03-22-20
We watched church online again this morning.
03-24-20
Our old church is doing a devotional on the YouVersion Bible app. A friend told me about it and I was sent an invite to join them so I will be doing that for the next month.
One of our small group members’ kids will turn one next month. I emailed our group to suggest mailing gifts to make the occasion special since we can’t all get together.
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The month started out with a lot of promise for deeper connections, but things changed. Thankfully, we can still connect some via the wonders of technology. I want to keep making contact with those friendships that are new, hoping that we can continue to get to know one another.
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