Frozen Chozen!

The Sunday Night Check-In for January 25

Photo from my back yard … icy branches we are keeping an eye on.

Hello Friends! It’s time for the Sunday Night Check-In. Welcome to new subscribers! Glad you are here. I’m writing from the frozen tundra of North Louisiana as Winter Storm Fern has paid a visit. It was bad enough to dump inches of sleet, snow, and ice on us but then arctic temps followed and nothing is melting. We haven’t had power in 24 hours.

We have kept warm via a nice fireplace that we seldom use. I’m able to compose tonight’s newsletter using my iPad and data via my cell phone. The wireless keyboard and mouse finish the setup. It’s not so bad, though I’d rather be in front of my widescreen monitor. Oh well, this is probably not going to be long because (1) I need to conserve battery power and (2) I’m not in the room with the fireplace. I am sitting at my dining room table watching the same three or four cars pass one after the other. No idea what they are up to.

This was not a surprise storm, of course. Jarod Floyd and the Digital Weatherdesk gave us much level-headed warning. He had live broadcasts every few hours during the night last night. I was grateful. It was an eerie night. Tree limbs popping, crashes near my house (and on many houses in our area). Then it was so bright, I suppose due to the white ground cover. It never felt like night time. This morning capped it all off with snow thunder. Yes, that is a thing. And it is creepy as all get out.

A few days ago Daniel Kirkendall and I recorded a Sunday video for our church YouTube channel, anticipating closures. It all went pretty well until the last five minutes of my sermon, at which point the video shut down. When I can get back in my office and there is power, I’ll try to figure out why.

But it wasn’t just me, it was many folks across the SouthEast and beyond. So, I’m grateful. I’m thankful that the trees down in my back yard did not scar my home. I’m grateful that we went and got my mom Saturday morning so she wouldn’t have to endure all this alone. I’m grateful that we have a gas stovetop and can cook some food to enjoy. I’m grateful to be here with my family, chilly, but sheltered. I pray for those who do not experience shelter at this time.

Of course, I’d like for my power to come back on sooner rather than later. I feel certain everyone feels the same way.

After the sleet and snow started Saturday morning, a brave and shivering Amazon delivery person dropped off a box containing the hardcover and paperback copies of my newest book, Afternoon Break. It’s one thing to see it on a screen and read it on my kindle as an ebook, but something else entirely to hold the copies in my hand. I always think I’m going to find a major error when I receive it in physical copy. But I love it. Thanks to those who bought it and I hope you love it too.

Well, I’m going to let that be it. Just wanted to check in with you. I’m at 47% on my iPad. I do have a charge bank, so I can recharge, until I can’t. I pray that the rest of my frozen chozen friends will fare well.

Watch for posts from Colossians on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I wrote those ahead of time.

And let the peace of Christ rule in your harts, to which indeed you were called in one body, and be thankful. —Colossians 3:15, LSB

The Night Owl has done his work, a little earlier than usual! Take care of yourself! If you read this far, Bless you! Work hard, smile often, rest well, and stay connected. The world needs you. - John Dobbs