good friends

Friends are truly invaluable. Not because of what they do for you, but because of what they do with you! Together we do life.

Periods come in each of our lives where we desperately need our friends and there are times when we are not together as much. It doesn't matter, they are still there - ready and willing to do what needs to be done. Happy occasion or sad.

Last week was one of the happiest occasions of our families life, but we needed a lot of help. And, we got it!

What our friends gave us was not just physical help, but help in each of their gifted areas which lifted the occasion to an extraordinarily high level of spiritual teaching, beauty, sound, musical excellence, decoration, fabulous memory, taste, recording, officiating, and helped create an almost magical atmosphere that we could never have accomplished ourselves.

So to all of our dear, precious friends who gave of their time and talents we can never thank you enough for making Jocelyn and Aaron's wedding a lingering memory that will never fade especially because it is covered with the handprints of many of our dearest friends. We love you!

rehearsing

It seems long ago that we rehearsed. all things with order take practice. So we practiced for the wedding last Thursday. It is very hard to believe that it will be a week ago tomorrow.

And so the days pass, memories linger and eventually fade. This is the reason we need pictures!

I took very few pictures at our daughter's wedding - I left that to the expert. But I did snap a few of the rehearsal evening. A night that began with instruction and ended with the bride and groom reading the pieces they wrote telling us what we meant to them - not a dry eye to be found... So meaningful to each of us.

Here are a few pics, maybe they can help bring back memories of your own!

from beginnings to endings

Life goes fast.

This week our family has experienced a glorious beginning with our daughter and son-in-law's wedding and now experienced the ending of our beloved Aunt Mickie's life.

Just days ago we spent a significant amount of time laughing with her and sharing a wonderful fourth of July weekend and dinner at our home.

Her loss is huge to our family - she was very close to my father only a year and a half older than he is. A sister who left us suddenly - the ending coming unexpectedly. A sad ending for us - a pain free homecoming and new beginning for her.

Beginnings and endings - opposites yet exactly the same.

the Crossroads Luau

We had a giant luau party at our house on Sunday to thank all of the Crossroads volunteers for serving so faithfully at church! So much fun - the church doing the twist to a 'Beach Boys' style band!

Now - that's MY kind of church!

not over yet

Well - most of you probably know that I have been involved with our daughter's wedding this week. God was so gracious - and held back the clouds so that we could celebrate with all of our friends and relatives under a bright moon surrounded by lanterns and twinkle lights. It was magical!

And then the dancing...well, that's a whole discussion on it's own!

Stay with me here on my lonely - empty blog and I'll share a lot of details in the next few days!

But it's not over yet, today 750 people join us (if the sky clears off!), as we thank all the amazing volunteers of Crossroads with a hog roast and big fat PARTY!

they are someone today

We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today. ~Stacia Tauscher

I saw this on someone's facebook today and loved the quote.

Do not waste your time worrying about who your child will become.

Teach them daily, enjoy each moment and dedicate them to the Lord.

They will never look just like you thought they would, they will never think the same way you think and they will never become exactly what you thought they would be.

They are someone very important today, just as they are, right where they are.

After Friday I will mostly talk to my daughter via phone or Skype. I will no longer be able to walk up to her bedroom and find her there. She will be gone. She will be married.

I am a very, very blessed mom to love the man she is marrying. I have gained a son, not lost a daughter. But I warn you...

If you spend your time waiting for what they will become, you will definitely miss who they are.

my week

I have been SO busy that I have not even been on my computer except to prepare for the weekend services and to work on projects. I still do not have time to write extensively since I am now only days away from our daughter's wedding. So, I decided to show you what I have been up to instead! Have a blessed week!

Cedar Point bubble blowing
wedding haircuts
Bill Hill - announcing luau volunteer picnic
our son's return from tour
lettuce in my office
uninvited people eating in my office
my dad's prize