Breaking Free

He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom

and broke away their chains.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love

and his wonderful deeds for men,

for he breaks down gates of bronze

and cuts through bars of iron.

Psalm 107:14-16

Daisy rejoices!

Enjoying my coffee in peace and solitude this morning, I suddenly realized what was missing. Daisy! My crazed-romping, bone gnawing cutie was nowhere to be found. I opened the back door and called. Nothing. I ran to the front door, hoping she'd be sitting in warm morning sun. Nope. My heart plummeted into my belly. Did she run into the road and collide with something big? 

Before I panicked, I decided to check the house again....

Opening my son's bedroom door, a flurry of black and white bounced out the door and bounded down the stairs. It zipped into the family room where it tore around in circles -- a blur of fuzz and a long flowing tail. She pounced from toy to toy, then from me to Ben. And back again. Clearly, Daisy was glad to be released from that small, teen-cologne scented room!

Talk about happy!!!

What if we rejoice with that same abandon when God sets us free? 

That's my challenge to you today! Rejoice in your freedom!!!

A Hallmark Holiday

For many reasons, my husband and I chose not to celebrate Valentine's Day. We'd greet each other in the morning with a "Happy Heart Day" wish and that was it. When the boys came along we held to our approach. When Nathan was little, we did provide Valentines for his classroom celebration -- I'm not militaristic about the whole thing. 

And then came Ellie...

Ellie's Valentine Suitcase 

Maybe it's a little girl thing. Or maybe it's just Ellie. Either way, Valentine's Day has arrived. Ellie doesn't care that daddy's birthday is the day before. If there's a reason to celebrate, Ellie will celebrate! To her, there's no such thing as a Hallmark holiday. There's either fun... or there's a regular day. 

Seriously, you should have seen her on February 2nd. She bounded from bed, quivering with excitement. "Mommy, mommy, it's groundhog's day. Do you think Sir Wally is going to see his shadow?" Rainy days are made for shiny boots and her daisy raincoat. Exciting! Sunny days are made for playing with "the kids" on the trampoline. Life, to Ellie, is a giant party. Each day is a precious gift to savor for the specialness it offers.

Maybe she's on to something. Ellie understands love -- and life.

Ellie's class is studying the 50 States this year.
Her Valentines celebrate maps and journeys :)

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

A man is not where he lives, but where he loves.

Latin Proverb

For you see, each day I love you more 

Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow.

Rosemonde Gerard

Yes,  Ellie understands. Valentine's Day is not a Hallmark holiday. It is a permanent, life-altering condition of the heart worth celebrating.

May your day, your week, your month, your year, your life be filled with life-changing love!

That's a lot of love!!!

Happy Valentine's Day, from Ellie and me!

Love is...

Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast,

it is not proud.

It does not dishonor others,

it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered,

it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil

but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, 
always trusts, 

always hopes,

always perseveres.

Love never fails.

1 Cor. 13:4-8

Happy birthday to the man who lives this out 

every day in our family. 

Rob, you're an incredible husband and father,

provider, encourager, and friend.

Happy Birthday!

I love you!

Always and forever!