Idaho, God’s country.

Let me first say that I moved up here last July from Texas, and enjoyed the splendor of summer in North Idaho. The relief from the heat and humidity of Houston was nothing short of an amazing experience, to say the least. I frequented the Norman Rockwellesque downtown Coeur d’Alene, attending the many events and farmer’s markets, the free concerts in the beautiful park on the lake, Tubbs Hill, the Spokane River and various quaint little parks that are nestled in nature here. Very close to heaven for a Texas girl like me. It’s amazingly easy to appreciate and be grateful for the intricate beauty of God’s creations here during the summer months, but alas I knew winter was coming…

WINTER in North Idaho…very scary for this Southern gal. I know you Idahoans think that’s hilarious. I can’t tell you how many of you laughed at me when I expressed my great anxiety over driving in the snow, ice, slush, and various forms of skating rink like road conditions. Not to mention black ice, monster snow plows, and the plethora of four-wheel drive, jacked-up pickup truck drivers that are always, always in a hurry no matter what nature has thrown at us that day. Yeah, you know who you are! Blowing your horns and plowing around us like we are intentionally blocking you and holding you up by trying to get unstuck from the ice patch that our tires are endlessly spinning on.

Everyone kept telling me it’s no big deal. Winter hasn’t been bad here in several years, so don’t worry, it’ll be fine. Uh huh, says the gal that grew up here driving in this muck for months at a time. No one knew the amount of snow that was headed our way this year. Take it from me, you really DO want to have a four-wheel drive vehicle if at all possible but yes, it’s possible to survive without one. Though it’s not the most reassuring of situations, you Idahoans are some of the most kind and helpful bunch I’ve ever seen. I have witnessed good Samaritans everywhere this winter and thank God I haven’t needed one myself.

Yes, the snow is beautiful and I found myself awestruck at the hoarfrost covering everything after a night of heavy fog, but I also found myself mired in anxiety every morning waiting to see how deep the snow was on the roads, or how slick the ice was going to be, cringing when I heard about the slide-offs and flipped vehicles on the highway.

WE DON’T HAVE SNOW DAYS UP HERE, I heard that a thousand times, but now I know why. I live in Post Falls and work in Coeur d’Alene. I am duly impressed with the snow plows and deicing that enable all of us to navigate the roads on a daily basis. Awesome coordination guys! Just awesome! Although... I take it that sometimes the crunchy rutted side streets are just like that until spring? LOL!

While I think the worst of winter may be over, I am struck this morning by the realization that we are all so susceptible to our daily struggles that we often overlook the unbelievable beauty that, if you are present in the moment, creates that long-ago-lost innocent wonder of a child.

The foggy, colorful sunrise I had the honor of seeing this morning caused me to say "thank you" out loud and almost brought tears to my eyes, but as I was sitting in my car preparing to brave the new work day, I looked up to see a single wild coyote wandering across the snow. Wow, I know you guys that live out in the middle of nowhere see lots of moose and deer, etc. every day because I see your photos frequently online, but for this city girl, it was a huge reminder that I am no longer breathing polluted air, seeing littered streets, or the occasional rat pack on an aerial adventure across power lines in the big city.

I am in God’s country now, and if I stay in the moment, I won’t miss the incredible beauty of that innocent wonder every day.