O the Weather Outside is Frightful...

From where I sit on the couch, I can hear the snow plow outside.

Taking a walk in the falling snow is a favorite of mine this time of year. It is so peaceful and serene, and almost dreamlike... your feet pushing against a fluffy earth, the whole world around you frosted with white, puffs of breath coming out in warm bursts, and the pretty snow falling softly all around you. Picturesque...

I wonder why God created snow. Why did he create the burning desert? Two polar opposites, yet both beautiful in their own way. Kind of like personality. Kind of like no two snow flakes are the same.

Wow, nothing like writing a stream of consciousness... ever done that? Just write out every thought that pops into your head? It serves for a crazy chain reaction of thoughts that connect, but not really.

Let me disconnect from that activity long enough to give a brief update and include some spirituality.

First order of business:
1. Our Christmas tree has been up since the day after Thanksgiving. Going out to a tree farm and finding the perfect tree, and then cutting it down and decorating it has always been the tradition in our family... but a couple of years ago, we bought a fake one. For shame. My mom could hardly believe she was doing it at the time, because getting a REAL one was such a tradition. However, our hotel-sized tree has really made me happy with its tall, sparkling beauty and my Mom's Martha Stewartish decorating.

2. 2 Peas in a Palette has been swamped with Christmas cards. Every spare moment of my time- even 'hanging with the T's"- is filled with me designing. Good thing I love to design or else my life would be a drag right now. Anyway, although Kristi and I would love to go jump off a bridge right now, we will look back and appreciate all of the business that has been showered upon us during this season, and the opportunity to utilize this God-given talent to help others enjoy a break from worrying about their Christmas card! Look for a "2p" on the bottom right-hand corner of your Christmas cards to see if we designed it.

3. Finals are next week. Fortunately, I only have one kind-of test to study for. Otherwise, I just have projects due. I have a huge Flash Tutorial I have to have completed by Wednesday which includes video, audio, screenshots, 2 lessons, and a quiz, which requires some intense action scripting. Sound like jibberish to you? Try doing it! Nah, it's fun stuff, just very time-consuming. I also have "jury," which means for my private piano class, I have to go play one memorized piece and one sight-read piece in front of a jury who will examine my every move and write comments about how I play. Scary. I'll be glad when that's over.

4. I'm going to Florida over Christmas break. It's official, because I got tickets. I'm staying at TP's grandparents' place and Tracy, Tammy, and possibly Loona are all coming! You could not even fathom my excitement. I LOVE the beach. I LOVE the sun. I LOVE the ocean. I love it all. Besides, we are going to have a lot of fun.

5. Our House Plant, "Dad," is dying. His name is Dad because we had a Mum named "Mom," that pretty much died over Thanksgiving break since no one was home to water it, plus it froze. Dad has a few burnt looking leaves. Perhaps I can nurse him back to health after this post.

The T House has a Christmas Card:


So last week I read Psalm 139 and determined that it is probably my favorite Psalm, if not quite possibly one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. It is worthy of being included in its entirety:

Psalm 139- KJV

1 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.

20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.

21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?

22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

This Scripture both comforts me and convicts me. The Lord is so involved in my life in every possible way... these words explain that it is impossible to escape the Lord. He knows our every thought, and He is with us wherever we go. A comfort-- but also a true realization that He is there, even when we sin. When we do things that we think are behind closed doors or that only we know about-- He is there. To have that perspective all of the time is a challenge.

Also- to know that God wove us together and created us all... that we are "fearfully and wonderrfully made," makes the relationship we have with Christ so intimate. Doesn't it? "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

What a beautiful prayer!

TP and TZ just wandered in... it's 1:36 A.M. and none of us can sleep. I best be off...

I love you all, and may you all be safe and warm and fuzzy during this winter weather, holiday season, and joyous time!

T