Wood Day

Sometimes I wonder why we ever put a woodstove in this house.  To be fair, it isn’t often; and certainly not when I’m sitting in front of the fire toasty warm enjoying my tea.  But I have to admit, when ‘wood day’ comes when the high is -25 C., I do wonder at the benefit of heating with wood.

Our wood supply lasts for a week.  And I try to pick good weather days to replenish the supply.  In fact, I did that just this week.  I chose the best day, as well as the best time of day.  It got up to a balmy -12 degrees.

But I hadn’t realized that last week’s blizzard had rearranged the snow.

I had to shovel my way in first, just to load the Ranger.

The good thing about snow shoveling, is that it helps me keep warm.  And loading those heavy birch logs helps, too.  Another good thing about snow shoveling and loading firewood, is that it’s a mindless task and I can think about other things (like Mexico, for instance!)  Actually, I thought about what I could share in this blog. 

In the book of Ruth, we read about an exemplary young widow who moved with her mother-in-law (also a widow), away from her own family into a foreign land.  Chapter 2 verse 7 tells us that Ruth ‘went into the field and worked steadily’. 

She, too, had a menial task, but she did it anyway.  If you go on to read about Ruth, you’ll learn that she had all kinds of great qualities besides being hardworking, she was loving, kind, faithful, and brave.  Oh, that I could be more like Ruth.

In less than an hour, I was loaded and on my way back.

And for a whole week, I’ll be able to sit in the warmth of the fire’s glow and forget about the chore on ‘wood day’.

But there will be other menial tasks; and I need to remember that it’s easier to tackle them with a thankful heart than a grumbling one.

Besides, maybe the next time the snow is re-arranged, it will be done by a Chinook.  I can hope!

Whoa...what a ride...

I can hardly believe December is here already. November just flew by.

Part of the blur was the cowboy's heart. It didn't want to work the way it should, and he landed in the hospital for 9 days.

There's nothing quite like an unexpected health scare, to cement some learning in my brain. Through this time, I learned:

1. To be thankful. I have some wonderful people in my world who helped in many ways (like feeding horses and cows, praying for us, and keeping in touch).

2. To trust. (in doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers, and mostly in my Heavenly Father.)

3. To cry. (when I forgot to trust)

4. To pray. (when I needed help to trust)

4. To laugh. (whenever I could) "A cheerful heart is good medicine" Proverbs 17:22

After the cowboy was home for a few days recuperating, he had an appointment with a dietitian. I tagged along to learn more about the food he should eat and what he should avoid. Like many Alberta ranchers, the cowboy loves his beef. I was relieved to hear the dietitian say that he could have steak, but the cut should be the size of the palm of her hand.

After we came home, we discussed the good news.

"She said," he exclaimed as he extended his hand, "I could have a piece this size. But she didn't say how thick." He laughed as he placed his other hand six inches above his outstretched palm.

"That would be called a roast," I giggled, "and you'd have to share that!"

I'm thankful the cowboy is feeling better.

And I'm so thankful for my loving Heavenly Father who meets all our needs.