Have I ever mentioned that I love winter? In the past week winter has finally come with all its glory to Latvia. I have so enjoyed the snow. I delight in knowing that things are in their proper order.

The other day I was waiting for a bus in the frigid cold and started thinking of all the reasons I love winter. Just thinking about them all made me warmer. . .

• On cold winter days everything is more clear and crisp- smells are easily felt and sound carries so much further.
• I like how every one's breath steams out as we all live and breath in one God given beautiful winter world. On the colder days the sun seems to turn our breath into floating ice crystals that capture the suns glittering rays. Mmm. . . how enchanting.
• The sound of crunching snow is charming, bringing new pleasures to walking rather then slopping through the mud.
• I love the way the smoke of many chimney's catches the morning hues and seems to be a lovely purple hue against the pink skies.
• Everyone looks healthier as their cheeks turn a rosy pink in the winters cold.
• The local population seems to delight in winter just as much as I, wearing all manner of hats, furs, and coats. Some of the fur hats are very amusing to look at, but I am sure are very warm:)
• Winter sports have started with a vengeance and everyone is flocking to the hills for skiing and snowboarding.
• Local fisherman rush to the river, risking rather thin ice I would think. But in Latvia there are always the most fishermen on the first and last ice.
  

What more can I say? I love winter. The way the snow and frost coats every tree and bush makes a dark, bleak winter world turn into a sparkling, glowing, winter wonderland.
Thank God that he created something so beautiful as snow and for the order of things that sends seasons in their season. Winter was long overdue, and much waited.
Thank God for winter.