And we have some winners!!!!!

For the past week, we've had a Valentine's Day Giveaway going here where everyone was asked to comment on a memory, verse, someone special, tradition, or just anything that had to do with Valentine's Day! And man, did you guys deliver!!! I LOVED reading the stories, verses, traditions, and memories you shared regarding this holiday!!! I wish I could give everyone a prize...but you know what happened the last time I attempted that (I eventually threw away the bag of treats I had made everyone)! There were even new "commenters"...and I loved it!

3 names were drawn and I am giving

one winner the movie, FIREPROOF,

and two winners the book, Love Dare!!!

- I feel like I should make a note here that the picture above is not my realy body! It actually looks kind of realistic, so I thought I should clarify! I've been exercising, but it hasn't made that big of an improvement! :)

And the winner of the first book, Love Dare is...

Haley!!!

(Applause)

And the winner of the second Love Dare book is...

Amber!!!

(Applause)

And finally, the winner of the movie, FIREPROOF is.....

Kristy!!!

(Applause)

* None of the pictures were used with permission.

Special Thanks to:

bekstwocents.blogspot.com for the picture of myself

tyke80.blogspot.com for the picture of Haley

connectthedots-amber.blogspot.com for the picture of Amber

and

kccommunicationwiththeoutsideworld.blogspot.com for the picture of Kristy

__________________________________

Now, I realize that with the help of paintshop, what was a classy giveaway took a turn to the south, so let me try to redeem this by sharing my Valentine's memory that I have...

Every year, the Lord somehow gives me a Valentine's gift. Now, I know you think I'm making this up, but truly, I'm not. A couple years ago, I was going to be sharing a talk with the ISU girls about "Making Jesus the Love of Your Life" on Valentine's Day. I remember saying, "Lord, I wonder what you're going to give me this year! I can't wait to tell the girls about it!!!" But He said, "How about this year, I give each of the girls something instead!" So I made up little candy baggies and wrote a note to each of the girls, telling them that it was a Valentine's from God because really, I was just asking what He was going to do for me...so this wasn't even my idea.

Well, the talk came and ended without a Valentine's from God, but I have to say, giving the candy to the girls was a lot more fun. After the talk, I was sitting in the kitchen, talking with a friend when I felt something next to me. I looked over and there was the most beautiful boquet of flowers being held out to me by my friend, Lindsey Y. She explained:

"Tami, these are for you from God...and they REALLY are from Him, and let me tell you why. I was in the store today getting some things and God said, 'Lindsay, I want you to buy flowers for someone today'. I didn't know who they were supposed to be for, but I just knew He wanted me to. I went all day with these flowers not knowing who they were for, but He told me to bring them with me tonight and that I would know who they were for. As soon as I saw you tonight, before I even knew you were talking, God said, 'They're for Tami'."

I could give you many stories of how God tells me, "I love you" throughout my day...but this remains as one of my all-time favorites. I remember my friend Jake F. (now living in China)used to always say, "Tami, what miracle did God do for you this week?" I miss him asking, because it kept me accountable to look for the "I love you"'s from God.

So thanks to everyone who commented...it's made me really excited for Valentine's Day!!!

I hope you have a great weekend!!!

~ Tami ~