Sunday, December 21, 2008

A Weather Bulletin

Snow and more snow. Storms and ice and slushy driving. The weather outside is frightful, as the song goes- but it's wonderful inside my home. The four of us have been holed up at home, ever since Alex arrived (on Christmas break from college) at midnight, Thursday night, at our local airport. We drove home and had hot chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese sandwiches at 1am and talked until 2am and then we crashed in our beds.

I woke up the next morning grinning from ear to ear: my boy was home safe and sound. And then the next snow storm hit- but it didn't matter. Our fridge was stocked, Alex was asleep in bed, the power stayed on, and we were all together.

From one snowstorm to the next, it's all a blur to me as to which storm I'm in the middle of: the first storm (an onslaught of ice and freezing rain) we lost power, the second storm hit right after Alex arrived, and then this morning it was so bad that even local churches cancelled services. I think this is the third storm. But it won't be the last- that I know for sure.

Last night I slept to the sound of pouring rain- even though it wasn't raining outside. My best friend, Mu, bought me an interesting Christmas present that just shows how well she knows me. It's one of those noise machines that have different sounds you can choose from: the sound of a waterfall, the sound of a heartbeat (that one is a bit scary sounding), the sound of birds in a forest, the sound of rain pouring down. I chose the rain.

I've always loved the sound of rain as long as I am indoors and dry and warm when the sound of rain is occurring. Mu knows I am a light sleeper and that this noise machine could help me relax. It did. I slept like a log last night. I slept through all that rain. And then woke up to another blast of snow and whiteout and frost and cold.

But it's all good- cause I keep getting through every storm; and lately,even, with a smile on my face.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lauren, it has been a pleasure to share in your journey over the last year. You were a speaker at our women's retreat last March (?). I have just loved continuing to hear God speak through you and your perspective in the midst of your struggles and smiles.
I wanted to share a prayer request with you, because I feel like you would appreciate the request. Thanks ahead of time:
My little brother just returned home from his first semester at school and upon his arrival home, he told my parents that he has been having horrible headaches while away- sometimes he has a hard time walking, and is disoriented. He is scheduled for a cat scan tomorrow at 11am. I would just appreciate your prayers for his heart and body. He is such a sweet young man, and seems to be flourishing at school. Please also pray for my husband and I as we talk with him by phone and see him for Christmas.
Thanks Lauren. Thank you for listening to us, and sharing.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your heart this past year....for all that you've given in the way of beautifully written ponderings or great revelations. May God bless you in the coming year and may His hand continue to be with you as you write!
Love,
Mu

A prayer for the young man going for a CAT scan....Through the healing power of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray for a good report and for the end of all symptoms of discomfort for this young man...we ask for this in His holy and precious name, Jesus!

LAUREN at Faith Fuel said...

Dear Retreat-friend-
I will most certainly pray for your brother! He is the same age as my son and at the same place in life- just discovering a new world through life at college. And I will pray that his wonderful discoveries of life and God's love will continue and be bright with hope and health. He will be on my heart and in my prayers.

By the way, stay tuned for blog posts about prayer and fasting.

Robin said...

we got our son home inbetween bouts of snow and flight cancellations too!
he plans to drive back...Lord help me.
hugs~

LAUREN at Faith Fuel said...

Robin-
e-mail me when he's ready to drive back 'cause I'll be ready to pray with you for a safe trip there! I'm with you on this!