Samples of the Official Wedding Pictures

As you can see, I have changed my profile picture on this blog. There was deeper meaning behind my decision to have the image of Arwen and Aragorn as my profile picture in the past, but we have now entered into that which will define the rest of our lives as husband and wife. I found it appropriate to change the profile picture accordingly.

I was looking through all of the pictures that Brian took, picking out the ones I wanted to print. I couldn't help but notice just how often I make silly faces in pictures. This one was one of my favorites with all of my girls, including PandaGirl!

Most of the pictures prior to this one are of me crying and wiping my face. We took this picture before the ceremony thanks to Brian's creative idea for us to take this without seeing each other. As soon as I came around the corner and heard my groom's voice, I started crying. After being calm all morning, all of my emotions came at once and I could hardly believe that this day had finally arrived.

Taken immediately after the ceremony ~ I love all of these veil pictures of us so much that it was hard to pick which one was my favorite!

Now that I am married and getting used to being wife to a wonderful husband, I can say that I am definitely ready for a blog makeover. This is a brand new chapter in my life, one that marks the beginning of however many days the Lord gives for us to walk this earth together. Because of that, I want a fresh, new place to come write and update friends on current happenings.

I have entered a fun contest to try and win a free header from Jilly Blog Designs. You can go there yourself and see samples of her creative ideas! (The contest ends tomorrow evening if you want to enter - see her blog for details!)

For All My Texans

Well, I did it...I am now the holder of a Kentucky state drivers license. And they don't let you keep your old license, so when they handed me the new one, they KEPT my Texas license and tossed in a pile behind the desk!!! Well, they can take it away, but that doesn't change the fact that--

YOU CAN TAKE THE GIRL OUT OF TEXAS, BUT YOU CAN'T TAKE TEXAS OUT OF THE GIRL

--Ain't that the truth.

More Pictures from JennyPen!

Look at his smile - that's the man I got to marry!
My precious matron of honor and her husband at the rehearsal dinner

Gettin' all snazzed up - me and two of my girls had our hair done by our friend Cherish, and we remembered on the way to the salon that the three of us went to her for our hairdos for senior prom almost 8 YEARS AGO! WOW, how times have changed!

I could not ask for more wonderful friends than those who were present on our wedding day...

Eryn had practice at my bridal portraits, so I asked her to help here as well

She helped me get into my shoes, too!

I was showing PandaGirl all of the delicate beading on the veil - I think she liked it :)

Why is this picture so small??? I have no idea, but I still love this - it was a very special moment for me to hug my precious Stef.

In the days of their youth, they were Bass the Fish and Monk the Coat...and now they're all grown up!

This is where we were announced as "Mr. and Mrs." to our guests at OUR WEDDING RECEPTION! That's still so crazy to me~

"Heel-toe, dosey-doe, come on baby let's go boot-scootin'!"

So happy and so relieved to finally and permanently be husband and wife...

Waking up on the wrong side of the bed...

I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I woke up cranky, not feeling well, and wanting to roll over and go back to sleep next to my husband who doesn't have to get up nearly as early. Instead of saying "good morning" I sighed heavily while turning off my alarm and commented, "It's only Tuesday..." And him being the good and encouraging man he is, he said, "Don't be like that..." So while I was getting ready to leave for the day, I was really quiet and just wished I could go back to bed. I think my mood had a direct influence on my inability to head out the door on time, too.

As soon as I got in my car, I popped my Nichole Nordeman CD into the CD player in hopes of the music refreshing me and clearing my mind for the day at work. It didn't work. Then, an old familiar phrase came to mind. One of my oldest friends had a saying she used to tell all of us in high school when we were having a bad day: "Bad days are an excuse for not seeing all of the blessings God has for you." That kept playing in my head over and over as I drove, and the Lord convicted me of the truth behind such a statement. The more I thought of it, the more I also began thinking that my bad days are an excuse for not being thankful. What do I have that the Lord has not given?

This is not truth I was convicted of in my own conjuring up of profound thoughts. The Lord convicted me of my ungrateful heart as I was merging onto the expressway. Rather than waking up thankful and saying "good morning" to my undeserved and precious gift of a husband, I complained with my back to him. Rather than hug him and tell him how much I loved him first thing in the morning, I sighed. The Lord has provided above and beyond all we could ask or imagine, and all I want to do is react out of my self-centered, rebellious tendencies to complain! After years of growth, and seeing with new eyes my more common patterns of sin, I know that the root of complaining is a lack of thanks - thanks for the atoning sacrifice of Christ which is the only thing that saves, the gift of life and breath, the gift of a husband who desires my best which is satisfaction and joy in Christ alone, the opportunity to receive an education from an excellent seminary, and the gift of a stable, reliable place of employment to even drive to every morning.




What may merely seem like "waking up on the wrong side of the bed" to your average adult really is an excuse. Even the smallest and most common aspects of our attitude can distract us from a day that in and of itself is a gift.

Post-Ceremony Reflections Over a Meat-Lover's Scramble at Denny's

The goal and utmost desire was a Christ-exalting ceremony, one that clearly displayed the glorious relationship Christ has to His Church. As the bridesmaids lined up in the parlor with me standing around the corner in the bridal suite, I heard the music begin, "I have come with one purpose to capture for Myself a bride. By My life she is lovely, and by My death she's justified." I began to cry for the first time that day, and remember thinking, "This is it, this is the moment." As I entered into the radiant sanctuary, the instrumental music to "Amazing Grace" resonated in such a way that did more than tickle the ears of myself and the witnesses present. My tears by then were wiped away, and my eyes were fixed on one person - my groom. I can only attempt to describe in my limited words the experience of living such a vision and dream. I have dreamed of my wedding day for many years, and I have had a deep longing for the ceremony to be one wherein Christ was present and displayed as the sweet and satisfying Savior that He is.

My husband and I had a late dinner with one of the groomsmen last night at Denny's. As we were inhaling our omelettes and meat lovers healthy food, our friend told us that he used our ceremony in a recent sermon illustration. He described hearing our music selections for the ceremony at the rehearsal and wondering why we chose "Amazing Grace" for the processional. It's nice and it's a classic, but why that particular song? He told us that he didn't get it until the doors opened at the ceremony and I entered into the room to the majestic melody. What makes the bride pure, spotless, and dressed in a white gown? The righteousness of Christ which is the amazing grace lavished upon His bride.

Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of
many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying
out, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty
reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage
of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her
to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure"— for the fine
linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. ~Revelation 19:6-8

As with any wedding I have previously attended, there were compliments galore about everything from the flowers to the dresses to the music, but those all fade into the background when we heard such comments as, "That was the most selfless ceremony I have ever seen," and others which were similar. If witnesses saw Christ at the center of every detail, then our goal was accomplished. If those unbelieving attenders saw that our primary concern was reflecting Christ's relationship to His Church, both now and in the day yet to come, then our hearts were fully satisfied.

The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And
let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life
without price. . . . He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming
soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! ~Revelation 22: 17, 20

More pictures from one of my dearest of friends!!!

First dance ~ "What I really want to say, is what the sun would say to the stars, for giving it a place to come alive..."
He HAD to help me because I have a horrible track record of not knowing how to cut cake without demolishing the entire thing ~ and this red velvet cake was too beautiful to mess up!

Watch out for the bride with the big knife who doesn't know how to cut cake

Yes, I have an abnormally large mouth!

Kindred spirits ~ "Miles and miles and miles are between us, like Earth to Mars and then onto Venus, although you've gone away I still see your face"

"It is my great honor to present to you..."

STAY TUNED FOR MORE!

9 Days ~ Christmas pictures!

What's a new laptop without a new printer/scanner/copier??
The annual shoving-of-the-face-into-the-stocking picture

And Maia seems to be catching on to this whole stocking thing!

The girls gave him a Christmas card this year that was addressed "2 Our Almost Daddy"

They've always had a special relationship...I think Nali gave up trying after a couple of years.

The annual Sheltie calendar - and Maia informed me that she's much cuter than any of the models in the calendar

Christmas is exhausting...

15 Days ~ Two Girls Wishing you a Very, Merry Christmas

A certain someone found the time to put up my Christmas tree this morning and surprise me by sending me this picture at work. ~I think one of them looks like a little elf~ I hope this picture makes you smile, and even though things are crazy, we are thinking of all our dear family and friends this Christmas season. It's hard for me some days to focus on Christmas, as this year it feels more like a stepping stone to a big day that's just around the corner! However, listening to Christmas music in my car on the way to work has really helped me reflect. Here is my absolute favorite this year, and I pray that the Gospel truth resounds in your heart this year as you share in the celebration with your loved ones:

Today a child is born on earth

Today the glory of God shines everywhere

For all the world

Oh Jesus born on this day

He is our light and salvation

Oh Jesus born on this day

He is the King of all nations

Behold the lamb of God has come

Behold the Savior is born

Sing of His love to everyone

Oh Jesus born on this day

Heavenly child in a manger

Oh Jesus born on this day

He is our Lord and our Savior

Today our hearts rejoice in Him

Today the light of His birth

Fills us with hope and brings peace on earth!

Oh Jesus born on this day

He is our light and salvation

Oh Jesus born on this day

He is the King of all nations

Today a child is born on earth

He is light, He is love, He is grace

Born on Christmas day

(version by Avalon)

17 Days ~ Yes, two posts in one day

• “At this time of year, sometimes it’s nice to pull aside from all of that and remember that what really matters is the celebration of the birth of Christ. I hope you and your family have a magnificent Christmas season. God bless you and Merry Christmas.”
• "If we are so politically correct in this country that a person can't say 'enough of the nonsense with the political attack ads, could we pause for a few days and say Merry Christmas to each other,' then we're really, really in trouble as a country." ~ M. Huckabee
  Source: http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/2007/12/18/mike-huckabee-in-new-ad-merry-christmas-and-i-approve-this-message/

Nothing to say except....

17 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

24 Days ~ "When sin becomes bitter, marriage becomes sweet"

I find it increasingly hard to believe that the big day is just around the corner. After all of this waiting, and currently still waiting, I find it more and more surreal that I'm getting to the end of all the wedding plans leading up to the moment when all of the "to-do"'s will come to fruition. We are continuing to setup house while I still have an apartment full of stuff (and there's a lot of stuff) which is quite indicative of how I feel tossed between two different worlds. There is the world characterized by my being a student (the end is finally in sight!) and living on my own, having items in my apartment that have traveled to each location these past several years and can finally be donated or completely trashed. The plastic trash can is finally being replaced with the sleek, stainless steel one, and the dishes are matching each other more and more everyday. Then there is the world of which I am still on the brink. I am so close to no longer living on my own, looking out for myself and my possessions, and yet I am still in the preparatory stage. It's as if I am looking out towards the horizon which is much closer than before, and yet still feels so far away at times. I am learning everyday that we will never stop learning about one another. As much as we know each other now, there are both daily quirks and deep emotions yet to be revealed. At times I know that my tendency to argue stems from stress and anticipation that I allow to build up. I am marrying a man who is open and honest when he is frustrated which has moved me to trusting all the more in the Lord's sovereignty for seeing fit that I become united with him. Because of this, my sinful tendency is laid bare. While quite uncomfortable, such exposure is both necessary and good for my sanctification. How wretched that we, poor sinners we are, put up a defense against something that is clearly intended for our good! Rather than accept such truth and encouragement from the one to whom I will soon wed, I actually spend time trying to justify my horrid attitude. Praise the Lord that even now, prior to the actual marriage, He is showing me just how crucial and instrumental my spouse is and will continuing being to my sanctification. Praise Him that such confessions and conversations are taking place now rather than ten years down the road...

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ~Colossians 3:12-17 (verses 18-19 happen to address husbands and wives)

"Saying that marriage is a model of Christ and the church places it firmly on the basis of grace, because that is the way Christ took the church to be his bride, by grace alone. And that is how he sustains his relationship with the church—by grace alone." ~ John Piper

31 Days ~ And the Real Countdown Begins...

Two significant things on this, the one-month mark before JANUARY 5:

We received our first dish yesterday - a beautiful, round serving plate. My fiance's words: "Well, I guess there's no turning back now!"

I have not had a Coke in over a week. This is HUGE regardless of whether or not you are aware of my affection for carbonated beverages.

That's all for now!

32 Days ~ A Week of Moving (or "A week in the life of a soon to be married woman who doesn't always seem to have her head on straight")

As requested, I figured I needed to at least post something on here. Unfortunately, this will be a post minus pictures since my camera is sitting at the apartment I am trying to move out of as quickly as possible. The more we got my fiance' moved into our townhome this past week, the less I wanted to be at my current place!


Here is a brief of some of the little events that come with moving that keep us laughing (or clenching our teeth in frustration):

• Some people like shelf paper in the kitchen that reminds them of being in a bright white bathroom with rubber duckies. In fact, they like it SO much that they not only cover the cabinet shelves with such green and blue checkered paper, but they make it all the more blinding by covering the WALLS of the cabinets as well! I am not one of those people, but the residents before us apparently were.
• Green and blue checkered shelf paper shows through beige shelf paper.
• Dogs who have had to live with slippery hardwood floors for almost two years act as if they are in a world of eternal bliss when presented with a glorious apartment full of brand new plush carpet.
• I will never again assume that I am as strong as I have convinced myself I am. This comes with breaking a perfectly decent desk while pulling for all its worth up the stairs as my patient fiance' is saying, "Wait, wait, wait." This is a lesson for anyone: if your fiance' is telling you to wait, don't pull one last time as hard as you can. The desk will break and send pieces of particle board, drawers, and nails flying in all directions.
• Picking the perfect shower curtain for a bathroom is perhaps one of the most stressful jobs in setting up a new home. Who knew the choice between stripes and sheer would be so difficult??
• Dogs who have grown accustomed to lounging on the bed tend to fall out of new beds that are twice as high off the ground (and that is assuming they actually get on top of it successfully - only one of them has made it this far).
• Picnic chairs and barstools make for a cozy setup in the living room.
• Some people like green and blue checkered shelf paper SO much that they incorporate it into linen closets and bathrooms.
• It is always beneficial to go through cabinets to see if previous residents left any items behind. We discovered a white mug on the very top shelf of the kitchen cabinet last night. Not only does it serve as a rather unexpected memento of our first home, but it's also "Gibson" brand!
• The most exciting thing for me was when our new bedroom furniture was delivered on Saturday. It's hard to believe that I am setting up furniture in my very own home that I am going to share with my husband.

Hopefully I will have pictures up soon, but I'm not promising anything! We still have my apartment to sort through and get moved over, which I am sure will take up the better part of this next month. One month?!?! Woohoo!!!

~ 54 Days ~

"O Sovereign Lord,

Let those that are united to me in tender ties

be precious in Thy sight and devoted to Thy glory.

Sanctify and prosper my domestic devotion, instruction, discipline, example, that my house may be a nursery for heaven."

~~~

May this be my constant prayer even now in preparation for the days and years to come...

(This excerpt from Valley of Vision was posted by Carolyn Mahaney over at GirlTalk.)

57 Days ~ Reflections in the Night Hours

I just returned home from a sweet
evening at my friend Eryn's house. She was so thoughtful in throwing my shower
this evening, and I was truly touched by the ladies who came. We spent the
evening simply talking and enjoying coffee and dessert, along with the opening
of my presents (nope, no pictures on the blog of these!). What moved me most,
however, was the time they spent praying at the end of the evening. If I had a
more broad thesaurus I would definitely use a word other than overwhelming for all of the thoughts and emotions flooding my mind
right now. But seeing as it is the only word that comes to mind, well then overwhelming will have to do!

Last week is best described as having
been in a dream state. I spent last Saturday in my wedding dress outdoors at one
of the most beautiful parks with what was perhaps the most perfect weather one
could ask for. I was in utter disbelief when I finally got to see the pictures,
disbelief that I was actually taking pictures in my own wedding dress... I
remember the wonderful times past in which those dear to me experienced their
own dreams coming to life: PandaMom
holding her daughter in her arms for the very first time after years of earnest
prayer and many tears, going to visit Funderstorm and
her newborn daughter in the hospital after months and months of anticipation,
and the many close, forever friends who have experienced the glorious coming together in marriage that
I am entering into. The dream is slowly but surely unwrapping a layer at a time
as I attend showers, prepare wedding invitations, and think about those things
which pertain to the home I will soon be making with my husband.

As I have read through such books as When Sinners Say "I Do" these past couple of months, there have been
nights when I have wondered if I am really ready. After all these
years, years of watching other friends get married and begin their own families,
I have moments when I wonder if I am ready to give myself fully to another...
The answer is a confident yes, one completely dependent on the grace
and mercy of the Lord, that brings me to tears at the wonder and awe of such
commitment. The Lord actually saw fit for marriage to reflect Christ's
sacrificial relationship to the Church. So when my fiance', soon-to-be husband,
holds my face in his hands and says, "I am for your good. You now come first
above and beyond anything this world can promise or provide. You have my heart,
and we are now in this together," I can wholeheartedly believe him and trust in
his care. He really is for my good. My sinful nature is still at odds with this
undeserved reality, as I am prone to hold onto selfish notions for dear life,
even when I may not be fully aware that I am doing so. But even when I mess up,
whether it be saying something foolish without thinking or making a decision
without approaching it as our decision, he still desires to walk hand
in hand with me for as long as we have breath.

That is overwhelming, and
that is the beauty of Christ reflected through this man to whom I am giving my
life and love. His good is now more important than my own, and his interests are
now above my own. How incredibly Christ-exalting it is to see His Word actually
breathed out in the life of another. And this particular man is the one with
whom I get to share mine with for the rest of my days.



Praise the Lord, O my soul...

69 Days ~ Overwhelming Thanks

I thought "Overwhelming Thanks" would be appropriate just in case all of the pictures to follow don't give away how we came away from our shower last night. Our small group from church threw a couples wedding shower TEXAS-style (picnic tablecloth, Texas flag on the wall, and coordinating balloons).

Rene' made red velvet cake! She also administered the "Pre-Newlywed Game" later on in the evening (see below). I was absolutely beside myself when I went into the dining room and saw those scrumptuous, gigantic pieces of red velvet cake.

Courtney provided the punch!

Sina provided the pound cake (oh yes, and we did bring leftovers back to my apartment)!

I had no idea how many people were planning on attending the shower, but needless to say, I was quite suprised!


Dan & Eryn - THE best best man and bridesmaid EVER (she is my sanity when my other girls are hundreds of miles away)

Jay & Lynn - I was given the wonderful honor of singing in their wedding just four weeks ago.

Christina - Also a newlywed as of August 18! Christina and her husband, Ryan, graciously volunteered to take pictures during the shower as well as keeping the list of all the gifts we received.

One of Ryan's pictures in attempt to "capture" the shower decorations. Trust me, this wasn't all of them and Christina had to take the camera away from him after just a few minutes...heehee

The "Pre-Newlywed Game" - I don't remember which question this was exactly, but here are a few that were asked: "Which of your dogs is really Bob's favorite?" "Bob, in one word how would you describe her personality?" - Just so you know, his answer was "her patience" and I thought he was going to say "weird."

There were a couple of moments when I had to fight back tears - I'm so sentimental that even reading the thoughtful, sweet cards was getting to me.

Need I say more? PYREX!

I have the wonderful joy of working with Teresa. She was the first person I met there two years ago and was the very first person who trained me on the job. Her and her husband, Ryan, recently married and I have been so encouraged by how content she is and how good he is to her. We were so pleasantly surprised by their coming to the shower, that I almost cried when they left for the evening (are we starting to see the trend here with my emotions?). And for the record, Ryan is from Louisiana...a fellow Cajun and lover of bayous and crawfish.

And last but not least, the WONDERFUL hosts for the evening, Tom and Nikki. I have been encouraged by them since attending our church, and we were so excited when they offered to host the shower. The evening was so sweet and lowkey, encouraging and overwhelming. Overwhelming because things are so surreal at this point. As I was opening the gifts, each bag and the contents therein, I couldn't help but feel so deeply touched by these wonderful brothers and sisters who so gladly wanted to help get us started as a married couple. I was most moved by the prayers last night, prayers that our marriage would deepen our intimacy with Christ as we enter into and grow in unity as one. I am all the more aware today, after an evening of such love and fellowship, of just how good it is when the body of Christ joins together. I am amazed, and all the moreso knowing that we still have two months until the wedding day!

78 Days ~ Sitting Down with the Calendar

• October 27th - Couple's Shower at church
• November 3rd - Bridal Portraits
• November 9th - Shower hosted by my bridesmaid here in Louisville
• November 17th - Shower in Fort Worth hosted by my matron of honor
• November 23rd - Fiance' moving into the townhome while I'm still in Texas
• November 26th - Final Exam Week
• December - Work Work Work and moving my things into the townhome
• December 29th - Driving to back to Texas!

(And let's not forget the little matter of schoolwork due between now and the end of November)

My reaction to my calendar? Oh...my...goodness...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

80 Days ~ La-La Land

Sunday

Day is fading, but baby, I don’t mind

‘Cause sunlight is dancing in your eyes

And time is frozen but somehow flying by

Here with your hand holding mine

It just feels right kissing on a Sunday

I’ll hold you tight as if it were the last day

With all my might, I will keep the world away

It just feels right kissing you on a Sunday

Time is racing to the sound of my heart beating

Can the dreaming escape this life

Unfair, maybe, but know that I’m not leaving

Right now, baby, life is kind

Make this moment last for a lifetime

Don’t let it slip away

Play it over and over like your favorite song

And we’ll fit forever in a day

(Bebo Norman)

86 Days ~ Immediate Changes for Long-Term Benefits

Time flies when you're having
fun!...time flies when you have each hour of the day booked up on the
calendar...time flies when you are staring at your wedding to-do's and your
school to-do's knowing full well that one is clearly more fun than the other.
Yes, time flies. And I even forgot to mention that time flies when you have
planned your wedding immediately following the already crazy holiday season! So,
no, I haven't had writer's block this past week. If anything, I feel like I have
TOO much to write and therefore would struggle to fit it all into one or two
entries. The days feel as if they are becoming shorter and shorter, and I am
having a hard time believing that my first wedding shower is just over two weeks
away!

I made a pretty significant
decision this past week while my fiance' was away, one that required much
thought and prayer. With things being so quiet during the break from school, it
seemed that I was provided just the right time to think through such a decision.
Anyone who knows me knows that I am somewhat of a nerd. I say that somewhat
jokingly, but in all seriousness, I have been academically-driven throughout my
years of education. While I have never been driven to achieve top honors, I have
still wanted to excel in my studies. This is still an important area,
particularly in regard to personal stewardship, but it has proven to be a vice
at times as well. While I savor most of the areas of study I have been given an
opportunity to dive into, I am at times too concerned with the status benefits.
I am that student who immediately goes to the syllabus at the start of a new
semester, marking my calendar accordingly and examining the professor's grading
scale. I am a nerd in how diligently I keep track of such things. If this seems
like a lot of background data for a decision I haven't even mentioned yet, bear
with me.



I
have decided to change my degree track in the Biblical Counseling program from
Master of Divinity to Master of Arts. What this means is that rather than
continuing in a program that requires upwards of 90 credit hours, I will now
only be responsible for 50 in order to graduate. Some may think I was crazy for
even pursuing the M.Div to begin with, but that would be wrong thinking and
incorrect. I began school two years ago in pursuit of the M.Div because I wanted
to take the additional requirements. After making it through an extremely
liberal school of theology in undergrad, I yearned for classes full of sound
theology, ones that savored and found inexpressible joy in the truth of the Word
of God. I am switching to the M.A. at a good time because I have absolutely no
regrets about the classes I have taken thus far that will not count toward my
new degree track. I am SO thankful I took Greek and Hebrew, even if they won't
count for credit toward the masters degree with which I will be graduating.
(Sidenote: I don't think seminary is the ultimate requirement for ministers of
the Gospel - I have known plenty who only went so far as a bachelor's degree -
but I have serious reservations about someone who desires to lead a congregation
when they have not studied at such a level.) The counseling classes are
virtually the same for both, and all of the classes I have left to take are
requirements for both tracks.

What drove me to
this? I did not make this decision simply because Hebrew is hard...
No, I
made this decision for myself, and not with an attitude that claims
this should
be the expectation or standard for anyone else in a similar
season of life.
Quite simply, preparation for marriage has compelled me to
re-evaluate pretty
much every aspect and priority in my life. I stepped back
this past week and
honestly asked myself if I need to pursue a Master of
Divinity. Do I need to be
pursuing such a saturated degree when the Master
of Arts is designed precisely
for the area to which I feel called. I have no
desire at this point to pursue a
Ph.D; I have no reason to do so. And I am
not going to be pastoring a church, hehe -- if I had such a desire, I am CLEARLY
at the wrong school! I desire to
enter into a biblical counseling setting
in which I can serve as an instrument
of hope which comes only from the Word
of God. The bigger picture is
characterized by my passion to encourage as a
godly wife and woman in the
church. These are not desires which require a
more prominent degree. The bigger
picture is also achieved by my decisions
in the more immediate future. I would
much rather be finished with school,
not only to be that much closer to actually
being able to counsel others,
but also to help that much more in getting my
husband through school. One of
the many ways I have been encouraged during my
time at Southern is by women
who actually work full-time and see it as the
current way in which they are
serving their husbands. That excites me so! The
Lord has provided a
wonderful season in which I get to serve my husband in such
a way that
allows him more freedom to study and prepare for the position to
which he
has clearly been
called.

What have I learned from all of this?

• Wisdom is not defined by an academic title or pursuit.
• I admire women in both the Master of Divinity and the Master of Arts tracks.
• Cultivating a home of Christ-centered love and submission should not be put aside, but rather something which begins from day one.
• I am thankful more than ever, even on the most stressful of days, for the job the Lord has provided.
• I am beginning to see the stark contrast between the many definitions of success in our culture.
• Preparation and focused goals are not easy, and I am incapable of achieving anything of worth in this life apart from the strengthening and empowering of the Holy Spirit.
• I like Diet Coke with Lime.

92 Days ~ While trying to be productive...

And no, none of of these dogs are mine! I insist on drawing the line with their Christmas collars that jingle and Nali's Barbie pink fleece jacket that has her name embroidered on the side.

96 Days ~ Witnessing and Sharing in the Joy

Those whom I have seen in the past couple of days are probably getting tired of me saying that I feel like I ran a marathon this weekend. I was so worn out from the weekend that I slept for nine hours solid last night. Nine hours is unheard of in my world. Although I was exhausted, it was well worth the time--and voice--spent. When I was first asked to sing in my dear friend's wedding, along with our praise band from church, I was in disbelief at the song list she handed over. Ten songs! Ten songs instrumental? No no, that would be ten songs she was asking me to sing during the ceremony. Whew...I knew that my pipes were about to be put to the test, and I admittedly don't have a great deal of vocal endurance. The rehearsal was shaky, partly due to feeling like I was having to remind some of those around me that we needed to perform the music as the bride requested, rather than throw in our own renditions.... If she asked specifically for me to sing something acapella at this point during the service, then we needed be willing as a team to serve the bride and groom in that way. If she requested that the key be changed in order that I sing more comfortably, then we needed to graciously agree to do so. I wasn't terribly surprised at the rehearsal being a little scattered, and thankfully the wedding party was not distracted by our practice and working out of the kinks. I was still a little nervous, though, and even moreso as I drove home and felt the tension in my throat.

However, the Lord was glorified and I was more than honored to take part in what was a true worship experience! Even though the ceremony was longer than any I have ever attended, the celebration was glorious. Each element of the ceremony was purposeful, and the transition from one thing to the next was seamless. I was particularly moved when Lynn walked down at the last verse of "Be Thou My Vision," and for a moment we caught a glimpse of that vision glorious of the Bride walking toward the Bridegroom. There were minimal tears shed on her part; instead, she was beaming in inexpressible joy throughout the hour. Our pastor gave an incredibly Christ-centered sermon, addressing first those who may not be believers and then ending with the Church and the couple particularly. The picture before me was the embodiment of Psalm 16, "at Your right hand are pleasures evermore," Ephesians 5, "as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for her," the reality of the Gospel, and what better song to sing together as witnesses to this union of two than, "Then sings my soul..." It was absolutely beautiful.





I teared up early in the service as we were leading the congregation in singing "Great is Thy Faithfulness." I happened to look up during the chorus just as Lynn was looking back at me from where she was standing next to her groom. She had an indescribable expression as she sang, "All I have needed Thy hand hath provided," and I was moved to praise for how good the Lord truly is to His children. This marriage ceremony was a reminder of God's steadfast love and how that was poured out through His Son who has provided us riches and goodness measures beyond what we ever deserved. And to think that He specifically designed marriage to reflect and live out such love, grace, and sacrifice for another...




I did not think to bring a camera to the wedding (silly, yes), but here are some from a sweet sister who was also there to witness the joyous celebration. You can also see more details from the wedding on her blog.

The handsome groom ~ The bride's pastor from her hometown who gave the opening prayer and giving away of the bride ~ Our beloved pastor who gave the sermon
"Til death do us part..."

The beautiful bride! I should not have been surprised at how carefully she thought through each detail of the reception, details fitting for anyone present. There was even a children's buffet and corner of the room piled with entertaining toys and games. And I must say, I was also quite impressed by the homemade addition she made to her gown up at the neckline!