By far the most intense winter that I have ever experienced! We got over a foot of snow overnight last Wednesday, and it just killed our week! We had to stay inside all day, and then couldn't use our car on Friday. In addition to that our much prepared for Lantern Festival activity got postponed! Only a few people didn't get the message and still showed up for the activity, one all the way from Virginia. In times of greatly unfavorable circumstances like these, I remember the example of our great ancestor Joseph who was sold into Egypt. He did everything right. He put God first in his life, he loved his brothers as his own flesh, he kept all the commandments. Yet the greatest misfortunes that could ever fall upon anyone all fell upon him! We read in Genesis 39 that he did not harden his heart, but he turned more fully to God. We all face circumstances that aren't fair. Even when we've done everything right and everything we're supposed to. Joseph overcame the greatest level of temptation day by day and it landed him in prison! But if we just trust in a Father in Heaven that loves us, and suffer injustice for a season, it will all work together for our good. Joseph gained "favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison" which eventually brought him to the court of pharoah and enabled him to bring about the salvation of both Egypt and the ancient world in the years of famine. Just like Christ suffered a completely illegal trial and condemnation at the hands of evil men and false witnesses, he overcame it all and then was able to offer forgiveness and resurrection to each one of them! Somehow these snow storms are working to help God's work. Somehow the difficulties of missionary work are preparing me to face greater trials ahead. May we have the strength to face the storms of life with faith!
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