Adventures in winter weather...and power outages

We were supposed to go see my grandparents in southern West Virginia this past weekend. Plans were made and we were looking forward to it, as we haven't been to their house in far too long.

Upon checking out the forecast, we realized not only was it going to snow almost the whole time we were there, it was also going to be three...as in, three degrees. Brr!

We decided to err on the side of safety and not go. I have a teacher workday today and it wouldn't really matter that much if I got stuck, but Michael went back on call today. He couldn't get stuck. We were worried about road conditions, as well.

Saturday night, we had some really high winds. As in, the wind was howling as it whipped around the house. I went outside and turned over the rocking chairs so we wouldn't have to listen to them hit the porch railing all night. Trees were falling across roads all over the county, and one tree even took out our power line. Our power went out at 8:45 Saturday night and didn't come back on until 3:00 Sunday.

Armed with blankets, lots of clothes and several propane heaters, we survived. Ever worn a coat and a toboggan in the house? We have. We had to throw out a few groceries, but that's OK.

Today, the kids are out on a teacher workday. It was already planned. The snow is supposed to hit today around three. Candles, flashlight batteries, propane, a carbon monoxide detector, and a bag of ice have been purchased. Don't laugh- milk, bread and eggs have been purchased, too. You can bet this North Carolinian joined her fellow storm preppers in the bread aisle. Bet you can't find a loaf of bread anywhere in central NC right now.

If I'm AWOL the next few days, it's probably because I have no electricity. Take care and stay warm!

Book Review: "Fight Back with Joy" by Margaret Feinberg

A few weeks ago, I was reading some magazines published by Lifeway, when I ran across an ad for a book called Fight Back with Joy by Margaret Feinberg. I thought it looked interesting, but I was preoccupied with other things, so I didn't give it another thought. The next month, I was reading a newer issue of the same magazine and found not one, but two articles about the book. One of them was an interview with the author, and I found myself sucked in to her fun personality and her humor.

I went to a Christian bookstore and bought the book, along with Bringing Up Girls by James Dobson. I read the book in about four days, and read the majority of the book while in the waiting room at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, as my dad was having liver surgery. I love to read and always a appreciate a good book, but this was more than a good book. This one will change your life. I know plenty of people who will say a book change their lives, but I'm serious.

The author, Margaret Feinberg, wrote the book about her journey through breast cancer. She is very candid and honest as she talks about the effects of the chemo treatments on her body, her feelings while battling cancer, and her double mastectomy. Through it all, Feinberg held fast to her faith and her decision to practice a "defiant joy" in the face of her cancer.

In short, I needed to read this book. You all know about some of the things I have been dealing with this year and last year. I have also been dealing with depression as a result- this book reminded me of something I already knew deep down inside, but needed to be reminded of: "You have joy not in spite of your circumstances, but because of them. You are drenched in the grace and mercy of God."

The author isn't just funny and inspiring, she's really down-to-earth, too. I posted a picture of the book on my Instagram account with the hashtag "FightBackwithJoy," and Feinberg herself responded to my picture saying she couldn't wait to hear what I thought of it. I was impressed by this. I was more impressed when I posted a message on her Facebook page about how much I loved the book and got a response.

In other words, read Fight Back With Joy.  It's wonderful and it will change your life.