How do you show love?

On Sunday our pastor preached on love, but not just the same old love year hear, but real love that we as Christians should be saying and demonstrating everyday.  He gave us some homework to do and asked us to look at our tight circle of family and friends do they know that we love them like really, truly, deep down love them and do we show them.  Then he challenged us to keep moving that love out to where we are eventually truly showing God's love to every person we come in contact with by telling them and showing them. He talked about the book 5 love languages (below is a description on each). 

The 5 Love Languages^®

What if you could say or do just the right thing guaranteed to make that special someone feel loved? The secret is learning the right love language! Millions of couples have learned the simple way to express their feelings and bring joy back into marriage: The 5 Love Languages, Dr. Gary Chapman’s New York Times bestseller!

• Words of Affirmation

  Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, “I love you,” are important—hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten.

• Quality Time

  In the vernacular of Quality Time, nothing says, “I love you,” like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there—with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby—makes your significant other feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed dates, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful.

• Receiving Gifts

  Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday, anniversary, or a hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous—so would the absence of everyday gestures.

• Acts of Service

  Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most want to hear: “Let me do that for you.” Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don’t matter.

• Physical Touch

  This language isn’t all about the bedroom. A person whose primary language is Physical Touch is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face—they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love. Physical presence and accessibility are crucial, while neglect or abuse can be unforgivable and destructive.

During the sermon I was laughing a little because I never would have thought Mark was a physical touch person when I first meet him, but that is his love language and me not being a physical touch person at all I have to challenge myself because I know that it what his is.  So true to form since the day she was born Lanie so far seems to be a physical touch person as well just like Daddy.  We can be sitting on the couch and every one is happy and she will notice that she is not right next to you. She will start shimming her way down to you until she is physically touching you or almost on your lap, but she usually doesn't want to be right on your lap (she still likes to be independent).  She usually doesn't need anything besides for some part of her to be touching you.  So our Saturday mornings when we can actually be home and relax you can usually find all three of us sitting on the couch with Lanie in the middle watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  My sweet girl is not only looks just like her Daddy she loves just like him too :) 

On a side note Lanie had her 18 month apt today with her doctor.  She still is only 23 lbs (35%)  and 33 inches long (73%). The Dr. said Lanie was doing great with her speech and fine motor skills and we all got a good laugh at her run because she looks a little silly.  Tomorrow she has her apt with her allergist to rule out any food allergies :( not excited about that, but she was excited about hearing that she doesn't have to get anymore shot besides flu shots until she is 5!!! 

AHHHHHHHHHHH

The title says its all because that is how this week feels.  There is about a million exciting things going on between school starting back up, meeting new students, getting excited about new teaching techniques I am trying out, and OneLife West our church launching on Sunday I feel like just letting out a huge scream. This is not an angry scream just a can, I add 10 more hours into my day scream so I can get it all done.

Amongst all this chaos of running around I have to remember to breath and Lanie reminds me of that every day.  I was busy running around like a chicken with my head cut off and million things running through my head for school and the preschool stuff for church.  When I picked Lanie up from daycare I was on the phone getting retirement paper work sent to me for a meeting Mark and I have with a financial planner coming up.  I had already made the mental list of things I needed to start as soon as I got home, because I had a lot to do and very little time to do it in before I lost all my energy.  But even with all the crazy list and things to do God was telling me to stop, breath, and be calm.  Because instead of that mental list getting started my daughter wanted to swing and read a book and how can you say no to that sweet girl with those simple request.  So the laundry didn't get done, the floors didn't get moped, the emails that needed sent finally went out at 11:00 p.m., and dinner was hot dogs, but my time was better spent reading and swinging with Lanie.