Snowbow Surprise

Good morning everyone!

This morning has been filled with surprises. Pipes in the kitchen....frozen. Gee, I wonder why? Oh, yes, -15 degrees might do that. So, the woodstove is going full force to get things warmed up a bit. My Bible reading this morning was sweetness to my soul. I am reading in Proverbs and could type out all of the first few chapters, but I that would take more time than I have.

Proverbs 4:1-9

1 "Hear, my children , the instruction of a father,

And give attention to know understanding;

2For I give you good doctrine:

Do not forsake my law.

3When I was my father's son,

Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,

4He also taught me, and said to me:

"Let your heart retain my words;

Keep my commands, and live.

5Get wisdom! Get understanding!

Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

6Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;

Love her, and she will keep you.

7Wisdom is the principal thing;

Therefore get wisdom.

And in all your getting, get understanding.

8Exalt her, and she will promote you;

9She will place on your head an ornament of grace;

A crown of glory she will deliver to you."

I could go on, but we'll leave it at that. I like how this passage mentions in verse 2 that it is His doctrine. How far have we come that different denominations have their own doctrine? Whose doctrine was it in the beginning of time? And He is saying that He gave us "good" doctrine which is what we should live by. What is that doctrine?.....to not forget His laws, retain His words, and keep His commands. As we do these things, gaining wisdom and understanding through knowing and obeying these things, we will receive that ornament of grace upon our heads. And in gaining wisdom and understanding we will be kept and preserved. Isn't He gracious and faithful to those who desire His ways! It's so encouraging!

Jonathon has a new job. It's been a couple of weeks now but just haven't gotten around to posting anything about it. He is now working for Culligan in Sturgis, selling water softner systems. So far it is going good and he feels like this could be a long term thing. It has been a blessing the past 6 months having him home more, but only because we had a reserve saved to keep us afloat financially. I encourage all of you to make sure you are not spending all that you earn on useless and careless things, taking care to save in case of trial. It has spared us some stress and struggle.

The last little surprise we had this morning was seeing a snowbow out the window. It appeared in the east and went straight up into the sky. Here is a picture that isn't very clear but hopefully you can all see it. We went to Breakfast with the Birds at Maple Wood Nature Center in LaGrange awhile back and learned about rainbows, so what a joy to get to see a real snowbow. Of course the picture is taken through the window because of the ridiculous temperatures, but you can get somewhat of the effect.

Can you see it? It's in the middle of the picture with the sun off to the right side.

Hope you are all staying warm with these cold temps. It sure makes me thankful for all that we have. And we know that in a few more months, we will all be glad to be back out side, planting our gardens and flower beds. Oh, and having a baby for this household. Can't forget that!