Below Zero

 

Below Zero

 

Here it is, almost to the end of February. The days are getting longer although it is still dark before supper. There are signs that spring is not all that far away. I saw an article in our local paper that someone spotted a robin in town. An early bird who has a good chance of not finding any worms.

 

However, the past week found us in the deep freeze. For the first time in two years the thermometer dipped below zero for almost a week. Trees groaned under the heavy weight of snow. Plenty of ice under a thin layer of fresh snow made driving and walking treacherous. I was almost out of breath just getting dressed to venture out: heavy boots, parka, scarf, lumberjack cap and mitts. I wasn’t going to freeze just to get the mail.

 

Our forced air furnace at home worked like a champ. In weather like this it pays off to have the furnace cleaned and checked in August. Almost nonstop blowing warm air for the past two months. I kept praying that the power won’t go off and the furnace break down.

 

The church on the other hand was having a hard time of it. First our old wall furnace in the hallway stopped working while the Montessori school was in session. After my son Tim tore it apart, he discovered the intake and exhaust vent were struggling to keep up with demand leaving ice and condensation in the line.

 

Having that back in working order, the sanctuary furnace decided to quit. Kasey, our associate pastor, got down in the crawl space and gave the furnace a couple of hard taps and it started up. The next day the furnace man came and did a more professional repair. Just when I thought we had everything solved the Montessori teacher called to say the vacuum cleaner wasn’t working.

 

I found this bit of wisdom on the Internet. Thought I would share it with you:

 

“If you choose not to find joy in the snow and cold, you will have less joy in your life but still the same amount of snow and cold.”