Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays.

Joy of Laughter

Adore

30 Days of Gratitude

God Created All the Colors of the World.

We visit our family every year who live in Kentucky. This year our trip was all about seeing animals. In fact, we visited several types of zoos. Our first stop was a safari adventure. We took a two-hour open-air vehicle through a farm in Columbus, Ohio called The Wilds, that had all kinds of amazing animals. We saw giraffes, Bactrian camel and deer, cheetahs, greater one-horned Asian rhinos, and much more. About midway through the safari ride, we noticed the sky getting darker and a storm brewing. It began to rain. Not only did it rain, there was a huge downpour with rain and wind. The wind was blowing the rain sideways into the vehicle and we were being hit in the face with heavy rain. Needless to say, we were soaked and ready to be done with the safari. We were laughing at first but then it began to hurt us. We didn’t have anything to protect us. We couldn’t enjoy viewing the giraffes because it was raining so hard. Finally, the rain stopped just before we came to the rhinos. The greater-one horned Asian rhino ended up being our favorite animal that day. We enjoyed the rhinos because there were babies. The moms and babies were all running through the open fields because it has just rained. The air was fresh and cool. The tour guide told us it was a treat to see these rhinos running around. They typically are laying in the grass because they are hot. We were dropped off at the gift shop at the end of our safari and were ready to get some dry clothes on. It was an experience we will never forget. Not because of the animals but because of the rain. And the surprise when the sun came out and there was the most gorgeous rainbow. Genesis 9:14-15 says, “Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.” Our next stop on our animal trip was literally to Noah’s ark. There is an exact replica of Noah’s ark in Grant County, Kentucky. One of the most interesting experiences at the Ark Encounter was when we walked inside to the front of a boat which is called the bow. The museum had speakers with the sound of heavy rain, wind, and thunder to give you an idea of what it might have been like for Noah, the family, and the animals. Often, we focus on the animals and what it might have smelled or sounded like, but I never took the time to imagine how loud the rain, thunder and winds might have been and how scary that must have been. As I stood there silently taking in the moment, I felt the vibration of the sound and sensed the movement of what the ark might have felt like. It actually made me a little anxious thinking about how they endured the rain for 40 days and nights. Genesis 7:4 it says, “Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made.” It was scary but when I stopped to think about what the eight people on the boat must have felt like, I felt safe because I knew God had provided the knowledge to Noah to design the boat to withstand any storm.

Ideas for praying for our kids Several years ago, as I was driving by my child’s school and I decided to pray for my child. I prayed for his safety, focus, and friends. I prayed for the teachers, office, and other staff as they tend to all the kids during the day. Now it is a regular habit when I drive past the school. One chore I am not fond of is folding clothes. But I have found if I use the time to pray for my child it helps me change my perspective on the task. Ask God to guide their steps as they put their socks on each day. Your child may struggle with a class. Find out what time your child has the class and set your alarm to pray for them during this time. Tell your child you prayed for them. It will mean more to them than you know.

Praying for Adult Children Pray that God will continue to guide them to make good choices as an adult. The freedom as a young adult can come with many temptations. Pray for protection and health as they go about their daily work and play. Pray they will want to continue to grow in their faith journey through Bible study and church attendance.

Had Your Stinging Nettles Today? The World Nettle Eating Championship happens in Dorset, England once a year. Competitors are provided two-foot long stalks of the stinging nettle plant and they pluck and eat the leaves. The winner is the one with the greatest accumulated length of nettles-not to mention a black tongue and teeth. A wild plant called stinging nettle can sting you with its hairy leaves and stems. The hairy leaf is like a hypodermic needle when touched and can inject chemicals causing a sting which can cause itching and pain. Most people that encounter the stinging nettle consider it a nuisance. But God has made everything for a reason. The nettle plants can be a great source of vitamins. It can help with allergies and is an anti-inflammatory. When cooked and soaked in water the stingers come off and the leaves can be eaten. Herbal teas and pesto sauces are just a few of the common uses of the plant. Nettles along with other types of plants with thorns and thistles are mentioned in the Bible: · Genesis 3:18 in says, “It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.” · Genesis 9:3 says, “Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.” · Isaiah 34:13 says, “Thorns will overrun her citadels, nettles and brambles her strongholds. She will become a haunt for jackals, a home for owls.” The more I learn about all that God has created, I believe there are many resources we aren’t taking advantage of for our well-being. You might not end up a nettle-eating champion, but you could end up enjoying–and benefiting from-one of God’s wild plants growing in your own backyard. Nuggets of Gratitude: List three wild plants you are thankful for.