Drive 4 days and ski 2, completely rational, right?

Well, skiing has been on my brain for about the past six months. After unsuccessfully trying to plan various trips, with less than two weeks notice my friend Liz and I decided, why not, and decided to head to NM over MLK weekend.

What a journey! Thursday I loaded up the cruiser with gear, cooler (lots of diet coke!), and dog, and headed NW for eight hours to Enid, OK. After a quick night's sleep, Liz and I headed out, driving eight more hours west to Angel Fire, NM.


Ah, arriving in the snow covered mountains! I sometimes wonder upon seeing the majestic landscapes across this earth how people can question if there is a God. I stand in awe of his varied creation.


Oh but I digress, skiing was a blast. I was definitely a bit out of shape, but enjoyed myself none the less, with only one silly fall on those silly catwalks. I was just cruising, watching out for slow kiddos in my path "making pizza's" and BOOM down I went. Apparently that day, the Lord decided he would work on my pride.....a long standing issue of mine that He and I periodically re-visit. Now, as most of you may know, I pride myself on being able to handle things on my own, so imagine how I felt when I could not get my danged ski boots on!! I pushed, I pulled, I walked around, and I finally had to ask this nice man to stretch them open for me. After he grunted a few times, I was able to get my feet in. So the story should end there, but alas, when I then go to put my Muck boots in a locker, guess who has no quarters? So then I have to suck it up and ask in my sweetest voice "Anybody have change for a $10?" Thankfully this nice man took pity on me and just gave me three quarters! The next day, facing the same boot dilemma, Liz discovered dog choke collars work brilliantly as ski-boot "getter-owners"!


All in all, though tired of driving (thank you audio books!) the trip was worthwhile. Gained back my ski legs, got in a great visit with an old friend, and watched my silly dog traipse through the snow and oops, "Don't eat the yellow snow!"


Be Blessed,
CRM

Surviving the Holidays

Well the holidays have come and gone, once again too quickly. The days were filled with family, food, and times of faith. As far as family goes, it was great to spend time with my immediate fam, aunts, uncles, and cousins. We had some serious chats, as well as some not so serious ones. In fact, our "Girls' movie night" Christmas night turned into "Oops the FIREPLACE!" as we failed to open the damper and smoked out the house.

For food, I think Momma Lu and I stayed in the Kitchen for two days straight. From divinity and pecan pies to sweet potato casserole and butterbeans, it was non-stop. At one point while the women were gathered in the kitchen, Aunt Jan commented on how presents and commercialization takes over Christmas. For me, this Christmas, cooking took over instead. Instead of focusing on the true meaning of the season, it seemed like we simply worried about making sure we had baked and cooked everything for everyone and then cleaned up perfectly behind ourselves. Perfection shouldn't be required, instead a simplicity and dedication to focusing on Christ's birth and its impact on the world is all that should be required. Why do we place other such burdens on ourselves?

Lastly, that brings me to faith. For me, the best part of Christmas is always the candlelight service at our church. The format never really changes from year to year, but there is comfort in the consistency. As the pastor reads through the various scripture surrounding Christ's birth, and the congregation sings corresponding hymns, a kind of peace settles in the soul. Knowing I am hearing words that have existed for centuries and knowing the majesty of the event has not diminished, never ceases to amaze me. Ending the service with lights dimmed and hushed voices singing "Silent Night" we all walk into the night, taking Christ's light to the world.

So, there you have it, my holiday synopsis. May you all be blessed until "The Season Rolls 'Round Again."