Christmas

A very Merry Christmas to all our family, friends and fellow RVers! We wish you God's blessings in the new year. I'm reflecting this Christmas how important family is to all of us, especially when we can't be with children and grandchildren on this special day. Our job near Deadwood is half over, only 3 months to go, then we're off to Missoula Montana for the spring and summer, working at the KOA there. We're excited about that, and hoping to get to see the kids between jobs.

Here is our Christmas tree and nativity scene. I did find a small space where they would fit. All RVers know the space problem! You can see the snow scene out the window.

We had a little adventure the other day. I went over to the office building at 2:00 to give a bottle to Smores, our little swamp wallaby youngster. Entering the building, I smelled a smell I hadn't smelled in there before, kinda like smoke, or electrical stuff. After the bottle, I got Keith and we went up to the attic where the furnace was located. Sure enough, there were flames in there about 2 feet high. I threw off my jacket so Keith could begin smothering the fire, then made 8 or 10 frantic trips up treacherous steps with buckets of snow. He stomped the fire as best he could while I called the owners, who came home in about 10 minutes. They got the fire department out here and all was well at last. The furnace will be replaced, along with my charred and lumpy jacket! God was with us that day, as always. We could see Him in the small details of the events. So many times there are circumstances that only God could plan, and that can't be explained in any other way. Smores could easily have gone without his 2:00 bottle. It's only pedialyte, used to help keep him tame. The person who was supposed to feed him that day was gone. We were substituting. If we hadn't been, the whole building would have erupted in flames before we'd have seen it. We're so thankful it turned out well for everyone, including the small animals in that building!

Don't I wish I were here instead of in deep snow and minus degree temps! This picture was sent to me by my English pen friend, whom I've had for 40 years. She won an award for it. Beautiful!

But really, here we are in the Black Hills in the coldest and stormiest part, Deadwood. I love this photo of the wallabies lined up catching some rays against the building. They do fine in the snow but love the sunshine. When there is a blizzard or very cold temps they stay inside.

This last photo shows our 4 llamas waiting for their chow. They are very patient sometimes, and other times they can't wait for me to put their dishes of grain down before they stick their noses in it. It's kind of fun having a llama leaning on me with his or her head over my shoulder. They look cold, but at least they have nice, woolly coats on. Sometimes there are icicles hanging from their fur.

I am in awe that God made animals who can be outside in minus 24 degree cold. I certainly am one who can't do that for long before coming inside to warm up. We wear layers and layers of "fur" and still get so cold. But, it is beautiful out there!

Red sky at morning

Remember the old saying, "Red sky at morning, sailors take warning."? This was yesterday morning. Our temps were in the 40s but went steadily down during the day, then the snow came. By this morning it was 7 degrees with 5-6 inches of fresh snow! What a change! We are questioning why we aren't like other RVers who go south in the winter. Must be a few bricks short of a load!

Seriously, we believe that God puts us where He wants us to be. Complaining about our circumstances would show a lack of trust—a sign that we didn't really believe that He answered our prayers to be in the center of His will. It isn't always clear how He is using us, whether we are having an impact on those around us, or whether the lessons are for us personally to be used at a later date. For me, it seems our ministry right now is to some precious four-legged critters that need our attention. All of creation is God's and all stewardship and care for His living creatures is important and of eternal value. So...we get up in the morning, put on our layers of clothing and go out into the cold, hoping always to do our best for our charges, making their lives as comfortable as possible. It's fun to go into the barn or other buildings and see the look of anticipation in the kangaroos, the dogs, the llamas eyes when they see us! Food, food!! Thanks be to God for His many blessings and for His beautiful red sky at morning!