It snowed here today…but I actually took these photos before Christmas. I am not a huge fan of winter. A little winter is okay. Being snowed in a few days is always fun. But it doesn’t take very long before I am longing for warmer days. Longing for a change.
There is so much joy and beauty that can be found in these winter days that aren’t really my favorite. Just look at the faces of those sweet boys! It is so easy for me to just dwell on all the things I don’t like about it. We’ve been walking through some really tough days as a family recently. Days that we started to question God’s plan. Days that the waiting was long and hard. And days that we had to continue to choose to trust God even when we were scared. We are coming out of this “winter” season in our family and I am so ready for some change…even just a little normalcy. But I don’t want to close the door on these days without remembering the joy and beauty that God has graciously weaved throughout. God has been doing a work in my family this year and I am so thankful for that. I love that we serve a God who takes the really hard things in our lives and redeems them. And I can’t wait to share with you what He has been teaching me the past few months…if I ever find time to write them in a blog post. 😉
Mary Ann - I love the photos of those adorable faces. Kids and snow just go together, don’t they?? We’ve been lucky in Utah this winter. We had a white Christmas and a week of extremely cold temps afterward. But then…well, we’ve had record warm days since the first of the year. There is a little storm that came through over the weekend and a few more little storms on the way. The mountains just 15 minutes away from Salt Lake City have plenty of snow for skiing/snowboarding, all the while we only got rain in the valley. Perfect winter in my book. I’m so sorry you’ve had some difficulties in your life recently. I hope things will right themselves and you will find answers to your questions or problems. I’ve been dealing with a major health issue in my life for the past 5 months. The worst is over and hopefully I will live a long and productive life. I am living proof that prayers will bring peace, take away the fear and leave only comfort. I will pray for you and your family my young friend. Take care.
andrea - we’ve been praying for your family!
Debbie H. - Hi Jess, Will be praying for you my friend! We live in CO and I feel the same about winter. A little snow is OK, but I like it best when I know it’s on the way OUT and we can enjoy warmer days again! Love seeing your pictures and will look forward to an update soon! Tough times have a way of moving us closer to God if we let them, and that’s always a GOOD thing, even though there are days when we wonder IF we will survive. My family has been through some unsettling time recently with a move to another home. My kids are all adopted and this is the only home they remember, so it’s been difficult. We are really in the THICK of things now, needing to be all moved in just a week, and CO weather is not cooperating…SNOW here too! (((HUGS))) LOVE and PRAYERS for all of you today and everyday.
Lea - Jess, what a precious post that shows your heart for God. Yes, God can use the winter days of our lives for our good and His glory. I can’t wait to hear more. Blessings to you!
Stefanie - Such beautiful pictures! You can see the joy on their faces!
Diana - Just read your last two posts in inverted order as I was catching up and I wonder if you realize how prophetic this one was about the days you didn’t know yet were coming. Beautiful. God is good.