Valentine's Day

Two years ago on Valentine's Day Andy and I spent our first day together alone as he taught me how to snowboard at Paoli Peaks - which I must say for the record does not compete AT ALL to Chestnut (props to Johnna & Derek). A lot can happen in two years. This Valentine's Day Andy and I hung out with friends Adam Pedersen and Sarah Miller and played Rummikub, Sorry, Noah's Ark and Apples to Apples while outside the snow piled almost a foot high and drifts of 2-3 feet in places. We were warm, in great company and were reminded how much God has blessed us and continues to provide for us as this Valentine's Day marks the 10 days to go until we're married! God has not only continued to grow our love for each other but has provided amazing people in our lives to support and encourage us in our relationship with each other and with God - Linda Epple - Kelli Diener - Jamie Pickett - Ben Ruyack - Matt Tebbe - Paul & Becky Gearhart and has also provided other couples to share dates and stories with - Kelli & JT Diener - Adam & Sarah (soon to be) Pedersen - Matt & Danika (soon to be) Smith and we are SO EXCITED to spend time with my best friend, her daugher and her husband starting this Friday whom we don't get to see as often as we'd like. My roommate Jamie moves out this Saturday and I'll only have one night alone and then Johnna and Madie to the rescue to stay and live with me the whole week before the wedding - what a blessing and provision from God! I moved away from home and had to move out from living with Johnna and only God could set it up that I could live with her for one last week before I'm married! I'm looking forward to some awesome girl bonding time and a time to enjoy our friendship of almost 20 years! Wow - we're getting old! :) Anyway, yesterday's Valentine's Day was a great day to reflect on how much God loves me and how many people he's placed in my life to love and be loved by.

We've Already Won

Super Bowl Coaches Known for Christian Testimony

Jan 22, 2007By Art StricklinBaptist Press

Tony DungyMIAMI (BP)--Super Bowl XLI will feature two teams making their first super game appearance in two-plus decades, two Midwestern teams separated by only a couple hundred miles, but most importantly two coaches who are strong believers in Jesus Christ.Head coaches Tony Dungy of Indianapolis and close friend and fellow Christian Lovie Smith of Chicago gave credit to God following their respective teams' victories in the conference championships Jan. 21.“The Lord set this up in a way that no one would believe it,” Dungy said following the Colts' win over New England. “The Lord tested us a lot this year, but He set this up to get all the glory.”The news that two witnesses for their personal faith in Jesus Christ would have a two-week international spotlight for their beliefs thrilled Christian leader William Pugh, executive director of sports ministry Athletes in Action, a branch of Campus Crusade for Christ.“We are so excited to see the Bears and Colts in the Super Bowl,” Pugh, a close friend of both head coaches, said. “We could not have picked two better coaches to represent all that is good about sports.”AIA organizes and runs the annual Super Bowl breakfast the day before the game. Last year, Dungy was the keynote speaker just weeks after his son’s tragic death, giving an inspirational message about God’s love in the best and worst of times.Smith is in his first tenure as a head coach and hasn’t had the public opportunities to share his faith like Dungy, but he has told the Chicago media he believes in Christ, listens to Christian music when driving his car and does not smoke, drink or curse.“I’m so happy for Lovie who does things the right way, without cursing and shows things can be done differently,” Dungy said of Smith. “We give God all the credit.”Dungy has served as the cover spokesman for a special Super Bowl witnessing video and tract. Several of his players, including star tight end Dallas Clark, put out a special faith-based DVD titled "Power to Win" about their faith in Christ and their need to honor Him in all that they do.While the media will concentrate on the game itself, the men in charge of leading their teams to the big game plan on sharing the most important things in their life, something that has nothing to do with runs or passes or even the final score.--30--Baptist Press sports correspondent Art Stricklin is beginning his fourth year of coverage on the spiritual side of the Super Bowl and will be on site at Super Bowl XLI.Link to the Baptist Press website to see this original story:http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=24811