The One with the Night Sleds

Sometimes I surprise myself.

When I think something is impossible or too difficult, I get it done.

Actually, I think my God gets it done through me.

Just being honest.

This morning was testimony to that.

Remember how I was given a cassette tape last night at 6pm?

With a song that I'd never heard before.

Which I was asked to sing el solo this morning.

In church.

I listened to it twice.

Sang it through many times. With the vocalist.

Many times.

Then I worked on it with accompaniment only.

I thought I had it down so I went to bed hoping it wouldn't fall out of my brain overnight.

It didn't.

I must have been singing it all night or something.

Because I had all the words memorized when I woke up.

I sang it in the shower.

And while I was getting ready.

And it went off without a hitch.

I was seriously shocked.

Because even at Christmastime when I sang "O Holy Night" there was a time or two that my voice cracked and I was quite disappointed in myself.

But I'm easily disappointed with myself.

So that's not saying much.

But this morning I was proud.

I think God was smiling.

The words of the song meant something to me.

All who sail the sea of faith

Find out before too long

How quickly blue skies can grow dark

And gentle winds grow strong.

Suddenly fear is like white water

Pounding on the soul,

Still we sail on knowing

That our Lord is in control.

Sometimes He calms the storm

With a whispered, "Peace be still."

He can settle any sea

But it doesn't mean He will.

Sometimes He holds us close

And lets the wind and waves go wild.

Sometimes He calms the storm

And other times He calms His child.

He has a reason for each trial

That we pass through in life.

And though we're shaken

We cannot be pulled apart from Christ.

No matter how the driving rain beats down

On those who hold to faith,

A heart of trust will always

Be a quiet peaceful place.

Thanks, Scott Krippayne, for writing the words of my story.

They struck me at my core.

After church was our monthly potluck.

I brought some homemade bread.

It made people happy.

The Texas sheet cake made me happy.

As did sitting with the B family.

We had some great talks with them.

And lots of laughs as is typical.

I love them.

And I love that their daughter is one of our girls.

And it was just good times.

Tonight we planned a last minute sled riding trip to a local park.

The teens were totally stoked.

At least the three I mentioned it to were.

I didn't know if anyone would show up.

But suddenly 5:30 rolled around and there seventeen kids in my entryway.

"Holy crap!" I exclaimed.

Yes, I seriously did.

There were at least 5 teens I had never met before.

It was sweet.

We headed to the park and got right down to business.

It was stinking freezing.

The cold wind was permeating our skin.

Burning.

And the darkness made for an interesting ride.

But we still managed to have a blast.

We plan on taking another trip next Sunday.

Only a bit earlier in the day.

So we can see where we're going.

Now there is one thing I have to say about this sledding experience.

It was nothing compared to LSP in my hometown.

Seriously.

I didn't realize how good I had it.

Living one of the Great Lakes and all.

Two miles away, actually.

But that park had a.m.azing hills.

And tons of them.

And they weren't manmade.

You just had to watch out for the occasional tree.

So many good memories there.

With the S family.

Sue. She was such a trooper of a mom.

And my sis Ash (Bash) and Tim(my) and Nathan (Nater Tater) and Hannah (Banana).

Hours and hours and hours of sledding.

And then the hot cocoa.

I grew up on those hills.

I think I need to go back sometime.