A Four Letter Word for what Makes Winter what it is

I heard a lady in the grocery store saying how much she had enjoyed this winter because of the small amount of snow we'd had and how much she would enjoy herself if we didnt get anymore. I felt bad for her.

Upon waking up today and looking out the dining room, the tops of the bushes were tufted with snow; yesterday what could be seen as dead grass and sticks with patches of slushy stuff was now a glorious, however many inches thick layer making the ground sparkling and bright.

The freshness of newly fallen snow is thoroughly enjoyable to me.

Winter without snow is like spring without crocuses, summer without sunshine. Snow is what makes winter go round. Not even considering all the activities it makes possible or more pleasant, it takes dreary, confined days (like yesterday) and makes them, well, white, bright, fresh and clean... sorta like detergent is supposed to do to laundry. Snow takes barren tree branches and crowns them, highlights them. The white fluffy stuff makes the whole area wherein it rests one big marshmallow-sweet land. If you take into account the marshmallows and the trees you might even say that the outdoors becomes one big fluffernutter. I know some people who would enjoy that analogy immensely. If you're not one of them, I apologize.

And so this morning- despite school looming over me and my having to fight spurts desiring to utterly forget about it all and just go do something else somewhere else, I am here at the table praying that God might increase and I might decrease... all the while enjoying the snow and hoping we see plenty more of it before spring blooms.

Not the Morning I was Hoping for

DISCLAIMER: I didnt realize that this post could very well be taken wrongly, and I apologize for not specifying why these lyrics were posted. This morning I was disappointed over seeing test scores and generally depressed about recent schoolwork. After reading my scores which I'd waited a few weeks for, I prayed, thought and had time with the Lord. He brought the chorus of this song to mind. Now that I think, I dont know when the last time I heard this song was before today... Upon looking up the video (link posted in chorus meant as credit), I was encouraged. Yes, this song was written by a man coping with death and may very well be on the dramatic side to apply it to test scores; but the Lord cared for me through these words today. Below the picture is a quote from a situation of someone encouraging another in the context of test scores that I heard once.

Scattered words and empty thoughts
seem to pour from my heart
I've never felt so torn before
seems I don't know where to start
but it's now that I feel Your grace falls like rain
from every fingertip, washing away my pain

I still believe in Your faithfulness
I still believe in Your truth
I still believe in Your holy word
even when I don't see, I still believe

Though the questions still fog up my mind
with promises I still seem to bear
even when answers slowly unwind
it's my heart I see You prepare
but its now that I feel Your grace fall like rain
from every finger tip, washing away my pain

The only place I can go is into your arms
where I throw to you my feeble prayers
in brokeness I can see that this was your will for me
Help me to know You are near

Thanks Sarah for the thought that [by Christ alone] I'll "still win in life..."