Sabbath Valentine's

Some would jump on the chance to go to London on Valentine's Day where the busy-ness of city life is sure to be exciting. There's everything from Broadway plays to REALLY old towers to high fashion shopping to beautiful, historic art galleries...

Some would jump on the change to spend Valentine's Day in Stratford of Avon-- where the arguably most romantic and timeless writer in all of history spent his days... Shakespeare....

To go or not to go... that was my question.

Not to go. That was my answer. And it was goooood.

1. I went on a 5 mile run in the morning down to the city of Leicester as it was waking up... birds chirping, pigeons eating off the ground, taxis beginning their service, shops and restaraunts opening... it was beautiful!

2. Picked out a fun little outfit and got ready leisurely while watching Gilmore Girls.

3. Next got my free lunch in the caf. Doesn't get better than free... okay it does. Free and having taste is good--but free and no taste is a close second. Ha.

4. Went to see Bride Wars in a faaannncccyyy theatre downtown. I am the biggest sucker for those kind of movies. Yes. I know the plot in the first ten minutes. Yes. The ending is always the same. But, man, there's something restful in that... to engage in a world, just for a couple hours, where everything does turn out just right... The girl gets the guy, the besties mend their fight no harm no foul, Daddy's give their daughters away all in a picturesque ending like a garden, or city street... or the Plaza Hotel.

5. I went and got Starbuck's (THANKS Mr. and Mrs. B for my gift card!) and spent some peaceful time w/ Beth Moore and God.

6. Went to dinner... again--free dinner at the caf.

7. Skype dated w/ Kev and we planned our trip to Tuscany when he comes on his unexpected visit in less than a month! SO surreal!!! Then Skyped Mom and Dad ;)

PostV-day... I got my amazing packages. I have enough York's to last me the next week at least :) Or 3 months!!!! Thank you Mom, Dad, Kev, and Jordan! I love you all!!!!

JUICE PLUS from Mum ;) and Dad!!


York's (x2!), Hot chocolate for my VERY cold English days, and my annual conversation hearts from my Daddy.

My AMAZING best friend sent me a V-day prep. kit :) I had Valentine's to pass out to all my friends and socks to remind me of my worth :) and of course Yorks :) Which, by the way I've already finished--eek! LOVE YOU JORDAN!

And from my Valentine, A teddy bear, Yorks... and dark Chocolate-- he knows how to get me!

I have learned from a couple people very close to me... one more recent than the other... about the importance of a Sabbath. And Valentine's Day was a beautiful Sabbath in which I got to rest and recoup and simply enjoy His presence alone w/ me all day long. Restingly basking in His love for me... mm, my Sabbath Valentine's.

Verses I'm basking in for the Truth for some insecurities... just happens to be good for Valentine's too:

Romans 8 (all of it! Again!) :38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angles nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 3:17-21 And I pray that you being ROOTED and ESTABLISHED in love may have the power together with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullnness of God. Now to him who is able to do IMMEASRABLY MORE than all we ask or imagine according to his power that is at work within us, to HIM be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.