Selah=pause....

Winter continued. There are still little bits of it here and there, but I am glad to announce that our five day forecast has 2 days whose temps begin with the number 7. :)

We've had a few more slow days. This bug has really been a bugger, so to speak. Joshua still isn't eating too much, although he does have most of his energy back. Nick has really had a difficult time shaking it. We were thankful for the few days that post was closed because it gave him a break from school and work. He worked some yesterday but ended up calling in sick today. I love having him around, but I'm praying that he can kick this thing for good soon.

I've been reading a lot lately about waiting. About not rushing out of whatever circumstance I am in and instead looking for God's purpose in it. Sometimes it's easier than others. One particularly rough night Joshua tearfully asked me, "Why doesn't God just heal me? I asked Him to!" That's hard to explain when even I struggle with that sometimes. As parents we try to protect our children from unnecessary suffering. The most comforting thing for Joshua as he dealt with his pains and discomfort was being next to me, having me hold him and gently rub his back.
So is all suffering that God allows necessary? Perhaps. It definitely can be used for His purposes. But sin is what brought suffering into the world. And ultimately sin is what causes our pain. Maybe not my personal sin, but sin itself. The sin inherent in all mankind. And when God does allow us to suffer, even as we pray for relief, we have to take time to look for His purposes. Not be in a rush to get out of the pain at the risk of missing the peace that comes from being held through it. And maybe that in itself is the blessing. The pause.

The braved the cold and ice 

pound cake

And, as a teaser for next time, we did celebrate Valentine's Day this week. And as a matter of fact, this blog post is being written on one of my gifts. 

I've got some pretty good guys.

Lost its shine...

Last week the squeals of delight could be heard throughout the neighborhood. "A snow day!! Let's play!!"

Yesterday was a decidedly different scene. Schools let out early in anticipation of winter storm Pax (when did they start naming winter storms, by the way? I just noticed it..) and instead of giddy, eager children rushing from the bus into their houses to grab their boots, it was a somber affair. They silently trudged into their houses and we didn't see them again. This is the South, after all. A snow day (or two) is awesome, but let's not overdo it....

We got about 4 inches of snow yesterday. It was pretty snow-fluffy flakes blowing around before they settled. The ground is warm (it was 60 degrees two days ago!) so the streets and sidewalks stayed clear. Post closed an hour early in case the roads iced up and remains closed today at the forecast of ice. 

The flu bug has mostly moved on out-just in time for some fun. The boys took the pup to the parade field to play and reported they were the only ones there. Apparently Thelma Lou makes a great sled dog, too, which I am sorry I missed.

I didn't go outside yesterday once the snow started so I don't have many pictures-and honestly, even making "snowstorm food" has kind of lost its lustre. Nobody has had much of an appetite for the past several days so we went with a mild beef stew and cornbread for dinner. Warm and healthy-full of fresh veggies.

It is pretty outside, though...

And the finches are eating well. We have to refill that feeder every day. I'm thinking about limiting our restaurant hours and requiring reservations....

I'll report back as soon as we see what the next round of storms brings!

Blessing in the storm

The Glory In Waiting

by Vanessa Davis Griggs

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:3–5

In our microwave, instant-messaging, drive-through-window, cell-phone world, one thing many of us are not great at is patience. More succinctly: we hate to wait. Yet in reality, many hurry up to wait. We want what we want and we want it yesterday!

When going through tribulations, we naturally want our trials to quickly be over and done. But let us learn to go through whatever’s before us (the good and bad) with joy, knowing that what the enemy may have intended for evil, God can and will use it for our good. Glory in the wait with the knowledge that, in the end, something good will come.

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Fighting the bug

Well after a fun week, and with no warning whatsoever, a nasty stomach bug has hit. Joshua has had the worst of it so far. He was fine Friday evening-we went to to see Frozen again (don't judge...) and sometime in the middle of the night things went downhill fast. 

He ended up missing his Valentine's Day party and his children's group at church will reschedule their special music tonight since he won't be able to be there to sing his solo. 

But things are starting to look up. Nick is feeling puny, but hasn't taken the nosedive into full-blown invalid yet. I am compulsively washing my hands every few minutes, and Dad is keeping busy with things outside. :) 

There are not many pictures you would be interested in seeing---trust me. 

Here are a couple of the better ones:

Thelma Lou loves the extra washing day!

And everyone who is currently upright is getting a healthy dose of vitamins! 

Hanging in there...