"The Wintry Day Descending to Its Close"

ice flows on
walls of granite

"The Wintry Day Descending to Its Close"   Have we ever heard this hymn sung?
The words in the first verse were thought provoking.
We see our winter in a different perspective.
"The wintry day, descending to its close
Invites all wearied nature to repose,

And shades of night are falling dense and fast.



Like sable curtains closing o'er the past. 

 Pale through the gloom the newly fallen snow

Wraps in a shroud the silent earth below. 

 As though 'twere mercy's hand had spread the pall,

 A symbol of forgiveness unto all.

 

Do the winter scenes remind you of the song we used to sing at Thanksgiving?

Bridge in Jeffersonville, Vermont

ice flows in the nearly frozen rivers

Over the river and thru the wood,
To grandfather's house we go;
The horse knows the way
To carry the sleigh,
Thru the white and drifted snow, oh!
Over the river and thru the wood,
Oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes,
And bites the nose,
As over the ground we go.

Fisher Bridge

winter photo
the Mission Home

snow fell in huge flakes today!

Lake Winnepausaukee - notice the fisherman's ice houses

Yesterday we walked in the woods behind the Mission Home.  The snow piled high covers the brush that makes the walk nearly impossible in the spring.  The marsh and wet lands underneath our feet were frozen over. As we walked we found parables in the journey. We came upon this tree already obviously discovered by woodpeckers.  We created a mini parable.  Are we :no trace" missionaries.  President constantly stresses that missionaries must leave the church buildings "no trace" clean.

 President led the way, sometimes walking on crusted snow, sometimes sinking into softer, slushier snow.  I walked in his footsteps, sometimes successful, a couple times slipping.  He reached back to pick me up.  How much that is a parable for our mission experience: we have tried to follow the Savior, and walk in His footsteps.  He has 'marked the path and shown the way' but we have at times, slipped in the 'snow.'  Many, many times, we have felt through His divine grace, His hand lifting us up and helping us to stay on the path.