I walked here to the coffee shop tonight.  The walk was cold and encouraging.  I’d prepared by putting on my warm long john pants and jeans, a couple of shirts, my jacket, scarf, hat, and snow boots.  Then I topped off the outfit by wearing a warm little face mask, a popular thing to do in northeast China.  My little cat ran away and hid under the couch as I said goodbye and bustled out the door.    

The ipod is an essential ingredient to a good walk for me.  I revisited an old favorite album that reminded me of other challenging times in life.  Songs of dependence and faith encouraged my heart as I looked around me on the snowy walk.  Remembering the first time these songs lifted my heart in the L was very helpful.  He has been so amazingly good.  So many times I listened to these same songs, trying to trust as I gazed into a dark and confusing future.  And here I am, somewhere I never dreamed that I’d be, loving a life I never imagined to have.  The future seems just as foggy today to me, and still I know that His goodness is unchanging.

Physically, I was warm in my layers and enjoyed the mysterious anonymity of my face mask.  It’s fun to stare more than be stared at.  I arrived to find a friendly face here to greet me and in a few minutes I was online with my hands warming around a steaming mug of youzi cha.  This drink is hot honey and citrus, tasty and supposedly good for you.   In a short time, I’ll meet some friends for a late dinner and then march myself back home where I’ll be greeted by the cuddly, ferocious Angel kitten.  I’m thankful.  For sustaining grace, for abounding gifts, and for the crunch and sparkle of the snow tonight.