From the way the house was glowing with a white, clear light when I awoke this morning, I knew it had snowed during the night.
Upon looking out my window, my heart thrilled to see the piles and drifts, deep and soft and sparkling, untouched. The dark cedars that surround our property are well powdered with white, creating a Currier-and-Ives-like snowscene in our backyard.

Inside, our fire is crackling and burning brightly, filling our house with warmth, cozyness, and the delightfulness of home.
After feeling almost nomadic during the last four years, (in which we have moved three times)we are finally settling in to our new home!
I never knew how sacred and beautiful home and family life were until their peace was disrupted by uprooting. I think that might be one reason God sends trials like that--to make us all the more appreciative of His blessings.
I used to take it for granted that we lived in the country, had a beautiful, nice house, and plenty of privacy from the general population. = ) It wasn't until we had lived in the middle of town (where all eyes seemed upon us)with a tiny yard and noisy neighbors, endured many little hardships with real estate, and yearned for the country for a few years that I could see how richly the Lord already had blessed us.

We were all healthy. We had a roof over our heads. We had a close, loving family, and many wonderful Christian friends, and a church where the Word of God is faithfully preached.
It was all, really, a matter of perspective. God is good.

When He sends trials to strengthen our faith and trust in Him, and when He blesses us so richly that we stand in awe - He is faithful, and He is good.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 says "Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls-- Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills."

Just out of curiosity, I looked up the Psalm corresponding to our address-
Psalm 65. The whole Psalm fits wonderfully, but this verse caught my eye-
vs. 11 "You crown the year with Your goodness, Your paths drip with abundance."