100th post, Winter is here...

hard to believe i've published 99 previous posts to date on this blog. i've been at this for a few years, certainly more intentional the first year or two. on this momentous occasion the topic of the day is Winter. we finally (it almost waited until DEC but the first string hit late NOV) had our first bout with blustery winds and what most people refer to as the Winter Wonderland. it's currently 19 degrees outside as i type this and that's without the wind chill factor. i'm not complaining, it's actually a relief to have a reason to layer clothing once again. the jury's still out on this one but i've been wired this way since i was a little kid. i really enjoy the sweater over a thermal shirt, over a t-shirt look for one reason or another. i guess it might have something to do with the fact that my Mom often said "you can always take off what you have on but you can't add what you don't have." i seem to recall several times in my youth where i tested this theory of removing clothing, however if memory serves me correctly it was for different reasons altogether. i don't know that my Mom ever expected this type of mischief but it sure was fun to get a rise out of her now and again.

well, BJ will be 3 years young at the end of March '08. this means a multitude of things but as it pertains to the topic at hand, i believe it means a LOT of snowman building this season. he's at that age where ice forts and the like will also be incorporated, or so i suspect. snow angels will definitely be a hit again this year, however this time we'll shoot for covered grass areas instead of pavement. it seems to be more forgiving on the snowsuit, and those things cost quite a bit now days. i'm also looking forward to taking our most recent antics of indoor tackle football to the outdoor arena. BJ loves it when he succeeds in bringing Daddy to his back with one of those powerful tackling techniques he seemed to learn overnight.
we're not much for hanging with the neighbors but maybe the fact that BJ is big enough to require less dependence will lure them over to check things out a bit further. it's not that we're antisocial or anything, rather up to this point all eyes had to be focused ahead, not far from BJ and his curiosity and that didn't make for very good company to others. i believe now they will (even though their kids are much older) be able to at least jump over the yards and street that separate us and potentially have some good neighborhood fun.

personally, this has been an intense period for ministry. i'm 1/3 of the way to my goal of getting this ministry funded, in order to completely transition to the "field" and do the work. it's been a significant challenge but certainly one that has bore much fruit. it's always nice to see the labor of love come to fruition, or at least take shape in it's infancy period. i want to take a moment to thank the few readers of this blog for their encouragement. it's pleasant to know that somebody else wishes me well on this journey and i don't take any of that support for granted.

BJ and i have another date with the local minor hockey club this weekend. i took him for the first time a few weeks ago and it was an absolute blast. he even managed to take home a game used puck, something i didn't experience until at least my 3rd or 4th game as a kid. i'm thankful for the kind hearts of the players, that they would notice my son closely looking onward and take a moment to share something with him. those are the kind of moments that restore hope to an otherwise tested world, they bring a different sense of compassion to the forefront.

may all of you find further peace and understanding as this year comes to a close. may you be surprised when you least expect it, find time to share a heartfelt moment or two with a perfect stranger, and most of all... take comfort in the fact that you are indeed loved and cherished.