“The Lord calls to Him all sinners; He opens His arms wide, even to the worst among them. Gladly He takes them in His arms, if only they will come. But they have got to make the effort of coming. They must seek Him, go to Him. In other words, they must repent. It is not He that rejects those who do: not repent. He still longs for them, and calls them. But they refuse to hear His call. They choose to wander away, in some other direction.”
(Thus, Elder Macarius of Optina  on spiritual direction)

The mountains around Wardak province, Afghanistan, are covered with snow after a two day snow storm, Nov. 25.