Cold

It was really cold again today, not cold enough for ice cycles like in my pic of the day, but there was a cold wind with light snow showers throughout the day. We've gone several days without any significant sunshine (although there was some yesterday afternoon when we were inside the Wedding Show event hall and couldn't enjoy it). I chose this pic of the day because it illustrates the cold. Each time we went outside today we had to brace ourselves against the cold wind and the sky remained grey all day, and as my husband says it was "miserable".

I don't know how many times today I heard people speak of "cabin fever" and asking when spring was coming. Unfortunately, the temps this week are only forecasted to get colder with more snow later this week. We have a fire in the fireplace tonight and I can hear the wind blowing against and within the chimney.

"It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire a fire they had made him to keep warm." John 18:18 (NIV).

Light within the Dark

My "pic of the day" is inspired by an ordinary object that has been transformed into a beacon of illumination. This evening I happened along a tree fully draped in multi-colored lights from trunk to tips. The tree is nestled in between the outer walls of a local church and lights up the street corner as it greets passersby. As I pulled into the church parking lot to take a picture, I noticed someone else was already there with the same idea. As I walked up to the tree I became immediately aware of how trampled the ground was where others had been drawn to the light of this tree as well. It made me think about how this tree was transformed into a bright beacon drawing many, and how we too can be transformed with the light of Christ.

"See to it then that the light within you is not darkness." Luke 11:35 (NIV).

On a side note, I heard the weatherman say that this was our 12th straight day with below zero temperatures. It was supposed to be a high of 30F day, but on my lunch time walk it sure didn't feel any different than it did when the temps were sub zero or in the single digits.

"The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen." Job 37:10 (NIV)

Renewal

The orangy-red hues of the setting sun remind us that a new day and a new beginning will soon be here as we close out the current day. I chose this "pic of the day" to illustrate the theme of renewal because today I advised transfer students who were new to the university. They had a renewed sense of self as they planned with hope and expectation for the semester that was before them. For many of these students, changing their college will ultimately bring about more change than they could ever imagine. Just think about the new relationships, friendships and networks they will make that will alter the course of their lives forever. Many will soon meet their future spouse through a chance encounter or future employer through an accidental internship.

Each day we have the ability to renew ourselves. We may not be drastically changing the course of our lives, but we can take advantage of having a blank slate each day to build upon. As we start a new year it's a good opportunity to think about where we need renewal in our daily lives. Even a small "mental retreat" on a Saturday afternoon can help us to refocus and identify points of renewal.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2.

How will you use your new beginning tomorrow to renew yourself?

Snowcapades

Pic of the Day features photos of things that I have come across in my daily life that I find quite interesting. Today I'm profiling the huge ice "waterfalls" that have been frozen in time from our sub zero temps all week. I would marvel at these natural ice sculptures as I would drive to work and I couldn't wait for Saturday when I would have time to take pics during daylight hours. I waded through some pretty deep snow drifts along side the road where the snow plows had pushed all the snow and actually fell over at one point to get these shots but it was worth it.

Along with the ice, I also took images of the snow we had on Wednesday and Thursday (at right and below). I was quite taken by how the snow outlined the tree branches and am reminded of God's "paintbrush."

I also liked to contrast the textures against the snow, and compare the intricate (and at times fragile looking) plant structures to their cold and brutal surroundings. "Quiet" is often a word I think of a lot during the winter. I'm always amazed by how still the parks are in comparison to the summer. Last night as I walked out of my building after work, I realized how loud the crunching of snow was under my feet and that there was such an absence of sound from people, birds and nature as we find during warmer seasons.

Photography is a hobby of mine, and has actually become quite more than that as I have paired with my husband to offer wedding and portraiture photography through our business EZ Productions.