Diamonds in the Rough

He giveth snow like wool; he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. Psalm 147:16,17

Ever since we moved from Arizona to Minnesota, my blog has taken a hit.  Everything has changed, and there should be so much to say, but blogging just hasn't been at the top of my list these couple of years.  I think of Shani, who moved from Phoenix to the Chicago area maybe three years ago -- you know what it's like, don't you, Shani?  

It has been a good move for us.  To my kids, Arizona was home. They spent more than half their lives in the desert, in the same house, at the same church, with the same people that we love. I never had that experience growing up. Other than our time in Arizona, the longest I ever lived at one address was four years. You'd think I'd been a military kid or something, but that was not the case.  My kids, though, are in the Lord's Army, and where God tells a preacher dad to go, his family goes with him. One of the girls is sometimes very homesick for our previous church family. For another, it has taken some adjustment to go from having a good friend the same age to having one that is 82 years old.  :)  (I think this is precious!)  And one refuses to speak Minnesotan.  But for the most part, I think we are all reasonably content here, even the man I married, who said, "Good riddance!" when we left this, his home state, years ago. He has changed his mind and decided that he does like Minnesota, after all (all except for the VERY liberal political climate of the Cities). This is where people understand Minnesota-speak and Minnesota-think.  I am not from around here, but after being married to a Minnesotan for almost 25 years, I think I do pretty well translating into real English most of the time.

I write from home this Sunday morning, as we are having a snow day from church. We're expecting upwards of 15" of beautiful, redemption-reminder snow, along with high winds and dangerous wind chills.  None of the other people in our close little group was venturing out this morning anyway, so Pastor did not feel guilty canceling. We had church in our living room, complete with anthems and a good message on walking in the Spirit from Galatians 5. Women are to be silent in the church, and if we have any questions, we are to ask our husbands at home, but as my preacher is also my husband and we ARE at home, the service was interrupted a few times.

Elisabeth became a teenager yesterday. I don't know what all the fuss is about raising teenagers. I have three of the most wonderful young women living in my home, and I trust, another to follow in a few years.  These girls are such a blessing to me. Though it's true you can't tell their voices apart on the phone, each of them is vastly different from her sisters, each one a complement to the others' personalities. At one time Betz was a self-centered, shy little princess who screamed and cried and wrathfully took refuge under chairs when anyone looked at her. If that time of her life is the only time you ever met her, you would not know her now. She has become a joyful, confident, helpful, capable young lady. She has befriended many older people at the nursing home and she looks for ways to bless them. She organized a vocal and instrumental concert to perform with her sisters a couple weeks ago, and agreed for all of them to do a repeat performance for a birthday party for one of the residents. She can present the gospel of Jesus to a friend quite clearly and completely. It has been my joy to watch my Betsy grow, and I don't mean physically. She is becoming a bigger and greater blessing each year. :)

Betsy's hair, with her new FlexiClip and a new style.

Very grown up. :)

It is such a homey and cozy day here with the beautiful snow falling and falling and falling, a family I love, popcorn popping, and hot chocolate warming our hands. All I need now is a nice, soft fleece blanket and a little nap. 

And this is the end of my update, because my girls want to read my post, and I won't let them until I am finished. :)  

Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow?

Job 38:22