Rebekah's mini-bridal shower

 The morning after Thanksgiving, we had a surprise mini-bridal shower with family, since they were not able to attend the other shower that we had. It was a sweet time. Her aunties and cousins made us a little brunch, complete with sweet cakes, finger foods, fruit, and veggies. She opened gifts from them too. One of her aunties had too much fun buying her Christmas ornaments and decorations for her new house. When we were done with the shower, we packed a box with the goodies and shipped it to Alabama, where they will live after their wedding. Enjoy the pictures!

After we finished preparations, we invited the bride to enter her surprise bridal shower. They put a bride headband and "bride-to-be" sash on her...

After we ate, then she opened her gifts...

A cute Christmas towel...

A little "Days until Christmas" counter...

Pretty ornaments...

more towels...

Cute napkins...

Christmas towel...

A cute tree-shaped plate!

Her new last name will start with C...

A new spatula...

Gingerbread house kit...

A sweet "Mr. & Mrs." ornament...

Wearing her "bride" tiara, bride-to-be sash in front of her bride and rings banners...

Yummy sweet cakes that were dairy AND gluten-free, yet still delicious!!

With me, her aunties and Nana...

Nana's first grandbaby is getting married!

One final shot with her cousins and sisters... love each one of these sweeties!!

Genesis 24:15-16 (Isaac and Rebekah)
Before he (the servant) had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milkah, who was the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor. The woman was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever slept with her. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up again.

Genesis 25:19-20
This is the account of the family line of Abraham’s son Isaac.

Abraham became the father of Isaac, and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan Aram and sister of Laban the Aramean.

Jeremiah 2:32
Does a young woman forget her jewelry, a bride her wedding ornaments? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number.

Sunday Ministry Spouse

 My husband is the worship pastor at our church. This article that I read in a Christian magazine called, "The Banner" resonated with me, as a "Sunday ministry spouse." It reminded me that October is Pastor Appreciation month, please don't forget to thank your pastor and family for their ministry in your life!

It was written from a wife to her husband, and she is the director of discipleship ministries at her church in Ohio. I felt it was written to me, so I will tweak it slightly and include it below:

To the spouse who supports me in Sunday morning ministry (and the many people with family members) who serve in churches:

I know Sunday mornings are not the peaceful, relaxed times that so many of your friends enjoy.

There are no tranquil Sunday brunches, no sleeping in, no impromptu weekends away at the cottage, a few weekends away at all.

We are among the first at church and the last to leave.

For four hours in the day of rest, you keep track of our children while I am leading other people in ----- (fill in the blank... worship, Bible Study, prayer, or helping their kids). On Sunday morning the sacred time that most families spend together, you are on part-time parent duty.

You are my go-to last-minute nursery (or praise team) volunteer. You jump in as greeter for newcomers, basketball teammate for children, and server for meals at special events. 

You listen and listen and listen as I process what ministry means, as I struggle with the challenges of finding volunteers, of church politics, of trying to get others on board with my vision, or striving to bring growth in a slow-moving, albeit wise, institution.

You didn't know when you said your vows that you'd be signing up for all this-- saying no to weekend social events because we are booked every weekend; leaving Saturday evening events early because Sunday is my Monday; saying no to vacations during Christmas or Easter; becoming a default volunteer for most activities on our church's calendar; staying home with the kids on evenings during the week when I have to work.

My ministry is in the foreground- the children's messages, the preaching, the worship leading, the games, and teaching, and songs and activities (whatever the role may be for me). My ministry can be measured and recognized by hours and smiles on faces. I'm the one who gets thank yous and hugs. Your ministry is in the background, and like so many in Scripture, you do the quiet, seldom-recognized work of supporting.

And you do it willingly. Over and over again you offer to step in. Over and over again you hear my frustrations and joys, my prayers, and my challenges.

A helpmate. When I see all that you do Sunday after Sunday, I can think of a few better words.

I see you and the pastors' spouses and ministers' children and families of people in vocational ministry. I know there are thousands of hidden hours that you put into our callings. I am so grateful. Thank you for all of the work that you do to make my work possible.

-adapted from an article by Melissa Kuipers, 2021

Genesis 2:18
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

Ephesians 5:31
“For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”

Philemon 1:4
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers...

Our 25th anniversary!

 A few weeks ago, my husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. (Wait, what?!) We debated A LOT about what to do this year. We had kind of celebrated in Yosemite with the kids, but that really wasn't just the two of us. Since we are now trying to save money for our daughter's wedding, we didn't want to spend too much money. We decided to go out for dinner, at least. Several people had recommended a place in a small town nearby. We had never been there. My hubby also decided to spend the night at a little inn in that same small town. It was lovely!

On the morning of our anniversary, Joshua came home from his errands with a dozen red roses. So sweet! He had also bought the flowers at church a few days before our anniversary. They were very pretty, with yellow and purple, our two favorite colors.

We did a little wine tasting on the way there. We also stopped at a roadside store/ stand and got some peaches. They were delicious!! After that, we checked in to our hotel. When we arrived, the staff had decorated our room! It was very pretty with rose petals and a rose on the bed.

We took family photos before we left home. Sure love these peeps!

So pretty!

We relaxed at the hotel and took part in their free wine tasting before dinner. We found some chairs and relaxed outside.

The menu and restaurant where we went for dinner. It was very open and you could see the chefs in the kitchen. The steak and sides were delicious!

Our selfie at the restaurant... we walked around town for a little while after dinner. Sure love hanging out with my favorite guy!

This was the gift that he gave me... the middle has our names and says 25 years. It is very special! I gave him a fancy watch band for his Apple Watch. I had given him a fancy watch as a wedding gift too, so it just seemed right. He has worn it to church and on dates several times.

I am so thankful for God's grace and blessings that allow us to love each other so well!

1 John 4:7-12
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is made complete in us.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Our 24th anniversary!

 Recently, my hubby and I celebrated our 24th anniversary! We are still very much in love and love being together. My hubby was so sweet and spoiled me this year with TWO nights in a hotel on the local university campus. We also ate out for a day and a half and had several activities that we did together.

Our first activity on Sunday afternoon was to go see our daughter at work! She works at the Escape House and cluemasters rooms there. We had not been there since she started working there over a year ago. They had a special on the prices, so we got a deal! We made it out of the "Grand Illusion" room with less than two minutes to spare. We were grateful for our daughter's clues and help, though!

We went to Red Lobster that evening since we had a gift card. After dinner, we had noticed that there were bikes in the lobby. When we asked at the front desk, they said that they were free to use, we just had to sign a waiver. It was fun to ride around the university campus, our "old stomping grounds." I wasn't even sore the next day! (I NEVER ride a bike anymore!)

The next morning, we ate breakfast at a wonderful cafe downtown. It was yummy!

We got so much food! I loved their cinnamon roll french toast!

In the afternoon, we went wine tasting at one place that my hubby always wanted to go to. We did buy a bottle of port wine there. I liked everything I tasted, and I am picky about wine!

After that, we went to a paint-your-own pottery studio. We chose stemless wine glasses to paint. It was fun to figure out the designs we wanted to use and be creative!

The University Hotel has a fancy restaurant on the top floor, and we went there for dinner. We had to make reservations-- that doesn't happen often here! We had a lovely charcuterie board for our appetizer. I had a salad with berries and chicken, and my hubby had stacked buffalo tamales. Yum!

We even got dessert. We had seen someone at a neighboring table getting this dessert made, and we decided to have the same thing-- bananas foster! They made it on a cart right in front of us, and it was delicious!

The next morning, we enjoyed cable TV and a leisurely morning before we went home. The kids were happy to have us back home, we missed them too. But we reallllly enjoyed the quiet!

I'm so thankful that I got to have a "stay-cation" time with my man. He is so wonderful, and a gift from God in my life! What a blessing!

What fun things have you done for your anniversaries? Next year is our 25th, and we are talking about trying to go to Yosemite in California, where we went on part of our honeymoon!

1 John 4: 7-12

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

My brother's wedding!

Recently we travelled to our old hometown for my younger brother's wedding! We had a great time with my immediate family (parents & siblings) as well as extended family. It was a great celebration and a nice wedding. We are so excited for the newlyweds!

 At the rehearsal...

 The centerpiece at the reception...

 My older brothers giving a speech together at the reception...

 My sister and I enjoyed sitting together and chatting...

 My sister and brother... 

 The newlyweds with me...

 Our family hanging out and chatting...

 The girls ready for the bouquet toss...

 The bride tosses the bouquet!

 My daughter talking to my parents...

 My hubby and me...

 My cute niece in her princess dress...

 Sharing the cake...

 The first dance as man and wife...

 My four siblings and I haven't been ALL together in several years... we had a great time being together!

 The kids had lots of cousin time!

 We enjoyed staying near this beautiful lake outside of town...

My hubby enjoyed fishing with the kids, until it started to rain!

John 2:1-11   Jesus Changes Water Into Wine

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.

8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.