February is always a special month for my husband and I. We first met 20 years ago and he moved more than 900 miles to live close to me on Valentines Day of 1991 (and we were married by May, in case you were wondering). He gave me a yellow rose then and they are now my favorite color rose and a tradition for us. I almost always know what I'm getting for Valentines and I wouldn't have it any other way :-) One of these days, when we own our own home,  I plan to have bush after bush of them! 

We've also developed another tradition over the almost 19 years we've been married: letter-writing. It wasn't one we planned to develop but with as many deployments as Mike has had, as well as having lived in separate cities when we first became "a couple", it became a natural thing for us to do! I literally have letters and cards spanning 5 or more years worth of deployments packed up in boxes. I also have over a year of emails from deployments saved. I just can't seem to let go of them because their words mean so much to me. I enjoy getting the stacks of envelopes out, untying the strings, and reading through so many endearing words. They remind me of how strong our love really is. For one deployment, Mike even left notes hidden around our house for me to find. I found them in my Bible at church, in the bottom of the flour bin, in the dresser drawer, under the coffee filters, and so many other places. Love notes have always been a part of our life!

Knowing how much his written words have meant to me over the years, Mike recently bought me a new journal. This is a different kind of journal though. It is for me but he is the one doing all the writing! Mike is writing small love notes in it for me daily.  This is one of the sweetest gifts I have ever been given!! I find myself on pins and needles every evening waiting for him to finish up his thoughts for the day. I also find myself needing to find two quiet times a day -- one for God and Bible study, and one for sweet written words from my husband :-)

Do you have any specials gifts that mean more to you than others? What made them so special? I'd love for you to share in the comments!

Sallie

I shoulda been putting a picture up today for Wordless Wednesday, and I coulda put up a great one of our neighborhood Marine kids at play with their line-up of bright yellow nerf guns on a cloudy day, and I woulda except that someone *whom shall rename nameless* has misplaced my camera cord needed to get said picture from camera to computer to blog. Like I said, shoulda, coulda, woulda...

Instead, I guess I'll share some favorite blogs/posts with you. They've all made me smile exactly when I needed it... like after being frustrated for not finding the aforementioned cord...but, I digress...

Completely Coastal: Stunning Shadow Box Displays -- BTW, I'm making one of these with my printer tray shadow box and oodles of shells today!! http://www.completely-coastal.com/2010/01/stunning-shadow-display-boxes.html

The Shabby Chic Cottage: Ticket to Paris -- easy stamped burlap tag to add to your decor:  http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/2010/01/transformation-thursday-ticket-to-paris.html

A Soft Place to Land: Decorating w/ Children -- been there... done that...oh, wait, I'm still doing that...and still like this, too :-) http://asoftplace.net/2010/01/decorating-with-children/

Little Red House: Mosaic Monday -- she does a Mosaic photo meme every Monday and with all our blustery, rainy days lately I was happy to see all these beautiful flowers this week: http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/2010/01/mosaic-monday-its-my-birthday.html

Miss Mustard Seed's Creative Blog -- sometimes after reading/watching her easy tutorials I think I might actually be able to do that... or at least Victoria could do it for me... LOL:  http://www.missmustardseed.blogspot.com/ 

Stuff Christians Like -- this blog always makes me think! http://stuffchristianslike.net/

Muthering Heights: When Enough is Enough...a great list of questions to ask ourselves when (or before) facing over-commitment: http://www.mutheringheights.com/2010/01/when-enough-is-enough.html

I will do my best to find my computer camera cord sometime today so I can share my fun photo with ya soon. Until then, I hope you find as much enjoyment at the above sites as I have. Be blessed!!

Sallie

When I get nervous, I laugh. I did it throughout our whole 20 minutes at the Justice of the Peace. I did it through the whole hour at the wedding in front on my parents. I did it in childbirth. I've laughed at pretty much any place you really wouldn't think laughter was appropriate. It's just my way of coping, I guess.

The more and more I find out about things happening with my parents, I find myself laughing. I would really LOVE to cry! But its as if I can't control the laughter that escapes my lips as I shake my head in disbelief. I think some people might think I'm actually on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Maybe I am. If not, maybe I should be.

One verse has always been at the forefront on my mind when troubles come my way. It is 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. I ran across this quote from Spurgeon this afternoon when I was having another one of my "disbelief moments" and it seemed entirely fitting for the day. I thought I'd share it with you in hopes that if things aren't going quite right that maybe you would find a bit of encouragement as well!

"I would go to the deeps a hundred times to cheer a downcast spirit. It is good for me to have been afflicted, that I might know how to speak a word in season to one that is weary." ~ C.H. Spurgeon 

It is a true quote (from my own experience, I know that it TRULY is), and I am thankful for the opportunities I've had in sharing grief and healing with others. It isn't always easy to walk through the fire, so to speak, but I wouldn't want to give up any of the blessings I've received along the way either. They've grown me as much as the tribulations themselves!

Sallie

"At the day of Doom men shall be judged according to their fruits. It will not be said then, Did you believe? But, were you doers, or talkers only?" ~ John Bunyan

Someone recently told my husband that she believes my husband and I are two of the most compassionate people she knows. Believe it or not, this was one of the hardest compliments I've ever had to swallow.

As I said in one of my recent posts, I'm someone who likes to fade into the background. I don't really like it when people notice the "good" things I do, or even compliment me on them, because I don't do these things for praise. I do them because I feel like God has led me to live this lifestyle.

Scratch that.

I believe God has called all Christians to live this lifestyle of sacrificial living/giving.  

I know in the past I have let it bother me when people have told my husband and I that we have a works theology and that makes us not really Christians. We have tried to explain we don't do things we do because we are earning credit with God but because God has called us to do works to express our faith in a tangible fashion. I have cried streams of tears over those conversations. Statements like that, and lost relationships in the process, cut like a knife. I have learned though, that I can't live my life to meet other peoples low expectations.

I have to live my life to meet God's high expectations.  

God knows my heart even better than I know it. He has placed the convictions in my heart about giving and working in His kingdom. I can't ignore the action that is required of me in fulfilling my duties to my Lord.

It would be an un-fulfilling Christian life to simply talk the talk without walking the walk as well!

Sallie

First, let me say that I appreciate all of our friends and family (real life and blog/twitter/facebook world) who have been praying for my dad, Victoria's college interview, and our travels. Your prayers have been felt, and are deeply appreciated!

Victoria and I left out of here on Friday afternoon and arrived in KY very early Saturday morning. My dad had been released from the hospital after his surgery at about 9 o'clock Friday evening. He was back at the ER within a few hours of our arrival. That seemed to set the standard for our trip -- he was back and forth between the ER and doctors appointments 4 or 5 different times in a few short days. He has appointments with another specialist this Friday, and a visiting nurse will be at the house twice tomorrow (Thursday). Please continue to keep him in your prayers!

Victoria's interview and tour of Berea went well. We really enjoyed our time at the campus and everyone we met was very helpful and informative. We could not have asked for a better planned event! We will not know if she is accepted for another month or so but we continue to leave it in God's hands. Berea is the school Victoria really wants to go to, but God knows what is best and we trust Him to open and close the doors that are appropriate for her life.

I'm not sure how long I will be back home for. I think mainly it will depend on how Dad's appointment on Friday goes, and what information they find out. I feel more comfortable knowing at least that they have a wonderful church family watching over them and offering guidance and wisdom.

Special thanks to Leslie and Richard who fed Mike and the boys on Sunday afternoon after church and got them out of the house on Monday to go to the Aquarium and Fort Macon. They really enjoyed themselves and I so appreciate your friendship :-)

I think that is about as good a blog catch-up I can do for now. I got in at about 8:30 this morning after driving all night and I'm only surviving on about 3 hours of sleep but I have lots of stuff to catch up on. I'm pretty sure I'll sleep like a baby tonight!

Praying you all have a blessed week!

Sallie