Distraction, forgetfulness, and stress themed this December at the Hobbs' house.  Christmas was neither front nor center.  Family things happened, business things happened, personal things happened...and didn't happen.  In summary, our minds were worn out and I didn't even care enough to decorate for Christmas (Dan didn't either, but that's normal for him).  Could it really be only 2 weeks to Christmas?

I decided to take Christmas for what it really is: a celebration of Christ's birth.  Honestly, to relax my mind, body, and soul enough to enjoy my family's company and remember that night would to me be joy realized.

With that resolution I went on with head higher.  My tasks can be done.  My heart can bear what it needs, to love.  I walked into my Bible study of women (all stressed out from Christmas) and received acceptance, understanding, motivation, and prayer.  Now, with hope and camaraderie I moved forward.

And moving forward, Christmas found me.  In my chance meetings of friends at the store, good messages on Christmas cards, letting Eddy give to a man ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, receiving a box of oranges from a relative, and kind words from loved ones. That birth so long ago in the middle east really did revolutionize the world...and continues to change the world as far as Christ is "born" in the hearts of mankind.  Yes, I am beginning to feel the holiday.

As I write this, the snow begins to flutter down.  The house is getting cleaner and prettier and more festive as the day winds down and points to the arrival of Dan's parents.  That's another thing: the arrival of family.

Look and see Christ around you, and have a very merry Christmas.

Looming weather forecasts all week, leading up to Eddy's anticipated weekend at Aunty Lindsey's.  We headed out a bit anxious of what was before us, but the storm held off long enough to get Eddy safely to Rochester, and the two of us safely to our farm home in Afton.  That night was calm, and lovely.  A long snowy walk in a field, talk of carols and sleighs and mice scampering by, a swing on the tire, a snow battle, and a warm fire inside.

The next day was a bit more threatening.  Snow and more snow, until we were worried about our planned drive to Eau Claire for a dinner party and serving at church in the morning.  A bit more time and our worries were put at rest.  No, the storm did not calm down: it got worse!  Our dinner party called to cancel on us, and church emailed throughout the evening to say, 1st) Saturday night service canceled, 2nd) Sunday morning services canceled, 3rd) Sunday night meeting canceled.  Off the hook there!  We had only to stay snuggled inside and wait for the sun.

On TV was only news and weather, and the very important rescheduling of the Vikings game on account of the weather.  A thousand stranded travelers slept at the airport that night.  Plows and trucks and cars lodged themselves into snow banks and ditches all across the state.  The hired plow guy (and every other plow) worked all night, even stopping at our driveway 3 times throughout the night.  But the morning sun brought the biggest surprise.

A veritable sea of white had swallowed the ground we once knew.  Swirls and tide pools and huge crested waves gleamed in the light.  Tables and stairs and benches and anything else outdoors seemed to be sinking.  It was beautiful, and shocking, and awe inspiring, and exciting -- especially when we saw on the news that it was the biggest snowfall around here on record.  When you yourself are safe and warm, you can't help but smile at being part of history like that.  I, personally, have been wanting a little more snow.  Well, I got it.

We surveyed the damage and work and heroic rescue scenes on our way back down to Rochester.  Many roads still harbored a thick layer of snow to be navigated.  Snow so often blew across the highways that there were often hidden ice tracks, from all the previous travelers.  Vehicles of every kind littered the sides of the roads.  We got to Lindsey's and the "snow mountain" the kids liked to slide on had tripled in size.  We greeted the family, gathered Eddy, and headed back toward Eau Claire.  We could only guess what would be in store for us there.

There were wheel tracks through a somewhat plowed end of the driveway, until we got to where it split between our neighbor's house and ours.  There we saw a wall.  The wind chill was so cold Dan didn't want me to even carry Eddy through the snow to our house.  We drove to the neighbors and he walked to find the tractor.  About an hour later he called us home, with only a very narrow tunnel to get the car through.  We got to the house and he stayed out half the night plowing, coming in to warm up, going back out.  The next morning saw him out again on the plow, and Eddy and me with our shovels doing the walks, and porches, and everything else covered in snow.

Now with extra winter insulation, cool snow walls around each path, and gigantic mountains, we can warm up and enjoy the bounty God has given us this year.  I'm pretty sure it will be a white Christmas.