Love Letters

This year I began writing love letters to my children. I wrote the first one on Valentine's Day. I bought each child a small treasure chest and put Valentine chocolates in them along with the letters. I also gave each child a chocolate rose.
I got a different reaction from each child. My oldest cried the whole time, which made me cry. My middle child was silent, even a little hesitant, about this love letter stuff and showed little emotion. My youngest was excited and anxiously jumped up and down waiting for me to read it to her.
I was happy. My mission accomplished - to touch the hearts of my children and to start a new tradition that they would forever cherish. Whenever we are separated they can take this little box with them and mom too. So whenever they are alone, whenever life's harsh realities are crushing down on them, they can read my words of love, comfort and wisdom and be reminded of their mother's love and of home - a place of love, safety and peace.
And my middle child who showed little emotion, well, he's 16, and too big for mushy love letters from mom. But I know deep inside he enjoyed reading that letter and someday I know he will tell me how much he loves those love letters of mine. And I know I will hear it from my girls too.

Doves

When I think of doves I think of love, peace, and the Holy Spirit. Even before I knew the Lord I thought of them as love and peace. This pair has been around for at least two years and they have their nest across the street in our neighbors tree. I first noticed them on Easter morning when I went out to watch the sun rise. That was a very special morning and the Lord ministered to me so deeply while I sang to Him, watching and waiting for the sun. And then to have these beautiful creatures singing too (along with many, many more birds), it was beautiful!!

From what I can gather, most mate for life and the most interesting thing is they feed their clutches with milk!!! Oh, and they are vegetarians! Wow! Who knew? Well, maybe you did, but I just learned something new and I'm loving it!

Both mom and dad feed their young with what is known as pigeon's milk for about a week or so. This comes from the lining of their crop - basically a food storage pouch. Here's the not so cool part, they feed them by regurgitation, eeewww. But I still think of love when I think of doves, romantic love (picture me batting my eyelashes). I think it's neat to have them as neighbors. What shall I name them? Hmmm, will be thinking about that.

Here's the sunrise from Easter morning 2010
Praise be to the Lamb of God forever and ever!

About 3 months ago I started my first New Inductive Study Series by Kay Arthur - Praising God Through Prayer and Worship.

I have to say, at first I wasn't sure about all the coloring and the time it took to do it, but after about a month I was hooked. Along with the study book, this method helps you go deeper into God's Word by taking each verse and breaking it apart, line by line, word for word. Even though I may have read these psalms numerous times, with this method the words and their meaning literally popped off the pages! My relationship with the Lord has gone to a new level and I look forward to our time together each morning.

I highly recommend this method for anyone who wants a more intimate relationship with the Lord. To learn more about this study go to www.precept.org. There are bible studies for every topic and book of the Bible. You will need a notebook, pens, pencils, crayons or coloring pencils. I found that erasable coloring pencils are best because if you make a mistake you can easily erase it, unlike pens or crayons.
Do you have a quiet time with the Lord each morning? I love this verse because I can't wait to see the great things He will reveal to me during our time together each morning!! Pray this verse today with your whole heart and see if He will answer you. Love, I know He will.ou great and unsearchable things you do not know ~ Jeremiah 33:3