Giving Thanks

After David was established as king of Israel, he had the ark of God brought to Jerusalem.  Then he gave a psalm (song) of thanks to the Lord.  Towards the end of the song he said, "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, His love endures forever."  (1 Chronicles 16:34) It is so good that we have a national holiday where we can stop and give thanks to the Lord!

Yesterday on Thanksgiving day, Sean, the kids, and I sat around the living room and named things for which we are thankful.  Here is the list (of course there are many more, but this is what was said yesterday as we went around the room several times:)

• food, specifically Coca-Cola salad
• family
• my wife
• cars (toy ones)
• my husband
• being able to play the piano
• toys
• my friends 
• mi casa (my house)
• Jesus
• nuts
• hard things that make me depend on Jesus
• the trees
• hot water
• my schools
• animals
• health
• Mater's Tall Tales (a movie)
• laughter
• the Bible 
• a swing set
• art
• DSi's and 3DS's
• in-laws
• cousins
• the opportunity to learn about and talk about Jesus with others
• computers
• fresh water
• the ability to sing
• the opportunity to travel
• scissors
• music
• Colorado every other summer and the friendships we have there
• sleep
• sports
• soccer and basketball
• life
• candy
• books
• forgiveness
• paint ball
• smelly markers
• hugs and kisses
• marshmallows
• nature
• God's mercies are new every morning
• Mommy and Daddy
• this chair
• having a nice bed
• our van and our car
• dry erase markers
• the beach
• bike rides and hikes
• my brain
• little sheep
• dessert
• my job
• Eagles and Hokies
• Mexico and Australia
• Senegal and Botswana
• pie 
• freckles
• everything!

For what are you thankful this year?

what's it like having a twin

Me, our older sister Ginny, and my twin sister Betsy

Today is my birthday, so typically it's a day everyone celebrates me!  But since I was born, I've had to share that day with someone else: my twin, Betsy.  When we were little, we were so very different.  We looked different: blond hair and blue eyes vs. dark black hair and brown eyes.  We acted differently: tomboy vs. girly-girl who even sewed her own prom dress and winter wool coat in high school. You might think that we were so different, that we wouldn't be close, but I'm here to tell you all the fantastic reasons why it's GREAT to have a twin (especially MY twin!)

• Someone to ride the school bus with you on the first day of school at each new school
• Someone to walk into any new situation with you as a kid
• Someone to let you borrow her books if you leave yours at school 
• Someone who would fall asleep while you were talking when you were in college...  and who still falls asleep while you're talking on the phone to her now because you live in different states... or who falls asleep while you're talking to her in person when visiting
• Someone to drive two and a half hours from her college to yours during her exam week to help you pack up your belongings when your exams were over (and who sprained her ankle helping you, so that you had to drive to her college and hang around to drive her to her finals with her sprained ankle)
  
  
  
• Someone to drive you home from her college the week of Thanksgiving (while you were visiting her) because you got mono and were too sick to drive home (only to have to come back to take her tests and then drive home three days later)
• Someone to share a car with you your senior year in high school after you totaled your car
• Someone to laugh with hysterically when you got caught in a rainstorm going on a ski lift in Gatlinburg, TN on summer vacation 
• Someone to help you chaperone a canoeing trip when you are a brand new teacher - and get caught in another downpour for hours....
• Someone to help you figure out how to set up a tent because your borrowed tent has a stick in the place of one of the tent poles...
• Someone to call when you're just really frustrated with being a mom and all the messy parts of being a mom
• Someone who cried when you got married - both super happy for you but at the same time knowing that a certain chapter in your life had ended
• Someone who will have "bad" days on the same days - even though living in a different state
• Someone who cheers you up when you're sad or down
  

Samuel: the heart of a servant

Today I asked Samuel to take out the crock with the smelly, starting to decompose compost from the kitchen.  No one likes that job.  Everybody hates it because instead of taking it out every day, we tend to procrastinate and wait until the crock is completely full.  So I asked Samuel to take it out.  I didn't feel like having any back talking or listening to any whining.  (Don't worry - I will ask the kids who back talk or whine as well - but today I didn't.)  Here is a picture of Samuel taking it to the spot in the edge of the woods where we dump our compost:

Samuel is my servant son.  He is quick to obey without whining or back talking, even when it's not his favorite job.  Don't get me wrong, there are still times that he drives me crazy (like yesterday when he took over 6 hours - 6 HOURS! - to complete one day's math assignment.)  But overall, when I ask him to do something specific to help me out, he does it.  And this is from a 12 year old!  So I find myself, on days when I am weary, choosing to ask Samuel for help.  Help your little brother go to the bathroom and wash his hands... help me fill the water bottles before we go to soccer practice...

Last night when I backed the van out of the garage, I saw toys that were on Sean's side of the garage.  I stopped the van.  "Somebody get those toys put away so Dad doesn't run over them, " I directed.  Who jumped out of the van and put away the toys right away?  Samuel.  (He hadn't even been out there playing with the toys earlier; he had been inside working on that dreaded math assignment.)  Just another example of how he is quick to serve others.

Samuel has a servant's heart.  You might think that doesn't sound good - after all, who wants to be a servant?  It's not something you would normally think to put on a resume as a strength.  But having a servant's heart isn't a bad thing.  Jesus said that we should have a servant's heart.  And then He showed what that looked like by first washing his disciples feet and then by dying on the cross for each of us.  (Neither of which He deserved to do.)

Samuel's response to my requests makes me think about my heart.  There are lots of times when I don't have a servant's heart.  I want others to do things for me.  I think I deserve certain things, that I have certain rights (after all, I am an American, right?)  But then I think of Samuel, who actually reflects Jesus' heart in his service to me and others.  And I realize that I really want to have that type of heart, willing to put others before myself, to give for the benefit others.  How about you?  Do you find yourself having a servant's heart?  Or do you have someone in your life who reflects Jesus' servant heart?

The "real" Nancy

Have you ever thought that if a person really knew the "real" you, they wouldn't like you?  Or that everyone else's life is better than yours, or not as messy as yours?  We often assume that other people "have it all together" or that their life is "perfect."  We know our own secrets, those things with which we struggle daily - perhaps it's being negative around my husband or kids, or not responding well to the insurance agent or telemarketer... what the house looks like when no one is visiting...  Whatever it is, we often think if only other people really knew what we were like on the inside, all our sinful thoughts, all of our past mistakes, all of our "secrets," then they would judge and condemn us and not respect or like us anymore.  I've definitely been there.  I battle the thought that other people will judge and condemn me if they only really knew the "real" Nancy.

That's where this summer comes in.  There were some things in my life that were hard this past spring.  Things I really didn't want the world to know about, things I needed to process.  Then this summer we were in Colorado for 2 months.  Every time we're in Colorado, I share my life story with others.  I always look forward to hearing what is happening in the lives of young college women as well as sharing with them about my life and my spiritual journey.  Sort of.  There comes a part when I get nervous (I go first!) as I tell them lots of details about my life.  Some details that even close friends in Pennsylvania don't know.  And here is what is so amazing:  even when I share the hard parts of my story, times when I did not walk with God as I should, times when life was or is hard, these beautiful women listen and accept me.  They don't accept the wrong behavior or wrong thoughts, but they listen, love, and forgive me.  And they show me a picture of the way God loves me as well, not condoning sin but loving me and walking me through life.

4 lovely college girls with whom I shared life at 6 am every morning

This summer I had one more group with whom to share my life: fellow staff women who work with Cru.  We were split into two groups, with me facilitating one group.  Then some members of my group asked that we share our stories with one another.  I got to go first.  As I was telling my life journey, I wasn't planning on sharing the hardest part of this past spring.    That would have been pretty risky.  After all, we are all missionaries who are supposed to have it all together, right? But as I was talking, it just sort of came out.  And guess what?  Those beautiful staff women loved me and continued to respect me and embrace me even in the midst of hearing that I don't have it all together.  Some of them had hard things they were going through as well.  None of them were in the exact place where I was, with the same circumstances.  Yet they were able to encourage me, help me to walk in the light, and see God's grace through the situation.  The Bible talks about walking in the light and not in the darkness.  So many times I'm tempted to try to appear like I have it all together because I think (erroneously) that others will like me more or respect me more if they don't see my areas of weakness or where I struggle.  But that's not true.  In reality, when I allow others to see the real me, blemishes and all, they can also see God working through that situation or weakness, and He gets the glory.  They also see that I'm not perfect just like they're not perfect, and they can actually connect even better with me. They share with me the areas of their lives that are also hard, and we can encourage each other and live in community instead of living in isolation believing that no one else understands or struggles like we do.

my Cru staff small group this summer at Horsetooth Reservoir

So the next time I'm tempted to "hide" behind a facade of being the "perfect" mom or wife or Cru staff, I'm hoping to let others know the "real" me.  How about you?  Have you tried being vulnerable with others, and letting them know the "real" you instead of hiding behind the picture of being the "perfect" person who has it all together?

another friend from this summer who knows the "real" me

Healthier Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Last week I wrote about my Alexander day.  One good part of the day was the yummy muffins that I made. No one in our family likes bananas when they start to get speckled with all those brown spots on them.  So now I just toss them in the freezer when they start to get freckles.  Later, I make either these yummy muffins or fruit smoothies.  Maybe sometime later I'll share about different smoothie options, but today I thought I would share how I made the muffins.

What makes this a healthier recipe than others?  Some people would say the honey makes it healthier, but the jury is still out on that one.  Honey is sweeter than refined sugar, so you don't have to use as much. However, it has more calories, making it about even when using it as a sweetener. Using whole wheat flour instead of white flour will definitely help you.  First, the refined white flour will go through your digestive system way too quickly while the whole wheat flour has the fiber you need.  Because it takes longer to digest, it will also make you feel full longer and keep your blood sugar from skyrocketing.  Flaxseed is also great for you.  I substituted flaxseed in this recipe for oil to get the added benefits of this powerhouse.  Flaxseed is high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as phytochemicals called lignans.  Among other benefits, flaxseed can help lower your total and bad cholesterol and help your digestive system.  The best part is that when I add it to food like muffins or smoothies, my kids still love the food! Did you know that dark chocolate is also good for you in moderation?  Among other benefits, dark chocolate can help lower blood pressure and control blood sugar.  Just make sure to use dark chocolate, not milk chocolate.

Healthier Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

1 2/3 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 to 1/2 cup honey (I used 1/3 cup)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (about 2 - 3 bananas)
3 eggs
3/4 cup flaxseed (store extra in the freezer to keep it from going rancid)
1/4 cup skim milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
bag of dark chocolate chips (the recipe calls for less, but my kids love the chocolate, so I put more)

1.  Heat oven to 350 F.  Spray bottoms only of muffin cups with cooking spray or line with paper baking cups.
2.  In large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and flaxseed.
3.  In medium bowl, beat bananas, eggs, milk, vanilla, and honey with fork until smooth.  Stir into flour mixture just until flour is moistened.  Gently stir in chocolate chips.

4.  Divide batter evenly among muffin cups.  (It sometimes makes about 14 muffins, so you may need an extra muffin tin.  I just put water in the empty muffin cups to keep the pan in good shape.)

5.  Bake 20 - 24 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Immediately remove muffins from pan to cooling rack.

6.  Enjoy!

My daughter, Elliana, loves these muffins!

an "Alexander" day

Ever had one of those days?  Where nothing terribly wrong happened but all those little things added up?  Ever had what I call an "Alexander" day?

Yesterday was one of those days for me.  I intended to sleep in.  Sunday night we stayed up late celebrating Natalie's safe arrival back from Mexico and then talking to Sean's sister who lives overseas.  But I woke up just after 5 am and couldn't go back to sleep.  I tossed and turned 'til after 7.  (I should have just gotten up but wasn't sure I would function well on the few hours of sleep I'd gotten.)

Later that morning, I decided to make banana chocolate chip muffins to also celebrate Natalie's return and because all the kids absolutely love them.  I learned a few lessons while making them:

1. Focus on making the muffins - don't get distracted by trying to fix kids' problems like broken toys.
2. The money you think you are going to save by re-using that teeny-tiny bottle of super glue isn't worth it!  Just buy a new one every time you use some super glue.
3. Super glue works REALLY FAST, especially bonding skin to skin.
4. Always have fingernail polish remover handy just in case you super glue your fingers together.
5. Make sure you know where the fingernail polish remover is located in your house.

That's right: I superglued my fingers together!  How in the world did you do that, you ask?  Oh, just trying to get the top on super tight after using the super glue - apparently more glue was squeezing out onto my fingers.  In a couple of seconds, my index and middle finger were tightly bonded to one another!  And why was I using superglue in the middle of making muffins?  Because one of our children had broken a siblings' brand new, never-been-used-before special item, and I wanted to fix it ASAP.

I had to get my younger kids to wake up the older ones to read the teeny-tiny print on the super glue tube(too small for these aging eyes) to find out that I needed fingernail polish remover.  They they had to find the needed polish.  I saw some just last week - now where was it?  (Poor Natalie didn't get to sleep in on her first day home because her mom superglued her fingers together.)

Fortunately, after a little looking, a tiny amount of polish was found.  After soaking my fingers for awhile (as the muffin batter sat and waited), I was able to get off enough super glue to pry my fingers apart without ripping skin.  Here's a picture of some of the super glue still stuck to my skin (but much of it was gone by this point - I was too distressed to even think of taking a picture while they were bonded together.)

Breakfast ended up being around 10:30 (did I mention I was still in my pajamas?  I hate still being in my pajamas mid-morning!)  Before I had a chance to sit down and enjoy a muffin, one child reached over to grab a SECOND muffin and knocked his entire glass of milk over! At least it was a small glass...

On the agenda for the day was to go to the library - well, we didn't even leave for the library until after noon (but with our late breakfast we weren't hungry for lunch yet anyway.)  The librarian who was checking my books in innocently asked a question as to why I always wanted my books checked in while I was standing there.  So I had the privilege of sharing Sean's story with her (You'll have to ask Sean to tell that story.) 

Stopping at the Amish farm for fresh produce on the way home, Micah cried LOUDLY when I didn't immediately unbuckle him to he could "help" me pick out the vegetables.  (How come I never hear the Amish children crying loudly when I'm at their farm?)

The afternoon went by way too quickly with Elliana helping me sort and clean up toys in the family room. (Although if you stopped by right now, you would have no idea we did that yesterday!)

After the youngest were in bed, Natalie, Samuel, and I went outside in the backyard to watch for meteors.  We never saw any.

So you might say it was a bad day; certainly super gluing my fingers together, not getting much done on my to-do list, missing the meteors, doesn't add up to a "great" day.  It sounds like an "Alexander" day to me.  Do you remember the kids' book: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day?  Everything that happened to poor Alexander that day was bad - so he thinks maybe he should move to Australia.  Then his mom tells him some days are like that, even in Australia.  (If you haven't read the book, check it out here:)
http://www.amazon.com/Alexander-Terrible-Horrible-Good-Very/dp/0689711735

But actually, this day that had the potential to be an "Alexander" day was great in spite of all my mishaps.  Because I couldn't sleep, I had time with the Lord first thing in the morning instead of late at night.  That was such a blessing.  We now have a family story about me super-glueing my fingers together and all the kids rushing to mom's aid (because some of the best memories and stories are when we can laugh at ourselves.) The kids all loved the muffins, and they were a somewhat healthy and sweet treat.  We had an enjoyable time at the library and an enjoyable afternoon, even though it felt like not much was "accomplished."  And best of all, even without seeing any shooting stars, Natalie, Samuel and I had a great time hanging out in the backyard after dark, talking and eating snacks.  Sometimes "Alexander" days actually turn out to be the best days!  (But I need to buy more fingernail polish remover, just in case!)

I'll Never...

Today Natalie leaves for Mexico.  Without us.  She's going on a missions trip to Puebla, Mexico for the third time WITHOUT Sean and me or the rest of our family.  When I asked her who she wanted to drop her off at church for the trip, she replied, "whoever will embarrass me the least."  That means I was out of the running.  I cried after she left this morning - or at least got teary-eyed.  Those who know me well know that I cry easily at most things.  It runs in the family: my brother-in-law jokes that there will be a whole lake in heaven filled with tears from the women in our family.  A jar wouldn't hold all our tears!   So that meant Sean dropped her off.  He didn't even stay to take a group photo (she didn't want him to) - I'll just have to get someone else's group photo off of facebook.  She did let me take a few pictures before she left this morning, so here is one of my favorites:

I'm excited for Natalie today!   I didn't cry when she left because I'm sad or worried, but because I'm excited for her, to see what God will do in her life.  Each year she comes back changed, and we get a glimpse of God making her more beautiful, more like Him.

I remember years ago when our church started doing these trips and taking fifth graders: FIFTH GRADERS!!!  The children's director who plans and leads these trips to Mexico is a good friend of mine.  She was excited the first year about taking a bunch of rising 6th graders to Mexico without their parents.  (Natalie was finishing 3rd grade at the time.)  I was excited for my friend (the children's director), but I also remember thinking, " I don't want Natalie to go on a missions trip to another country without Sean or me when she's only just finished 5th grade!  Too young!!!"  And yet, 2 years later, when Natalie asked to go, that's exactly what we did.  Why?  Because God worked in our hearts, and we believed that was what He was asking us to allow her to do.

We prayed a lot.  It's funny how God takes so many of my, " I'll never..." thoughts and turns them into, "I will..."  For example, I distinctly remember saying, "I'll never date a guy who wants to join staff with cru; I don't want to raise support."  Now here I am after 17 years of being happily married and thankfully and joyfully on staff with Cru.... two of the biggest blessings of my life  (and raising support for all of our needs and wants!)   Here again with Mexico, I learned once again that I shouldn't say or think, "I'll never..."  because sometimes the "I'll never"s turn into God's biggest blessings for us.

And that brings me back to Natalie.  I love her so much (just like I love all our kids incredibly!)  I remember before she was born; we didn't know if she was going to be a boy or a girl.  I remember being a little worried that if I had a boy then he might get into trouble or get hurt and that I might not be able to protect him from everything.  (Sean had told me some wild stories of growing up years with his cousins and friends; plus I had heard some college students' testimonies.)  Anyway, in the midst of my thoughts, God spoke clearly to me (not in an audible voice, but in my heart.)  He said point blank that there would be times in this child's life that I would not be there for him/her.  That I wouldn't be able to shield him/her from all the hardships of life.   (Those were disturbing comments!)  But He also said that He, God, would be there with my child, even when I couldn't.  As Natalie has grown, I have seen that to be true.  I can't stop some of the hurt that she experiences.  I can't go with her to school, read every text, book, or message that she reads.  I can't always be with her to help her make the best decisions and to walk her through every pain or trial.  But God can, and He does.   And as much as I love her and want to protect her, God loves her even more.  His plans for her life are even better than mine.  And I have to trust Him with that.  Even if it means sending her off to a foreign country when she is only 11 years old, or 13, or 14 (this is her third trip!)  And what's really cool, is that when I let God be God, let Him be in control, He does some pretty amazing stuff.  And in the end I'm thankful.  So when I catch myself thinking (I say it out loud less, but it still creeps in my heart at times,) "I'll never..." I remember the times like Natalie's trips to Mexico and how God has gloriously used the last two trips in her life.  And God reminds me that His plans are WAY better than mine, and that He loves me and those I love WAY more than I do.  So today, even though I'm teary-eyed, I'm super excited for my beautiful blue eyed, blond haired girl and the adventure that awaits her in Mexico.

Natalie's first trip to Mexico

another friend on Natalie's first trip to Mexico

Natalie with one of her favorite children at the orphanage

painting at the school in Mexico - 2012

Natalie had fun cracking eggs while I was busy with baby Samuel

This is Natalie on her first missions trip with us when she had just turned one.  We went to Algeciras, Spain and met families traveling to North Africa.  Here she is with a family that really enjoyed meeting her. 

Natalie loving on her baby brother Samuel

A Tribute to My Father

I wrote the following 2 years ago and read it to my dad (along with a tribute to my mom) about two years ago.  I wanted to share it with all of you today, on Father's Day.  I'm thankful for my earthly father as well as for my heavenly Father and for my husband, the father of our beautiful children.

A Tribute to Jack Nelson given by his daughter, Nancy Nelson Wayland, on Thanksgiving Day 2011
For as long as I can remember, we went on family vacations. Some years we got to tag along with you on your business trip in June and spend a few extra days in the area, but most vacations I remember were the 5 of us, travelling in the car to a destination like Pennsylvania, the Smoky Mountains, --- or 2 times even getting to go to Disney World. I always looked forward to our vacations and didn’t realize that all families didn’t get to spend that time together. Family vacations were just one of the ways that you provided for our family.
You also provided for us with your great work ethic. You would faithfully get up early each morning and leave for work at 7:30, arrive home at 5:30, and then work on the farm at night and on weekends. At that time, I had no idea how faithful you were being to Mama and us girls as you were providing for our welfare. I didn’t realize that not all men did this. Yet you provided even more by teaching me, through your work ethic, responsibility, faithfulness, and dependability. Thank you for teaching me how to work hard, to be responsible and dependable. Along with working hard, you taught us to live within our means. While we always had plenty, you and Mama were wise in your spending and saving so that we had what we needed. How many young adults graduate from college debt free? Not many. You taught me to spend my money wisely and live within my means.
Perhaps one of the greatest areas in which you have blessed me is in your marriage with Mama. Even though I know there are times when you get frustrated with each other or disagree, I never heard you raise your voices at each other. I always knew that you and Mama were committed to one another and that you loved one another. I have never had to fear that you would get a divorce. I remember going on a hike with you (just the two of us) on the last vacation we went on as a family of 5. We hiked up and saw some pretty flowers in a meadow, and both of us enjoyed the hike immensely. On that hike, I realized something I hadn’t before. Even though you enjoyed them, you had given up going on long hikes on vacations because they were too hard for Mama. You didn’t complain or try to convince her to change, but instead you willingly gave up something you enjoyed because you loved her more. You showed me what it looks like to put someone else first. As I have worked with more and more college students and heard their stories, I have realized more and more how privileged I am to have you and Mama showing me what a good marriage looks like. Thank you for loving Mama and staying committed to her for life.
As we were growing up, you always set boundaries and parameters. You kept your word; your yes meant yes and your no meant no. Your discipline showed that you loved us. Proverbs 13:24 says: “He who withholds his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.” At that same time, you also extended grace. I will never forget being warned about driving carefully when we first got our driver’s licenses. Then I was in a car accident – my fault – where I totaled my (really your) car as well as the car of the woman I hit! Even with all the extra bills I’m sure you had to pay, you and Mama never scolded me or rebuked me. I think you saw how devastated I was and just extended grace. It was a perfect picture of the way God extends grace to us. I definitely didn’t deserve forgiveness. I wrecked a car and made a mess of things. You paid all my bills, took care of me, and then bought me a new car for my freshman year at Virginia Tech. With God, I definitely don’t deserve forgiveness. I wrecked my life and made a mess of things. Yet God, through Christ, has paid all my debt, taken my death penalty, and then given me new life. Thank you, Daddy, for teaching me about God’s grace in such a tangible, real-life way.
Exodus 20:12 says, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you.” Daddy, today I want to honor you because you have honored me in the way you raised me. I love you, Daddy. Thank you for loving me and for being my dad.

#FallingPlates

Sometimes on Valentine's Day we can get discouraged - hoping to experience love and feeling like we've missed it.  Searching, but never quite fulfilled or satisfied.  If you're feeling that way after this Valentine's Day, watch this video and see Who loves you.

Valentine's Day

I just wanted to share with everyone on Valentine's Day one of my favorite Bible verses (I have a lot of them!) Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

I love it that we don't have to do anything to make ourselves right with God - in fact, we can't. All that stuff we try to do (being a nice person, going to church, reading the Bible or other holy books, praying) - none of it is good enough because we all fall short and do things our own way. So on our own we are hopelessly separated from God, both now and forever. But God loves us too much to leave us apart from Him. So while we were still doing our own thing, going our own way, He sent His son, Jesus - to live a perfect life (something the rest of can't and don't do) - and then He died on the cross to take our penalty so that we wouldn't have to be separated from God. It's a free gift for all of us. I love Romans 5:8 because it shows that we don't have to try to fix our lives before coming to God - God is the one who did it! Jesus taking our place is a free gift from God! And if you think of romance - how romantic that He pursued/is pursuing each of us while we were/are doing our own thing.

So whether you have a sweetheart you're celebrating with today - or you feel all alone as many do on Valentine's Day- there is One who loves you enough to sacrifice His own Son for you. If you want this free gift and want to have a relationship with God, He is waiting for you. It's an adventure of a lifetime (And beyond.) I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day!