Happy Valentine's Day!

As a child I spent many hours- many, many hours helping my aunt make king cakes during Mardi Gras season at her bakery. She is the owner of Paul's Pastry shop in Picayune, MS and is probably best known for her famous king cakes. She bakes the king cakes year round now but of course, during Mardi Gras they work pretty much around the clock. The other day U.S. congressman Gene Taylor from Mississippi came into Aunt Sherri's bakery telling him of a solider that he had recently been speaking with. This solider is stationed in Afghanistan but is from Gulfport. Congressman Taylor asked the solider what he could do for her and she said, "I would just like a king cake from Paul's Pastry." Congressman Taylor then came into the bakery to talk to Aunt Sherri about getting a king cake sent over to her.

Aunt Sherri told him that she had been trying to send cakes overseas for years but it was impossible to get them there due to the fact that they are perishable food items. Customers call daily wanting to send them to loved ones oversees - but packages take weeks to arrive. So, Congressman Taylor went on a mission to see if he could make this happen. They worked it out that the cakes could be sent over on a military plane leaving Gulfport.

My Aunt's bakery is closed on Sunday's but this past Sunday it was full of Paul's Pastry employees who were donating their time to make 150 king cakes to be shipped to our troops in Afghanistan. She could only send 150 because of the weight and size of the cakes. She actually wanted to send 1,000 - but maybe another trip. I wanted to say how proud I am of Aunt Sherri and the wonderful workers of Paul's Pastry. I know there are soliders enjoying those king cakes as I write this and that makes my heart proud. It may not seem like much but it's a little taste of home for those men and women who serve our country.

One last thing, Princess went for a follow-up checkup and her leg is healing great. She doesn't have to wear her walking cast at night and in another week we can start weaning her from it altoghether. God is so good!

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone! Remember that Christ is the one who loved us so much that He willingly died on a cross that we might be able to spend eternity with Him. Who do you know that would die for you? Who do you NOT know that would die for you. He died for you whether you believe it or not, whether you accept the gift of Salvation or not. He is the ultimate example of selfless Love! Let's remember to thank Him tomorrow...and daily!

Love you all,
Jill