Songs of Marriage

We tied white satin bows on the backs of one hundred chairs and the guys rigged scaffolds to hang the tulle. The place was set for an evening for the knot-tiers and better halves and life partners of our church. The stories behind the marriages of those who squeezed around rose-red clothed tables went mostly unspoken. But those committed relationships were honoured as Matthew and Sarah sang love songs that echoed the beating of the married hearts in the room. The young couple shared their sweet and difficult testimony and serenaded us with lyrics that were written of their love but ones with which my husband and I keenly identified. 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was the words of the songs of marriage that stirred in me a desire to thank my Lord for the gift that my marriage has become and as we nodded in agreement to their beautiful voices, we clasped hands and counted another year of watching God write more music in us and through us.

Top Ten Things I Love About You

10.You faithfully take out the garbage (my least favourite job, so thank you).

9. You bring home the "bacon".

8. You took over teaching Meghan's math.

7. You pin the kids and I down and slobber all over us daily... so very affectionate, you are!

6. The way you giggle uncontrollably when the Toronto Maple Leafs score a goal.

5. You read my blog :)

4. Helping other men be set free from bondage, through Jesus, is your passion.

3. You watch free online drum tutorials and practice them on Oliver's junior drum set.

2. You encourage me to pursue my interests and gifts.

1. You sled down our luge run on the way to work :) (This really cracks me up).
*I also must add that I love watching you barbeque in your shorts in the snow... such a sight for sore, winter-cabin-fevered eyes.

If you haven't noticed, I love you, Terry. Happy Valentine's Day.

A Whole Lotta Lovin' Goin' On

Gratitude:

631. a LOVE celebration with big and little cousins at Mama's house
632. Julie's birthday
633. abundance of snow for hollowing out tunnels
634. how Papa laughed and said, "I haven't seen that done since I was a boy!"
635. cupcakes (I may have mentioned this one before... my weakness)
636. for button boxes and piles of stickers and craft items--so much possibility
637. how Molly could have stayed at that table all day making things
638. for how my single girlfriends celebrate Valentines together and make it special
639. for the rich blessings Ann is experiencing from her obedience in writing
640. learning to crochet together... Mom takes over Mama's job in teaching us new "old" things
641. for the privilege I have of spending Valentine's evening with our developmentally disable friends

He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind;' and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Luke 10:27

Single Valentine

She doesn't know it but she's beautiful. He made her with dancing eyes and great hair. She has small fingers and a throw-your-head-back laugh. She's funny and loves quickly and can get deep with you as soon as you meet. She's vulnerable and witty. She's lovely and just a little fearful. Her biggest downfall? She bases her worth on how men view her. It's been years of this habit but God's getting a hold of her heart. He's whispering sweet words of His love for her and she's going to fall for it... hook, line and sinker... because it's all true. He adores her.

Precious, single woman, when it looks like He's passed you by, that God has forgotten you, that He missed you when He was matching the men and women around you, know that you're so special. He loves you incredibly and miraculously and He has a plan that will astound you. You're His sweet Valentine and He can't wait to share all of His design for your life. Look to Him, trust in Him and rest in His love. Be still. Stop striving. He'll reveal it. He loves His girl.

My Guy

I have this little guy. He's full of vigor and vim and he loves to eat conversation hearts. I asked him to hold one up for me so I could take a photo and since he can't read, he chose one randomly. As soon as the shutter button was clicked, he popped it in his mouth. It wasn't until later, when I looked closely at that tiny piece of sugar in the photo, that I realized what he had held up. It read, "Your Guy".

My heart was struck.

My little Valentine :)

Heart "Attack"

There's been plenty of tattling and arguing around here and so I thought we'd spread a little love around our environment to remind us every time we look up, that we should always respond in love. Making valentines for our branch (yes, Daddy, we really did find it just lying on the ground :), gave us reason to share with each other why we love our family--specifically. I found the idea to add yarn pom-pom snowflakes here.

Emily makes some pom-poms.

For those of you in the South, take care of our visiting birds :)

A very grateful girl.

A full month ahead of loving each other--a clean slate.

I LOVE winter books :)

Me too :)

Happy February!

The ultimate Love:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting love. John 3:16