It's the Little Things

It is the dead of winter and my thermometer reads -20° outside. It's actually a bit warmer than it has been. The sun has shown its face and we are on the upside where we are gaining daylight rather than losing it. Today I walked home with my son and we both looked like jack frost by the time we reached the house. Frosty eyelashes and eyebrows, rosy cheeks and completely layered with the puffiest of coats, mittens, hats and scarves, that is the life we live this time of year. Granted, it may take us a good 15-20 min. to get all our gear on, but when it includes skating, or skiing or sledding or even snowmobiling, it's totally worth it!

During these winter months Carlon will go into town for meetings every now and then. It is then up to me to "hold down the fort" while he is away. Inevitably, something goes awry almost as soon as Carlon flies away. In keeping with that tradition, this time was no different. I began doing laundry and wouldn't you know it, the light was out. Thus began my attempt to do laundry with my head lamp on. I'm sure I was a sorry sight! Shortly after, I went to check the laundry and the load was still damp. The propane tank was out. Go figure. Thankfully our good friend came to the rescue and switched the tank out. So back to doing laundry with my headlamp.

We( I use this term loosely, because I had nothing to do with it) recently installed a wood stove in our home. It has been a nice addition. Carlon has been maintaining it and keeping it running for us. We have been toasty warm thanks to it. Well, when he left, so did the fire. I know absolutely nothing about wood stoves, lighting a fire, keeping a fire going, or anything. When the kids and I returned home we decided it was a bit cold. So, I decided to figure out how to start a fire (my Alaskan friends are probably rolling their eyes at me and dying of laughter at this point, it is VERY common for the women out here to have knowledge and know-how regarding this). So thanks to YouTube, and constant advice from my son, we got the fire going! I felt like Tom Hanks dancing for joy in Castaway when he finally got the fire going. I too danced for joy, while my children laughed at me. I didn't care. Fire!

All this to say, I'm thankful for my husband and all he does. I'm thankful for sweet neighbors who help out. And I'm thankful the Lord continues stretch me and make me learn and grow, even when it comes to building a fire. It's the little things in life that bring a smile, or crazy dancing, or laughter. I'm so glad God cares about those little things too.