Hello family and friends from the frozen forests of Northern Idaho. Here's some evidence of all that's happened in the last 6 weeks.
You don't see this every day out your front window.
It dumped and dumped all through January and we shoveled and shoveled!
No, I didn't shovel all of this but I felt like I had! This was plowed at the end of our lane.
Our roof had built up about 2 feet before a a huge chunk broke off onto our porch. Thankfully not on our heads!
This could be lethal!
Haven't seen icicles like this since we were kids.
Our rental agency decided to send men to shovel the roof. Nice! However, after I went inside they shoveled off the side of the roof right onto our gravel driveway that I had just finished clearing. Heavy wet snow! Thanks a lot!
Backyard wonderland.
Isn't the church beautiful? I love the icicles and covered shrubs.
Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work we go...over the river and through the snow!
Walmart parking lot.
I guess they're taking it somewhere?
Gives new meaning to the phrase, "Blanket of snow!"
Most of the days have been like this. Gray, gray and more gray.
But occasionally, when the sun comes out (both days) it's postcard beautiful!
We have thankfully been able to summon up sunshine in our hearts for the most part. Our seminary students are bonding with us...finally. I think they have decided that rather than fight that quirky old couple, they'll join us! Truth is, I think they're finally feeling our love. And we do love them! We're learning so much! We just listened today to a CES broadcast with Elder Bednar. He taught all about receiving revelation and the mistake so many members make in thinking that in order to receive personal revelation, they have to experience some marvelous manifestation. Just because we don't have an amazing spiritual experience to share in Fast and Testimony Mtg. we think we're somehow unworthy. The truth he taught was that we are normal...it's the dreams and visions and angel visits that are rare. And those experiences don't usually convert anyway; it's the daily little things...trying to do our best to keep our covenants and stay on the path, and listening for that quiet nudge or impression or new thought...that constitute the revelation of our lives.
We don't have to check off a list of things to do to qualify to receive revelation...as members in good standing, not perfect but repenting and striving...it's with us every day. And we need to teach our students that they are likely receiving revelation daily as well and may not recognize it...looking for something out of the ordinary or grandiose. He asked this question of his audience of teachers, "What have your heard today that wasn't said?" (by me or by anyone else in the room.) Isn't that a great question? And then we invite them to act on what they heard. Hmm...lots to ponder. We're looking forward to doing our best to implement this in our classroom, hoping that our students may have a moment that they can hear and recognize the voice of the Spirit.
So onward and upward we cheerfully go,
Praying for Spring to come, not snow!
(It will come, eventually. But there is snow in the forecast for the next 10 days. Oh well...it is northern Idaho after all!) At least the wind doesn't blow! :)
And besides...all is well with our souls! Love to all!
Elder and Sister P.
