Brothers and sisters in Christ, let love challenge you!  Your love is not limited.  Your love cannot be spoiled, misspent, or wasted.  In preparing to celebrate Valentine’s Day, profess your love to the world.  The funny thing about love is that out on the edges of who we are in Christ, we experience a tension, of sorts.  That tension is the struggle between the reality that our love knows no bounds and the fear and insecurity of not being loved in return.  But the truth is that we are loved.  We are loved by the Father, who perfectly expressed His love for us in the form of His Son, Jesus Christ.  In your expressions of love and compassion, you will find that the tension actually comes from the attempts we make to contain the love that now exists in us.

On Valentine’s Day, as you hear and say and think the word LOVE, move beyond who your fear defines you to be.  Move beyond that tension that exists on your outer edges.  Move to love someone who least expects it; who may need it in the most desperate ways.  Love through presence, service, attention, and compassion.  Love sacrificially and feel yourself being refreshed and refilled by the endless resources of the Holy Spirit.  

Many people dread Valentine’s Day because they do not have a “significant” other.  We are all surrounded by significant people who want to feel our love.  It does not matter your age or your station in life – you can make some handmade cards to brighten the day for a recent widow, someone who is about to spend their tenth Valentine’s Day in a nursing home, a soldier’s wife who’s husband is deployed, someone going through chemo or someone who just celebrated the birth of their first child.  There are so many people in our lives who we can share love with.  Don’t avoid this day.  Embrace it. 

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

{Photos Courtesy of Mary Moment Photography}
{Blog by Heath Ferguson}

Mark your calendars!  On Thursday, February 26, Inspiration Mississippi will be hosting an extraordinary Get Inspired event at SKIN the Spa at Runnels Center in Jackson!  From 4-6pm, we invite you to a memorable evening of pampering, relaxation and rejuvenation with friends, thanks to the following vendors: 

SKIN the Spa at Runnels Center - Participants will have the opportunity to talk one-on-one with aestheticians about their skincare routine and treatments. A Neocutis representative will be on site to discuss new products and how they work!  SKIN the Makeup consultants will also available, offering tips for Spring Makeup trends.

Babalu/Table 100 Catering - Guests will sample delectable appetizers and sweet treats from this impressive catering company.  

Christina Foto - Talented photographer Christina Cannon will be at SKIN snapping beautifully artistic photos (her signature style) and discussing photo packages.

This event is only open to the first 20 people who register!   SWAG bags filled with incredible goodies will be given away.  Call your girlfriends and click here to sign up for a fun, unforgettable evening!

Our January Get Inspired event at Banner Hall was a great success thanks to all of the guests and vendors who participated!  Adam + Alli Photography captured lovely moments throughout the night.  Thank you to everyone who helped make our Get Inspired event an evening to remember!

Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to celebrate your dearest friendships.  This February 14, gather your best girlfriends, enjoy sweet treats and surprise your guests with delightful gifts. 

With a beautifully simple tablescape and neutral furnishings, let the holiday shine in lovely shades of pink and red, and a touch of gold glitter, of course! 

A special thank you to the vendors involved in this fun photo shoot:

Bliss Gift & Home for the perfect Valentine’s Day presents
Fresh Cut Catering and Floral for the pretty floral arrangements and sweet treats
Modern Revival Rentals for the gorgeous furniture
Maison Weiss for the beautiful clothing, jewelry and makeup
Christina Foto for the incredible photographs
Inspiration Mississippi for the lovely location

With Valentine’s Day less than a week away, have you purchased something special for your loved ones?  Bliss Gift and Home has incredibly unique options for everyone on your list, from your husband or wife to your child or pet!

Today, Cathy Joyner of Bliss Gift and Home shares her favorite his and her gifts with us! 

Indulgences for Her

Votivo Candle in “Pucker Up Pink”
The scent is heavenly, with soft touches of gardenia, strawberry, mimosa and sandalwood.  The pretty packaging is equally impressive.  

Farmhouse Fresh Products
This incredible line boasts luxurious bath and body products made with farm fresh ingredients.  Any woman will covet these delightful products.  Even Oprah approves!

Ice Vino Wine Cups
The wine connoisseur in your life will simply adore this clever glass.  It keeps your wine cold and is spill-proof!

Luxuries for Him

Henley Brands
Any man will appreciate these heirloom quality products, including tools, bar ware, and gadgets.  Each piece is functional with an attractive vintage look. 

Leather Paper Weights
The perfect desk accessory for your favorite man. 

Whiskey Wedge
This smart gift allows your guy to perfectly chill his favorite toddy without watering it down.  We know this will be a big hit! 

Leather Cigar Case with Cutter
He will certainly impress his friends with this fine leather case!

Thank you, Cathy, for sharing these fabulous gift ideas.  Bliss also carries an adorable pajama line, stemless champagne glasses, love-themed pillow cases, sweet stuffed animals and many more adorable finds! 

For more information on Bliss Gift and Home, visit their website here, or call 601.326.3338.  You can also visit their beautiful new location at Banner Hall in Jackson!

{Name}  M.G. Ferguson
{Hometown}  Madison, Mississippi
{Event Site} The Little Gym; Ridgeland, Mississippi

{Tell us about the occasion for the event?}
It was M.G.’s fourth birthday!

{What inspired your event location and theme?}
In the past we have always done M.G.’s parties at our house.  I vowed last year that I would do it somewhere else.  The Little Gym was the perfect choice.  Not only do they help you set-up and take down - they fully entertain the kids the entire time.  I can’t say enough good things about them! 

As far as the theme – after changing his mind 32 times we finally decided to celebrate ALL of the superheroes and Legos.  This seemed a better option than the monster trucks and tractors driven by superheroes and dragons.  M.G. is very imaginative, so I was thankful when he landed on Lego superheroes.  He was very involved in picking everything out and even helped me paint the city boxes that were used to serve the food.

{What inspired your color scheme/flowers?}
Since we were doing all of the superheroes, we didn’t settle on one specific color.  We had black and blue for batman, blue and red for superman and green for hulk – and because that is M.G.’s favorite color.

{What’s your favorite event detail? Is there a story behind it?}
I personally loved his invite.  I found a girl on etsy who had taken pictures of some Lego superheroes that was perfect.  I had been concerned how I was going to represent both in the invite.  I used that picture and just added the party information to it. 

{What was your favorite part of the event planning process?}
Knowing that I didn’t have to entertain the kids!

{What was your favorite moment of the event day?}
Seeing the smile on M.G.’s face and being able to enjoy the party with him!  Also – coming home to a clean house was wonderful!!

Photographer:   Caitlyn Sullivan
Event Planner:  Emily Ferguson and the Kendall Poole Event Planning team
Venue: The Little Gym; Ridgeland, Mississippi
Cake: The Cake Diva