Important Notice

Sadly, global warming has now come to an end, and any idea of easing into winter suddenly left as colder than artic temperatures( It was only -14*C in Yellowknife this morning.) have hit us, hard. I drove to work this morning in -37*C with a wind chill close to -45*C.

Not much is meant to be efficient in this weather. Cars move slow, people move even slower. Production really has fallen. It seems like all we want to do is just spend the days cuddled up in our sweatpants.

But I guess all of this is to be expected. This really is what Canadian winters are like. We have just been spoiled the past couple of years.

Things still aren’t that great, but life has now been put in its proper perspective.

One of my friends from high school has been working in Afghanistan, for the past year, as a nurse. I get emails from her every couple of weeks and learn the realities of living in a war-torn country. Not too long ago, a co-worker of hers was killed.

My friend unknowingly helps me put my small problems in their place. I don’t need to worry about finding the perfect Christmas present, I shouldn’t complain about my hectic work day or be too concerned that I have, somehow, managed to chase off yet another guy. My life is good. I live in a safe country; I have a fantastic family and more friends than any girl really needs.

Despite the real danger that my friend is in, she always finds a way to be somewhat optimistic and upbeat. She is very devout in her religion and I admire her faith. Here is a part of her last email:

“It's sometimes hard to be truthful about how life is going here, and about the difficulties, but without coming across as feeling sorry for myself or really negative. It's hard sometimes to find the words and the mood of a letter that I want to get across.

I find discussing suicide bombers and how to avoid kidnapping very traumatic and stressful. But living here, it's the reality. I just find the constant barrage of discussion about these real threats worse then actually living with them.

And just when I feel like I've had enough, I see I ray of light and sunshine. God is good. But life isn't always.

Things here are always changing, and sometimes it's hard to deal with. But God is stable. And he will see us through. It's true that God hasn't turned his back on the people here. And he cares more then I can fathom. Deep down it's just making that choice to follow him anywhere, and for me, it's here. Anyway, ultimately, life goes on day by day, and it's just making those small choices to be influenced by other people, just doing your best, and leaving the rest for God.”

Good luck to everyone this week. Trying to stay optimistic. Praying for warmer temperatures. ‘It can’t get no worse.’

As Always,