I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas!

So much snow!! I work in the Riverwoods, near the mouth of the canyon. It's a great place to work, except in the winter. It seems that we just get dumped on every single day.

Right now it is only 11:00am. It started snowing at 9:00am. So far we have a half a foot of NEW snow. We actually went out and measured the snow on my car to make sure. To document this event, we decided to take pictures out of our windows.

We are actually kinda worried that we aren't going to be able to get home tonight. Oh well.

Merry Christmas!!!

While the Enemy Assaileth...

I have been having some rough times lately. We have been going through some trials that have really put us through the wringer. Doubt, fear, and anxiety have been plaguing my mind and I have often felt myself faltering with the emotional and physical weight I feel has been placed upon me. It seems that all the powers of darkness have assembled themselves at my door and are simply waiting for me to give up. Unfortunately, instead of rousing my courage and fighting, I have felt my faith failing me and leaving me in a pit of despair.

This morning I began speaking with a friend who is engaged to be married. She was filled with all the usual fears and anxieties that most people have when they are doing something new and risky. As I offered my famous anti-anxiety advise, I realized that perhaps I needed to hear this more than she did. The words that tumbled out of my mouth were exactly what I myself needed to hear. I was relating to her the time when I was also engaged, and the how hardships that I faced assured me that Satan was pulling from all sides to bring us down. I also explained how I reacted to these trials. Recalling these experiences, I was brought face to face with a time when my faith was much stronger. The words I spoke to her were not from the current Anna, but from a younger, more faithful Anna.

The words were a testimony I have always had but had recently forgotten.

"This is where your trust in God really counts though. The way I see it, God knows what the future will bring. I know that if we stick close to Him, He will make sure that we are okay, no matter what happens."

Hearing this, I felt that a prayer had been answered, that I wasn't left alone in the cold of the world, but that perhaps I had just turned my back to the warmth of Our Savior.

At this time when so many are engulfed in the fears and the uncertainties of the world around us, let us remember to keep the faith and know that miracles are still happening daily. Even the small miracle of remembering past assurances was enough to make this day easier to face.