Rejuvenatin' in the North Woods

This was my home for the past weekend.

Eleven friends joined me in a drive 4 hours north of the Twin Cities. We piled into this gorgeous home on Lake Vermillion.  When the sun rose over the lake on the first morning, I almost had tears running down my cheeks it was so beautiful.

I'd say I'm getting stronger, but that's a lie.  I am strong.  These two years have proved that.

It's just that winter is thawing out in my life and things are finally starting to bloom.

We sat in a hot tub that overlooked the lake.  Deep fried two turkeys and had a spectacular dinner to go with it (including home made ice cream). Hiked around the lake and went ice fishing. Played Jenga for hours. And hours. Told stories around candlelight.  Burned old letters. Enjoyed heated tile floors. Pushed cars out of snowbanks in the driveway time and time again.

There's so much more and I'll tell you soon.  But for now, I just want to say it was good for my soul, it was good to be with family.  It was good to get my car stuck in the driveway in the middle of the night, pray for a little help, and realize how truly bright the stars are when it's dark outside.  Cold air can feel so good in the lungs.