Reminders from The Blizzard of Oz

We have had a very mild winters as far as Kansas winters can go, but this winter did not end without a typically unpredictable snow storm which has now been named The Blizzard Of Oz!

This blizzard has afforded me four days off of work and has brought some important reminders that I had forgotten recently. So here are the top 10 things I was reminded of...

10. Unexpected extra time off of work is ALWAYS a blessing and God seems to know exactly when I need this time even when I do not know it myself.

9. It is ok to not be busy all the time. It is ok to spend a day without being productive.

8. I really enjoy cooking and baking! In the midst of the busyness of the school year, I do not take time to cook or bake for enjoyment. I was able to do this and not have to hurry! Pics below!

Made soup from a recipe book from my favorite lunch spot, Tanya's Soup Kitchen!

Homemade chocolate chip cookies with M&Ms! These were the best batch I've ever made!

Chicken Tortilla Soup is the best soup and so EASY to make! Yum!

7. I need to blog more regularly. It is kind of theraputic for me. I am not a great writer, but since I am both an internal and external processor (meet my parents so you understand why I am both), blogging is a way for me to accomplish both ways of processing. I have a few blog posts circling around in my head... hopefully I will make a point to blog a bit more often as things slow down in the next few weeks.

6. This winter has been really busy with working on my master's, working at basketball games two nights a week and working through the adoption paperwork so I am looking forward to the spring more than normal. It took this Blizzard of Oz for me to look back at this winter and realize just how fast it has gone and how much I have been doing. God has been good to sustain me during this time!

5. I am an extrovert, but not as much as I used to be. I'm sure you've all done some kind of personality test to see if you are an extrovert or introvert. I always score as an extrovert but not as extremely as I did in high school or college. It has been nice to be at home and not do much through these snow days, but after a few days I got a bit stir crazy and needed some social interaction.

4. I get the privilege of working with some incredible students. I am so blessed to get to work with high school students and see them grow up and mature. A few of my favorite students stopped by today and "decorated" my yard! They bring a smile to my face!

Making Betty the Baker snow-woman! Amy & Mandy were supervising!

3. I do really LOVE my job. This time away has caused me to actually miss it. At times of great frustration and disappointment at work, it is hard for me to not get lost in the things that minimize why I am there. Being away from my job for these four snow days but six days total has allowed me time to refocus and rejuvenate. I work with some great people and teach some great students (see #4 above)! As a colleague reminds me often, I can't let other people's WHAT keep me from accomplishing my WHY in what I do each day.

2. My husband is a ROCKSTAR! He shoveled our driveway probably six or more times in the course of this Blizzard of Oz and never complained. Aside from his snow shoveling powers, he is a great person to be "stuck" at home with, but it never feels like we are stuck actually. He is patient and understanding as he deals with my many quirks. As we walk this long road through the adoption process, I am grateful he is the one on this journey with me. We have learned much already, have accomplished much, but still have much to learn and a long wait ahead. He makes waiting a bit easier. He is going to be a really good dad too!

1. Snow is beautiful and WHITE! Changes the scenery from dingy brown, dry winter to a beautiful snowy winter wonderland! What a great picture of what Christ's sacrifice does to cover our sins!  Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool."