Snowmobiles Are Fun!

During our visit to Denver we took a day to go up into the mountains and introduce Avery (my grandson) to snowmobiling. It was a bright day with lots of blue sky and sunshine.

Avery was not sure what he was getting into. We took a few minutes to show him how to handle the controls.

The scenery was spectacular.

After three minutes on the snowmobile, Avery was right at home.

At one point we stopped while our guide helped dig a snowmobile out of a snowbank. When we drove up on the group the snowmobile was off the trail and upside down. The rider was sitting on the snow under a nearby tree. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

One of our stops was on the Continental Divide. Named that because water that flows east ends up in Atlantic and water that flows down the western slop ends up in the Pacific. Just to the left we could see Pike's Peak, at least sixty miles away.

Avery (in the red jacket) raced David around a circle for a few minutes.

Three generations of Riddells. Me, David and Avery.

The three of us had a great day together. It was a good time for some bonding. David and I had been snowmobiling together before, but Avery was stretching his comfort zone. He was very glad he did! We all love the mountains and the snow. There is something refreshing about being in that environment. Yes it was cold, but we had enough winter gear to stay comfortable and there is something cleansing about that cold fresh air.

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 3: 19

Hockey

Our son David is an avid hockey fan, he especially follows the Colorado Avalanche. For Christmas he gave us tickets to a game between the Avalanche and the Dallas Stars and the shirts to wear to the game.

David, left, Avery, our grandson, center and Charlotte.

Every game starts with the coin toss. Note there was an honorary youth member with the team that participated in the coin toss.

During breaks in the game the Chipotle blimp would come out and fly around the arena.

It was fascinating to see how much Dave was enjoying the event.

In hockey there are a lot of face offs. The referee throws the puck on the ice and the players try to get control of it.

Hockey is an action sport. The motion is constant. The action is so intense that players only play for a minute or two and change out to rest.

During the game there was plenty to watch besides hockey. Between the first and second quarter the mascot with some helpers took to the ice with a truck load of t-shirts to throw/shoot into the stands.

It was a fun night. I was amazed at the sheer joy David found in sharing his love of hockey. There was a lot of energy in the arena. The game was great too, the Avalanche won 4-1. I learned a lot about checking, icing and power plays. It was a great family night as well. It seemed to be a night for joy.

So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun. Ecclesiastes 8: 15

Another Snow Day

I am at Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY this week meeting with prospective missionaries. It started snowing around six this morning and snowed most of the day. As the sun sets there is a blanket of about three inches fresh snow that blankets everything in white. The storm seems to be breaking up just as the sun begins to set. Winds are forecast for tonight and a low temperature of 11 degrees on Friday morning.

The chapel is a beautiful under any circumstances, it is especially beautiful in the snow.

Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Psalm 51: 6-8

Christmas Journey Part 2

We flew to Dallas/Fort Worth but in order to save money on airline tickets we drove to Castle Rock, CO to spend Christmas with our son David. As we prepared to leave we learned that there was a snow storm headed our way. As we drove toward Quanah the snow started falling. The problem was near zero visibility at several points.

As we drove into Quanah a Highway Patrolman cautioned us about the road ahead. But we continued.

On two occasions we found eighteen wheelers that had jackknifed. In this case Charlotte was able to maneuver into the median to get around this situation. I was impressed with the way Charlotte handled driving in the snowy weather.

We also had to deal with strong winds. I have not heard an official word but I am guessing the wind was blowing at 45 to 50 miles an hour. We stopped at one point for some refreshments and our Grandson Avery was leaning to one side just to get back to the car. Fortunately the weather cleared by the time we made it to Amarillo and the rest of way was relatively easy.

As the sun went down we were on highway 50 headed into Pueblo, CO. We made it to Castle Rock at 7 PM.

We experienced two snow storms in less than a week. That is more snow than we have seen in the last two or three years all put together. Driving through this one was challenging. I was thankful that we made it through without major problems. The only vehicles we saw stuck or stranded were eighteen wheelers. I felt for those drivers. But, I was thankful that we were safely.

Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. Psalm 66: 8-10

Christmas Journey Day 1

Our plans over the Christmas holidays were to travel to Texas and Colorado to visit with family. We had our grandson Avery with us so that he would be able to spend Christmas with his dad.

Everything started out on schedule. We arrived at the airport 'Park and Ride' location at 5:30 for a 6:30 flight. It took a little longer than usual to get from the facility to the terminal. We went up to the check in counter at about 6 AM. We were informed that it was too late to check in for the flight to Dallas. We would be on standby for the 1:45 flight. Note, I have been flying out of the Richmond Airport for twenty seven years. That has never happened to me. I was not too happy with American!

Well the 1:45 flight was overbooked and we did not make that flight either. So we were placed on standby for the 6:45 PM flight. After waiting for twelve hours we made that flight.
It was a long day! There was some consolation. We happened to meet some others that had experienced the same kind of problem. One of those waited he did not make the 1:45 flight and then gave up to try again the next day.

Sometimes things just don't work out the way we plan them. We like to control events, but sometimes things are completely out of our control. Fortunately we had an extra day built into our schedule and things worked out OK this time. Years ago I read in a brochure that, "it is best to expect a little inconvenience when traveling internationally." I think now it is best to expect inconvenience whenever you travel! It is a good reminder that we really do not know what will happen tomorrow or the next day. We need to trust the Lord with all of our plans, He does know what will happen.

Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." James 4:13-15

SNOW!

Friday night we went Christmas shopping. It started snowing as we started, about 5 PM. It snowed through the night and most of Saturday. We have not had much snow in recent years and this was a real treat! The view outside of our side door.

The snow was very heavy for much of the night. Note the snow in the deck chairs. It was twice as deep by the next day.

The squirrel was on the rail of the stairs that lead to our side door.

The creek behind our home was beautiful.

This was a wet snow and it stuck to the tree branches.

The house on January CT has been our home for over twenty-five years.

My Nissan truck under normal circumstances looks rather large, but not when it is covered with snow. By the end of the day we had roughly twelve inches of snow on the ground.

Snow has an amazing effect on how everything appears. The blanket of white makes everything look pristine. It also forces us out of our normal routines. We have a chance to visit with neighbors as we clear our driveways. Ordinarily I am somewhat of a scrooge. I often feel that Christmas activities are a bit overdone. But Christmas shopping in the snow does have a way of making you a bit sentimental. But fresh snow is so pure and it seems to cover up a lot of ugly!

"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. Isaiah 1:18

Christmas with Sam and Allison

Saturday night Sam and Allison invited a group of their friends over for a Christmas party. It was a wonderful time and Sam and Allison obviously enjoy entertaining. Shawn, Farris and Janine helped serve everyone. Sam operates the Daily Grind a coffee shop in the Short Pump area.

Allison was relaxed in spite of feeding a good sized group of people.

The meal started with spanakopita and was followed with roasted lamb, rice with pine nuts green beans and tadziki sauce.

Then they served desert. Yes they were as good as they look and I did indulge!

I was excited to get a picture of Bill Bangham. As a professional photographer, he is usually on the other side of the camera.

Barbra and her husband Jay operate 'Dream Dinners.'

Edna is one of the regulars at the the Daily Grind. she was concerned about the wrinkles. My thought was they show character.

Shanon really was excited about the cup cakes. She enjoyed the hummus as well.

Michael and Anna served as short term missionaries, Michael in Colombia and Anna in Venzuela. They were married two months ago. About two years ago, they were in training and spent a lot of time (along with several others) hanging out at the Daily Grind. When training was over, they got together and gave Sam a bible with their favorite scriptures highlighted. Sam and Allison were deeply moved by their gift and started reading the bible.

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1: 3-6