hen God moved us from Lynchburg this past August, we were disappointed to be leaving Lynchburg and we were a bit scared about what to expect. But we knew that God is in control of all our circumstances and that he loves to show his love for us in amazing ways.
When God opened a house for us in Front Royal, Virginia, we had no idea what a wonderful town Front Royal is. But we did recognize immediately that God had given us the house of our dreams—a 1940 farmhouse with the original large windows and hardwood floors, but with updated appliances and heating and air conditioning.
But as we’ve gotten to know the town and the surrounding Shenandoah Valley area better, we’ve come to realize that the entire package is an amazing gift of love from God. The entrance to Skyline Drive is across the street from our son’s high school, giving us access to one of the most beautiful drives in the United States whenever we feel the desire to enjoy its sights. The Shenandoah River is less than a mile from our house and may be accessed without even leaving our neighborhood. And to make it even better, just before the river is one of the most scenic railroad junctions around. Our son loves it.
My wife has greatly enjoyed decorating our farmhouse for each season and couldn’t wait for December so she could begin decorating for Christmas. We already have a Christmas tree on our front wrap-around porch and another one in our dining room. We will be purchasing a tree for the living room sometime in the next week or so. The stairs are decorated with a real pine needle garland and colored beads. There are wreaths and ornaments hanging from many of the doors and windows. The Christmas candles are out on the coffee tables and side tables. Our nativity scene is set up in the entry foyer, a musical porcelain face of Saint Nicholas is hanging in the dining room, and Christmas stockings are hung on the fireplace mantle and at the top of the stairs. It is beautiful and we were getting into the Christmas spirit very nicely.
And then God reminded us of his great blessings by unleashing six inches of fresh, soft snow.
We saw the forecast for snow early in the morning and soft flakes of snow began falling right on time at about 7:00 in the morning. The light snow turned to heavy falling snow (light and feathery flakes, but lots and lots of them) by about 10:00. And it kept snowing heavily until about 5:30 in the evening. By that time there was a deep covering of snow everywhere and Front Royal had turned into a winter wonderland that defies description. Truth be told, these pictures really don’t do it justice either. The scene was magnificent—all day long.
Kim is not typically a snow lover, but we all decided to head to the center of town where the Christmas tree is displayed in the town’s gazebo to see how it looked with snow falling. And we were not disappointed. The yearly Christkindlmarkt was underway, so many townsfolk were there enjoying the gorgeous snowstorm. Quite a few children and their parents were rolling snowballs to make snow men in the town square around the Christmas tree. Christmas carols boomed from the public address system around the town square. People walking around the town stopped to greet one another and couldn’t hide their enthusiastic joy in the falling snow.
We, of course, had our cameras in hand and took many pictures. But at one point I was overcome with emotion and had to wipe the tears from my eyes. I stopped for a moment and thanked God for loving us so very much and for giving us such a beautiful world—and, personally, such a beautiful town to live in.
I hope you don’t mind my very personal post. I really wanted to share some of the photos with you. But even more, I want to shout God’s praises from the rooftops. In spite of our sinfulness. In spite of our lack of faith and trust. God blesses man daily with the most incredible artistry imaginable.
Thank you, God, you are awesome!
These are wonderful pictures, Richard. They really capture a feeling of Christmastime. Thanks for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteI keep hearing the song "Oh Shenandoah" in my mind when I look at your blog! I get this mystical feeling of nostalgia, as though it is was my home, too at one point. I'm so glad to keep hearing about this wonderful answer to prayer.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathleen and Lynn. We were overwhelmed with the scene this past Saturday. Kim kept saying that it felt like we had stepped into a movie - like "It's a Wonderful Life" or "Miracle on 34th Street." And it really did.
ReplyDelete"O Shenandoah" was written a couple hundred years ago and I really don't think very much has changed around here in that time. This town has the most palpable nostalgic feel of any town I have ever been in--including towns that have been built in order to create nostalgia. It's like Currier & Ives-ville.
I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures. They're forecasting an ice storm for the Central Shenandoah this coming Wednesday. If I don't have too much work to do, maybe I'll get some more cool pics to share.
Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos...from one who misses the snow at Christmastime!!
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I'm glad you liked the pics, Pam. I don't imagine Swiss Miss hot chocolate brings much of the Swiss Christmas feel to North Carolina. (Is that where you are now?) I hope your family has a wonderful and blessed Christmas this year.
ReplyDeleteRichard, I think I may have to move down South. Your pictures are incredible. The photo of mainstreet is exactly what a town should look like. It's refreshing not to see a Wal-Mart or Home Depot.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tim. You'd love it here. Especially with what you said about Wal-Mart and Home Depot.
ReplyDeleteGet this -- The people of Front Royal wanted to keep their town the way it has been for many generations, so when those big companies wanted to place stores here the town said, "Yes, but..."
We have all of those stores (Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, Lowes, K-Mart, TGI Fridays, etc.), but the people of the town demanded that all of those be built across the highway (and across the Shenandoah River) from the town. So not a single one of those encroaches on our town. It keeps a very comfortable old-town feel to the town, but we are still able to take advantage of having those stores nearby if we want to cross the highway. It also keeps the shopping traffic out of the town.
Our house is in the town of Front Royal and we are only about four miles from that shopping area, but we almost never go there.
Thanks for the post, Rich. Isn't it amazing how the years provide an appreciation for simple gifts?
ReplyDeleteI miss the snow, thanks for sharing it!
Did you just say I'm old, Dean? Yeah - I think you're right. I am old. And, I have come to really appreciate the simple things. I'm no longer enamored of cities and of their hustle and bustle. I feel almost like a hermit at times. But I do appreciate God's handiwork. Both scenery and people.
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