Monday, December 9, 2013

Snow

On Saturday we woke to a white world; still,
beautiful, cold--too cold for Jake to carry a ball.
The wind picked up and the temperature stayed
low. How low? It was minus eleven degrees
on Sunday morning. Roads had been plowed
but remained snow packed. In borrowed boots
I walked down to a small park that accesses the
Snake River. Suddenly the sun came out
revealing millions of tiny jewels sparkling from
the snow, unseen in shadow. My feet crunched
as I walked. I stopped. In the stillness I heard a
scraping sound that drew me to the rivers edge.
Ice islands were drifting, bumping into each other,
growing bigger, then bonding to the ice pressed
into the shore. As I stood there a duck rose
splashing up from the icy water. The setting sun
painted the clouds a light pink.

This has been the best quiet time. As I relive the
wonder of my walk yesterday, I am amazed at
how God staged and orchestrated each scene as
I walked the frozen earth. I was on Holy ground.
It was for my eyes He showed off.

I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart,
I will tell of all they wonders,
I will be glad and exult in Thee,
I will sing praise to Thy Name,
O Most High.
(Ps 9:1,2)



Thursday, December 5, 2013

Between

We have moved many times in our marriage.

In every move there is a space between what was and
what will be. One door shuts--a click; no going back.
But, the way ahead is fuzzy, without substance,
without form. It has only been two months since we
made the decision to move to Arizona. That changed
and we arrived in Idaho four weeks ago. In this "between,"
we have not had easy access to the internet, have overspent
our phone minutes, and have lost our e-mail server. Each
move has its challenges, but this one is unique. I realize
that just ten years ago, cell phones and internet did not
play a big part, but today, one goes through withdrawal!
Our goods come next week, but it will be January before
we leave that feeling of "between," and begin to put
together our new life.

Papa, I know that all things work together for good.
ALL things, even this crazy period when time seems to
stand still. Open my eyes to all your gifts today. You never
stop giving. I stop seeing.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Kick Off


We spent Thanksgiving in a little town called, Dayton,--population 
2600--nestled in the hills of Washington State. We were visiting 
Glen’s brother for the holiday. Some years ago the people of 
Dayton decided to upgrade the four blocks that mark Main Street 
along with some of the surrounding streets. They started with the 
park next to the river, added an upgrade to the Train Depot, the 
Courthouse, the old school and then built a very versatile theater. 
It houses a Musical late in the fall that always includes children, 
very talented kids. They put on Peter Pan this year to a packed 
audience for twelve programs. 

We stayed at a Victorian Hotel complete with an elegant staircase, 
beautiful rooms, a coffee shop for breakfast in the morning. On Friday 
we woke up to Christmas! It was a brisk day. At  some point on 
Thursday the whole town decorated for “Kick Off.” On Friday they 
gave tours, offered hay rides, opened the old school to visitors. 
Friday evening they celebrated with fire works! Holiday music 
was piped out including many of my favorite carols.  

Maybe it was a time for the merchants to make money, but for me 
it was the kick off to Advent and the birth of our Savior!

“The people who walk in darkness
Will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land,
The light will shine on them.”
(Isaiah 9:2)