Do you long for God's word to jump off of the page and into your children's hearts?

Yeah. Me too.

Here is a fun way to do just that at this Valentines time of year.

Read the “Love” chapter of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13, aloud as a family. Talk about the characteristics of love and how you as a family can display those to each other in the days ahead.

Then, as a family make a poster that writes out 1 Corinthians 13 verses 4-8a and verse 13. However, wherever you see the word LOVE, leave a blank instead. Post it in a prominent place in your home. (It will read something like this, depending on the version you use: _______is patient. _______ is kind.)

Now, whenever a family member catches someone else in the family exhibiting that particular characteristic, he or she will write that person’s name in the blank. Then, at the end of the upcoming weekend, remove the certificate and read it out loud. The result will be something like this…. ”Mitchell is patient. Mackenzie is kind. Dad does not envy…..”

Ask each member to give explanation as to what the other person was doing when they jotted their name dawn. Ta-da! Instant family building and bonding!

End in prayer making it your family’s goal to exhibit these qualities of love to each other all through the year.

Now, for fun, here is our family's favorite oohey-goohey fudge-y Valentine recipe. Make it for a treat to enjoy after you finish your time of sharing together.

Hot Fudge Ice Cream Cake

A deliciously decadent Valentine’s Day dessert. Be sure to top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Yum!

1 cup all-purpose flour

¾ cup sugar

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup milk

¼ cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 ¾ cups boiling water

Combine first five ingredients and place in an ungreased 9 inch square pan. Add milk, oil and vanilla, stirring until smooth. Combine brown sugar and ¼ cup of the cocoa. Sprinkle over the batter and then pour the water over the batter, but do not stir.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. The cake will rise to the top and a layer of ooey-gooey fudge settles on the bottom. Serve warm with whipped or ice cream. Makes 6 servings.

Blessings, Karen Ehman, KarenEhman.com