Sharing....

The snow,  and the snowman Kaela made after school that day, have melted, but I can share the photo!

Today, the sunshine is streaming in my windows, and it was good to go out and walk.  I love the feel of a chilly, fresh breeze in my face!   A year ago now I was ready to leave for Argentina.  It is summer there again, and preparations for conventions are beginning.   When I think of the summertime heat, I remember my friend's statement - "It is always better to be hot than cold".   Hmmm!   I will agree that it is better to be too warm than to feel too cold and not be able to do anything about it!  But, if it is the weather that is cold, I can dress for it.  The heat? well - a fan helps.   I'm not really looking forward to the months of winter ahead,  to frost and ice and more snow,    I've missed the last few Nebraska winters, so likely it's time to experience one with the rest of you, eh?

Sharing.....I looked around my pretty, newly painted and decorated rooms this morning with satisfaction.  Even  though there are new curtains yet to make, it does look nice!   Then the thought washed over me that it doesn't mean much to me if I can't share it.  For a short while, I can wrap myself in it, revel in the quietness, but the value soon fades.   There is a need in us - at least in some of us - to share; to share our ideas, our good thoughts, our burdens, our joys; our delights; to share our pictures, our experiences, our fears, our hopes, our frustrations. Isn't that why we write on a blog?  why we post on facebook?

I've spent time and thought the past few days writing a birthday letter and a New Year letter.  I write, and then the dscouraging feeling comes that they probably won't even read it - that it is "too much" or "not enough".  Maybe I shouldn't have written it; maybe I won't send it.  But, what if I don't?  What if I don't share my care, my love?  It could make a difference for one....even if others don't read it.

What about sharing our faith?  Sharing our love?  What if we don't?  What if the Gospel isn't shared, because most won't pay attention?  What difference does just one life given make?   But, what if it is not given?

Going back to my last post, I stopped before it was finished.  I stopped because I didn't know how to express my feelings about the days that followed.  I still don't know!  The messages at Bird City convention were great.  Afterward, my time in the home of Steve and Cynthia near Brush was memorable and so was my short visit in Brandie's home in Longmont.  I'd like to use a better word than "memorable", but some visits just cause us to feel a joy that is deeper than description.    Then, I flew from Denver to Bismark, North Dakota and  was at Mandan for convention.  My feelings, the messages and all that touched my heart there really are deeper than I can tell about.  Maybe it is best summed up by the verse brought out so clearly - I Timothy 1:5 "Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned".  Could I live that? Share that?

When I returned to Denver, a friend and I shared a couple days there before I came back to Nebraska - by way of Sidney and a delightful visit with family!  

Thanksgiving week came, and it was special to share the days and the holiday with my good friend in Columbia, Missouri!  I so seldom have the privilege of seeing her!  Since then, we've valued our Special Meetings in Nebraska, and the company that has come our way along with them.  Such wonderful sharing!  

Tomorrow is Christmas Day, and I look forward to sharing in the fellowship meeting in the morning - and time with family in the afternoon.  I wish all of you the very best as we go forward through the holidays and into 2012!