Winter Storm

In the valley we are breaking snowfall records right and left from the past 30 years!  

This weekend we are set up for the perfect winter storm, so much so they have already declared a state of emergency.  And for the first time since I can remember (or my mom) they canceled church due to weather valley wide.  

We have so much snowfall already on the ground and this weekend we are suppose to get even more coupled with freezing rain and possible flooding.  Idaho Power is preparing for power lines to snap and power outages.  The news did a story on ice dams building up on the roofs and so now when I see ice cycles on my roof I stress a little because I don’t want damage to occur.  

The kids have had 3 snow days in a row.  My dogs have loved playing in the snow but with below 0 temperatures this last week they don’t’ like to stay out too long as their feet look like they start hurting.  

The mall and businesses have closed down do to the road conditions.  As I type this more snow is falling outside.  The church leaders advised people to have extra water on hand and be prepared for power outages.  If the church leaders are asking people to be prepared you listen!  Yesterday Jen and I ventured out before the first wave of this new storm was to hit.  We headed to Fred Myer to grab some extra water and it was the craziest I have ever seen it.  We went at just before 11 am and shelves were clearing fast.  We were able to grab some water but there wasn’t a lot left.  Friends on FB were posting through the day of different stores they were at and each one was a mad house.  After we headed to the store we went to the movies and watched Hidden Figures.  It was amazing and inspiring!  It was an also perfect break that we both needed!  

When we got out of the movie the snow had started.  

We ran over to Petco so I could grab the dogs some food to be on the safe side.  By the time we got out of Petco the snow was crazy and getting deep fast!  We also stopped by the gas station to pick up a few extra lighters just in case.  By the time we got into my neighborhood the snow was the deepest I have seen it.  My car has done amazing well but for the first time I hit a snowdrift and was about as stuck as I could be.  Thankfully some amazing neighbors saw me and came to my rescue.  I cannot express how thankful I am for the neighborhood I live in!!  That evening I cleaned my house and hunkered down.  

I am worried about this storm but thankful to have a warm house to take shelter in.  My thoughts and prayers are with all the first responders, dispatchers, hospital staff, road crews, and Idaho Power crews who will be working non-stop to keep us save! 

Today as I woke up my thoughts turned to my ancestors and the pioneers and tears filled my eyes.  I am thankful that I don’t have to worry about an angry mob coming in the night and kicking me or my family out of our homes, forcing us to walk barefoot in the snow away from our homes as our bloody feet soak the white snow with blood.  I am thankful that I am not walking across the open plans in handcarts and having to watch family members and friends who became too weak and sick causing them to died, then leaving them buried in shallow snow graves.  

I am thankful I don’t have to stay in a quickly built shack that the winter wind tears though as all I have to eat is water down strew or hard bread.  I am thankful I don't have to worry about crossing ice filled river and streams.    

I can’t imagine all they went through and I am beyond thankful for their faith and strength.  It is a testimony to me how much the gospel means to those who went before me.  I am thankful I have found the peace the gospel has given me in my life now.  My ward has been amazing, I can’t count the number of times my driveway and sidewalks have been done by people in my ward and the love they have given to me.  

So while this storm is stressful I know I have so much to be thankful for and no matter what there are people all around me looking out for each other.  I am hoping and praying this storm wont be as bad as they say but I am prepared and that is all I can do.