More than a winter wonderland...

I stand in the cold and my breath escapes me; not only from the thinness of the air and the freezing wind in my face, but more so from the amazing beauty that surrounds me. Snow covered mountains tower into the frozen skies as I stare in amazement of God's creation. I am in a place like I have never been before, surrounded by wonders I had only dreamed of in the past, and surrounded by incredible people whose very words bring a smile to my face and encourage even the last bits of worry out of my life. To be surrounded by genuine people who care about me and are more real than most in this world is a gift too great for my deserving. To sing out to God morning and night in worship and see His glory all around me brings tears my eyes and rest to my wearied soul. While I am nothing more than a speck of dust in a universe far too vast for my mind to comprehend, the God who created it all reaches down and places me here, now, with these people, and I am overcome by the thought. And while troubles were to be had, and sleep was a luxury I could not afford, I could think of no better way to spend these days surrounded by beauty, surrounded by love, and with a peace in my heart that I would never trade.