Sunday, May 29, 2011

Going to the Chapel...


Last night Rich and I went to a wedding.  The bride was beautiful, the mother of the bride was beautiful...I don't know the groom or his mother, but she was beautiful too! And the groom could not take his smiling eyes off of the young woman standing beside him at the altar!!

The bride's dad had tears in his eyes during the evening festivities, but you know mixed in with the wistfulness of watching his little girl take that step toward her future, he had to be thinking...but this boy loves her so much and that's a very good thing! 

At the beautiful outdoor reception there was dancing and eating and children running around and catching up with very dear old friends and cake cutting and a sweet Taylor Swift sing-along between the bride and her maid of honor. The bride's mom told us that she was happy because the day had been everything her daughter had wished for and planned (because that is how it happens you know...with a plan).

Isn't it wonderful that weddings are a celebration and a testimony before God and man...not a signing of a document in some stuffy office somewhere. And we the witnesses come away blessed...it's a God thing. And yes, I know that weddings are a lot of work...but I kinda think that being a wedding planner might be a grand job!!

What do you like about a wedding...


The Dress...

The Cake...

The Bride's Bouquet...


The ceremony when the rings are exchanged...

Perhaps the Getaway Car...

If you love weddings visit this blog... you won't be disappointed!!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Getting Ready for Israel

Katelyn is going to Israel with her bible study group on June 8th.  Her group of 9 will team up with others as part of a Focus on the Family "That the World May Know" Tour. I have done some studies from this series by Ray Vander Laan and I am so excited for Kate (and a weee little bit jealous).  It will be an experience of a lifetime for her and the others!!

With graduation behind us now we have been focusing on paperwork and packing lists and breaking in hiking shoes!  In the last week Katelyn has logged 15 miles and has added running the bridge (the only "hill" in Panama City) to her workouts.  Because they will be hiking through Israel (approximately 100 miles total) in 100 degree heat her suitcase will be full of hiking shorts and dri-weave t-shirts and polos.  Those of you who know Katelyn know that she loves clothes and shoes...but in all of our shopping trips we have never had Bass Pro Shop on our list...until now!! But being the true shoppers that we are we managed...and yes...she even found a hat that will actually shield her face from the sun!



Yesterday I downloaded some final paperwork that needed to be filled out and returned...


Now I have dealt with a few responsibility consent forms as both parent and teacher in my day...However I don't recall seeing stuff about civil disturbances, epidemics, quarantines, acts of terrorism, and wars whether declared or not... listed as possible problems!  YIKES!

So all of you friends out there please add Katelyn and the Israel Study Team to your prayer lists... They will be gone June 8th-23 but some pre-trip prayers would be greatly appreciated ;)!!