Staying Safe and Warm

As I sit here, safe and warm in my home, I reflect back on the day . . .
Today was a crazy day. When I got up at 5:15 a.m. there was over 3 inches of snow in my driveway, and the snow plow had gone by. So I slipped on some clothes and went out to shovel. The snow was so heavy that I only shoveled enough to get the car out.
Then I went in to work. The phone calls started about 7:30 - "Are you open?" "Is there school today" "Are you going to close early?" "What happens if you have to close early?""Is there going to be afternoon kindergarten?" I probably answered those questions over 75 times before lunchtime. I couldn't get any work done - I just spent the time answering the phone and talking with parents who came into the office.
The weather was so weird. When I was driving to work it was sleeting. A little later it started snowing lightly. Every time I looked outside it looked different - snow, no snow; wind, no wind; light snow, heavy snow. I was glad that I was inside. The students did go outside for recess. They loved it - but I'm sure the paras wished that they could have stayed inside.
The afternoon continued in the same way - lots of phone calls- "Are you closing early?" Are there any after school classes?" "Could you get a message to my child to have him bring his snowpants home?" "Will there be school tomorrow?" "Are the buses going to be on time?" "Would you tell my child to take the bus home?" "Will you tell my children that I will pick them up today?"
By 4:15 p.m. all the children - and all the teachers- had gone home. And the office was finally quiet. Now I had a decision to make- should I drive to Blaine for the Bethel hockey game?
When I looked out the window at school, the snow was almost up to the bottom of the window, and it was still snowing heavily. The forecasters were predicting 6-8 more inches of snow for the evening, plus strong winds. I decided to go home. The Bethel game will be broadcast on the internet - a first for Bethel hockey - and so I will listen at home. . .
So tonight I have many things to thank God for. I am counting my blessings.
1. I am safe and warm
2.I have a house I love
3.My husband, Craig, loves me completely (and I love him with all my heart)
4.Craig is safe and warm in his truck in St. James, MN (The highway patrol closed the roads or he'd have tried to drive home through the snow tonight)
5.I have 4 wonderful, loving children, a very special daughter-in-law, and 3 especially beautiful smart courageous loving grandchildren
6.I love my job
7.I have found a Bible study group to belong to
8.God's Word has been so alive to me, meeting me at my points of need
9.My Saviour, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for my sins, rose again and is preparing a place for me in heaven
10.I had loving Christian parents (my dad is still living, and is doing well)
11.I have a super mother-in-law
12.I have enough food to eat for every meal
13.I have clothes to wear that I like
14.I have the freedom to go to church and worship
15.I have hobbies I love (stamping & scrapbooking)
16.I have my sight,my hearing, my health,etc.
17.I have a computer
18.I was not afraid to drive in the snow today
19.I had some milk chocolate for dessert tonight
20.I have great neighbors who have used their snowblowers several times to clear my driveway
The list goes on and on!
Have you ever tried to count your blessings? How many simple things there are like good health, food to eat, etc. do we so often take for granted?
I have one more blessing to add - I am safe and warm on a very wintery night.
Praise the Lord for all these blessings and more!