The high Wednesday was -10° Fahrenheit with a windchill factor down to -53° Fahrenheit. Of course, all three of my children had to work.

Our boys have their wives looking out for them. Our daughter is an independent woman.

The owner of the company where she works was on vacation. No one wanted to bother him to see if they could close. Her boss had the day off to take her son on a college visit. (The University of Iowa, Iowa State, and the University of Northern Iowa closed today.)

There’s no mail delivery and FedEx would not be picking up boxes. I told her it was worthless to go in.

But she’s the supervisor of her department and 3 other employees were coming in. Those who could work at home did and the rest took a personal day.

She would caravan with 3 friends and wear coveralls. She assured me that she was taking every precaution. She promised to text when she left for work and when she arrived.

I received the first text at 6:05 a.m. It took her 30 minutes to drive 13 miles.

“I’m here.”

“Thank you, Jesus!”

“Jennifer says you had better put extra in the collection plate this Sunday.”

* * * * * * *

Derek works for a plumbing supply company. They stayed open for when a plumber needed a part for a broken furnace. He only had to drive across town. Rachel’s office closed. If he didn’t show up at work or make it home, I was sure she would call.

Luke won’t be home. Soldiers don’t get snow days. Firemen don’t get snow days. Farmers don’t get snow days. Luke is all three! I have to choose not to worry about him every day!

David talked to him on Tuesday night. Yes, he would be working and on call for a fire. Yes, he would be doing chores.

“Don’t worry,” he assured us, “I have the proper clothes. I’ll be fine.”

Luke and Bethany live in a small town. It is a close-knit community. When someone is missing, everyone looks for them.

All I could do was pray.

1 Samuel 12:23-24, “…I’m staying right here at my post praying for you and teaching you the good and right way to live. (24) But I beg of you, fear God and worship Him honestly and heartily. You’ve seen how greatly He has worked among you!” The Message

 

* * * * * * *

I got a taste of retirement today. The trucks at the lumberyard run on propane. You damage the engines if you run them when it is this cold. David’s boss closed for the day.

We decided to take advantage of the day off to update our budget. (There’s nothing warmer than being “hot under the collar.”)

“Let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don’t drag them down by finding fault.” Romans 14:19-20, The Message (Today’s verse in “Hugs – Daily Inspirations for Women)

 

We finished the budget and I went to the kitchen to make hot chocolate mix. David, who was paying bills, kept calling my name. On the sixth trip, walking the length of the house, to answer another question, I thought…

“This is worse than a snow day with the kids!”

Then I started muttering, “I will not get angry. I will not get angry. I will not get angry.”

Laura forgot to text me when she got home from work. But she texted David. Relief – she’s safe and warm. And no text from Bethany or Rachel. The boys are safe and warm, too.

What did you do on this cold winter day?

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