canceled church

As a kid I only remember church being canceled once.  One time.  Here in Ohio, we have had some or part of church canceled on multiple occasions in our short time here.  On this Sunday we were surprised to learn that church was completely canceled.  As it turned out, most of the snow we got came before church started, and before it was called off.  However, we decided that we would try to find some creative ways to still observe the sabbath.

 We started by taking some time that morning to help our neighbors clear their driveways.  We wanted to let the kids be a part of it and feel some satisfaction at their service.  They did, and had a wonderful experience!  Plus, our neighbors thought it was super cute!  

Once we felt we had helped where we could, we decided to enjoy some extra time to have some wholesome recreation together as a family, that wouldn't take away from sabbath day worship.  We started out in the front yard, with Chad building something of a luge/sledding track.  I wish I had a photo, but I only shot video.
Eventually we migrated to the back yard to put our snowman supplies to work.  With our family and Mike and Saundra's we had the manpower and enthusiasm to really go at it.  

It took quite a bit of muscle just to put the second ball on, and the third was even worse.  The head, while much small, was tricky just to get that high in the air.  The kids made the head on the ground.  They even decorated it there.  then we had to stack people to actually get it to the top.  We let the kids then take turns being lifted up to add the scarf and arms.  We had to do this because when they tried to add the sticks themselves they looked like a different type of appendage...

Even our next door neighbors were in awe of our giant friend.  It wasn't just us. 
Our family did indeed make memories that strengthened us, and allowed us to grow.

This was just another "event" that made us so grateful to have our family here with us in Ohio!

In all fairness there was a downside to our fun.  When our snowman crashed just two days later, he took out the back fence.  Hobbs however, has rather enjoyed that part though.  I guess it really is all about perspective.