Each January a small group of friends and I attend what we call the Ozarks Write and Create Retreat. I love this time because it allows me to focus on writing, meditating, and praying, without the interruptions I would have at home. I am easily distracted and being the only extrovert in the group is sometimes challenging. Where I get my energy from being around people, the introverts love time to just withdraw and write or create. (Just a side note–our super creative one teaches quilting classes, and she frequently makes samples for her classes. Her work is amazing! She also makes her own greeting cards, and they are so much better than what can be bought in the store.)

We usually book our retreat for January because schedules are less hectic. It doesn’t hurt that prices are cheaper than peak season. Invariably, we get snow fall each year and this year was no exception.

As I was doing my morning Bible reading, I gazed out the window to see sunshine, and the snow softly blowing shimmered like shiny crystals in the sky.  I love the word scintillating, and indeed, what I was watching was just that. In the background above the lake a fog was softly rising into the mountains. The whole scene felt like we were wrapped in a snow globe. I just sat and watched, taking in the scene and thinking how wonderful God is to give us moments like this.