So it's cold

I know for most of my Canadian readers you are already digging in your pockets for your 'smallest violin in the world' and your stories of 40 below and polar bears, but now is the time you cut the Kiwi some slack and let me feel cold.
Because for a half Chinese, half Hobbit such as myself, -8 with a windchill to -13 is really cold. And ice isn't fun either!
Ok enough of that.
Things here are going well, busy busy busy, especially as we prepare our students to head out on field assignment on Christmas Eve!! yipes, who thought of that idea? oh yeah, me. doh.
It's the season of Christmas parties and snow fights and carols and candles. We had our church candlelight christmas carol service on Sunday, and even though I was (literally) enrobed the entire time in my rather frumpy blue yellow and white choir robes it was a really good night, full of music and love and reading the Bible! So good for my soul.
Why is it that we so underestimate reading the Bible? I have been really trying to check myself in this area and apply myself more, and my dear friend Gwen has been helping me a lot. She is doing her thesis project at St Stephens University and part of it is writing a devotional, focusing one day on each chapter of the 4 gospel books. 90 days for 90 chapters. I have been one of the guinea pigs for the project, and the simple application of the Word of God has really had a profound effect on my morning routine and the rest of my day. Why did I never apply myself before? Why am I STILL slack sometimes? Why is it always the things that are best for us that we let fall by the wayside the fastest?
I'm excited it's nearly Christmas. It's a good time to reflect and learn and rest and revel in the love and friendship that we have in our lives. It's a sip of cold water along the way (though maybe hot water would be better for me right now) and can bring refreshment we never even though possible. It'll be my 4th Christmas away from NZ, strange I know, but if I am somewhat on to it, you Kiwis should get your Christmas cards before Valentine's :)
Gotta go get ready for work.
Lots of love
Hillary