Gratitude

This is my mother. 

If you already knew that, you also probably know that we are close. VERY close. 

I think our closeness is a product of a few things; We spend a lot of time together; We tell each other everything, and the Lord has just given us personalities that allow us to be unusually close knit. But undoubtedly the biggest reason we are so close is because over the past few years we have had to walk through the same trials together. By the Lords grace, He has used it to strengthen our love for Him and our friendship.

The past few months have been heavy laden with stormy seas. One of which has been with my grandparents rapidly declining health. For the past 5 days my mom has been up in Pismo Beach, taking care of my grandparents, until arrangements for full time care-givers can be made. Trust me when I say, it has not been an easy task to take care of them.

However, this has been quite an eye opening experience for me. I've stayed home and had to be responsible for cleaning, laundry, cooking, our animals, and other tasks around the house.

Today I spent the whole day cleaning, and getting things ready for her to come home. The thought that kept going through my head was about how thankful I am to my mother for sacrificing her time to be a faithful steward of our home, with far too little recognition.

I am so thankful to have been taught by her, how to keep a home, schedule, and priorities. 

Praise the Lord for my dear mother whom I love so much! She is truly a blessing.

"She looks well to the ways of her household 

   and does not eat the bread of idleness. 

Her children rise up and call her blessed; 

   her husband also, and he praises her: 

 “Many women have done excellently, 

   but you surpass them all.”

PROVERBS31:27-29

well i {recommend}.....

when i started section two of the biblical counseling classes i'm taking, I didn't quite know what to expect, because the topic was: marriage&family. The first thing I did when I got my syllabus was look at the reading list. Typically there is 9-10 books that we are required to read throughout the twelve week course. It sounds like a lot, but its definitely manageable, and a good lesson in discipline :-) Two of the books that I read this last class stuck out to me the most were: Love that Lasts, and Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage.

Okay, I'm such a woman....seriously. When i saw the cover of this book i got all excited to read it because of the cute rope heart on the front :-) Before this class I had never read any books specifically written to married couples. This book rocks. It is such an awesome commentary on what the marriage relationship is supposed to look like, as God designed it, and just gives a lot of scriptural and practical explanation on how to have a loving relationship. So much of the scripture used is applicable to how we are to interact, communicate and be long suffering in all of life's relationships. Single, married or engaged, I would definitely recommend this book. Oh, and Betsy is C.J. Mahaney's sister, which was awesome as well! 

This book is a 100 page, detailed explanation on what exactly the Bible teaches about marriage, divorce and remarriage. It definitely is rich in theology, and I found it super helpful in increasing my understanding about these issues, but definitely saw just how complicated and sad sin can make things! Jay continually stresses that divorce isn't necessarily a sin, but is always a result of sin. (If that makes no sense, or sounds funny, read the book. He does a much better job of explaining it than I ever could!)

In The Name Of {Love}

I usually don't admit this in public, but Valentines Day is my favorite holiday (Christmas doesn't count, or else it would be a no-brainer; Mariah Carey isn't allowed to audition for American Idol, you know.)  Even since I was little, I've always loved all the decorations, cards, candies, flowers, songs, and movies that come with this special day. I would spend hours, literally, preparing my valentines to take to school. Just the other day i spend an hour and a half wandering around the Valentine's section in Target, soaking it all up(The Proposal was only $10). Obviously I've only had one actual real-life "valentine" but that was last year, and its safe to say the tradition will not be continuing this year, but I digress.

I think its so cool how all the candy companies go all out with the repackaging of their candies.  Seriously, my favorite candy, York peppermint patties, are heart shaped this year, with pink filling. When i saw this, my heart was definitely bursting with joy. I think Valentines day obviously is mostly geared for couples in love, but I've always used it to just remind those around me I love, that i love them! 

My mom and I  always gets each other something cute, sometimes having to do with Valentines day, and other times not. I remember one year I bought her two pink mugs from Starbucks that have coasters with hearts on them :). We usually give my dad and brother candy...because they aren't pink's biggest fans. 

The only thing i dislike about Valentines day is that there is lots of cute candy sitting on our counter, which I often eat. Instead of eating it I took a picture, thats at the top of the post. Definitely not as satisfying. 

Well if you're stumped for what movies to watch on Valentines day, I got you covered, with my top ten favorite romance movies, in this post here :). Since that post, other movies have come out, and I would add "Letter to Juliet" to the list.

And if you're into making mixed C.D.'s here is the link to my favorite love song. EVER. Smother Me- by The Used.

Another creative idea for this day is something I discovered when I was about ten, and I love doing it. Make a heart shaped fried egg for your "sweetheart" (I did this while making my parents breakfast ;). Simply pull out a heart shaped cookie cutter. Heat the skillet with butter. Place the cookie cutter on the skillet and crack the egg inside. Cook until done and simply remove the cookie cutter and place the egg on the plate (with bacon of course) and enjoy! It wont damage a metal cookie cutter, but please don't use plastic, thats just a sad mess waiting to happen :( 

I will hopefully post a red velvet recipe before next Monday, which is my favorite V-day dessert, or anytime dessert actually. :)

xoxo

B

 "Love is patient andkind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

1 Corinthians 13:4-7