Really Great Neighbors

I had some surgery two and a half weeks ago (hernia repair). The surgeon was very specific about not lifting anything heavier than ten pounds for two weeks. One week later we were waiting for a storm that would drop twelve inches of snow on Richmond. Ordinarily I would get out and clear the driveway, but not this time! In anticipation of the storm I called one of our neighbors to see if I could hire their sons to clear our driveway. Well the whole family showed up the next day to start the project!

Jeffrey worked hard on the project.

The snow was so dry and light that Robinette was able to use a leaf blower to clear the stairs that lead to our side door.

The next day, Jeff, another neighbor helped clear some of the crusted snow around the driveway apron.

A week later we had another five inches of snow on the ground. I started clearing away some of the snow and withing five minutes two families were politely pushing me to one side. Jeff (a different Jeff) Lee, Sue, Robinette, Jeffrey, Benjamin and Rudy the dog were all pitching in. It was awesome and I was grateful!

It really is good to have such good neighbors. It has always been hard to let people do things for me. One of the things my mother once told me was, "Jim, sometimes you need to let people be good to you." She was right.

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. ...Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4: 14, 17-19

Snow Again

This weekend we had a different kind of storm. It snowed most of the day on Friday, but the temperature stayed around 32 degrees so there were several inches of snow but most of it melted during the day. Then it rained most of the night. Early in the morning the rain turned to snow again, it snowed rest of the day.

With the overnight rain, the trees were wet and the snow started sticking to the trees.

Charlotte ventured out for a few minutes to check out the snow.

As the snow continued the trees turned white.

Our house with another blanket of white.

As the day progressed the snow continued to fall.

By Sunday morning the view outside our bathroom window revealed a winter wonderland.

With all of the snow, many are saying they are tired of it, not me. I still love the way the snow covers everything. Everything gets very quiet. It is beautiful and peaceful.

He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.
He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast?
He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.
He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel.

Psalm 147: 16-19

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

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