We have not had much snow in Richmond for several years. But, this year we have had more snow than in the past three combined! We had a storm come through just before Christmas that left over a foot of snow. This past weekend (January 30-31) we had another storm that dropped an additional foot of snow. This time the snow was a very dry powder. Then this weekend we had another storm come through; but more about that in tomorrow's blog.

The scene last Sunday morning, the day after the storm was serene and spectacular.

The tree in the cul-d-sac in front of our house was majestic.

The snow on top of the mailbox gives a good indication of the depth of the snow.

Our house was surrounded with a blanket of snow.

By Sunday afternoon the icicles were reaching five to six feet in length.

A storm like this in my part of the country (Virginia) has a way of bringing everything to a halt. I love a snow day as much as anyone does. Everyone stays home, neighbors get out and clean their driveways and help each other out. The beauty of the snow cover simply enhances the beauty of the day and gives you the feeling that everything is going to be OK.

But, there is another side to snow days. Small business owners really suffer. When the snow comes people stay home and business comes to a screeching halt. When the customers don't come, it is very hard to pay the rent and make a living. Another downside to snow days is that people do have accidents. I saw four of them today. Some were simply cars in the ditch. In other cases the cars were badly damaged.

Snow days are more than an extra day off and a chance to cozy up to the fire and eat some goodies. It is a time when many struggle and others suffer.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Romans 8:28-30