Won't you be my valentine?, Part 2

The week leading up to Valentine's, Brett had been in Phoenix for a full week, so needless to say we were both very much looking forward to our special datenight. We always celebrate V-Day early, since we hate the crowds on the actual day and our first date was actually on Feb. 5th (eleven years ago!). It was a great opportunity for us to use the Market Street Grill giftcard Santa had left in my Christmas stocking, and perfect timing, too since they were having their Crab Festival (which tasted heavenly, BTW).

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While we waited for our meal, I had Brett open his gift. Now, typically we don't exchange V-Day gifts because both of us would prefer a really nice datenight instead, but this year I realized there was something my sweet husband could honestly use after I'd been forced to drive the truck the entire time he was in Arizona. That week happened to have been a cold one, with several chilly snowstorms hitting the Wasatch Front. I could now fully appreciate how lousy it has been for him to hop into a FREEZING truck every morning - one that seems to require driving 4-5 miles before the air hits a notch above arctic!

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Here's his gift (first, the "oh-so-crafty

and oh-so-funny-if-I-do-say-so-myself card"):

Ooooooooh! A remote-start kit and key!

Thanks for revving my engine babe - I love you.

Father's Day Gifts

This morning I've been thinking about FATHERS. About my own father and Brett's father. How is it possible that TWO people like us, who have been blessed with the incredible fathers like ours, can find each other and marry? Doesn't that upset some kind of balance in the universe? Our children have no idea how fortunate they are to have been born into a family with TWO grandfathers as amazing as theirs.

So that's been on my mind. But more specifically, I've been thinking about another Father. As I watched Brett kneel to say his prayers last night, I was completely overwhelmed with love and gratitude to my Heavenly Father for the blessings in my life, especially for the precious tool of prayer. Sending us to earth without any memory of our preexistence, left to find the truth on our own, He chose one thing, one gift to give us that would keep us connected to Him. So in the end, we wouldn't be left on our own, but rather, could ask Him directly to influence our decisions through the Holy Ghost. I am just in awe, and so thankful, that He would give us that two-way communication.

And then of course, there was the ultimate Gift. The gift of His Son. And like prayer, He is a gift that is there to be ours. But just as we have to make the choice to come to our Heavenly Father in prayer, we have to make the choice. The choice to "Come To Jesus".

Silence my music player and play this. The four minutes will be well-spent, trust me.

P.S. I first saw this music video on someone else's blog. So yes, I am a total copy cat. But it touched my heart and this morning as I felt His tender mercies, this video came to mind and I wanted to share it. I'd give credit to the initial blogger, but sadly, I can't remember who it was! (Sorry!) To my "Mystery Blogger", I say THANKS FOR SHARING. Your post was good for my soul.