Happy Valenties Day!!!

My valentines present this year was two tickets to A Weekend to Remember marriage conference given by Family Life Ministries!!!
We even got to stay at the hotel, even though the conference was right here in Grand Rapids!

Kay, ladies, this was the best valentines present I've ever received. It was so encouraging, uplifting, reviving, refreshing and romantic. If you've ever been to one of these you know what I'm talking about and if you haven't - I pray you get to go some day!

We had lots of tears, laughter, romantic walks, amazing food, and honest open talks. Coming away from the conference I feel ready for life and so deeply in love with my husband. I felt affirmed and encouraged in my roles as wife and mom, and was so excited to see our kids again. Truly, it was exactly what I was needing at this point in time. The Biblical teaching and candid talks from the speakers gave us new tools to relate to each other and was so easy to relate with and absorb. We met tons of other couples in all stages, circumstances and backgrounds that we completely related and laughed with. We were prayed for by name before and all during the conference. I mean, really - what amazing blessing. I so totally recommend this marriage conference if you need a good dose of godly encouragement!!!

Okay, so our camera needs to be replaced (it's like one of the very first digital cameras invented!), but the Smurfs above are us in the hotel. Then there's me with the hotel behind me (I'm standing on a bench on a bridge). It was HUGE (and gorgeous). The Amway Grand Plaza, the nicest hotel in Grand Rapids, and it takes up several street blocks while connecting to tons of other impressive buildings via sky walks.

And below is the inside of the hotel - the lobby... one of the lobbies. The one we walked through on the way to the conference from our room. While we were there we saw at least 3 weddings taking place, about 5 different formal parties going on and there was a boat show, golf workshop and an opera!!! All in the same weekend.
Okay, so I was really impressed:o). Our room was fantastic. And after spending nearly 3 months in hotel rooms, I can say emphatically that I did not mind this one! It was luxurious and so clean!!!

Well, I feel like all I can do is rave. I have such an amazing husband - I can hardly say enough.
This has been such a hard year, and we've walked through so many dark days. All I can say is God is so so very good.

I hope and pray you are all experiencing His amazing grace and goodness for yourselves in whatever you are facing and walking through. And if life is particularly hard I can say from my heart and experience, hang in there, it will get better.