I awoke to chilly temperatures in Naples, FL.  Having lived many years in Boston, MA, I remembered the importance of dressing in layers.  My core stayed nice and warm when I went outseide into the crisp, cool air.  My plants and flowers stayed under their cotton and flannel covers outside.

Despite the very cold weather, I made it to my Creative Learning Study at Trinity by the cove.  We had more people in our group since last week and expect two more next week.  Looks like we are growing in the right direction.

We learned about Paul's letter that he wrote while he was imprisioned and the lesson he taught about the ability to have joy in the midst of great suffering.  Who among us does not know some form of suffering 0 great or small?  Perhaps a loved one has a serious illness or lost their only form of paying bills or in pain from an injury or loss and feeling alone?  God came to us in human form so that He would know the struggles of humanity and so we might know His mercy and compassion is great when we seek His path and try honestly to do His will.

One of my friends whom I haven't seen in several weeks has returned from MA, where the temperature was much colder.  She was a nice addition to our discussion group.  She also brought with her a photo we had taken of us last month during the Christmas festivities in a town called "Bethlehem."  It remined me of the incredible transformation that took place in the community, building a manger, a marketplace, a traditional home and sharing the produce grown in the village garden.  It also reminded me of the spelt bread that we ate that was made from seed that was planted in the garden...and how much I would like to try to grow my own.

When I came home, the the protective sheets were removed and my plants were thriving.  If  the sheets stayed on too long, the plants would have withered, but were they not covered at all, the cold might have killed them.  So my faith, like my flowers is revealed again. 

Now I am off to find spelt seed and see if I can make some bread!!