Snow Princess

Last week's snow made for perfect snowman creating, so I give you:

Princess Tiana, the Snow Princess, (and of course, my princesses, Jovey Kay and Laney Belle!)

And, more snow. . .

. . . OK, I will be lying if I were to say that I was just simply thrilled with the impending storm that was being predicted for our area once again this week. Once I see a good snow, get some cute pics of my kiddos loving it, have some hot cocoa (that always tastes best after some time in the snow), have some snow cream and make a snow man (or princess in the McFarland home's case), I'm pretty much over it. I don't love seeing snow mounded up for days and weeks in parking lots, I'm not a huge fan of snow clothes laying all over the place and boots sitting by the door to greet us as if to say, "wanna stomp around in us for a while. .. those flip flops get way too much time out in the open", I don't love the wind chill that is made even chillier when mixed with the moist snow. . . I'm just not a huge fan of snow overall, except in small doses.

So while my niece is over playing with my girlies today, with her mom and dad busy at work, I have had more time to look out of the patio door and really consider the snow. Not the cold, not the mess, but the snow. One of my favorite hymns growing up (when I LOVED the snow, mind you), was Whiter than Snow by James L. Nicholson. I used to sing the words, but now, I truly see the beauty in the lyrics and the message that is so simply put. . .

Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;
I want Thee forever to live in my soul.
Break down every idol, cast out every foe;
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain
Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow.
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Lord Jesus, let nothing unholy remain,
Apply Thine own blood and extract ev’ry stain;
To get this blest cleansing, I all things forego—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

Lord Jesus, look down from Thy throne in the skies,
And help me to make a complete sacrifice.
I give up myself, and whatever I know,
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

Lord Jesus, for this I most humbly entreat,
I wait, blessèd Lord, at Thy crucified feet.
By faith, for my cleansing, I see Thy blood flow,
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

Lord Jesus, Thou seest I patiently wait,
Come now, and within me a new heart create;
To those who have sought Thee, Thou never saidst “No,”
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

The blessing by faith, I receive from above;
O glory! my soul is made perfect in love;
My prayer has prevailed, and this moment I know,
The blood is applied, I am whiter than snow.

Can the Gospel be applied any better? Can we all long for more than to sit at Jesus' crucified feet and be made whole, fully clean before Him? Can we ask for anything better than for a new heart to be made within us each day, to focus wholly on the things of Christ?

May the snow be not a reminder of the mess, of the cold, of the dirty mounds that sit in parking lots, and not even just the joy that comes with watching my children throw it up in the air and trudge knee deep in the squishy goodness, but may it ALWAYS be a reminder that I long to be whiter than snow in my own heart, to "all things forego" so that I can experience only the things that God wishes to teach me, even in the still and the silence of the snow!

Snow!

I was starting to feel guilty for having not taken the girls out in the two sizable snows that we have gotten since the cold, dreary winter set in. So, when it was predicted that we would get a possible 2-5 inches, I decided that it would be the perfect opportunity for . . . daddy to take them out to play in the snow! :-) I was available for bundling up, photographing, hot chocolate making and stripping down to get warm, dry clothes on! The girls had a blast and daddy did too!I think we can now say that we have lived completely this winter! "Come as fast as you can, Spring!"