Cold & Alone

So I got up early this morning to head over to G5, as per usual for a Saturday. I was brushing the fresh snow (which we FINALLY got this week!!) off of our little red car, Dixie, and feeling pretty sorry for myself. It was early, and I don't like mornings. It was cold, and my bed had been so warm. It was dark, and I hate dark. It's Saturday, and I'm pretty sure there's a law somewhere that says we should all get Saturdays off. AND I'm in Germany, while everyone that loves me is in Canada (or Texas)!
Anyhoo, as I was driving alone down the road, shivering and silently complaining as per the usual early morning attitude, I was suddenly struck with the thought of what I was wearing at that moment. Hear me out:
I got the jeans in Winnipeg, my mom and Reuben helped me pick 'em out. Linda and Sally bought me the belt in Portage a few years ago - we all got matching ones. The shirt used to be Steph Maygaurd's - my roomate in Calgary. The big ol' cork earings were a gift from Maggie, my awesome German friend. Even the bag I was carrying, I got in Calgary because it reminded me of one that Becky has! And it hit me - these things don't match!
That, and the fact that from head to foot, everything I had with me at that moment reminded me of someone I love incredibly lots.
So my mood did a 180, and I find myself thinking that the gently falling snow is rediculously beautiful, and it couldn't be a better day!

thoughts from Mindy

The theme of my heart for December became "Go Tell it on The Mountain."
The first time this year that I heard this famous carol was Dec 9th performed at our Danny Plett Christmas Concert. I thought, "if only we did this! In celebration of the birth of our Saviour, we should be shouting it from the mountain!" Being so filled with the joy that I've personally recieved as a result of knowing Jesus Christ, that Christmas Concert ended up being one of the best parties that I've ever been to!
Then on Dec. 14th we were visiting Zurich with Kevin's parents, and near one of the Christmas Markets we saw a "singing Christmas tree". That's when a bunch of people dressed in green climb into what looks like a giant Christmas tree so that they look like part of the tree themselves and then sing carols. An ingenious idea, really.
On this particular day, it was a group of 10 yr. olds singing, and after singing alot of really cute Swiss German Christmas songs, they ended with "Go Tell it on the Mountain" in English with their thick Swiss accents. Having just visited the Matterhorn the day before, and now listening to these Swiss children proclaiming that "Jesus Christ is born!" I couldn't help it, I was moved to tears. I wondered if they actually know Jesus Christ? I sure hope so.
Being in the mountains of Switzerland, I thought not just of "shouting it from the mountain tops" but I thought of all the villages and houses we had seen scattered in the mountains, knowing that there are people living on those mountains in need of the good news. And I felt desperate to "Go tell it on the mountain". To bring Hope and a Reason to those that have none.
These thoughts have lingered with me into this New Year, and have felt so urgent as I have visited with some of my dearest Swiss friends who have been in desperate need of my Lord, but are not ready to meet Him yet . . .
Those of you that are in a habit of praying, please pray for my Swiss friends. They need to find God. They need Strength to carry on, and Hope that life is worth living.