Long, Cold Winter

Well I have to say that this has been ....A Long Cold Winter...so far... Honestly, though Ukraine is known for cold winters, this has been one of the coldest in years. The other night I was outside for ten minutes wearing my North Face (very good quality), but fingerless (duh!!!), gloves. I was briefly, yet seriously, worried that they might never thaw. I have never had such a loss of feeling in my extremities. You wonder how cold it was? At the time it was -27° Fahrenheit!!! I think that qualifies as cold, especially for a California boy from the S.F. Bay Area.

I count myself more than lucky, more-than blessed. They have been showing reports of the death count due to exposure every night on the local news. In fact a friend of mine from St. Petersburg just came down to help his brother who has frost bite and most likely, gangrene in both hands. There is a good chance he may loose them. His name is Peter Michno. Please pray for him.