Valentine’s Day is approaching.
Exciting for some.
Difficult for others.

Remember the days in elementary school?
You had to decorate a cereal box that became your own personal mailbox.
It was kept on your desk, or in a special place in the back of the room.

Directions were given.
You may send valentines to your classmates but there must be one for everyone.
It was a way to guarantee that no one was left out.

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My husband and I sat in the family room.
The children were tucked in bed for the night.
It was now that quiet time of winding down, the peaceful hours before bed.

Suddenly, one of our children was standing next to us.
We heard words that made no sense.
It was as if someone speaking another language had entered the room.

The look that was staring back at us was awake but not awake.
My husband and I looked at each other amazed.
Sleepwalking, my husband mouthed so as not to disturb this sleeping child.

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I was thinking this morning about how much “Christian-ese” is tossed around.
Words and concepts that the average person just does not understand.
Lofty thoughts that can actually hinder instead of build up.

We need to do better when we proclaim Truth.

Jesus is a Master Truth teller.
He is Truth personified.
He told stories using everyday situations that explained Truth.

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The eyes are the windows to the soul.
I do believe that’s true.
I was looking at the antique Raggedy Ann doll that sits in her own chair in my foyer.
I was remembering.

Raggedy Ann was my favorite doll when I was a girl.
There was something so special about her little heart.
That hidden heart upon which was written, I love you.
Every other Raggedy Ann doll had the same message but I knew it was there for me.

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I was sitting right near the escalator.
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do this now.
A makeover…a skin consultation.
Why would the Clinique counter choose to put their customers here?

This was the same escalator that used to have a fountain around its base.
This was the fountain where my children threw pennies.
This was now the place where I sat vulnerable, by my own choice.
This was the time I wanted to say, No thank you, and walk away.

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I am not an easy person to surprise.
My children always said, You can’t pull one over on Mom!
Well, apparently you can because my three daughters did just that!

I was delighted when my daughters wanted to take me out to lunch.
Don’t plan anything for November 10, Mom.
We are taking you to lunch after church.
We want to celebrate your book…we are so proud of you!

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On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the door of a church.
It was the door of the Schlosskirche (Castle Church) in Wittenberg, Germany.
Luther objected to the doctrine and practice of selling indulgences.
His 95 Theses literally sparked the Reformation.

Aided by the printing press, Luther’s 95 Theses were widely printed and distributed.
His 95 Theses were translated from Latin to German.
In two weeks, copies spread throughout Germany.
In two months, copies spread throughout Europe.

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I enjoy fall decorating.
A bale of hay, cornstalks, pumpkins, mums, and gourds are displayed by the front door.
A primitive scarecrow that was named Patches by my children still stands guard.

Usually by Thanksgiving, squirrels have nibbled the corn.
The gourds have been chewed in miniscule bites by chipmunks.
Walnut shells are scattered around the display letting me know they had dessert as well.

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There we were with our lanterns.
Small, cardboard lanterns with intricate designs on the side.
Intricate designs to let the light through.
A small battery operated light was at the base of each lantern.

Night of 1,000 Lanterns was the name of the event.
I wanted to take my youngest daughter so she could practice her nighttime photography.
Even before we walked into the conservatory, she was taking pictures.
A row of red lanterns caught her eye, as she positioned herself to get the perfect angle.

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We were very naive.
Thick woods surrounded our previous house.
We knew there were deer in the woods, and we wanted our children to see them.
My husband decided he would buy a salt lick.

I had never heard of such a thing.
Sure enough he came home with a big block of salt.
He put it in the meadow, a clearing that he had made in the back of our property.
He told the children that the deer would come.

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