sore but not broken

snowman hugs

With the coming of November, we found ourselves surrounded by winter’s best friend – SNOW. We had a very wet and warm summer, so we have been expecting more snow this year... this fall, winter and spring. And here it is!

We have both been riding and walking carefully, as the roads and sidewalks are often more like ice-skating rinks than roadways. We’ve both fallen down while riding, and thankfully gotten back up. We are sore, but not broken. We have hope that we will survive! haha!

church members move the snow

Wintertime means a slower pace of life. It takes longer to buy things, to travel anywhere as well as to think. Yes, when it’s colder, sometimes our brain is just slower too. We are getting comfortable with doing less in 24 hours and being thankful for our students who shovel and sweep the campus, the workers who keep our apartment complex snow-free, and the various workers throughout the city who shovel, drive machines and carry snow all hours of the day and night.

students practice self introductions

The cold temps also bring the burning of more coal. The air is always filled with smoke, except when it’s blown out by strong winds. We diligently wear masks, but our lungs still take a beating. Krista had a cold and cough for more than 5 weeks. Sometimes Pres just feels generally blah. Our students are sick with coughs and sore throats, but they continue on despite the challenges they face. We are proud of them. And we are thankful that we can pray for them. Father God is our healer and provider!

Winter also makes us more tired and less patient. We pray daily for more strength and compassion as we teach our classes and help students “learn to learn.” There is only 1 month left in the term. We are thankful for God’s mercy and grace as He often puts smiles on our faces as we reflect the enthusiasm we find in our students’ faces. The love in our heart comes from a good God and we pray that we always reflect His Truth and Love in our words and actions. It’s a meaningful winter.