A toast: not the kind with jelly but the kind you give to a Mr. and Mrs.

Here is a riddle for you: What's thesis, maid of honor, and first week of school all over? Oh yeah, me last week.  Ok, so its not a good riddle but I am serious, last week was busy.  I would like to take a moment to celebrate the completion of a lot of things last week.  *moment*

This Saturday was the wedding of my dear friend.  We have been friends since 4th grade and let me tell you, of all the makeovers, made-up dances, hours at Starbucks, and general shenanigans, this event has been the climax of our friendship thus far.  You do not know this girl, perhaps, but you should know this incredible story. 

Read incredible story here:
(for the record the incredible story is titled incredible because of events not because I wrote it)

Upon proposal, almost two years ago, this couple was in love.  During their engagement period, there was a point when they could have called it off.  It would have been justified.  This couple however chose to stick it out.  People have divorced for less, yet they fought.  Most would call them crazy but I find them anything but.  This is a testament to God's grace and redemption. The world is full of brokenness and this brokenness results in this search for a source of perfection.  In a time when everything was telling them to call it quits, they ran to God and God, the Author and Perfecter, brought them closer to Him and closer to each other.  Since this, they have let God write their love story.  Almost two years later, they are now married.  It makes me want to shout from a rooftop, "Wooooo marriage!"  Their relationship deserves celebration and points directly to the glory of God and His power.  I know that they would have not been walking down the aisle if God had not given them His strength, His grace and His love, which surpasses all.  People fail, God is unfailing.  Let Him write your love story, because it lets you get your hair did, invite your friends to wear matching dresses, dance down the aisle, enjoy delicious food, and get your groove on. 

I am praising God today for this couple.  I know that their choice to stick it out will bless them in their marriage down the road and has prepared them for inevitable challenges to come. I also know that it will allow them to mentor others.  God is going to use this couple to bring more redemption to marriages elsewhere.   I love that God gets to use these two broken people to do huge kingdom work. Praise. the. Lord.

^{1 Corinthians 1:27-31
"27} But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no one may boast before him. ³⁰ It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. ³¹ Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

"Who likes married people?????!!!!!????" -(quote of the wedding, maybe you had to be there... but this blog could not end any other way.  Sorry. But not really.)

Things I wish I would have known before, um, now.

So, today's story begins with an anecdote of something that happened yesterday that I am still laughing about. I was at a beautiful wedding celebrating a truly blessed union between two dear friends, Amy and Justin about 24 hours ago, where you would have found me (24 hour younger me)  in a dress.  A black polka dot dress with leggings.  A black polka dot dress that also is of the style of a puffy bottom within those that can make one look pregnant when one is not.  This is not a feature of the dress I was aware of but I quickly learned as we stood in line to get our food.   Someone mistook just that.  Asking, "Awwww, are you pregnant?" is not a question one wants to hear after dropping two dress sizes in a summer, especially with her man standing right next to her.  So I sat there, corrected her kindly and then filled my plate with twice the vegetables because welp, I might as well if people already think I'm eating for two as a result of this dress.  I then thought of this Brian Regan skit. 

Word to the wise: Never ask a girl if she is pregnant unless the baby is like coming out of her, cause you never know with styles this days. 

Word to the unwise (myself): Tuck this dress away until you are actually pregnant many years from now to avoid confusion.

In other news, for my birthday I got 3 dessert cookbooks and a whole creme brulee kit.  I will be a well-fed preggers when the time comes.  Until then? I will make some goody bags for my man. A way to a mans heart is through his stomach, right?  Lets see how this stomach likes tropical or cranberry pumpkin cookies.

Since Proverbs 17 says a cheerful heart is good medicine, I thought this story was good to share.  I love life's funny moments and am a strong believer of the necessity to share and spread the joy.

Until next time,

Me (Joyful, 24-hour-older-and-maybe-slightly-wiser me)

Sunless on a Sundress Day

Staring outside at the gray sky and the clouds that envelope the mountain caps, it is clear that my sundress so carefully selected for this special occasion is not the recommended outfit.  Today, however, I will let the love in my heart keep me warm because this dress will. be. worn. I have conceded to wearing close-toed shoes, hiding my freshly pedicured toesies but THAT IS IT.  For girls, I have decided, weather rarely dictates our wardrobe choices.  The girls who walk around downtown in the winter on a Saturday night are my witnesses.  Fact: Whenever I am downtown in the winter, I get this urge to start a charity called Pants for the People or something that helps pant-less girls cover up in winter (or really anytime would be ideal).  Girls: It is cold.  You are wearing next to nothing.  You could get pneumonia or pants, you decide.

In other news, my dear friend is getting married today (hence the sundress I am still wearing and the pedicure.)  She is one of those people everyone should be lucky enough to have in their life.  Heart. of. gold.  So, today is a great day to celebrate.  Today there will be much jubilation and dancing.  I will also be reading some of that Good Book at the wedding, so there might be some nervous.  I teach reading every day of my life, but today is a test of my reading skills.  Will I open to the right page?  What if I skip a word? The passage has the word "admonish" in it.  While I would like to say I use that word often and it just rolls of the tongue, well...that's just not true.  So, here it goes. Me. Teacher-getting-her-masters-in-literacy. Reading a passage.  Can it be done? Hope so...

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Colossians 3:12-17.  

So, here goes today! Celebrating and putting on love and sundresses despite the gloomy weather.  

Love, 

Me!