Happy Valentine's Day!

I consider this day a Hallmark holiday...nevertheless, it's such a wonderful excuse to say I love you.

Beautiful roses from Adam.

Chocolate covered strawberries from mom and Milt. (this picture wouldn't rotate)

Yum.

But watch out! If you give Adam a strawberry...

He'll want six!

After our pre-dinner strawberry snack, we enjoyed steaks at Sposita's, a nearby restaurant.

Hope you had a nice weekend as well!

Seriously...how did I ever manage to get such a cute husband?? Luckily we both feel like we "married up," and I think that that's the best possible situation for any marriage. :)

Have I ever told you about my church? I really love my church here in Michigan. I first attended last Easter Sunday and have continued going since then.

Just before the earthquake in Haiti, Pastor Chris (PC) told the congregation that he and a small team had a trip planned to Haiti to see how the church could serve there. After the earthquake, he decided to go ahead with the trip.

Yesterday was his first Sunday back in Michigan from Haiti and he began the sermon with the phrase "looking both directions"- what parents tell their kids to warn them of the dangers of crossing the street. But as adults we rarely look both "directions." In Michigan, the economy is particularly down, and as people continue to lose their jobs they often only look one way- lamenting what they used to have, envying what their neighbors still have, etc. We rarely look the other way and realize that even with an economic recession we are still among the world's wealthiest people. The scripture that we explored was from the book of Job.

I heard it in PC's voice...he felt a bit disgusted with America after being in Haiti. I related to this because I felt the same feelings after returning from Haiti seven years ago. How quickly those feelings were replaced with my "old self," though. I was joking with a friend on Saturday night about our shoes, about how we each owned about 40 pairs even though we weren't "shoe girls." How gross and gluttonous in comparison to Haiti, don't you think?

This was an excerpt from one of PC's updates to the church while he was in Haiti:

In searching for the best way to meet needs, it seemed like going straight into the swelling tent cities would be the best place to start. Almost every open space is filling up with temporary housing made of bedsheets and blankets tied to posts of tree branches. The really fortunate have a tarp, the less have cardboard. Already these tent cities have some walkways that serve as streets and most people have a common "wall" (a sheet) with their neighbor. Every home we went in received us graciously. We offered to pray in every home and everyone eagerly accepted. Our supplies were so limited that we had to "sneak" them in to the people we found to be most dire (not an easy job). Sadly the need far exceeds the supply. But we gave what we had until it was gone. The people were both gracious and patient but also desperate and pleading. We made a world of difference for a few, but felt like a drop in a bucket to the ocean of suffering.

Only the kids didn't notice. They still laugh. Still play. Still trust. Oh to have the faith of a child.

PC also noted that Haiti had problems before the quake. Unemployment was nearly 70% in places...compared to Michigan's 14%. But going to Haiti changes you...teaches you to look in both directions. I felt affirmed yesterday, that my pastor would share my heart for Haiti. That I am clearly in the right church for me right now. And that I should continue to explore options with the church to return to Haiti with one of their teams.