White Day after Christmas

What a difference a day makes! We had beautiful, clear, blue skies yesterday … and today ….

a *white day after Christmas*. It is indeed, rare, that Oklahoma has a snow whiteout but we enjoyed one today. This was the view looking toward our front pond.

I’m hoping you had a wonderful Christmas Day. I’m praying that you had warm and happy times with family and friends, but most of all that you experienced the true joy of our Savior’s birth and the eternal gift he provided for each of us.

Mrs. Claus

I had an added joy this Christmas. I got to be *Mrs. Claus*. : )

A devoted Dad braved going into a local yarn shop on a sale day. He asked if anyone could possibly knit a pair of mittens for his 7 yr. old daughter in time for Christmas. His little daughter had *pink mittens hand knit by Mrs. Claus* as her main request for Christmas this year. With no knitters in their family or circle of friends, the call for help went out. I was thrilled to respond!

His wife picked out the yarn, and I did the knitting. I hope these mittens made her happy on Christmas day.

Our Choice

We had a different type of Christmas this year with our dear children. We decided to focus much less on material gifts and focus on the things that are really meaningful with each other. We exchanged small gifts. But, the biggest and best gift we have given each other is a complete day with each other. Each of us gets to spend an entire day with one of the others doing the activity of their choice, and vice versa. So, we each get 2 days with each other! Our time together is much more dear than any material gift. We’ll get to know each other better and enjoy each other’s company doing fun activities. We all think it’s our best choice ever! I’m hoping this becomes a new family tradition.

More Snow

And, for your enjoyment, more pictures of snow on our Oklahoma farm.

Look closely under the tree in the picture above. That’s little Lily, our young black and tan, smooth coated Dachshund that loves playing in the snow. She’s the only one of our dogs that willingly goes out in this weather. She loves it! Of course, she doesn’t stay out very long. ; )

Another view toward the back pasture to the SW. That isn’t fog, it’s all snow … whiteout snow!

And, a view out of our front window toward our neighbor’s gate.

I pray for safety, health, and the blessing of knowing our Savior in your heart in this coming year. I also pray your snow is beautiful and your roads are safe and that your heart is warm and content.

Your Friend,

Shelly

NIV

Psalm 51:6-10

6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;
you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.