Life with the P-Ds

As I write this snow is falling again!  I thought by now that some of the novelty of this “winter wonderland” would be wearing off as I have become a veteran of shoveling our walkway, driving carefully, layering my clothes, and wiping my shoes to get all the salt off.  I’ve always like the practice of taking off one’s shoes when entering someone’s home.  But living in Northeast Ohio I’ve learned that it’s more than just honoring the host — it’s a necessity to avoid tromping snow all through someone’s home!

Still, winter is a season that brings a particular warmth that we don’t find in other seasons.  In the other three seasons we are warmed from the outside.  The sun gives us not only light, but heat that makes spring, summer and fall enjoyable seasons to be outside.  But not so much in winter.  The warmth comes from inside our homes, inside our offices, inside our heavy coats!  There is something particularly cozy about a warming winter fire in the fireplace, or the heavy feel of blankets and comforters on our beds.

Which makes me ponder about the particular spiritual beauty of winter.  There is beauty, to be sure, in the stark landscapes of winter.  But there is an even deeper beauty – beauty that comes from the inner warming places.  We are warmed and comforted by our families and families of choice (you know, those families we create that transcend blood relationships) – those people who accept us in just as we are.  We are warmed by “home” and all that it means to be home.  And, if we dare consider the possibility, we are strangely warmed by the very Spirit of God within us.

Warmed from the inside.  Not a bad image to keep before us as we face the cold of winter ahead of us… 

modified from an article written for the Pioneer Post

the newsletter of Pioneer Memorial Presbyterian Church

It’s nothing compared to Oswego, NY, but for these Southerners (Southern California, Atlanta) WINTER has enveloped us in Northeast Ohio!  We’ve had snow on the ground now for over a month, and the current storm is dumping 16″ – 24″ of new snow on us.  We’re new enough to it, though, that it’s still a fun adventure and we’re having a great time with the snow!  Here are a few shots from this morning (and yes, it’s still snowing and will snow most of the day!):

Our back door this morning — and there’s an 8″ step down to get on the deck!

 Yep, that’s 23″ of snow!

Opened the garage door — had an 8″ wall of snow that had been up against the door, then the 2.5-foot accumulation around the car.  Don’t think volvo is going anywhere today! 

Katie up to her knees… and she’s standing on packed snow, not the driveway!

Katie – Northeast Ohio Snow Bunny!

No school today — another “snow day” — and Katie’s excited about a day off from school!  We’ll probably play in the snow this afternoon, maybe even a little sledding!

 Any of you Californians or Atlantans are certainly welcome to come join us!

  Rancho el Paraiso (mg photo)

I learned the news last night.  3 members of a mission team from the Atlanta area were killed while riding in a truck on their way to a village in rural Honduras.  I’ve been in those trucks and on those roads.  My prayers continue … the families of those who lost their lives, those injured, the mission team, the staff at the Ranch and the HOI staff in Decatur, the churches involved…

As people of faith we are called to live out God’s love and justice in the world.  For me, that call is reflected when Jesus opens the scroll and reads the words from the prophet Isaiah:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4)

Even though I speak of the risk involved when we head out on a trip, the reality of the news is a gut punch.  I remember a conversation Jeff and I had with a member of a congregation regarding insurance issues surrounding youth ministry.  He was requesting that we never leave the church grounds due to the liability involved.  Jeff and I listened (as best we could!).  We understood where he was coming from.  It was his job to make sure we were “covered.” It was a matter of perspective and we attempted to explain that ministry – following God’s call – was inherently risky.  Although we would do all we could to insure the safety of the young people we were working with, staying on the church grounds was really not an option. 

I continue to hear those concerns and I bet they are intensified after the news today.  “That’s why we shouldn’t be going to foreign countries to do mission work – besides, there is plenty to do in our own neighborhoods.”  Yep, that’s true – there is plenty to do in our own neighborhoods but to stay “home” because it is “safe” is denying the risk that is involved in any act of life much less faith!

But we can’t stop doing what God is calling us to do – wherever that might be.

The Church is called to undertake this mission even at the risk of losing its life, trusting in God alone as the author and giver of life, sharing the gospel, and doing those deeds in the world that point beyond themselves to the new reality in Christ.  (Book of Order, PCUSA, G-3.0400)

The life of Christ – is there any better example of the risks involved in being faithful?  Of course, we’ll set limits.  Some of us have higher risk thresholds than others.  Life in community demands that we listen to the concerns and desires of each member and discern God’s voice.  We will continue to hold each other accountable and live within the constructs of human organizations but we can’t turn inward because of this news. 

Measure the risks but don’t lose sight of who is calling us and what we are called to do.

It was -6 degrees when we got up today.  It’s now a balmy -4!!!  And we really are learning about “wind chill.”

Kaitlin has another “extreme cold” day — the schools are closed.  Apparently it’s been about 7 years since they’ve had ANY “snow days” or “extreme cold days” in the Solon schools.  It’s not that they can’t have school — it’s that it’s dangerously cold for children to stand at bus stops to get to school.  So Katie and I are having a Daddy-Daughter Day today!!!

And I thought we were moving to Northeast Ohio, not the Artic Tundra!!!  <grin>

 It’s COLD!!!!!  Current weather:

School has been cancelled tomorrow due to “extreme cold.”  I don’t think that ever happened in Southern California or Atlanta!

Ok, so you know it had to happen…  With mountains of snow piling up on our walkways, driveway and all around us, you KNOW that there would have to be “toy” acquisitions!  And I’m not talking about sleds or cross country skis (though we do have those, too).  No, I’m talking about REAL toys.  POWER TOOLS!!!

Yep, I bought a SNOW BLOWER!!!  (aka Snow “Thrower”)  A Honda HS520.  A full 5 horsepower, 20-inch, snow blowing BEAST.   Ok, so maybe not a beast, but it’s a whole lot more fun (power tool) and faster than the snow shovel.

 Here she is:

 Katie is almost as excited about it as I am.  Daddy’s girl!!!

And yes, it’s REALLY cold out there!!!  Working on the sidewalk…

Of course, there is always work to do with the snow shovel.  Katie likes that, too, so I bought one for her — one that’s her own size!  Of course she had to try it out as soon as she got home from school today…  Of course I think she is the cutest and best dressed snow shoveler in Northeast Ohio (she wanted to wear a skirt and tights to school today — brrrrr!!!).

We’re in for a tough weekend.  Lake Erie isn’t frozen yet, so we’re still getting slammed by the “lake effect snow.”  Once the lake freezes, there is far less snow apparently.  This weekend we’re supposed to get lots more snow and even colder temps — Sunday’s high is supposed to be 7 degrees, with a low of 2.  That’s without wind chill.  Brrrr!!!

The reality is that we’re still loving the snow and winter experience.  Come March we’ll probably be ready for it to be over, but for now it’s all part of the great adventure!