Snow Boots

There is nothing about traveling light when it comes to snow boots. I finally traded my "performance boots" in for just "regular person" boots and it made a huge difference. I am definitely not a performer when it comes to skiing! The snow is fantastic, so I don't want to take it too easy.

A "pre-ski" weekend definitely helps when planning a full week of skiing, and we missed that this year.

Have enjoyed spending time with family.

I have two books with me. One is Missional Small Groups:Becoming a Community That Makes a Difference in the World by Scott Boren. Scott compares being in mission to learning how to play music, particularly improvisational jazz; "Most people play their life rhythms without even thinking about the music their life makes...They must learn how to work together, how to read each other, and how to complement each other's strengths and weaknesses" (pg. 9). At the end of the book is an Appendix that walks small groups through a 12 to 15 weeks of learning "missional rhythms". There are even teaching segments that can be downloaded as video files! Sounds like something that would be very exciting for small groups to challenge themselves and grow in their understanding of what it means to follow Christ out into the world.

Learning to play a musical instrument is challenging. It isn't easy. Just like snow skiing. Some have natural ability, and some have to keep working at it. Some are dare devils (like helicopter skiiers) and some prefer to float down the green slopes and enjoy the scenery (that would be me!). Either way there is preparation that must be done - just in getting dressed!

The other book I have is a fiction book. Fiction is hard for me because I want to read something with purpose. However, so many people read fiction, and I want to understand why, so I will read something if it comes highly recommended. "If I Gained the World" by Linda Nichols is what I am working on. Today I am on chapter 10 and there are a total of 57 chapters. So far it is keeping my interest!