The Desires of My Heart vs. The Heart of My Desires

On the last night of my Colombia missions trip, I lead a team devotional on the Heart of Our Desires.  I began with a piece of handmade paper for everyone and wrote the following verse on the top of it.

"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

I then asked the team members to write out what the desires of their hearts were on that paper, put it in the envelope provided, seal it, sign it  and date it - June 27th, 2011.  As a team we decided that Christmas Day would be a good day for us to open the letters. Today is Christmas Day.

I heard a speaker a couple of years ago who spoke on the heart of our desires.  God tells us that He will give us the desires of our heart, but we don't always get what we want. Why not?  God sees the big picture and He knows what we truly want and not just what we want at the moment.  It is kind of like that big huge piece of chocolate cake sitting in front of me calling my name.  Although that cake looks amazing, that dress in the store window that I need to lose 20 lbs to fit into will look so much more amazing than that chocolate cake will taste. 

So tonight I opened my envelope to see what it was I thought the desires of my heart were almost 6 months ago.  It is funny because a couple of the things on the list wouldn't be there if I wrote it today and if I were to re-write it, there would be other things that would be on it, but aren't there now.  Some things I am in the process of accomplishing and other things are on the list and remain on the list, but for now God says, "Not yet, my child."  So I continue to wait, but actively waiting, continuing to go forward becoming who I was created to be.

I put my letter back into the envelope and back into its special spot.  I have decided I want to look at it in another 6 months on the first anniversary of the day I wrote it.  It was a good lesson for me.  I love it.  I continue to trust that God has my best interests at heart and He just wants me to grow more into the woman He created me to be, a woman of love, of life and of passion.  I am getting there one day at a time.

It was a great Christmas gift. 

So What Is Christmas About Anyway?

I can tell you what it is not about... it is not about the tree with the beautiful light bulbs, or the garland and decorations.  It is not about the reindeer on the front lawn or the houses so beautifully decorated.  It is not about the jolly old man in the red suit.  It is not about standing in line at the mall waiting to pay for the gift you settled on for Aunt Sally because you couldn't find anything better.  It is not about all the baking.  It is definitely not about the peanut butter cups or the caramel corn I have been making and making and making.  It just isn't. 

Some of us get so busy at this time of year with concerts and party after party after party, that we are so exhausted and we end up forgetting what it is that is truly important and what or should I say who Christmas is about anyway.  Just look at the first 6 letters in the name of the holiday and you will see who it is... it is Christ who is the centre of Christmas. Why is it that we get so busy celebrating the day that we forget about Him? 

He came as a little baby so he could experience life as we experience it. He was born in a dirty old barn; a feed trough was his bed.  His first visitors were shepherds, the lowly shepherds, the ones who took care of the sheep.  He came with the goal of dying, so that we wouldn't have to.  A little baby, just a little baby who came to save us.  His birthday is coming and He wants us to celebrate by loving Him and loving one another.

Some people are in it for what they can get, not for what they can give.  He wants us to be in it for Him, loving Him by loving others.  He wants us to love our neighbour.  So who is our neighbour? It isn't just the family next door, it is the woman across town that needs a ride to her doctor's appointment; it is the homeless guy who just wants something to eat.  It is the single mom who just needs someone to come alongside her and encourage her on her path. It is a lot of ordinary people.

Matthew 25:34-40 says,  “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.  For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink?  Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing?  When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’"

I don't know about you, but I want to be able to stand before Him and be one of those who He calls blessed by His Father.  So today, I couldn't care less about wrapping gifts, I couldn't care less about what is under the tree for me.  I just want to be one of those people who is ready to love those who Jesus loves.  For Christmas this year I want eyes to see like Jesus sees, I want a heart like His. 

For me, Christmas is about a baby who came to revolutionize the world.  One thing I know for sure is that 2011 is the year He revolutionized my life. 

Happy Birthday Baby Jesus.

Phenomenal!

If you have walked into my office the last few weeks and asked me how I am, my answer has usually been "Phenomenal!"  One of the professors in particular would increasingly roll his eyes at my response and walk away without engaging in further conversation.  The other day when he was at my desk he asked how I was and he got the same "Phenomenal" and his response was, "Okay really? Someone needs to tone it down."  I looked at him and told him why I am "Phenomenal!"

This year, 2011 has been the most amazing year of my life.  Since my trip to Colombia, God simply flipped my life upside down and I feel like I am a totally new person, willing to take on life.  I work in a place that I love, with people that I love.  I became a grandmother to a beautiful little girl. Life is Phenomenal!  (I should have added I have a beautiful daughter and I am blessed to have amazing friends! All true.)  As I told this professor why Phenomenal was such an ongoing answer he smiled, shook his head and said that maybe he should stop being so "grinch-like."

I wouldn't have thought that 2011 would be this way because of the way it started, but as the year progressed God started doing some amazing things in my life, in my heart, healing past hurts, opening my eyes to truths that I didn't connect before between my head and my heart. I am re-evaluating so many things, because I am becoming a different individual. 

Isaiah 43:18-19 says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." 

I am becoming more bold, willing to try new things, do things I never thought I would even attempt before.  I participated in my first 5k this year, walking, but I was in it.  What a blast! So now I cannot wait to see what God has in store for 2012; it's coming soon.

So how am I? Life is more than just good; life is more than just great.  Life is PHENOMENAL!

Negativity and a New Day

I have a new partner in my office, well, she is relatively new, she has only been there for three months.  The other day we were talking and I mentioned that at least once a year I will lose my voice, and she commented that she couldn't wait because then she could have fun with it. Wouldn't you know it, I woke up the next morning without my voice.  Coincidence? Perhaps, or perhaps the negativity I spoke over my life was like a self fulfilling prophesy of sorts. 

Why is it that we are so quick to think about the negative, about what can go wrong, instead of focusing on the positive and what can go right?  Lately, a lot has been going right in my world.  Since my missions trip to Colombia in June, my world seems to have turned upside down, in a positive way, not a negative way.  So why is it, that I still tend to focus on the negative from time to time? 

Just last week, to prove to myself that I could do it, I took a trip to Chicago for the day, flew in in the morning and flew out at night. I had the most amazing day.  While sitting in the airport waiting for my return flight, I was texting with a friend. During that conversation I told my friend that I hated driving.  His response was, "Really? Why?"  Funny thing is, I had to think about it before I could answer.  I did answer, but it was a pretty lame answer.  What I came to realize is that I don't love driving, but I don't hate it either; I do it because it is a necessity in order to get to where I want to go. 

Because my life has been turned upside down, I can no longer go by the same old preferences.  I no longer hate big cities.  I no longer hate driving.  I no longer fear being alone, I don't prefer it, but I don't fear it.  I need to start paying closer attention to what I say before I say it.  I need to focus more on the positives of life, instead of the negatives.


Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."  I don't see negativity in that list anywhere.  Good thing!

I Thessalonians 5:16-18, 21 say, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus......Test everything. Hold on to the good."  I like the way verse 21 ends, "Hold on to the good." That is more like the woman that I need to be.

So when people look at me funny for saying that rain is just liquid sunshine, that's okay because I am choosing to focus on the positive and keeping my day on track.  

Today is a brand new day, a day I choose to focus on what is true and noble and right, pure and lovely and admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.  Those are the things I choose to plant in my mind. 

May today be a most excellent day for you.  May you enjoy it to the fullest!

Be blessed, my friends, be blessed!

The Tolerance Zone

I have been doing the Beth Moore bible study on David at church with a bunch of women.  Last week, one of the day's homework really made me think.  The topic was the Inhumanity of Humanity, talking about when King Saul was in pursuit of David because the people liked David more and Saul felt threatened.  David had gone to a priest named Ahimelech and asked for some food for David and his men.  David deceived the priest and the priest helped him.  Saul found out and ordered that priest and all others in that town killed.  Eighty-five priests and everyone else in that town was slaughtered, with only one escaping, Ahimelech the priest that helped David. Ahimelech went and joined David and his army.  Because of the jealousy of King Saul, many people lost their lives.  (1 Samuel 21-22)

I happened to be sitting invigilating an exam while I was doing my bible study homework when I came across the question, "When was the last time you were stunned by the depravity of humanity?"  Immediately my response was The Tolerance Zone.  About 3 months ago, I was in Colombia on a missions trip with my church.  It was simply an amazing, life altering experience in many ways, but one event that occurred will never be forgotten.  We went on a tour of what they call the "tolerance zone", an area of the city where law enforcement turns a blind eye to what is going on.  There were blocks of tiled store fronts, each with a few chairs in the "window" and a hallway.  We were in the prostitution district.  Girls literally sat in the window until someone came along to purchase some time with them.  There was one young woman who looked directly at us; her image will forever be seared in my brain. 

The next question was, "How did you sort through your feelings about the situation?"  I sat and thought about it and came to the conclusion that I really hadn't sorted through it.  I sat watching these people taking this exam and inside I was feeling so helpless and so hopeless.  I tried to pray for the girls we had seen, but I wasn't getting far with it.  After sitting there contemplating it all for about 5 minutes, I needed to go on; my heart was too heavy. I couldn't allow myself to remain stuck. In the study, Beth Moore went on to reference Psalm 52, which was written by David about the time of the slaughter of the priests.  It was written directed at the man responsible for the slaughter.

Psalm 52
1 Why do you boast of evil, you mighty man?
   Why do you boast all day long,
   you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?
2 Your tongue plots destruction;
   it is like a sharpened razor,
   you who practice deceit.
3 You love evil rather than good,
   falsehood rather than speaking the truth.
                         Selah

4 You love every harmful word,
   O you deceitful tongue!

 5 Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin:
   He will snatch you up and tear you from your tent;
   he will uproot you from the land of the living.
                         Selah

6 The righteous will see and fear;
   they will laugh at him, saying,
7 “Here now is the man
   who did not make God his stronghold
but trusted in his great wealth
   and grew strong by destroying others!”

 8 But I am like an olive tree
   flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God’s unfailing love
   for ever and ever.
9 I will praise you forever for what you have done;
   in your name I will hope, for your name is good.
   I will praise you in the presence of your saints.


Beth came up with four conclusions:

"1.  God is not the author of destruction.
 2.  God will repay evil.
 3.  Our hope must be in God.
 4.  No matter how bad things look, God is good.

In the face of unimaginable horror, we must cast our imaginations on Christ, our only hope.  His Word will be our anchor when our faith is tossed like the waves."

After reading all of that I remembered something.  When we were at the Farm, what they call a "reparenting place" where children from the streets of Bogota can grow up to learn a new and different way of life - a life of love and hope, I met one young girl, who may have been about 5, whose smile stole our hearts.  The missionary shared her story with me.  T was the granddaughter of a prostitute.  The grandmother raised her daughters to be prostitutes because that was all she knew, but she wanted her granddaughter to have a better life, so T gets to live on the farm, a beautiful place in the mountains.

So how did I end up sorting through my feelings that day?  I prayed for the young women I saw in those tiled storefronts, but focused on the positive by thinking of T. 

No matter what is going on in life, we need to take it to God; leaving the justice in His hands; putting our hope in Him to take care of the situation and us and remembering that no matter what, God is good.  We may not always understand why things happen the way they do, but we can't see the big picture like our God can. I want to be able to say, like David, that "I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever."

What a Difference a Year Makes!

Wow, I just read part of a post from a year ago that surprised me.  A couple of days after the full moon last September this is what I wrote.

"A couple of days ago we enjoyed another full moon.  It was absolutely beautiful.  For a couple of days before and a couple of days after, if we are blessed with a clear sky, we can enjoy the beauty that is the full moon, in all its splendor.

They say that people see a man in the moon; that the shadows on the moon create a face.  Personally, ever since I was about 14, I can remember looking at the moon and seeing a "perfect" family portrait.  It is a dream that I hold on to, for the day when God chooses to bless me with a new "picture".  For now, I simply enjoy the beauty of the night sky and dream."
 I didn't realize how terrible that sounds, as if the family I have isn't good enough.  I am sorry for what I wrote.

I adore my daughter and she is making me a grandmother, hopefully within the next month.  I love my grandbaby's daddy.  And of course I love my grandbaby and cannot wait to meet him or her.  I come from a large biological family who I love very much, but they are not my only family - I have my heart family; the one with which God has chosen to bless me.

A couple of days ago we did enjoy another full moon and this time my full moon came with a message.  As I was leaving the church and the ladies bible study I was blessed with a full moon right in front of me.  Part of me was initially saddened because I was still waiting for that "perfect" family, as if my family lay incomplete in front of me.  It was that moment that God reminded me of something profound.  My family is perfect, my family is complete because it is the family God has chosen for me.  God may add people to it or take them away, but that doesn't mean that it is incomplete right now.  It is perfectly complete.

I am truly blessed with many around me who are family, whether by blood or by heart who have poured into my life and have chosen to walk along side me on this journey. This year God has blessed me with some people who are quickly becoming very dear to my heart, people who pour into me and allow me to pour into them, as we do this thing called life.  I have new brothers and sisters that mean the world to me and I am thankful for their investment in my life.  They are people who believe in me, who allow me to use my gifts, talents and abilities, who value me, respect me and love me. They are people who challenge me to grow and allow me to challenge them right back. I can truly say I am blessed beyond!

I still wait for the possibility of God blessing me with a man to walk beside and share life with someday, but I choose to actively wait for him, living my life for today, to bring honour and glory to my God.  I am complete. I am whole, just the way I am.

The Rock

I cannot believe it is almost a year since I started this blog.  What a year it has been.  There have been a number of firsts for me and although they have not all been easy, they have most definitely helped me to grow.

When difficulties come into our lives we have two choices, we can either allow them to make us bitter, or we can allow them to make us better, but ultimately the choice is ours. On my recent trip to Colombia, I saw a tree that simply amazed me.  This tree grew despite the apparent obstacle in its way. 

I just absolutely love this tree that has grown up over a rock. 

How many times do we try to avoid the obstacles in life so that life is easier, forgetting that it is through the difficult times in our lives that we find the most personal growth?   How many times does God allow us to go through struggles to make us stronger? The Bible never promises us an easy life, as a matter of fact there are a number of authors that state life will be difficult, but that God will use the to make us stronger people. 

James 1:2-4 says, "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."

Romans 5:3-4 says, "There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next."

I know that God has amazing things in store for my life:  I know He is preparing me for what is ahead.  So when the difficulties come, I try to remember that they are for my good and His glory.  I discovered a verse this past year that really touched my heart.  

Romans 9:33 says, "Careful! I've put a huge stone on the road to Mount Zion, a stone you can't get around. But the stone is me! If you're looking for me, you'll find me on the way, not in the way."

Jesus Himself is that stone, that stone that is not in the way but on the way.  He is there with me to help me to grow. I love it!  I hope, that like that Colombian tree, I can grow despite the apparent obstacles in my path, that I will reach for the sky as I was meant to do.  How about you?

Be Blessed, my friends.

*all biblical references were taken from The Message Bible.

A Glimpse of Things to Come

Last night as I was winding down for the night, I got a text from someone who had forgotten a friend's keys in my car.  I had planned on going to bed early, but it seems that God had different plans for my night.  What made things even worse was that this person was not apologetic but just assumed I would jump to help.  Okay so I did. As I walked out of the house for the 20 minute drive to where this person was, I prayed and prayed hard.  "God I need to have a very different attitude when I see this individual because right now I am very angry."  I looked up and the stars were simply dancing in the beautiful night sky.  A gift for sure, but not enough to quell my anger.  I continued to pray.  Suddenly about 15 minutes into the trip I looked to my left and on the horizon was a beautiful orange moon, just more than a sliver, but barely there.  God spoke to my heart, "It is a glimpse of things to come."  I followed it with my eyes for a few more minutes before I reached my destination.  (I am thankful that it was driving out in the county, in the middle of nowhere, so no one was on the road.)  On the way, the individual sent me a text apologizing for forgetting the keys, between that and the moon, I was in a much better mood.  God simply is good.  Funny thing is I could not find that moon for the trip home.

All you who read my blog know how much I absolutely LOVE the beauty of God's creation, so the moon last night simply filled my heart to overflowing with joy.  I have been experiencing a lot of the beauty of God's creation lately.  I am so very blessed!

A glimpse of things to come could mean so many different things at this point in my life.  I just returned from a missions trip to Colombia with my church.  Being surrounded by the Andes mountains was simply a gift from my Creator.  Perhaps the glimpse of things to come has to do with future missions trips I am meant to serve on.  Perhaps it has to do with some of the friendships I have started to build as a result of that trip.  Perhaps God wants to take my life in a totally new direction.  I don't know at this point, but one thing I do know is that my Heavenly Father is faithful,  He loves me and wants the very best for me. 

Isaiah 43: 18-19 says, "“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

I look forward with great anticipation to see what God has springing up in front of me.  I am just excited to follow His path for my life.  I do perceive it; last night I saw a glimpse of things to come. 

Thank you God for filling my life with Your love!  You Rock!!!!!

Spring Has Sprung Again

So Spring has sprung again... well sort of I guess.  The weather has been unseasonably cold for us and rainy, actually it snowed just last week.  For other places, though, it has simply been unseasonably crazy.  Just this past week the southern US was hit with a number of tornadoes in one day leaving a death toll in 6 states of 340 and counting - the second deadliest single day total deaths from tornadoes.  The deadliest single day death toll was on March 18, 1925, a severe storm system swept across seven states killing 747 people, according to the National Weather Service. (www.cnn.com)  That happened 86 years ago. When I think about it, cool and rainy isn't a bad thing. 

Even though it is cool and rainy, the flowers are blooming.  I can look out the front window and see my beautiful magnolia tree covered with beautiful blossoms.  Tulips and daffodils are blooming, the trees are budding, and there is green everywhere.  I even had to mow the lawn the other day, as the grass was getting long.

Despite the craziness in the weather, life goes on.  One day follows the next, time does not stand still.  I need to stay focused on what God has in store for me this year.  In June, I am going on my first overseas missions trip to South America.  I am volunteering at a camp for foster children in July, and by the end of the year, I will become a grandmother for the first time. 

This new season continues to go on for me.  I am doing things I never thought I would do, going places I never thought I would go, but despite what is comfortable, I need to focus on doing what God wants me to do, and to go where He wants me to go. 

A verse that has been quoted quite often is Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  I need to hold on to that truth.  God's plans for my life are good plans, they are plans filled with hope. Life can seem hopeless at times, but I trust God to direct my path, and I trust that He knows what He is doing. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." I trust Him.

This new season has arrived.  I just want to be on the correct path for my life.  No matter how difficult the journey, when you are on the correct path, there will be joy.

This year, 2011, is going to be a great year!  I can hardly wait!!!!!!!

Thirteen

What a glorious day today has been! It has been sunny and warmer than it has been in a long time.  I love the beginning of March, when one season is ending and another one is ready to begin.  Saturday on the other hand, wasn't as lovely.  We had a late winter snow, worse than what was expected.  The weather people called for a dusting to an inch, with turned into inches.  Driving was treacherous to say the least.

Snow in January is depressing because we know it is going to be here for a long time.  The blanket of white everywhere is like a blanket over my heart, a blanket of heaviness, a blanket I dread.  The blanket of white seems to cover up my hope.  But, not so in March.  What I love about late winter snow, is that it doesn't last long. Within about 15 hours of the snow on Saturday, it was disappearing; the roads had cleared up.  Some of it was even melting on the driveways and lawns. 

It is like that in life too.  When we go through seasons of darkness in our lives, as we are coming through them, we may have setbacks, but those setbacks seem to be shorter and shorter.  Their impact on our hope lessens with each passing day.  As King David cried out to God, so do I.   "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life."  Psalm 143:8  Tomorrow will be a better day. 

Thirteen days, just thirteen more days until we celebrate the first day of Spring.  There is more snow in the forecast for tomorrow night, but that is okay because Spring is only thirteen days away!  Hope springs anew!

The Three Letter F Word

The other morning, as I was getting up, the weather guy on the radio was telling me what I did not want to hear.  No, I am not talking about that four letter S word, you know, the white stuff that has been falling like crazy from the sky, lately.  I am talking about the three letter F word, fog.  I am not a fan of fog, but as I was on my way to work, I didn't see much of it until I got closer to the city. Then suddenly I noticed it.  It was there; it was about fifteen feet in the air, part way up the trees.  It was beautiful.

The fog I feared simply led me to see my Heavenly Father in a very special way.  It was as if He was covering me, not blinding my way, but simply there, hovering above, as far as I could see. I could feel his presence.

Lately, my life seems to have been turned upside down, or maybe I am the one upside down and I just don't know it.  Either way, I am not sure which way is up.  The other night, a dear friend reminded me that things are not always as they seem.  Just because we feel one way, does not mean that those feelings represent the reality of the situation.  What I have been reminded of is the need to trust God to show me the way.  It is not always an easy thing to do, but I know He is with me.  He is hovering over me, whether I can feel His presence or not. 

Psalm 143:7-9 says, "Answer me quickly, LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

The fog the other morning was like a blanket of love covering me.  I am not alone.  I know my Heavenly Father is always with me. I am loved.  Perhaps I am right side up after all.

Seasons of Life

Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.  In some places on our earth there isn't much of a change in those seasons, but where I live, each one has its definite time.  My favourite season is spring.  I love when everything becomes green again and the flowers bloom once more.  However, in order to truly appreciate the newness of spring, we need to experience the deadness of winter.  So it is with life.  We, as human beings, cannot continually experience the mountain top experiences of Joy without experiencing the Death Valley experiences,as well. 

This new beginning that God has blessed me with this past year, brought with it an unexpected season of sadness in the past month or so.  Christmas in our home has had a number of traditions that my daughter and I have built over the years; traditions that did not take place this year .  The sadness this brought was compounded by too much time off work to dwell on what didn't happen over the holidays.  I have not felt this depth of sadness in a very long time. 

Today, however, I can tell you that the sadness is gone.  I was so "me" focused that I forgot it isn't about me.  Life does not exist just for my happiness.  We are all here to work together; to help each other through the difficulties of life; to hold each other up when our friends cannot make it on their own; to reflect God's love to the world.

Second Corinthians 1:3-4 says, "All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us."

Today I am smiling again.  Tomorrow I will be able to empathize with the person who is sad because of life's changes. Tomorrow I will be able to listen and to encourage.  To me, that is worth the sadness of yesterday.

But I do have some great news.... only 70 days from today, and spring will officially arrive.  When that day arrives, I will really be smiling!