This Indiana girl is COLD...a lesson in humility.

It's snowing and it is a whole 0°F outside but it feels like -40°F.

To brave the blustery winds, I will start 10 minutes before my anticipated departure to adequately turn myself into a ferocious-looking black blob. My knee high rubber boots are on, my 100% wool pea-coat is buttoned all the way to the 4th button, my face is wrapped like a present in my scarf (all but the necessary slit to see through), and my toboggan and gloves are put into place. As I open the door, I take a deep breath and pull the hood of my pea-coat over my most alarming and suddenly enlarged head. The wind having anticipated all this, eagerly awaits me and it greets me excitedly by blowing me back into the room with a happy-cold welcome. I recover by making my body rigid and doggedly lean forward to plod on out into the blustery graces of the day.

As I move along, I meet another blob on the way to my intended location but since neither blob can no longer recognize who the other is, we pass and greet each other with a stifled grunt and move on our way. The wind eagerly seeks out any exposed skin and since the only part exposed is the small slit in my scarf, my eyes are greeted with cold slaps; causing my eyes to water and my gloved hand to wipe sporadically at the wet, almost iced tears. I shove my hand back into my pocket and plod on, hoping that this seemingly long journey will pass if only my rubber boots can hurry to the intended entryway of warm bliss.

Since it took 10 minutes to ready myself, the only logical amount of time in removing my costume would be...10 minutes. After removing my scarf, hat, and gloves I shove the items into the pockets of my hanging coat and proceed to remove my boots. The removal of the boots is the tricky part of this procedure because puddles of melted snow litter the entryway. I am wearing my warmest socks and I do not wish to soil or cause any unnecessary discomfort to my already warm toes by having them shocked to the point of curling, if I place them into a puddle of icy/melting slush.
I expertly and strategically maneuver my way around the maze of lingering liquid and confidently proceed to the foyer door. I catch a glimpse of a strange creature in the mirror before entering and to my horrified dismay, I see myself. The locks of my hair look as if they were subjected to the introduction of a wind tunnel and are no longer put into place just right (I spent half an hour doing that), my eyeliner is streaked across my cheek from the sporadic wiping, and my red nose looks like I borrowed it from a clowns circus. My hands jump into attention and masterfully push down, straighten, wipe, and blot. The confidence level is seriously depleted at this point and I grab the last ounce of courage and humbly plod through the door. I enter and self-consciously look around only to notice that everyone milling about in the room is in the same state. They sympathetically give each another the same look - the look that say's, "you poor thing, you look terrible." With my humility and confidence in place I continue on to my intended destination, determined to see this day through no matter what I look like!

From all this I have learned that the cold, snow and wind are one of God's tools that teach those of us who might listen, humility for ourselves and a GREAT dose of respect for the people who actually settled up here in the first place! :)

The one who longs for You

Oh how sweet are the words of Your mouth.

They captivate me and draw me to the place where Understanding abides.

Like a gentle, calm spring rain, they sooth me as a well versed sonnet.

Oh how my soul expands when Your words reach my ear.

With restless yearnings I desire more.

Your sweet dew on my lips is nourishment to my bones.

How lovely are You, oh my Sweet.

With beautiful guidance You transform my being into the actions Your words speak.

What dreadful powers You have, yet You wield them not against me.

By Your words, You moisten and harden my bones to Your will.

Oh how I long to do Your bidding.

Excitedly I wait at Your door, expecting You to draw me in.

What glorious things await me there.

Oh see how I place You high.

Call me, beckon me come in.

I long for Your touch.

Your sweet aroma fills my nostrils as I breathe in Your embrace.

Sweet, lovely Savior be my lover, my husband, my soul.

-The one who longs for You.
11-24-08

By Ginger Hunt

Welcome to my first blog.

I have never been much of a writer but for some reason or another this seemed like a good idea.
The Lord has given me a voice and although I may not be completely confident in my writing abilities, the revelations and thoughts need to be shared.

So to start things out right, I would like to pray a blessing over this blog site.

Father in Heaven, I pray that the words which You spoke from the beginning into my ear, will go forth and produce fruit. I thank You that "the words which you have spoken shall not return to you unfinished." Isaiah 55:11 And the "good work which you started will not go unfinished until Your return."Ephesians 2:10 I thank you most Holy Father.

"Now I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, For Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named [that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name]. May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].

May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];
[That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!

Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--
To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it)." Ephesians 3:14-21