Valentines, Schmalentines.... Favorite Five Friday

Valentines and I have a sordid past.... in my teenage years there was heartache... in my 20s it just never seemed to work out, whether something came up or small children needed me or it may just have been my attitude, in my 30s, I just didn't want to do it because everyone else did. I can respond to life like "Love Song" by Sara Barielles... "I'm  not going to write you a love song, cause you asked for it, cause you needed it."  This year the question is were there things I loved about Valentines Day, enough to give it a Favorite Five Friday ranking.  I think maybe there were...

Paul has this great tradition with the kids, so great that anyone whose been around us knows the tradition because the kids can't stop talking about it.

On Valentine's Eve Paul puts a stuffed animal in bed with the kids.  Generally it has been something smallish, BUT this year Paul saw these giant stuffed animals and couldn't contain himself... the rest is history.

Paul also chose to make Valentine's Day special for me... planning quality time, getting a babysitter, gifting me with something I've wanted for years.  It was a day that could only be planned by a man who knows me, a best friend, a lover, someone who is pursuing my heart.

Although it is a day to get good gifts, it can also be a reminder of a day to give good gifts..... gifts of love, joy, kindness, goodness, patience, peace, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Mika had the opportunity to serve the kids that she helps at Sparks.  She made cupcakes for them and her brother helped her decorate.  It was good to reflect on the love that has been poured into us and remember that it was poured in, so that it can pour out.

We also practiced pouring ourselves out by writing Thank You notes.  This is always fun with boys, Mika took it very seriously but the boys..... a note to Duke, a friends dog, and a note to Jackson (a friends cat) from our dead cat and then finally a serious note.  Why is it that saying thank you can make us squirm or feel a little silly.... maybe because a genuine "thank you" requires genuine humility.

Our Valentines activities covered about 3 days... with school, laundry, planning paint colors, friends, groceries all wrapped around it and so last night when it was all said and done.... I treated my self to this....

I think if you go back and count you will find five highlights to our Valentines week... but it would still be missing one....

Give thanks to the LORD for he is good

His LOVE endures FOREVER

I don't need a rose or a ring or even a love song.... I just need my God!

Favorite Five Friday.....Maranatha

Just last weekend we were at one of my favorite places, Maranatha Bible Camp in Nebraska.  Paul was leading the Continuous Worship Conference and I was enjoying time with the kids and some friends.  Maranatha has been a part of my life since I was child.  Camp was always a part of my summer both as a camper and as my dad's shadow while he directed camps or had meetings.  So many of the physical things about camp have changed, but at the core it always stays the same. 

I wander amongst the trees, smell the cedar, feel the smooshy dirt under my feet and listen for God's still small voice......

or sit along the lake...... 

or play and explore with my kids.... 

or I can even act like a kid, you should've seen me on the tire swing. I haven't laughed that much in a long time.  Too bad nobody took a picture of that one.

or I can reflect on the work of Christ and what that has meant to my life.  The boys and I tromped through the snow and when we came to the cross my heart bowed in worship as I was reminded that it is the work of the cross that washes me white as snow.  So often I don't feel very clean on the inside but Jesus covers all of that, renews my heart and bends my knee in worship.