You talk about being blessed. We have 10 grandchildren that live within walking distance of us and another six that live just up the road. Yes, our God is good to us and we praise him constantly with grateful hearts for his goodness. Like much of the country we have experienced some winter weather in the past week which causes extreme hot chocolate cravings, and especially if it is G'mom's.

Anna Kay and John Mark showed up at our house the other morning along with two of their little friends for some hot chocolate and to be able to back up to our wood stove to warm up. All four of them had taken their shoes and socks off when they came in because they had waded across the low water crossing on our creek to get to our house. The temperature was right around freezing so the hot chocolate and wood fire really warmed their bodies and especially their feet along with their hearts.

Poppy had pity on them when they were ready to go back to their homes which are about two blocks away and I drove them home. Of course the parents weren't real excited to see them coming into the house barefooted in the freezing weather and John Mark's Mom asked him why he had waded across the creek. Our nine year old grandson told his Mom that he was so thinking about G'mom's hot chocolate, that he really didn't think about the ice cold water. Two scripture passages came to my mind when I heard this report:

Lord, here we are facing a new week and we desire to be pleasing to you in our walk with you. Cause us to recognize the trials that come our way and to have a heart of perseverance without excessive trembling and complaining in order to see our faith developed so that we might possess those good things you have laid up for us. Amen and Amen.