"The Great Digout!"

Wow... that sure was some kinda storm!

Somehow, we managed to get ourselves into the middle of what has probably been the biggest blizzard to hit Ohio in over thirty years. Although the initial reports are many and varied, it looks like a total of at least 12 inches has hit the region, and there are places where totals of 16 inches of heavy white snow has been reported!

When we arrived late Thursday evening, Ohio appeared set for spring. From our vantage point high above the rolling terrain below, we saw a quilted patchwork of trees and prairie nearly ready for a season of growth and rejuvenation. The mute browns of the forested areas contrasted nicely with the soft yellows of the corn stubble. Hints that we were over deep, fertile ground! Deep black earth sat ready to plow, and we even spotted a few tractors moving on the backfields of Ohio.

Many hints of the spring to come greeted us on arrival. The temperatures remained reasonably warm, and if one were to look closely, they saw hints of green in the grass surrounding the runway. It even smelled like spring! If one drew a deep breath, the air seemingly held the scent of a "spring rain." It was there, that scent, SPRING; even though the sky was still filled with sunshine and blue.

After disembarking our aircraft, we stretched. As we stretched, it was great to think that spring was on it's way. It was great to hope and to feel and to dream. Warmth upon our skin. Sunshine in our faces. Signs everywhere that spring was near! "Summer," many of us were thinking, "cannot be all that far away!"

As Canadians, each one of us knows that the spring will return without fail. At the same time, however, there are few other people who know of or understand the depths of winter. Between the seasons of warmth, hope, and care freeness, there is also that season of bitter cold. Times where nothing seems to be growing, and where everything appears to be sleeping beneath the an unending blanket of white.

That, however, is the key. It only appears to be sleeping.

As we settled in in Ohio, the spring looked to be a certain promise. Things quickly changed, and turned into something that we did not expect. Snow. And then more Snow. Four inches forecast, then eight, then twelve. Those green blades of grass got buried. The black fields just waiting for the plow were transformed into sheets of white. Literally overnight our hope appeared to be fading. Perhaps the spring was not so near!!!

Nearly everything shut down. Malls, schools, churches. Gas stations. Airports. We were caught in our hotel, with few places to go. However, in typical Canadian fashion, we refused to allow the disappointment of a spring seemingly lost deter us.

A few of us set about exploring. We soon discovered that the Wal-Mart remained open, and we also discovered that a true Canadian Icon stood steadfast through the snow and storm. Much to our surprise, we stumbled upon a Tim's!

As we tumbled out of our vehicle, excited by the prospects of a piece of home, our flag was unfurled and displayed proudly. Time for a photo! Suddenly, a voice came from behind us...

"Hey! You guys are from home! You guys are Canadians! Where are you all from? What on earth brings you here in the middle of a snowstorm to Xenia , Ohio?"

It was the manager of the store, and he greeted us with a warm hearty handshake. We told him of our travels, and he mentioned that there were more Canadians inside. "What could be more Canadian than Tim's in a Blizzard?" He asked us.

Inside, we were greeted by Pat. Pat is someone who hails from the Eastern Coast of Canada... or more correctly, the "Rock." From Newfoundland! She was happy to serve us our "double doubles," and it wasn't long before we were swapping tales of Canadian winters with not only Pat, but a number of the Americans that were there. Many of them had never seen such a storm, and were stunned to hear us regale stories of past blizzards that we have weathered. We shared tips and driving techniques. We spent time telling of how we would build snowmen and create snow angels. We talked about common sense wintery things, like not licking metal, and about using the washroom BEFORE bundling up.

Of course the conversation eventually turned to spring, and to the fact that it always returned. There would be gardens to plant, picnics to attend, and cabins and family to visit. Warmth, we reminded ourselves, was just around the corner. Actually, warmth was found in that little corner that seemed so much like home. Warmth was found with people that knew about home, and with people that could share home with us.

Although the snow around us now is heavy, and although we may not get out of Xenia until late in the afternoon tomorrow, We KNOW that each one of us will be heading home at some point, and we KNOW that the spring will come.

Xenia has been kind enough to allow us a little piece of home. It has also allowed us a piece of the spring that we all know is still to come. Each one of us understands that the snow and cold that we have encountered cannot hold us forever!

We know that spring is not so far away. We have seen the hope of the warmth that will return soon. Home is ahead of us, and that promise and hope of the coming spring remains strong.

Each one of us is pressing towards that hope. Each one of us is pressing towards that goal.

For You are my hope, O Lord GOD;
You are my trust from my youth.
Psalm 71:5