In case you still need some ideas for Valentine’s Day, here are Twenty-six more good ideas.

Amorous words are not outdated. Write your husband a poem, sing him a song, buy him a romantic card.

Bake his favorite dessert and serve it by candlelight after the children are in bed.

Compliment him – on his looks, his dedication to the Lord, his way with your children.

Drive the next time the two of you go somewhere, and let him relax and enjoy the scenery.

Enumerate his fine qualities, using this modified line of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s” “Why do I love thee? Let me count the whys.” Tape the list to the mirror.

Fish, golf, hunt with him – or at least read up on his hobby.

Give him the gift of time: do a job usually his.

Hide encouraging Scripture verses or personal notes in his coat pocket, his wallet, his sock drawer, or on the steering wheel.

Indulge him with the luxury of breakfast in bed-served on a decorated tray.

Join him for a day at his work – in his office, classroom, or just for lunch.

Kiss him goodbye when he leaves for work. It’s easy to get out of the habit in the rush of life.

Learn more about him. Do you know his favorite childhood memory? The best Christmas present he ever received? His favorite record? The time he was the most afraid?

Meet him for lunch. Use fast-food coupons. or pack a sack lunch to share.

New photos of the two of you can make the ordinary a day to remember. So get out the camera and frame the results.

Old, cherished wedding pictures can help you remember when your love was new.

Prepare his favorite meal.

Quips and cartoons can lighten his day. Cut them out and give them to him on a day he needs a lift.

Read a book together. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “It is a tie between men to have read the same book.”

Smile when you see him.

Thank him for the routine things you tend to expect him to do.

Uphold him in prayer.

Valentines aren’t just for February. Give him a little gift – a pen, a magazine he likes, a favorite candy bar – along with a love note.

Wash and wax the car for him.

Xercise to keep yourself looking good.

Yes, let’s do it!” Make that your answer when he suggests things to do – a walk, watching the sunset, taking a day to go somewhere, whatever.

Zzzzzzzzzzzz. Let him take a long undisturbed nap while you entertain the children elsewhere.

One great way to celebrate your love is going to church to worship together. I pray you’re making plans to be there this Sunday! See you there!

With love,

For many years now, it has been my habit to read the chapter in Proverbs that corresponds to the date of the month. The Lord teaches me something every day from that practical book. Recently the Holy Spirit has shown me the power of a woman’s words.

Last week as I read chapter seven, the Holy Spirit showed me that the Strange woman (the adulterous woman) uses her words to seduce a man. Listen to what this passage says about her speech:

Yesterday morning I had my head in the sink, washing my hair and my husband stepped near and said, “Oh, no. They weren’t supposed to be here today.” My heart jumped.
“Who? Who’s here?”
“The exterminator. He was supposed to go to the church today, but the guy’s here now. Just close the door. He won’t come in here.”

Relief washed over me. I was so thankful that my husband was there to answer the door when he could have already left for his appointment at hand. I was thankful, too, that I had started the day early. I’d had my devotions, then fixed my husband’s breakfast so he could head out. The dishes had been done (by him), and I had made the bed, emptied the trash cans and started a load of laundry. Everything had been given “the morning once-over” and I was relieved that this man – okay, just the exterminator – but a guest, would not find my home turned upside down! Some mornings at 8:50 that’s exactly what he would have found! Sometimes dishes are in the sink, the dirty laundry is sorted on the laundry room floor, trash cans are waiting to be emptied, and the bed unmade. Yes, I was thankful that I had gotten up on this day and faithfully done what needed to be done when this surprise visitor came to my door. After all, it’s not like he just steps inside the door; he walks every inch of the house – every room, spraying and de-bugging! No secrets are kept from him!

As I washed my hair, behind my closed door, I thought of how surprise guests can un-nerve us. Then I thought about the verse that tells us that Jesus will return as a thief in the night. On that day when Christ returns, an even greater relief will come if we have been faithful to be busy about His business. When He comes, will find our house in order? No rooms filled with unforgiveness and bitterness. No grievances and critical spirits stacked up. Our Bible isn’t dusty because it’s been used every day. We’ve not been sleepy and sluggish, but alert to the spiritual needs of those around us. For even more with the Lord, there are no hidden secrets.

He could come today. Will I be embarrassed or relieved at His coming? How about you? We know He’s on His way, so there’s no need to be surprised. Let’s stay faithful and ready!

On another note, to encourage you just five days before Valentine’s Day, I thought I’d give you an idea or two to help you celebrate with your husband.

A winter picnic is so romantic! If you can’t do a lunch picnic on the 14th, plan one for Saturday or Sunday after church (leave the children home!). Pack a couple of warm blankets, some candles, a thermos of hot soup, crusty bread, and a chocolate dessert. Find a cozy picnic area and wrap up in the blankets and enjoy your meal together.

Have you made plans for Valentine’s Day? What romantic ideas can you share with us?

With love,

Sorry I missed posting yesterday. Let me make Tuesday my Monday post and fill you in on what has been and what will be cookin‘ around here!

Chicken – it’s probably our favorite meat. My husband says that many chickens have gone into the ministry on his account! Roast chicken is really an easy meal – for Sunday after church or any day! I have several different herbed chicken recipes, but last week I decided to use a jar of a spice I purchased – Herbes de Province – instead of pulling out varied spices from my cabinet. Herbes de Province is a mixture of many herbs and spices – lavender, thyme, basil, savory, etc. I found this jar at TJ Maax for $2.99.

I loosened the skin on the chicken, then gave it a rub down with Olive Oil. I then sprinkled it inside and out with the Herbes de Province. It’s a delicious combination and made the meat really flavorful. The jar says that this is especially good on chicken; I agree! It also really simplified the preparation!

I added quartered potatoes and baby carrots around the chicken. The herbs from the meat seasoned the vegetables. I thickened the pan juices to make a gravy for the meal. Mmm!

Since it was just the two of us, I had more than half the chicken left. To “reinvent” the meal for the next night, I used the leftover chicken breast to make Chicken Enchiladas.

I love to take the leftovers and disguise them in another dish! This was super simple.

Chicken Enchiladas

1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup

1 soup can chicken broth

1 Tbl green chilies

Mix above ingredients. Place diced chicken on 8 tortillas, top each tortilla with soup mixture, then grated cheese. Roll up tortillas and place in oblong casserole dish. Top with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Serve with salsa.

Menu for the week:

** New Recipe – Will share recipe later

Monday

**Crab meat topped potatoes

Green beans

Applesauce

Tuesday

**Burger Boats

Oven French fries

Pear Salad

Wednesday

**Oregano Chicken

Mashed Potatoes

Carrots w/honey

Thursday

Leftovers

Friday

Toasted Ravioli

Tossed Salad

French Bread

Saturday

**Chicken Tostadas

**Beans and Rice salad

What’s your favorite way to “disguise” a meal?

With love,

Recently my husband went to visit a couple from our church. They are two of our seniors who have had health issues and have missed many services because of their illnesses. The wife was excited to show my husband a passage of Scripture that she had read in her Bible that morning. “It seemed like this was describing us,” she said, referring to herself and her husband. Here is the passage, first in King James Version, then paraphrased for clearer understanding…

Ecclesiastes 12