SNOW DAY!

Being from Salt Lake County, I am used to lots of snow in the winter months! We get snow from October to March some years. It's the powdery, beautiful kind of snow, too. (Well, it was at least beautiful to watch from inside my home. It wasn't as pretty when I had to scrape it off my car each morning before attending classes.) The snow builds up in heaps in Utah. There are always a few storms each year that provide enough snow to make a hefty snowman. When I picture a snow day I think of six feet of snow on the ground: enough to barricade me inside if I was indoors, or bury me alive if I was outdoors. Well... I guess I was misinformed. It's my first snow day... and I think there is maybe, possibly an inch of snow on the ground (if you rounded up to the nearest inch).

This is my first year living in the DC area and there wasn't any snow in October. Or November. And then today: IT FINALLY SNOWED!!!  I was so happy! It basically felt like home. (except the snow here falls in like little pellets and is more slushy.. anyways, it was still happy.) All morning I heard people mention how cautious everyone needs to be on the roads. I was just chuckling to myself because it was hardly any snow at all compared to what I am used to.

We arrived at church this afternoon and it wasn't long before the snow started again. It was quite magical to watch the snow fall outside of the old, chapel windows, while a bell choir performed a special musical number! It was just lovely. I was much enjoying myself when the Bishop got up an announced that we would only have the first hour of church. He said because of the weather we wouldn't have Sunday School or other classes. I honestly laughed out loud. Church cancelled? What is this? haha. I'd never heard of church being cancelled in my whole life, and now it was: all over a tiny amount of snow!!! Then, I received a text message from our missionary leaders saying the weather is sketchy and we should stay indoors. I wasn't going to complain... It sounds like so much fun to have a snow day... but I was confused because this weather does not seem harsh compared to what I am used to. I couldn't believe that we were actually having a snow day! It seemed silly!

After church, a member of our congregation explained to me the type of conditions that happen when the weather gets like this. She said that the weather and altitude is just right here so that when the snow turns to rain it freezes instantly. She said these ice storms cause the roads to be completely slick, making it unsafe to drive. She said the people here also don't know how to drive in these conditions, so it makes it even more dangerous. These ice storms apparently freeze everything over to the point where she said it's not even safe to walk outside. Wow. I'd never heard of such a thing. It now made sense in my mind of why it was important for us to stay inside. I now realized why so many people had been concerned about this seemingly-pleasant weather.

I instantly noticed a correlation between this circumstance and my goal of avoiding the tendency I have to be critical of others. I am a naturally positive person. I thrive off of smiles and laughs. When I see someone who is angry I look on their life and sometimes I judge them. I think, "Wow, your life really isn't that hard. Would you please try to be happy. I've been through harder things than you and I still manage to get by with a positive attitude." This is the wrong attitude to have!!! The Savior himself said, "Judge not that you be not judged." (Matt 7:1, 3 Ne. 14:1) I've really come to learn that I don't know what other people are going through-- I don't know what they are "weathering." Sometimes when people are struggling or 'the weather is rough' it is evident. This is like the storms in Utah. It's simple to notice 3 feet of snow on the ground, just like it is easy to spot that someone is struggling emotionally when they are having a sobbing fit. Other people's problems may be hidden, like the Virginia storm. It looks like okay weather, but upon farther examination the weather really is harsh. I may not notice the hurt others have, but the least I can do is avoid judging them until a better season comes. What a powerful lesson I have learned today!