I.LOVE.VALENTINE'S.DAY.
Valentine's Day is without a doubt my favorite day of the year. And it is NOT because of what I get out of it, because generally we do not spend $ on gifts for each other. Rather, it's because it's a day -MY day- to go all out and show my family just how much they mean to me. I LOVE making it special for them.
When the kids were young we couldn't afford a babysitter plus going out plus a gift for them so we decided to make Valentine's about our family. It started when the kids weren't even in school. It started with a heart shaped pizza from Papa Murphy's and heart shaped cookies and ice cream. It started with candles and little bags of m&m's and a couple of small stuffed animals and some balloons. And over the years it has meant meals that were completely red, specific themed, new-to-us recipes, heart shaped cakes, cookies or sundaes and whatever else I could dream up (or find online). We have celebrated in Hillsboro OR, Riddle OR, Eugene OR, Brewster WA, Kilgore TX and Harker Heights TX. One year it brought an unexpected youth visitor to our home and another year we shared it with extended family.
(A funny memory from one of our first years: House lights dimmed, candles lit all over the house, the table set perfectly with a single rose on Clint's plate... everything was set as we waited on him to come home from work. I had bought a new cd, one not typical for us. It was Enya and it was different. When Clint came in and we all sat down and began eating, he stops, takes a look around and asks if we are planning on sacrificing him that night. We didn't listen to that cd after that night.:)
So each year has definitely held special memories and my hope is that it will continue for many more years, no matter where we are. My hope is that my children have special memories and incorporate them into their own lives someday.
(A funny memory from one of our first years: House lights dimmed, candles lit all over the house, the table set perfectly with a single rose on Clint's plate... everything was set as we waited on him to come home from work. I had bought a new cd, one not typical for us. It was Enya and it was different. When Clint came in and we all sat down and began eating, he stops, takes a look around and asks if we are planning on sacrificing him that night. We didn't listen to that cd after that night.:)
So each year has definitely held special memories and my hope is that it will continue for many more years, no matter where we are. My hope is that my children have special memories and incorporate them into their own lives someday.
This year will be no different. My mind is busy-busy-busy with ideas. But this year, we will add a different dynamic to it. We will remember our four sponsor children as we are together. We will be thankful for what we are able to have together while being thankful that we are able to help them have things they may otherwise not have. Things such as food, clean water, clothing, medicine and the opportunity to go to school and also learn more about God and loving Him. They will be at our table with us, this day and always, because they too are part of our family and we truly love them. God laid it on my heart this morning to then take whatever $ we spend on our dinner and match that to send on to another child who does not yet have a sponsor. Our life is not all us but is about loving God's children and sharing what we have with them. I am so excited.
God has called us to love as He first loved us and He has loved us extravagantly, lavishing His love upon us. We strive to do the same. We pray for our attitudes and wills to get out of the way so we too may love extravagantly... from our day to day lives to out-of-the box, anything type of living and loving. My heart is wide open... oh how I want His love to flow through me and love like Him... on Valentine's Day and every day.
Our Compassion children.
Top left, Charles (Kenya). Top right, Nisha (India). Bottom left, Nathalia (Brazil). Bottom right, Penlope (Uganda).
Middle, TAG Bethlehem Child Survival Program helping mothers and babies.
Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours!
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How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. -1 John 3:1
If you are interested in learning more about child sponsorship, please visit: http://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/default.htm
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