six weeks

We're getting married in six weeks! Can you believe it?

I can't.

things I've enjoyed lately:

...Carson coming for a visit

...studying Hebrews and Galatians :)

...reading the sweet messages people leave with their "RSVPs" for the wedding

...Perry Mason on DVD with my future in-laws

...spring flowers

...renewed energy (I'm not tired all the time anymore!)

...baking cookies

...reading "for fun"

...lengthy letters from wonderful friends

...the internet. how DID we communicate with overseas friends before this?

....party planning. Nope, I don't have anyone to host it for, but if I did, it would be great. Seriously. Maybe I should invest this time into planning my wedding?

...pearl earrings

...strawberries

kindred spirits

"Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It's splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world" - Anne of Green Gables

oh, please come!

There are several very important things on a wedding "to do" list. Picking a location, figuring out the order of the ceremony, finding a dress... But one of the biggest things is the people who will be coming!

First of all (I couldn't get the pictures in the order I actually wanted):

Stamps. There were the stamps with rings, and stamps with cakes. But they were just a wee bit too... dare I say, ugly for my taste. So we went with the king and queen of hearts. I think they're cute.

Here are the invitation components: inserts (one for everyone, one for those we know won't be able to make it to the wedding), pictures (2 different kinds of normal ones, and then the goofy one Carson wanted. I'm glad we put pictures in because #1, I like pictures and #2, a lot of people won't know one or the other of us so now they have a visual), and the actual invitations themselves. I LOVE our invites. They're a picture of the trees and marsh behind our house, designed by my mom's uncle.

And here's me, burning the midnight oil and iPod battery life to finish stuffing invites on time.

Finally sent them out two weeks ago. That's one big thing done. Only a few weeks left!

cherry blossoms

I mentioned spring a few posts back and talked about the cherry blossoms, but I had to include more of its loveliness.

Here, we have my new mother and new aunt under the "very bridal" cherry blossoms. Shannon's trying to make the petals fall. I love this picture.

Looking up. This is so... worshipful. Almost like but much better than stained glass.

And the boots, once again. Surrounded by blossoms.

:)

good.

It's Good Friday.

Today we remember the day Jesus died. On the cross. Beaten beyond recognition, crown of thorns stuck on His head, crowds jeering at Him, women weeping, nails through His wrists and feet, put onto a cross and left to die. And He did. Jesus died.

Leaving it there makes it sound bad, not good. And it's already been established that today is GOOD, right?

You see, long before the cross, long before any of that, there was God. The Bible says that, actually: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth". He was there from the start. You know what happens next. God gives a command and Adam and Eve disobey. Fellowship with God is broken, sin has entered into the world.

Many generations follow, all sinful. Some of those people do walk with God. Some of those people prophesy about a Savior. They write about a figurative lamb who will take away the sins of the world. They talk about a man who will take on the sinfulness of all men. He will be born of a virgin, something pretty much impossible (but all things are possible with God). His name is Messiah. He will be God and Man.

Skipping ahead just a little more, Jesus is born of a virgin. He is the one prophesied about. He will take on the sins of the world. He spends three years, teaching, healing, and ministering to people. He claims to be equal with God, which doesn't go over very well with the religious officials. They plot to kill Him, on charges of blasphemy.

One of His very own followers betrays Him and gives Him over to those who want to take His life. He is put on trial. He doesn't defend Himself when they accuse Him but asserts that He definitely is who He claimed to be. They assume that this is reason to kill Him. He goes through the whole gamut of religious and political leaders and finally He is sentenced to die on a cross, pretty much the worst way to die.

And so He does. He dies. And since He wasn't just saying something, since He was actually who He said He was, He does what He came to earth to do. He died, sinless, taking on the sin of all mankind. He could do that because He was God and man. "It is finished", He said, taking His last breath. And then He died.

If not for that, it would be a regular Friday. And there wouldn't be hope. We'd be left to our own devices and trying to get to God and redeem our sin ourselves.

Because of Jesus' death, there IS hope.

And that's why it's Good.

springtime

Oh my, April already!

It's beginning to look a little more springy over on this side of the world. Cheery cherry blossoms are blooming over on the Capitol campus, tulips (my favorite) and daffodils are displaying their bright colorful selves on fresh green grass. I do love spring. It's so welcome after the general gloominess of winter.

Rain is just about an everyday occurance but even that isn't so bad. I just put on my bright green coat and new rain boots (a birthday gift from Carson) and make it LOOK cheerful. It really has a great impact on my mood, too.

What a wonderful thing it is that God created seasons and weather. How monotonous it would have been if every day was like the one before. I'm so glad that we have the new, damp smells in Spring, the hot humid days of Summer, the crisp, cool leafy smell in Fall, and bright white snow in Winter. I'm quite thankful that He's given us seasons and the capacity to enjoy them. EVEN the rain!

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!
You have set Your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouths of babies and infants You have established strength
because of Your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.

When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers
the moon and the stars which You have set in place,
What is man that You are mindful of Him,
and the son of man that You care for Him?
Psalm 8:1-4