Yes, I know I'm late, and I'm sure you're probably tired of hearing, "Happy Late Valentines Day," but the day does deserve some recognition. :) As I know I have posted on previous V. Days, it is a fantasmagorical holiday that gives you the right to eat chocolate with no guilt, wear pink and red at the same time, and to bake plenty of cookies, cupcakes or whatever floats your boat. It's also very widely considered a very romantic day because it's 'based on love.' Just as a post-valentines reminder to myself, valentines day doesn't have to be romantic just because it's a very lovey day. John 15:13-17 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends; for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
Ah! To be called a friend of a Holy, Righteous, All-Knowing, Wrathful, Just, Loving God?? To be saved by his mercy because of His great Namesake? That is amazing.
And don't get me wrong, I hope you all enjoyed all the chocolate and valentine's day festivities, (I know I surely did), but it's so good to keep in mind the powerful, incomprehensible love of God
Yes, it's here once again! A day pretty much focused on love, candy, secret admirers, cards, hearts and did I mention candy? So, in honor of this day, I will post some things that I love. :) <3
1. My Daddy writing all my lesson plans and for history letting me watch Braveheart! (Not until Friday, but I am excited!)
2. My sound of my mom in the kitchen flipping french toast and making hot chocolate this morning....mmmm.....
3. My brothers scooping freshly fallen snow in the driveway, and Erna's drawings and Lil's obsession with Elmo. (She is soooo cute. Here, maybe a picture would be good....)
4. Sore fingers and a blistered thumb from learning the guitar.
5. Raising money and shopping for my trip to Ethiopia!!! It is coming up in like a month!!!
6. Verse like Isaiah 18 when I am nervous or afraid. (especially of traveling overseas, new places, strange languages and new foods)
7. The book, 'The Scottish Chiefs' Oh my! Such a good book!! It goes along with the movie Braveheart, (William Wallace) except more romance and stuff. But still lots and lots and lots of battle chapters.....
(The Artist, I totally recommend it! The whole time we were watching it, these old ladies were making the funniest comments like, "Oh! This movie needs sound! and trying to predict what would happen next.)
9. My cousin being done with basic training! Yea Popeye!!
10. Long nights of sleep, and waking up to a crisp winter morning.
11. Nature hikes with my dad and siblings. (Sorry, the pictures aren't on the computer yet....)
12. The pageview tracker on blogger (When you don't get any comments, it is nice to know people still read your blog! smile......)
13. Knowing that my God is so much bigger than any fears or problems that you have. And that compared to heaven the trials of this world are trivial. What a friend we have in Jesus!!!
14. The stars!
Yes, those are the stars! And God knows each one by name.
15. This video
Have a fantastic Valentines Day, and eat lots of chocolate, and spend time with your valentine (if you have one....) Or join me in realizing just how many blessings I have to love, and that loving people includes your enemies, your siblings, your neighbor, everybody!!! That is convicting for me.....Because I know that loving is easy when people are loving you, but to love those who hate you with the love that Christ loved me is HARD!
~Bugg~
