Midweek Blessing

And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

                                   --Philippians 4:19

My handsome boy Rain

This may sound silly but I've been super blessed this week, and not just once but TWICE, with TWO snow days. It's very rare that the state allows its workers off for inclement weather but God knew just what I needed and dumped about 5-6 inches of snow on Southeast Kansas (up north they got about 13 inches!). Some people laugh when they hear we got snow days just because of 5 inches of snow but when you live somewhere that does not see the white stuff very often, doesn't have decent equipment to clear the roads, and live in an area where it's mostly back roads that wouldn't see the snowplows anyways, it makes sense that we pretty much shut down. Plus, I will take what I can get! God knew that the last few weeks of work have really been rough, that I was feeling a little anxious, stressed, and down about my job. He knew I was getting to the end of my rope and needed a break.

Yesterday was not that cold with it being in the 20s so we were able to enjoy sledding. Today, James and I took a walk outside into the fields behind our house but it was almost -17 with wind shield so that did not last long. But the sun was shining, the earth looked clean and white, the birds were singing, and I was smiling. And to think I only have two days left this week to work!

I've been able to get more sleep, relaxation, NO stress, amazing amounts of cuddle time with my man, and have fun sledding, drinking coffee, making muffins, etc. Oh and blog twice in a week about SNOW. But more than that I have been able to find a Spiritual blessing. God has given me extra time to focus not only on the magnificent beauty of His creation but on bettering my prayer life and giving me more time to sit and read the Bible, growing in ways that I have not been the best at keeping up with lately.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,                                                                                                         --Ephesians 1:3

One reason I have slacked off with blogging in the last few months is because I have begun keeping a journal again. I've always kept a handwritten journal over the years, or kept a travel journal when I go new places. But I'm doing it differently now. I focus my time on the blessings from each day as well as what I've been reading in the Bible. Yes, I still write about funny or memorable things that happen day to day, but I am also able to just write a short sentence of God's blessings or a Bible verse that I came across that is encouraging. It keeps me accountable with focusing on God's blessings as well as keeping a regular prayer life and finding time each day to read from the Bible. I love blogging but sometimes I have to prioritize my already busy, long, and hectic days. Some days I wish I could stay home and blog, journal, and read all day but I also like being a Social Worker and having a full time job. One day I will be a morning person, getting up at 4:30am and find the energy to do all those listed above and more (well, here's to hoping because I'm definitely NOT a morning person!).

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

                                                    --James 1:17

I want to encourage whoever is reading this to look for the blessings each day, thank God for everything He is giving you, and to know and believe that He knows just what you need and when you need it. God is good, not just in the easy and "blessed" times but in all circumstances we are placed in. Remember that my friends! :)

May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. 

                                                    --Psalms 20:4

Sunday Funday

A few weeks ago it snowed and we were able to enjoy a Sunday full of sledding (a.k.a freezing our faces off!), hot cocoa, and relaxing. We only got about 4 inches of snow but with the wind shield it was almost -10 degrees outside! I've never been sledding where my whole face hurt so bad within minutes because the wind and snow instantly froze my face. And I mean HURT...so bad...I only went down the hill twice on the sled and I was over that idea! The wind was so strong that one of the biggest hills in the area (that's saying something since KS is mostly flat! Oh, did I mention it was a man-made hill by the resevoir??) that we wanted to sled down had NO snow on it because the wind took the snow and whipped it up over the road and across the frozen lake.

Most of the pictures are from up near the Reservoir about 2 miles behind our house. We ended up sledding down a hill on the other side of the reservoir that actually had snow left on it because the hill was blocking the wind.

 

 

 

 

 

                                            


Once we got home we let the kitties out to play in the snow. Neo had a blast and Rain thought it was alright but Indy was not so happy. He ended up hiding under one of the old buildings and wouldn't come out. When he finally did he wouldn't walk back to the house. He looked so pitiful so I was nice and carried him back.

 

Rain was chasing James back into the house

Our snowy back yard

The wind was whipping snow across the back fields

Snow Angel anyone??

Yea, I was excited :)

Indy was desperate to get out of the snow

Indy's hiding spot

Seeing as our groundhog friend came out and saw his shadow today, I am sure we shall see some more snow in the next 6 weeks..unfortunately...until then, stay warm my friends!