Josh's Progress On The Trumpet

Since it's been nearly a month of Josh taking a weekly lesson on the trumpet and I hadn't heard him, I asked him to play and show me what he is learning. I was quite impressed with his progress, and here is a video I made of Josh playing his trumpet:

Lunch Time at McDonald's with the Grandkids

Okay, we had to get out of the house so went to a McDonald's in town that has a huge screened-in play-yard. We were the only ones there so all four of the kids played and played. There was a lot of hide-and-seek going on. It is so warm and muggy here (74 degrees) and since that is a screen-in room, they were all as hot as fire crackers, but they had a good time.

Jaden is down for his nap. Jarrett is watching at DVD, and Belle and Josh are playing with Play-Dough of all things. Here is a video of the kids playing at McDonald's. (We were the only ones in there so Jarrett and Belle played, too.)

GRANDKIDS "BABY-SITTING" BLITZ

Psalm 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

What a joy to be here~~ healthy and happy to help out my daughter and son-in-law. Our Academy is closed yesterday and today as the faculty and staff have gone to Sandestin for their yearly CEC ~~ Christian Educators Conference. I guess as one of the principals, Amy had some responsibility of teaching sessions, etc. She left out on Thursday morning and, of course, Brian went to work, so I had the precious privilege of having lots of good company with Jarrett, Isabella, Josh, and Jaden on Thursday.

It poured rain all day long but we kept ourselves occupied. We watched some of their videos and DVDS, Josh and Belle spent several hours putting together puzzles.



Belle discovered that one box contained the pieces of 4 different puzzles (100 pieces each) and made it her project to go through the pieces one by one and separated them back into the right puzzle boxes. She was very methodical and merticulous with that job. Richard and Brian came in from work at dinnertime. I had made "spaghetti pie" for our dinner (a family favorite that came by way of Kay O in Ohio) so the men, kids, and grandma were all full and satisfied by the end of the meal.

On Thursday morning, I had gone over to Amy's at 7:00 (as she and Brian were leaving) so that the kids could sleep in on their first-of-two days out of school. Josh and Jaden were up when I got there but the teen and almost-a-teen slept in. Jarrett go up at 9:00. At 9:30, I was ready to come back to my house with the kids so checked on Belle. She was halfway awake so I asked her if she wanted to get up and come over with us or rest a little longer and come over when she got up. She elected to rest a little longer and than come over. (We are next-door neighbors and it is just a walk across the front yard from house to house.) In light of the older two sleeping in, I asked Brian at dinner about Jarrett and Belle spending the night at our house so that they could sleep and he could send the little ones over as he left for work. It turned out that Josh and Jaden neither one were awake when it was time for Brian to leave for work this morning. So, I went over and it wasn't long before a sweet little Jaden came and found me at his house with his "Good Morning, Grandma" and sweet hugs. I fixed him a little breakfast and in a bit Josh was up as well so we headed on over to my house at about 8:00.

Belle was up when we came in. She said she is sick with a headache and sore throat. I took her temp and it is normal (praise the Lord!) so I gave her some sinus medicine. Jarrett IS still sleeping. We might not see home for another couple of hours which is fine. Dr Dobson taught me years ago that teenagers need EXTRA rest.

A little while has lapsed since I wrote..

Josh playing with Jaden in the sun room
,

and Jarrett is still sleeping.


Belle isn't feeling well and is wandering around~~ not really knowing what she feels like doing. I suggested lying back down, but she didn't go for that one. It is cloudy and wet outside from all of yesterday's and last night's rain. We are predicted to have a 90% chance of rain with large hail and thunderstorms. Right now, it is calm outside and 68 degrees after a cold rainy 55 of most all day yesterday. It feels stormy with it so warm and muggy outside. I hope our quiet day doesn't get TOO exciting weather-wise.

Brian will be going to Sandestin this afternoon to meet up with Amy so the kids are here until sometime Saturday afternoon. The Academy basketball team is hosting the first of the tournament games on Saturday at 7:00 p.m., so at least we know Brian and Amy will be home in time for the games. I hope they enjoy their get-away as much as I am enjoying their kids~~ my GRANDkids!

Oh wow.... some wind has just kicked up. I had better check the weather channel to see if anything is brewing. Here's a message that has just come in:

A SQUALL LINE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL MOVE EAST ACROSS THE AREA TODAY. THE LINE WILL MOVE INTO SOUTHWEST ALABAMA AROUND DAY BREAK AND MOVE TO THE EAST OF INTERSTATE 65 DURING THE LATE MORNING INTO THE EARLY AFTERNOON HOURS. THE PRIMARY THREATS WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH AND LARGE HAIL. AN ENHANCED THREAT OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS...INCLUDING LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS...IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP DURING THE AFTERNOON ALONG AND EAST OF INTERSTATE 65 AS TEMPERATURES WARM INTO THE LOWER 70S AND ALLOW THE ATMOSPHERE TO BECOME INCREASINGLY UNSTABLE. ALTHOUGH NOT THE PRIMARY THREAT...AN ISOLATED TORNADO CANNOT BE RULED ESPECIALLY IN THUNDERSTORMS THAT DEVELOP AHEAD OF THE MAIN LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS THIS MORNING INTO THE AFTERNOON HOURS.

A Eulogy for Peter

My dear friend, Karen S, shared this with me. It touched my heart, so I emailed the Pastor who preached this eulogy and received his permission to share it on my blog.....

A Eulogy for Peter

You can hear this eulogy by pasting the following URL in your browser:
http://www.familyheritagebaptistchurch.org/Peter_Page/Peter4.html

Peter Constantine was a man who loved people, and I believe that he was a man who loved God. Though Peter couldn’t hear or speak yet he still loved to be with people. Peter was a very out- going man. Some of his ways were no doubt abrasive and many people I am sure shied away from him. But to those of us who knew him well, he was our friend. And if you happened to be driving a Ford then you were really his friend. My first encounter with Peter was positive because of course I was driving a Ford pickup! Our relationship was all “thumbs up” from then on.

Unfortunately for Peter’s his last ride, from his house to this funeral home, was in a Cadillac. I spoke with Richard Gillies the other day, and he told me that whenever Peter saw him driving his hearse, Peter would give him the “thumbs down.” With Peter in the community you would think that Mr. Gillies would have invested in Lincolns instead of Cadillacs. Because in this business a “thumbs up” is always better than a “thumbs down.” But in Mr. Gillies defense, I am sure that Peter has found out by now that every one in heaven drives a GM. Yes… we can safely assume that Peter has traded-in his Mustang for a Corvette. And I’m sure he’s loving every minute of it.

Peter began coming to our church about five years ago, when we were still meeting in the old school house. We at Family Heritage Baptist Church welcomed Peter with open arms. We loved him and he loved us. He was our brother in Christ and he was our friend.

Peter (not being able to hear) was of course very visual. He responded well to things that he could see. And when we put up the proposed picture of our new church on the wall of our old church, Peter was so excited. And when we started the renovation of our new church Peter came out often to help us in the work of renovating of our new church. He loved to help, and he was always willing to do what he could.

Peter also helped us with the building of our new shed this past October. In fact, one of the most exciting days for Peter was when he gave a gift to our shed fund. Once again we had a visual on the wall to chart the giving to the shed fund. With every $100.00 that came in we could place another log on the chart. My brother was explaining all of this to Peter when all of the sudden Peter reached into his wallet and pulled out a $100.00 bill and he bought a log for the Lord. This folks was a very exciting day in Peter’s life. This was the most money that Peter had ever given to our church. And Peter was extremely excited about what he had done. I can still remember his boisterous laughter filling our church. After Peter settled down he then pointed over to my brother and he said how about you. So Tom reached into his wallet and bought another log for the Lord. Peter’s laughter once again filled our church. He was so excited to see another log go up. And it wasn’t long after that, that the shed went up.

That was an exciting day in Peter’s life. For the first time Peter realized the value and the joy of investing in the Lord’s work. The Bible says that “the Lord loveth a cheerful giver.” I don’t believe that Tom or Linda or I have ever seen a more joyful giver than we did on that Sunday afternoon. We could just see the Lord’s working on Peter’s heart. I honestly believe that that day marked a turning point in Peter’s life. Peter was no longer a spectator of the Lord’s work. Peter had become a participator in the Lord’s work.

That day marked a turning point in Peter’s life. From that day on Peter was much more faithful in his attendance. He even started coming on Wednesday nights for our prayer meetings. And Peter began responding more positively to the preaching. I honestly believe that the Lord was getting Peter ready to come home to heaven.

Even last month at our annual mission conference, Peter once again showed a commitment to our church when for the very first time he made a monthly pledge to our missions program. It was apparent to me as a pastor that Peter was becoming more serious about spiritual things in the last months of his life. (Continued below photo of Peter)



There was one other recent change in Peter that I would like to share with you. In the past when Tom or Linda were not at church to sign for Peter, Peter would just turn around and leave. But in recent months he would stay even if they weren’t there. He was beginning to feel like he was a part of the family. In fact the last few times when Tom and Linda were out of town, Peter came up and he sat in the very first row. I believe he did that so that he could read my lips as I preached the Word of God. Yes, I do believe that Peter was developing a true hunger in his life for God’s Word. And so this afternoon, in honor of Peter and his growing love for God’s Word, I would like to share with you some things from the Word of God.

There are two things that I would like to share with you, first The Calling of Christ, and secondly The Compassion of Christ.

First; The Calling of Christ.

(Mt 11:25-27) At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

The first thing we see in our passage is that the Lord does not impart spiritual life and spiritual knowledge to the “wise and prudent” of this world. No, Jesus said that these things are revealed “unto babes.” In many ways Peter was just a “babe.” Peter had a very simple and childlike outlook on life. Though we all felt bad about Peter’s handicap, I do believe that it may well have been his saving grace. His handicap held him back from acquiring a sophisticated and cynical view of the world. And his handicap kept him simple and childlike in his disposition. It is what helped to make him a likely recipient of God’s grace.

Jesus said, in our passage, that “these things” would be given “unto babes.” It is sad how many of us become too grown up for God. It is sad how many of us become too smart for God. It is sad how many of us become to busy for God. But with Peter there were none of those distractions. Peter was in many ways just a child in a grown up body.

Jesus said in Luke 18:16, “Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” In many ways Peter was a child in a grown up body. And Peter did many foolish and childish things, of which we can all attest. But to his credit Peter’s faith in Jesus was also childlike. And of such is the kingdom of God.

A few years back Linda Ruemenapp (my sister in-law) invited Peter to Greenbush Community Baptist Church for some classes that were being given for sign language. It was after one of those classes that Peter began staying after for Wednesday night church. Then on one of those Wednesday nights some time in the latter part of 2001 Peter felt the Lord impressing upon his heart the need to receive Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. So Peter did just that, he received Jesus Christ by faith. Dear people I hope you understand that faith is the only way that one can come to God. (Eph 2:8-9) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Peter had learned that he could not work for His salvation. He learned that he could not earn his salvation. For Peter this seemed to be an easy concept for him to grasp. For us who think so much of ourselves it is one of the hardest things to grasp. I would to God that more of us were like Peter in that regard. Jesus said in Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Peter confessed his sins and he received Jesus as his Lord and Saviour.

Peter had a simple child like faith in Jesus Christ. Shortly after that Peter followed the Lord through the waters of baptism. Though Peter didn’t grow in his faith, as much as we would have hoped, Peter always maintained a great love and reverence for the Lord. He never lost that childlike faith. Jesus had called Peter to salvation. And Jesus had promised that Peter would never lose that salvation. (Joh 6:37) All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Our second point; The Compassion of Christ.

We have already shown that Jesus chooses to reveal himself unto babes. But now let’s look at how Jesus goes about revealing Himself. Jesus reveals Himself with love and compassion.
(Mt 11:28-30) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

In these next verses we see the compassion of our Lord. Not only does the Lord reveal Himself unto babes, He reveals Himself to those who labour and to those who are heavy laden. Certainly Peter was heavy laden. He carried a heavy burden that few of us could carry. Peter was locked in a world of silence. He lost his only brother in a terrible murder. He lost his mother with whom he was very close. And as we know Peter had a very difficult relationship with his father. All of that weight was weighing heavy upon Peter’s heart. But in Jesus Peter found peace and rest for his soul. In Jesus he found a friend who could understand his deepest thoughts. And his deepest hurts. He found a friend to whom he could talk. He found a friend who would listen. Jesus gave eter hope. Hope that Jesus would carry his burden. Hope that he would one day enter the pearly gates of heaven. Hope that one day Peter’s ears would be opened. And hope that one day his tongue would be loosed. Because of Jesus, Peter could continue on, when others would have given up. Because of Jesus Peter could smile, when others would have frowned. Because of Jesus Peter could laugh, when others would have cried.

One of the Lord’s greatest blessings in the life of Peter was his many close friends. Yes the Lord blessed Peter with good and faithful friends. Peter needed friends. He needed friends that he could turn to when he was afraid, or when he was in danger. And his friends were always there for him. I know that Kim Rice was a good friend and a great blessing to Peter. I know that Dave Cook was also a good friend and a great blessing to Peter. Through Dave’s guidance and careful attention Peter could maintain a secure and independent life. But of all his friends perhaps no one was closer to Peter than Linda. The Bible says that “a friend loveth at all times.” Linda was that kind of a friend to Peter. Linda was always there for Peter. And Linda helped Peter in the most important area of his life, and that of course was his spiritual life. As Peter’s pastor I would like to offer you dear friends a very hearty thank you for having made Peter’s life a little brighter and a lot happier. I cannot help but to think of the words of Jesus, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

In closing, let me assure you that for Peter it is all “thumbs up.” Peter is safe with the Lord not because his good out weighed his bad. Not because he followed all the tenants of a particular religious system. No, Peter is with the Lord, because Peter was trusting in Jesus. He had a simple child like faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

My last encounter with Peter was at church on a Wednesday night just two weeks ago. Peter signed to me after church that evening that he loved God and that he wanted to go to heaven. And he made it very clear that he did not want to go to Hell. I assured Peter that if he were trusting in Jesus that he would go to heaven. Peter reaffirmed to me that very night that he was indeed trusting in Jesus. And then he gave me a big bear hug and he told me that he loved me. And that was the last time that I saw Peter.

In honor of Peter’s memory let me ask you this question, what are you trusting in? Dear people if you are trusting in a religious system, it will be all “thumbs down” for you. If you are trusting in your good works, it will be all “thumbs down” for you. If you are trusting in what a pastor or a priest or a church can do for you, it will be all “thumbs down” for you. The only one who is worthy of your trust is Jesus, and the only one that can save you is Jesus. Jesus shed his blood on the cross so that our sins could be forgiven. As the hymn writer wrote, “Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow…”

When the Philippian jailer asked the Apostle Paul, “What must I do to be saved?” Paul answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Dear Friend, have you put your faith in Jesus Christ? Are you trusting in Jesus with a child like faith? A child like faith has no “ands” or “buts” behind it or in front it. It is Jesus alone, by faith alone. That is what child-like faith is. You know, it takes a grownup to start adding clauses to the very simple gospel. Let me assure you, that if you humble yourself as a little child, and put your in faith Jesus alone, then for you, it will be all “thumbs up.”

I know that some of us who were close to Peter, felt as though we let him down in the last few days of his life. I know that his friends have been saying if only I had done this or that, perhaps we could have helped Peter. Many of us have worried ourselves sick with the terrible thought of Peter dying alone in a prison of silence unable to call out for help. Let me assure you this afternoon, that Peter did not die alone. His best friend was with Him. Jesus was there holding his hand. Jesus was there to wipe his forehead. Jesus was there to speak comforting words to Peter’s heart. The Bible says, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” I have to believe that Peter’s passing was a precious thing. I have to believe that it was a beautiful thing. I have to believe that Jesus was with him. Ethan and Garret played that beautiful instrumental “All The Way My Savior Leads Me.” It is a wonderful hymn. Yes, I believe that Jesus leads his dear children not only in life but also in death. Not only in living but also in dying. So dear friend don’t play the “if” game about Peter’s passing. Just trust in Jesus, He will not fail you, and He did not fail Peter in his dying hour. Jesus the blessed Saviour led Peter all the way. Peter is gone from this world of woe. I will miss his big bear hugs. I will miss his encouraging comments after my preaching. I will miss his great boisterous outbursts of laughter. Yet it is a blessed thought to consider that the first voice to have filled the ears of Peter was the voice of Jesus. And the first words to have spilled from Peter’s lips were words of praise and thanksgiving to Jesus. Me thinks, I can hear Jesus saying to Peter “Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” And me thinks, I can hear Peter saying to Jesus “Thank you Lord for loving such a sinner as I.”

(This eulogy message was preached on Wednesday February 13, 2008 at Gillies Funeral Home in Lincoln Michigan by Pastor Ernest Ruemenapp of Family Heritage Baptist Church.)

Happy Birthday to Katharina and Julie~~ Our Campus Daughters

Psalm 71:5 For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.

We had all ten of our campus daughters over for Sunday dinner and celebrated the two February birthdays in the group~~ Senior Katharina and Freshman Julie. It was a lot of fun. Here is a picture of our lovely birthday girls:



Here is a Godtube link to see and hear the girls sing "Happy Birthday" to their campus sisters. You will need to copy and paste it into your browser for a quick view:
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=904f649391a1669b7b45

Jennifer and Julie stayed over until evening church service time and made apple pies for their guys. They were real cute making their homemade pies. Here are a few pics:

Missions Conference Kick-Off

Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

Our 2008 Missions Conference started on Sunday morning and goes through Wednesday night. It is always a moving opening service when our International Students march in behind the flags for their countries and many of them wearing their native dress and our church choir singing "May We Be a Shining Light to the Nations." I slipped into our sanctuary to watch the International students practice marching in. Our campus daughter, Katharina from Canada, was in the Parade of Nations and I made her picture as well as some other students I was able to talk to for a minute after they practiced and before we all headed to our respective Sunday School classes. Here are some of the pics of students that I made with the first one being that of Katharina, our Canadian campus daughter: (Please be sure to double-click the pics so you can see the beauty of the native dress the students are wearing.)





As the students marched in, our church choir was singing this song.

Song For the Nations

(May We Be a Shining Light)

Chris Christensen

May we be a shining light to the nations
A shining light to the peoples of the earth
Till the whole world sees the glory of Your name
May Your pure light shine through us

May we bring a word of hope to thenations
A word of life to the peoples of the earth
Till the whole world knows there's salvation through Your name
May Your mercy flow through us

May we be a healing balm to the nations
A healing balm to the peoples of the earth
Till the whole world knows the power of Your name
May Your healing flow through us

May we sing a song of joy to the nations
A song of praise to the peoples of the earth
Till the whole world rings with the praises of Your name
May Your song be sung through us

May Your kingdom come to the nations
Your will be done in the peoples of the earth
Till the whole world knows that Jesus Christ is Lord
May Your kingdom come in us
May Your kingdom come in us
May Your kingdom come on earth

EXCITING GAME WITH A BIG WIN and FANTASTIC FANS!

See that kid in the red shirt eating popcorn? And the man in the green shirt, the blonde lady to his right, and the little red-head kid between them? (Double-click on pics to enlarge for a better view.)


The Christian school where my daughter is an elementary principal and which my 3 oldest grandchildren attend has had their best basketball season ever and are now playing in the post-season games. Last night, their team played in their first playoff game and scored their first playoff victory in school history. This event was 40 years in the making. That brings to mind this verse from God's Word: Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

The Warriors won last night and advanced to the next event on their quest to take it all. Brian, Amy, and their 4 children attended the big game on Valentine's night and had a blast. In today's newspaper article online, I was looking at the pics from last night's game and found my crew in 2 of them. That was kind of neat. I have posted them here for posterity! GO WARRIORS!!!!!


Again, Brian and amy in the center of the picture right behind the PCA cheerleader. :)

Our LIttlest Slugger ~~ My Wednesday Fun with My Grandson

Make a postcard - it's easy!

GREAT DAY ADDENDUM - LOVE?

I receive a wonderful email devotional written by a man Richard knows through a previous business relationship. I enjoy Marty's GDAs (Great Day Addendums) and am always challenged in my heart by what he is learning and sharing on this journey called the Christian life. Marty often uses his wife, his little girls, or his dog Ginger to illustrate his thoughts. Today's GDA was simple yet profound (what an oxymoron!). I asked for and received Marty's permission to share it on my blog. I did take the liberty of changing the verses he quoted to the KJV per my preference. Here goes....

"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." 1 Corinthians 13:13

As my girls prepared their Valentine's Day cards to take to school... and give to their classmates and friends, I was reminded of a song ... a song that a number of year's ago Tina Turner had a hit Single with that asked the question... "What's Love Got To Do With It?"...

That same question can be asked every year... every day... in most every situation...

So... What DOES love have to do with it?

Everything... Love has EVERYTHING to do with it.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

Happy Valentine's Day... Keep the Faith... Carpe Diem
© Great Day Addendum Copyright 2008

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

It's here! The big day! I remember that as a child in school, I looked forward to the Valentine party even more than the Christmas party. Decorating those little white bags and hanging them in the classroom ~~ usually along the chalkboard tray as I remember ~~ thrilled me beyond measure. I loved giving valentines and I loved receiving valentines. I would keep them and re-read them over and over. Honestly, that is still a "sweet" memory.

The best Valentine of all is God's Word. The Bible is God's love letter to mankind. How He made this green earth and all the rest of creation. How He made provision for mankind during Old Testament days to have a right relationship with Him. How He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to live a sinless life and to be the ultimate sacrificial lamb slaughtered and His blood shed for our sins. The gift of eternal life for those who repent of their sins and receive Jesus Christ into their hearts as their Lord and Savior. The promise of Heaven when we leave this life. The revelation of things to come when God takes Satan down and sets up HIS kingdom here on this earth. (I will hear from my preacher-son Chip if my theology isn't quite right but he always deals with me so very gently and lovingly. I learn so much from him!!)

So, if I enjoyed reading all of those cute but cheap and rather meaningless little paper valentines as a child, why am I sometimes negligent to faithfully read God's Love Letter to me ~~ His Written Word? I love hearing it read. I love hearing it preached. I love hearing it taught. But far too many days during the years, I put reading God's Word for myself on the back burner of my life. I am baring my soul and confessing my sin as I write this. I don't know if a living soul reads this (and perhaps today, I am praying that no one will read it for my prideful self is not eager to admit to anyone else this lacking in my Christian life), but I am talking to my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ as I write this to confess that I haven't read their "Valentine" as I ought.

Dear God, I need to hear from YOU today. Personal stuff ~~ from YOU to me. Yes, Lord, that's it.... let me get off of here and into your WORD ~~ the most wonderful valentine of all. Thank you for your conviction and for urging me in this matter. I love you and thank you for your love for me ~~ today and every day.