Two weeks ago, we had a winter storm that nearly prevented us from going to my mom’s for Thanksgiving. The Lord allowed us to make it safely there and back, with no delays due to weather. The week after a vacation, though, is always weird. Suitcases – seven of them – are lying in odd places around the house, all of your good clothes are dirty, there’s no milk in the house, and the house has that stale smell. It’s just…weird. The Saturday of our return, I was feeling icky. My throat was scratchy and I was sneezing. I made it through my Sunday school class, but it was hard. I felt myself wanting to say, “You know, you guys are yawning and I’m feeling rotten, so how ’bout we just have a testimony time?” My only problem was that these first graders didn’t have a testimony, or perhaps didn’t even know what that meant, so I forged ahead. I was so thankful that I wasn’t scheduled to sing that day, because it probably would have been really terrible!

By Monday, I was worse. Terry graciously went to the store to buy groceries while I managed to do about three loads of laundry. By God’s grace I eeked through the week of school. I even got our tree set up and decorated, but I did it in phases. I hate it when I feel bad during the holidays! I love this time of year, but it requires energy, the one thing I was short on this week. I didn’t get to feeling better until Friday.

Oh! And by the end of the week, we had yet another winter storm warning. This time, it was worse. We didn’t get much accumulation, but we got about two inches of solid ice coating everything. We haven’t lost our electricity so far, and the kids have enjoyed sledding, so it’s been kind of nice! I have spent a lot of time sitting by the fire practicing my knitting, reading to the kids and writing blog posts! For the first time in my life, we had to cancel our Sunday (Dec.8) services due to weather! If last week was weird, this week will be even weirder! I’ve never missed church with my whole family, ever! Starting out a week like that is very strange indeed.

Today, I dressed up and went out for the first time since last Sunday! (Dec. 1) The side roads and parking lots are still *very* icy, so Terry drove me to Aldi and Walmart to do some shopping. We even made it to church to check on things there and ate lunch with some friends. I feel like a true member of society again!

Ice at the Aldi parking lot today.

Here are a few photos of the kids sledding down the side of the flood canal across the street from us. Terry also took them to a big hill at Cameron University to do some sledding, but I didn’t venture out to do that. 🙂

 Terry made a little sled for them, but it just wasn’t fast enough!

 Mitch enjoyed sliding around just on his feet. He’s a ham…just like his father. Right?

 The kids decided that my Rubbermaid container lids worked just fine!

 Matt went down slowly one time. 🙂

Then he was ready to come inside for some hot cocoa.

Lauren has just developed a pretty bad cold today. I’m afraid I passed it on to her. If you think of it, we would appreciate your prayers for her. I haven’t seen my church family for over a week, and I really miss them. I’m praying that the roads are all clear this Wednesday, and that everyone is well, so we can be in our places for church.

It’s been a weird week, but the Lord knew all about it before it arrived, and He knows about tomorrow, too. I’m so glad He is in control not just of the weather, but of my life.