Doesn't It Take Your Breath Away?

We've gotten a lot of snow here since Friday night.  It just sort of came in bits.  Some Friday, some Saturday, some Sunday, and even more on Monday.

Having been in a car accident involving icy roads several years ago, there's always that feeling of trepidation when I know I have to go out and brave snowy and icy roads.  Not to mention that 180 turnaround I took on the ice about a month ago.  It's so nerve-wracking.

At church on Sunday the topic of snow came up and it was suggested by someone that it is blasphemous to complain about the weather.  I'm not certain if that falls under the definition of blasphemy, but the person does have a point in that God creates the weather.  To complain about it is to complain against God.

That's been on my mind today as I watched big, fluffy snowflakes fall from the sky.  It was really quite lovely to look at.  I guess the only thing that's difficult about the snow is being able to drive safely in it.  Why can't I appreciate it more?

I knew there was a particular reference to snow in the Bible that would speak directly to God's design in the weather, and I looked it up this morning.  We find it in Job 37:6-13...

For He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth'; Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength. He seals the hand of every man, That all men may know His work. The beasts go into dens, And remain in their lairs.  From the chamber of the south comes the whirlwind, And cold from the scattering winds of the north. By the breath of God ice is given, And the broad waters are frozen.  Also with moisture He saturates the thick clouds; He scatters His bright clouds.  And they swirl about, being turned by His guidance, That they may do whatever He commands them On the face of the whole earth. He causes it to come, Whether for correction, Or for His land, Or for mercy.

I don't know about you, but those verses stop my mouth.  Almost takes my breath away to think of it.  Can you picture God breathing out and forming ice?  Can you imagine the whirlwind coming from the south by His guiding hand?  He speaks to the snow, and it falls.  Such beautiful words, a description of the origin of weather elements.  It's amazing.

I think I want to spend more time taking in the beauty of nature and stand in awe of my powerful God who created such things, rather than complaining.

*Photo courtesy of Microsoft Office clip art.

How's the Weather?

You all might be encouraged to learn that the temperature actually got up to 22 degrees today.  It may have gotten even warmer than that, but that was the highest reading that I happened to catch on the TV. 

Some roads around here are still scary to drive, depending on the time of day.  Since we've received snow on a fairly consistent basis for days on end AND with the temperatures being as cold as they've been, the roads are snow covered and slick.  In the city we live in, we have a very hilly area.  It just so happens that I have to drive up and down a hill that is quite long, in order to get to work, church, the grocery store, and back.  It's scary to drive it, if it hasn't been sanded.

I didn't tell you about how I did a 180 in my car the other day.  I had just exited the church drive and pulled into traffic, on my way to the store at the corner to buy snow boots of all things.  I hit black ice immediately, tried to pump the brakes to no avail, and started heading sideways toward the two cars in front of me.  It was either hit them or direct my car to a hopefully safer area to careen into, so I opted for the latter.  I turned my steering wheel in the direction of the side of the road, and sure enough, my car spun around and I landed in a snow bank.

Not fun!  In order to calm my nerves I kept telling myself that at least I wasn't in an accident, and I was fine.  It still shakes you up, when you lose control of your car, though.  Thank the Lord, He took care of getting me out of the snow bank when a kind man pulled over and brought his shovel to dig the snow out from behind my tires.  It didn't take but a couple minutes, and I was able to back my car out and head on down the road.

By the way, I did buy some snow boots.  You'll probably think I'm nuts when I tell you that I haven't had a pair in years.  I don't even remember the last time I had them.  Since I've been wearing them the last two days, I'm now wondering... HOW ON EARTH DID I EVER LIVE WITHOUT THEM?  They keep my feet so protected from the snow and cold.  What a concept!  I think I will never be without them again.

So how is winter in your neck of the woods?

Global Warming? What-ev-er!

I'm wondering something.  Have I mentioned anything about the weather this week here in northern Indiana?

No?  Not at all?

Well, let me tell ya then....

It's STINKIN' COOOOOOLD here!!!!!

You just have no idea, especially if you live in Texas or Florida and it only gets down to 50.  Puh-leeeeeaase!  Put on a sweatshirt, for crying out loud, and don't tell me how cold you are.  (I mean that with all the kindness and brotherly love that a Hoosier can muster.)

It's absolutely freezing here, people!  We met a record low of -19 this morning.  I think it maybe, might have, could have possibly reached a whopping 3 degrees this afternoon sometime between 2:30 and 2:34 p.m. 

On a more positive note, the sun was shining.  But unfortunately the sun does not help with the temperature.  Cloud cover creates a blanket effect, which will warm things up a bit.  Sounds like clouds may be moving in tonight, and they're calling for a high of 15 tomorrow.  Woot!

That might actually feel like a heat wave after the last two days we've had.  Oh, one can only hope.

2/18/08 - Snow Again

2/18/08 - Snow Again
Originally uploaded by discoveringliz

Anybody else tired of snow? Seems like we've had snow every other day for the whole winter. This is what it has looked like off and on today in my neck of the woods (northern Indiana).

I guess I haven't been paying too much attention to weather forecasts because I didn't know we were going to get snow today. I looked out my office window at 9:00 and saw this scene, obviously to my surprise. My first thought was, "Ugh!!! More snow?" But then my mind immediately went to my "year in photos," and if that didn't just brighten my day. I quickly ran outside to snap a couple pictures.

Yeah, I'm crazy like that.

Snow Is Not the Only Thing Falling

We've been despising...er...uh...reveling in all the snow here in Indiana. I think there's about 12 inches here in our neck of the woods. It's very beautiful, but traffic was horrendous tonight just because of the roads. Seems like it really got packed down, and it's created some very slippery conditions.

I am a very cautious person when it comes to walking on snow and ice. I will walk as slowly as possible to avoid an embarrassing spill. So last night when I went to church I decided to wear my boots. They're high-heeled, mind you, but I figured they'd keep my feet warm better than a loafer. I had no troubles whatsoever getting around the parking lot.

But I never expected I would slip and fall the moment I stepped into my house!!! Seems the soles of my boots were still wet, and as I stepped onto the linoleum at the back door.... BAM! down I went! It sure felt like minutes passed before Rich came to check on me. How could he not feel the house shake as my big butt hit the floor? I laughed at the absurdity of the situation, but it hurt badly. Butt throbbing. Hands stinging. Ouchy!

I still feel sore today, but it's nothing like I imagined it might be. I thought I might crawl out of bed this morning and hobble through my day with a limp. Thankfully, though, no hobbling has been necessary.

Stinkin' boots!