Snow

For the past few days, they said that snow was going to come. We knew this was coming. I had my doubts due to the multiple times that storms are imminent, and then the winds change and it snows everywhere EXCEPT Bloomington-Normal, but this time, the winds didn't change. By 3pm yesterday, it was technically, a blizzard, big, wet snowflakes and high winds. 

Everything for the afternoon and evening began to be cancelled. Officials were calling everyone to stay off of the roads.

Our Christmas dinner was scheduled for 5:30. 

 I was so excited for the first snow, I really was. I was smiling and giddy as the first flakes fell. I had a problem though. In that giddiness, there was a nagging in my heart. They were out there. 

Back in August, I met some people who live in tents. These aren't just "homeless people", they are Russ, Will, Michigan, DD, Faith, Chris, Julie...the list goes on. They were out there. My friends were outside in the snow. 

I considered rescheduling the dinner for a moment, but as I thought about how that conversation would go...

Hey DD, we aren't going to be able to have the dinner tonight. You know, the one where we planned to bless you with a warm meal, new gloves, hand warmers, coats, heaters, blankets, etc. Yeah, well, it's too cold and the roads are dangerous, so...

...I quickly realized that wasn't going to happen.

Instead, I called Dave and said, "We can't wait until 5:30. Go over there and pick up everyone you can find." 

Within an hour, Dave had a van-full. I had to borrow my friend's van to get the kids and I to the church.

We had a wonderful warm dinner. There was plenty for everyone.

We gave gifts.

There were tears as we handed them personalized stockings. Beautiful.

There was laughter as the guy with no teeth pulled a toothbrush out of said stocking.

There were tears when they opened “just what they needed”.

There was amazement when they opened “how did you know I needed that?”

God is so good.

He has brought us to this place, to these relationships. We will continue to walk with Him and honor Him.

As if that dinner weren't enough, we ended the night with a giant slumber party at our house. I slept so well knowing that everyone I love was warm and safe.