HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

True Love: Lu and Zu babysitting yesterday.

(They made the homemade mobile--all different textures, colors, a bell).

I really really do LOVE Valentine's Day! 

Oddly, I don't remember liking it so much as a kid--primarily because I think there's a lot of pressure to have a "sweetheart" (even in gradeschool) AND because I always dreaded the school candy or carnation exchange/fundraiser. You know the one I'm talking about? You can send your friends a carnation during the school-day for a dollar (red, pink or white in color? I'm anti-carnation to THIS day as a result of those yearly carnation exchanges.).

Anyway, I think it's an idea that has its heart in the right place, but inevitably I think it makes some people feel left out. AND I think it pressures kids into giving gifts to people they may not feel all that strongly about.

Phew, now that I got that off my chest, back to my point! *jumps off soapbox*

I really like all that Valentine's stands for: PURE LOVE of all people, sweet treats, and sharing loving cards and thoughts with those people who mean a lot to you. (Which we should probably be doing more frequently, at least on my side I know I should.)

So, I wish you a SUPER Happy Valentine's Day. Much love to you and the people you LOVE and care for.

XOXO,

Dawn

PS: Here are some of the photos that made me feel PROFOUND love this week: (Funny, we don't usually document hard things with photos. LOL!)

Elder Meehan with the sister he was able to baptize in Indiana.
(Saying "goodbyes" before he left for his near service area.)

Visiting with a family who has been a great support to him out on his mission, giving the missionaries dinner once a week and showing them lots of TLC.
(Husband recently had quadruple bi-pass surgery and it was very touch-and-go ... but he's on the mend.)

Saying "goodbye" to a person investigating our church. Someone Elder Meehan really loves. Hard to say goodbye.

With a family from the ward/congregation where he served.

Another special family. They hosted him at Christmas and also sent us photos.

Pets are a big deal for missionaries, I notice. LOL!

Another sister he's been teaching in his "last area." SO many
relationships and experiences. I could cry thinking about it.
It's such a beautiful experience. Hard, but beautiful.

A photo of the apt. in his last area. (Not all missionaries have separate apartments. Some live in homes with members of our church, others live in small apartments. And in third-world countries, the conditions are often very different than many people are used to. BUT, he's been very blessed to live in this apartment. Fun transition from home!)

Happy Elder Meehan.

Okay, this was MY FAVORITE PHOTO THIS WEEK.

Transfer Day for Elder Meehan was Wednesday. And that's a day when all of the mission's missionaries come to one church building, learn about their new locations for service, meet their new companions, pick up mail, and have a meal together (with the Mission President and his wife).

This photo was one I found on Facebook ... of someone else's son. BUT as I looked closely ... ELDER MEEHAN IS IN THE BACKGROUND! And I think he's with his new companion.

Is that hilarious? LOVE it!

(Especially because we won't have email contact with him until Tuesday of next week--to learn about the changes.)

Our neighbor just arrived in his mission area: Missouri.

The smile is so genuine. Love it.

The Elders who serve in our area. Amazing missionaries.

Bam and Lu.

If we had a family crest, the love sign would be it.

More Valentines for our friends (flowerpot gumball machines--minus the machine).

Small Valentine's for our kiddos.

Babysitting our new BFF.

Her leggings are killin' me. Each leg is SO TINY.

No flash-photography, please.!

Zu and Lu read to her. It cracked me up.

A sweet card from Zu. She got it all on her own and hid it for 3 weeks!

And Amelia Valentine Pond turns 3 today.

(The kids pooled their money and adopted her Valentine's
Day 3 years ago. She's named after a Dr. Who character. BBC.)