The Quiet and Cozy Nights of Winter

Tonight is a quiet night in the 26.  My roomate is out somewhere...and I am staying in.  I went on a 2 mile jog because I have not been out since friday...oops.  In my defense, I got struck with a bad cold and slept most of Saturday and Sunday, Monday is a rest day :) so I started right back in where I left off.  I was bummed though, because Sunday completed part 1 of my 3 part training.  I am REALLY excited because I can run farther than they told me I should be able to at this point, and I think that is an accomplishment!

I know it has been a month since my last post...but today has been an exceptional day...and I thought that I should share with some of my readers.  I fear that as you read you will not see what is so special about today.  To be honest, nothing REALLY special or significant happened...but the Lord granted me unending joy in ALL circumstances. My day started like most Tuesdays, but this morning I was meeting with my good friend Stephanie.  (we changed our meeting day from wed to tues.) I went to her cozy home and when I walked in, it felt like a home.  You know the feeling, like you are truley welcomed there and you feel like the person that lives there WANTS you to feel comfortable and to make yourself at home.  Then we had a conversation, much like many others we have had where we talk about life and what we are learning.  WHEN I left I felt refreshed...like you should after coffee and conversation with a best friend.

Then I went to work, greeted my coworkers and got busy.  Just doing my job when a 95 year old man called and asked me to come out and talk to him and his wife. This is not an extrodinary event, but I got the privilege to meet extrodinary people.  I don't think they would call themselves that, and she did not bond with me like he did.  There was something about him, something intriguing, something sweet that made me want to hug him and never leave his presence until I heard his whole life story.  I learned about taking care of bee hives, and how his parents met.  I learned of a love between him and his wife that has lasted nearly 70 years.  I saw pain as he talked about his son battling cancer.  I learned all of this while he was interviewing me about the services my company provides.  He was real, and I think he was excited to have someone listen.  I was glad to be that person.  He said to me, "I think your job is not one that would be done unless it was a calling, Rianne, is this your calling?" "Yes, sir, I do believe it is." "You can use this as a mission field." "Yes."
When I got up to leave he said, "Rianne, we have several more interviews to do, but regardless of who we go with, you are now a friend and welcome back anytime." What a sweet visit, one I will not soon forget. I LOVE MY JOB!

Then I called my mom, and realized how jazzed I am for the season.  She asked why to which I proceeded to talk for a solid 10 mins without taking a breath about all the fun things that are coming up and how we are celebrating.  Here are a FEW of the highlights: all the Van Wyk's will be around which equals a loud rowdy get together full of much laughter and horsing around.  Christmas morning is one of my favorite mornings of all time!  THEN my family is going to minnesota to ring in the new year...and then on January 1 we will be doing the Polar Dash 5K/10K.  Talk about cold...and a little crazy...but FUN!  This doesn't mention all the anticipation for christmas, holiday parties with co-workers and friends, and christmas shopping, and fires in the fireplace with a christmas movie.  But mostly just the anticipation for the anniversary of one of the GREATEST EVENTS IN HISTORY...the birth of the SAVIOR!

I recently read the Christmas story and was captivated by how the reactions of the people in the christmas story were very human reactions.  The word 'afraid' is used a lot.  And if you think about it they are afraid first when they see the angels, and second when they are given their mission.  Isn't that interesting, how often does God call us to do something and our first reaction is fear?!  What causes that?  Fear that we aren't certain it was God telling us to do it? Fear it isn't right?  Fear that we are not equipped?  Whatever the reason the angels ALWAYS follow it up with "Do not be afraid." I think that is how we can know God is equipping us with certian tasks, when we become fearful of hearing the news, and then immediately we are reassured to not be afraid.  Fear is not of God, which I think is why He instructs us NOT to be that.

Well, I think I have gone on long enough, and it is time to poke the fire before it goes out...