I realized last night, when meeting with a couple preparing for marriage, that I hadn't posted a blog in quite some time. They mentioned that they had been to my blog site, and, quite frankly, I was impressed - and a bit guilty that I have been 'away' so long.
As with most of your lives, it has been a virtual whirlwind recently. That freak October snow storm threw most of us for a loop, especially if you were without power for any amount of time. I was VERY fortunate in that we did not lose power, phone, or cable the entire time! But, understanding that all gifts we receive from the Lord are meant to be shared, I DID have 'tenants'. Mateusz spent more than his usual time here since the seminary was without power. My mom moved in, and spent her days cooking for 'a family' once again. It has been years since she had to do that. But, just like riding a bicycle, once you do it, you never forget. And we all appreciated having a hot meal at the end of the day. Another friend stayed, sleeping on the living room couch which pulls out into a bed. And some staff came by to use laundry facilities and get an occasional meal as well.
I also got 'very familiar' with the chainsaw, cutting branches, clearing brush, and stacking firewood to season at my mom's and a couple of friends'. We certainly were blessed with ideal weather for the clean-up, warm, dry days with few bugs.
I was amazed at how Mother Nature 'cleanses' herself every so often, and while we bemoan the lost trees and branches, alot of the vegetation will come back stronger than before. And while we certainly were inconvenienced in alot of ways - I drove for miles the Monday after the storm looking for gas, and finally had to wait 45 minutes to fill up - it was amazing how people pulled together and helped one another out in ways we usually don't see that frequently.
As Thanksgiving approached, I have things to be thankful for that I probably took for granted before. I have a renewed appreciation of the life of those who 'go without' day in and day out. And I have joints and muscles that still need time to recover.
