Valentine's Day! 
Eight years ago today, I received a match call from our adoption agency! I started the call with tears in my eyes...and, I was weeping by the time I understood that the match was for a baby girl due in just two weeks. Once the counselor and I talked through all the details, I called Dave at work. He was absolutely speechless. He finally told me that he was kneeling in the dirt at his jobsite, and he asked me to do the same at home. Over the phone, we cried and praised God for such a beautiful and gracious answer to many prayers. Emma Victoria was in our arms just six days later. We love our little Valentine to pieces and are so grateful to her dear birth family--and, ultimately the Lord--for graciously giving us the gift of Emma Victoria.
My beloved Grandma Dolores passed away 6 years ago today. Valentine's Day was her favorite holiday, and she always reminded us that she wasn't going to die--she was going to be born again for all of eternity! I was privileged to spend the last three days of her life with her. I held her hand and sang hymns for hours and hours. These are precious memories! I'm thankful to the Lord for scores of memories with her through so much of my life! My sister and I had the incredible blessing of growing up just one mile from both sets of our grandparents, and we spent so much time together. Like her, I love playing Scrabble, leaving (saving!) cold cups of coffee in the cupboard, singing hymns at the piano, looking at pictures for hours, and eating burned cookies and toast. She was full Swede, so "Children of the Heavenly Father" was one of her favorite hymns, and we are singing it in church this Sunday. I miss her deeply. Grandma Dolores' mother (my great-grandma) was also named Emma Victoria, and I'm thankful she was able to know and love my Emma Victoria for nearly two years.
Valentine's Day was her favorite holiday, and she always reminded us that she wasn't going to die--she was going to be born again for all of eternity! I was privileged to spend the last three days of her life with her. I held her hand and sang hymns for hours and hours. These are precious memories! I'm thankful to the Lord for scores of memories with her through so much of my life! My sister and I had the incredible blessing of growing up just one mile from both sets of our grandparents, and we spent so much time together. Like her, I love playing Scrabble, leaving (saving!) cold cups of coffee in the cupboard, singing hymns at the piano, looking at pictures for hours, and eating burned cookies and toast. She was full Swede, so "Children of the Heavenly Father" was one of her favorite hymns, and we are singing it in church this Sunday. I miss her deeply. Grandma Dolores' mother (my great-grandma) was also named Emma Victoria, and I'm thankful she was able to know and love my Emma Victoria for nearly two years. 
