If so, come see me at the 2:1 Conference this April 27-29 near Washington, DC. The conference has been created to equip homeschool families, and, although I do not homeschool, I am thrilled that I still was invited to be a part of the speaking team and share my story.

I’ll share what God has enabled me to do in bringing the Bible in 90 Days program to an online audience, impacting lives worldwide. And I’ll also help you brainstorm ways you can make a difference, too, giving you practical tools and tips to move forward.

I’m not the only one who will be there to work with you, chat with you and exchange ideas, I’ll be joining a team of homeschooling and blogging experts:

• Christine Young of From Dates to Diapers
• Heidi and Jay St. John of First Class Homeschool Ministries
• Rachael Carmen of Apologia
• Rebecca Ingram Powell of Mom Seriously
• Zan Tyler of Apologia
• Amy Andrews, author of Tell Your Time
• Amy Roberts of RaisingArrows.net
• Andy Fletcher of The Mango Times
• Angie Kauffman of Many Little Blessings
• Belinda Bullard of A Blessed Heritage
• Carisa Hinson of 1+1+1=1
• Heather Laurie of Special Needs Homeschooling
• Jennifer Janes of Jennifer Janes (Bible in 90 Days grad! :) )
• Jolanthe Erb of Homeschool Creations (Bible in 90 Days grad! :) )
• Kendra Fletcher of Preschoolers and Peace
• Kris Bales of Weird, Unsocailzed Homeschoolers (Also a lover of SOAP :) )
• Linda Difino of The Joyful Journey and The Homeschool Apologist
• Lisa Bertolini of The Homespun Life
• Maggie Hogan of Bright Ideas Press
• Stef Layton, creator of The Homeschool Village (Bible in 90 Days grad! :) )
• Toni Anderson of The Happy Housewife (Bible in 90 Days grad! :) )

I hope you’ll consider joining all of us in April at 2:1… I’d love to get to know you better, share ideas, and give you a great big hug!

What do you think? Wanna join me?

I saw this over at Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures and fell in LOVE!

Click over to see how to make this adorable (and tasty!) fudge with your kiddos. I think it would make the perfect Valentine’s gift for a teacher, friend, or my own mom, if only she lived closer.

Do you make your own candy to share at Valentine’s Day? I’m hoping to do it this year!

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, I’ve got 19 date night (or even family night!) dinner ideas for you, paired with 94 inexpensive, yet delicious wines in Dinner and Wine for $20 or Less, a FREE ebook for subscribers of my wine blog for casual drinkers, VineSleuth Uncorked.

Every recipe was developed by $5 Dinners’ Erin Chase, and can be prepared to serve four or more for just $5. And every recipe is matched with five or six wines  that are easy to find and cost $15 or less a bottle. Plus, to make shopping even easier, I’ve even included photographs of most of the wine bottles. I’ve also mixed in a few wine serving, storing and tasting tips.

If you are looking to make dinner a bit more special this Valentine’s Day, or any day, click on over and subscribe to VineSleuth Uncorked and download your very own FREE copy of Dinner and Wine for $20 or Less. But don’t delay, this free gift is only available through February 29.

This month we are moving into Romans, reading through it all over the next 29 days.

Unless you are participating in one of the Bible in 90 Days programs, I sure hope you’ll consider reading, and possibly SOAP‘ing through Romans with me this month.

Here is the reading plan through the weekend. (I’ll post next week’s schedule on Monday.)

• Today, February 1: Romans 1:1-17
• Thursday, February 2: Romans 1:18-32
• Friday, February 3: Romans 2:1-16
• Saturday, February 4: Romans 2: 17-29
• Sunday, February 5: Romans Chapter 3

Here is what leaped off the page at me today as I read:

Scripture: Romans 1:6

“And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.”

Observation:

Are you reading this? Because if you are, YOU ARE CALLED. YOU belong to HIM.

Application:

Sure, Paul was writing to the Romans. But he is also writing to every single one of us reading these words.

We are called to belong to Christ. He wants us, each and every one, or else He would not have made His Word find its way to each of us. We are His. It is that simple. Now what we do with that infomration is up to us.

I’m gonna embrace it, hold it, and share it with others… becasue as others read those words, prehaps they will also realize that He is calling them, too.

Prayer:

Oh Lord, thank you for this reassurance that yes, each and every one of us reading your Word is YOURS! That is pretty powerful stuff!

Show me who share that with. Show me what to do with that so others feel its power.

Thank you for claiming me and calling out to me.

Oh, it’s so good to be yours. Thank you.

What about you?

What did you hear as you read? And how do you feel about this passage?

I hope you’ll join me as we read Romans together. What a powerful start!!

This week’s assignments for Operation Intentional #Kindness are:

1. Give four compliments today: two to people you know, two to people you don’t know.
2. Let someone else go first… in the check-out line, in a doorway, down the parking lot aisle (and risk giving up a better spot)
3. Write a thank you note to a store or employee who has given you good service.
4. Bring an extra bottle of water to the gym and give it to someone there. (If you don’t work out at a gym, think of someone else who might enjoy a bottle of water and deliver.)
5. Have an extra store coupon? Give it to someone in the store. Or just give away your own coupon.

 
Remember, you only have to choose three assignments to do each week, but you are always welcome to do more.

Thanks for joining in and sharing kindness with those around you!

To learn more about Operation Intentional #Kindness, or to get the code to place the button on your own site, please click over to the introductory post of Operation Intentional #Kindness.

And, as always, please let me know how this mission is going for you or share more ideas for intentional kindness in the comments….

And I guess today’s SOAP is just a reminder to be patient with myself on that front, too.

Scripture: Acts 24:27

When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.

Observation:

TWO YEARS! Paul sat and waited for TWO YEARS and then some! In that time he shared his story and Jesus’ story.

Application:

I can be impatient at times. I want things to happen without waiting. I want to see change.

TWO YEARS really grabbed me.

If Paul can be patient sitting in prison, I can be more patient when it comes to my requests.

Change will happen in His time. And, to be honest, I can see it when I really stop and look.

I need to be patient… with others and also with myself… while still working toward the goals.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for this reminder.

I will try harder to be more patient. I will remember those TWO YEARS. I will try to remember eternity.

Thank you.

I had my thank you note and tape and a box of doughnuts to share. And I had my brave face on.

I’ll back up a bit…

Back in October I started having heartburn and reflux and intended to get it looked at, but trips and life kept getting in the way. In December I noticed my clothes were getting tight and called my husband into the closet one Friday night as I was getting ready to go out with him.

“Do you think I look pregnant?” I asked. I quickly explained that I knew I was not, but asked his opinion.

“Umm, Amy,” He began, “I have thought that for a few days now.”

Poor guy! How can a sweet husband tell his wife she is looking a little pregnant without fear of repercussion!?

We decided to go ahead and go out for the night and the next morning I called a doctor. She told me to call her again Monday morning as she would find an appropriate doctor to see me.

That doctor ordered blood tests and an ultrasound and, after that, a CT Scan was ordered, as well.

The radiologist told me I had a cyst on my liver that would need to be removed or drained. It being Christmastime, the suggested surgeon was on vacation so I sat and waited a week into January when I finally met the surgeon and scheduled surgery. In addition to being a liver surgeon, he was also a oncology surgeon, which I confess was a bit unsettling and reassuring at the same time.

My husband and I were told it was most likely nothing to be worried about, but that after surgery the cyst would be sent to pathology.

Before our meeting with the surgeon we didn’t share much about the surgery with many of our friends because, well, we really didn’t know what to share. Once the surgery date was set, we shared here and there, but didn’t tell too many people because we didn’t want to alarm anyone.

Well, surgery happened last week and, as far as I can tell, it all went quite well.

I’m not sure if I ever realized how serious the whole surgery thing was. I was so fixated on getting things done before surgery that I didn’t let myself dwell on that act of surgery much.

When I was led to my room to change into a gown and have blood drawn and noticed the IV holder things in the ceiling, I started to think about what was to happen and the potential seriousness of it all. But I didn’t let myself go too far.

We waited and waited and then I was wheeled to Pre-Op. There the surgeon asked me if I was ready, as did the anesthesiologist. I told them both that all I was going to do was lay there and that I hoped they were ready. I asked if they had seen my thank you note and asked they share it with others. One doctor taped it onto my chart.

“I saw you on TV last night,” the surgeon said.

Houston’s NBC affiliate aired a story on mom bloggers the night before surgery. They aired a follow up piece with more information the next day, the morning of surgery.

“They aired another story this morning,” I said. “Did you see that one?”

“I was probably working,” he said.

And then I realized even more how nervous I was. I told my husband that the surgeon must have thought I was so arrogant going on about being on TV, but that I had a lot of nervous energy.

“It’s okay, Amy,” he said.

Then the doctors came back and explained that I would have a breathing tube inserted once I was sedated. I was shaken to reality again. I just hadn’t thought that much about it. A breathing tube sounded serious.

I distracted myself by wondering what stupid things I might say  before I was asleep. Then a doctor who looked just like a guy I dated in college introduced himself to me. Then I really began to worry what I might say before I was asleep!

“Where else do you want to go on vacation?” I asked my husband, hoping to think about that for awhile. I figured if I talked about that before being drugged, I might share silly vacation stories which couldn’t be too embarrassing.

I remember them telling me it was time and I remember waving goodbye to my husband. Next I remember being amazed at how big the operating room was and commenting on all the equipment and lights. I wiggled from my bed onto the table and the next thing I knew I was in a different room and someone told me he was going to give me an X-Ray.

I remember saying “Right here?! How cool is that?!” and then fell into a fog again.

Then I remember there being some discussion as to why my main line was still in and the surgeon sounding a bit stern.

I had no idea what they were talking about at the time, but have since found out it was a line in my vein on my neck. I have all sorts of holes there. I wonder if I look very Twilight. (I’ve never read the books or seen the movies.)

I found out that the surgery had indeed been laparoscopic, as had been hoped, and all went well.

I remember that the kind woman who tended to me in recovery listened to me babble on about something for awhile. I can’t remember what I was telling her, but I remember thinking that she was being so nice to just listen.

After awhile they moved me to a regular hospital room and I announced my arrival in the wing by spitting up. I was not so proud of my first impression and also felt bad that that was the first thing my husband saw of me after recovery. Nice.

I spent one night and the next day in the hospital and then came home.  Rather than bring the kids to the hospital, I waited to see them at home. My boys were interested in seeing my incisions, my daughter opted not to look.

I’ve been recovering pretty well at home, but I’m ready to be myself again.

I’m still a bit groggy and sore here and there and one of my arms has a dull pain that seems to move around from my wrist to my shoulder, but I am told that could just be the gas from the laparoscopy trying to escape. (I’d like for it to escape.)

That’s about it for now. Just waiting to get better. And trying not to get frustrated about not getting much done.

But being ever so thankful for a successful, event-free surgery and recovery.

Monday: Acts 21

Tuesday: Acts 22

Wednesday: Acts 23

Thursday: Acts 24

Friday: Acts 25

Saturday: Acts 26

Sunday: Acts 27

Monday: Acts 28

Please forgive me for not posting many of my SOAPs lately. I was in the hospital last week for a few days and am still recovering. I am reading, just not posting. But I hope to be back on a regular posting routine soon.

I also intend to share our next book of the Bible to read just as soon as I can.

Thanks for your patience.

This week’s assignments for Operation Intentional #Kindness are:

1. Plan a family act of kindness to do at some point over the next 4 weeks. Make sandwiches and deliver them to homeless people. Volunteer for an afternoon in a food pantry. Join in on a service project your church is doing. Write the date on your calendar and make it happen.
2. Read an extra story at bedtime. Or read a story to your neighbor’s child. Or read stories to the kids at Barnes & Noble in the storytime area.
3. Print out a photo of a friend or friend’s child from a past event. Jot a note with it and mail it the old fashioned way to that friend.
4. Pay for the person behind you at the drive-thru, or pay for a portion of the meal.
5. Donate gently used sweaters, coats and blankets to a local church or homeless shelter to give to those who need it. Or find someone to donate them to yourself.

Remember, you only have to choose three assignments to do each week, but you are always welcome to do more.

Thanks for joining in and sharing kindness with those around you!

To learn more about Operation Intentional #Kindness, or to get the code to place the button on your own site, please click over to the introductory post of Operation Intentional #Kindness.

And, as always, please let me know how this mission is going for you or share more ideas for intentional kindness in the comments….

If you are just joining us, don’t feel the need to start at the beginning. Just jump in right here and read a chapter a day and try out the SOAP devotional format. It definitely helps me to hear so much more and internalize what I am reading.

Here is this week’s reading schedule:

Monday: Acts 14

Tuesday: Acts 15

Wednesday: Acts 16

Thursday: Acts 17

Friday: Acts 18

Saturday: Acts 19

Sunday: Acts 20