Inside Information...

For those inquiring minds who want to know...here is some exclusive, inside information about the wedding!

All of the pre-wedding excitement caught up with Boaz, the bride's little brother- during the ceremony

Don't tell anyone...but I think it caught up with little sister too!

Brittany's newest sister was only about 30 hours old when the wedding took place... it looks like it also caught up with her!

Did it affect the dog too? Yep! Towards the end of the wedding, the bride's family dog came bounding out of the pond-soaking wet, and approached the mother of the bride with full intentions of shaking...when the bride's grandfather gave him a very serious "down" command...well, he laid down, and stayed down! LOL

Although this lovely netting looks so sophisticated and romantic swathing the gorgeous wedding cake...it was actually serving another purpose! Evidently Florida has these crazy bugs - called Love Bugs of all things- that were swarming! The netting kept them off of the cake!

And, last but not least! We happen to know the lovely young lady who caught the bouquet--a first for her!

It was our very own Briana!

A Blessed Event Part 3

After the wonderful ceremony, there was a great time of fellowship and celebrating this happy occasion!

Here are Mike and Marci (groom's parents-& this blogger's buddies) being announced and coming into the reception tent. You can tell by their expressions that this is a joyous occasion!

The bride's Daddy enjoying the reception of the biggest girl, with his littlest girl

Some new friendships were formed

And old acquaintances renewed!

All too soon it was over...and the happy couple drove away into the sunset...well, after extracting their truck from the practical jokes of the groomsmen! :)

A Blessed Event Part 2

Having been blessed to have been a guest at such a wedding...I have to tell you it has infused me with such hope! Two sets of godly parents put their shoulder to the harness, and went the distance-and now-they are reaping the harvest! What a shot of spiritual encouragement to those of us still in the traces, and in the middle of plowing a row!

I love this shot! This is Joshua-the groom-as he sees his bride coming down the aisle, along side of him, his best man, and the bride's brother-looks on.

Such a picture of purity, beauty, trust, and innocence.

Did I mention that 30 hrs before the wedding, the bride's sweet mother gave birth to a little baby girl? Here they are-mommy is listening to the ceremony....little sis is dreaming. This is a remarkable mother, with this little blessing being #9!

What an encouragement to see mulitple generations of Christians represented in these young people's lives. The dear, sweet couple pictured above, are none other than our wonderful friends, Mike, and Marci! (Parents of the groom!) Above is one of the bride's grandfathers.

And here is one of the groom's grandfathers dispensing some godly wisdom to the new couple.

Before I end part 2, I would like to give a little encouragement for parents, and for young people. I hope that as I share some of the details of this Christ-centered wedding...that it acts like a catalyst in each one of us-spurring us on to the finish line in raising our young people. And, if you are a young person, I hope that it causes you to yearn for doing it God's way!

I leave you with a portion of the ceremony done by the bride's daddy:

The entire ceremony was written to show the BIG wedding of Christ and His bride, the church. Here is what Jeff said just before the vows.

One of the best ways God has demonstrated to us what is occurring in a covenant was through the Salt Covenant.

This was a covenant of loyalty. The Word of God says,

"The Lord keeps covenant for a thousand generations to those who love Him and keep His commands."

In ancient times when two people wanted to enter into a covenant of loyalty, they would recite the details of the covenant, exchange salt from one pouch to the other and then shake the pouches.

The symbolism is powerful.

The only way this contract could possibly be broken is for each to individually retrieve their own grains of salt, which is impossible.

So, once the covenant of loyalty is spoken and made, it is bound on earth and recorded in heaven.

Joshua, you and Brittany will now exchange your solemn oaths to one another. You are in affect exchanging salt.

Your fathers and mothers and God say,

"Shake your salt pouch vigorously so the grains are inseparable for all times."

There was another part of the ceremony that I want to share as well.

Just before the pronouncement of husband and wife, Jeff shared this.

The question is asked, "Is there anything more beautiful in life than a young man and a young woman clasping clean hands and pure hearts in the path of marriage?"

And the answer is given,

"Yes- there is a more beautiful thing,

it is the spectacle of an old man and an old woman finishing their journey together on that path.

Their hands are gnarled, but still clasped;

their faces are seamed, but still radiant;

their hearts are tired and bowed down, but still strong.

They have proven the happiness of marriage and have vindicated it from the jeers of the cynics.

And now having pledged your love and loyalty to each other, and having sealed the pledge with marriage rings,

I do, by the authority of Almighty God, pronounce you husband and wife.

Joshua and Brittany,

you are no longer two independent persons,

but you are now one in the eyes of the Lord. You may celebrate with your first kiss.

A Blessed Event! Part 1

Our family had the blessing of attending a wedding in Florida last week. The groom is the son of our dear friends Mike & Marci in OH. And we are thrilled that we went!
Words cannot describe to you the experience of attending this refreshing, godly wedding. This union was the result of a betrothal. This couple did not play the traditional "dating game". And, as a result, they tendered their first kiss at the altar. Many times during the precious ceremony there were tears in our eyes. It was such a pure, and holy wedding. It was quite different than any wedding I'd ever been to. I will try and describe some of it to you...
First of all, the wedding was held outdoors, the picture you see above is of the bride's family farm. The pond is on the left, the ceremony was held just beyond it, and the tent housed the reception.
The wedding was very family oriented. There were many family members in the wedding party, and the dads of the bride and groom were the ones who conducted the ceremony (I loved that)! The picture above is of the bridesmaids (they wore white! the little girls wore blue satin under w/white overlay)

Below is our friend Mike doing his part of the ceremony. In the picture above of the kiss, you can see the bride's father. He did the majority of the service, and did a splendid job.

Something else that was different about the wedding? The Vows! The couple wrote their own....Here are Brittany's:

I, Brittany promise you, Josh that I will love, honor and obey you. I submit myself to you, as the church is subject to Christ. I will honor and respect you, so that your heart can safely trust in me. I promise to be your encourager, helpmeet, closest confidant and best friend. I will stand beside you, loving you and supporting you in times of joy and times of sadness, in times of sickness and health, in times of failure and in times of triumph. I will be your loving, prudent keeper at home, always striving for a gentle and quiet spirit, making our home a peaceful and restful place that brings glory to God. If the Lord chooses to so bless us , it will be my greatest joy to be your fruitful bearer of children, and I will help you diligently teach them the commandments of the Lord. Where you go I will go. Your goals will be my goals and I will share your dreams. I give to you all my love, my hopes and dreams and my life as your faithful and obedient wife. I love you.

I will continue later....

Giveaway at Eclectic Culture Farm

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Head on over there for the details on entering...
and you don't have to have a blog! Although having one gives you more chances to win. :)

Tiny Feathered Friend...

My daughter Bri went to spend the night w/my mom. They were sitting out on the porch chatting, and low and behold, they had a visitor or two to the hummingbird feeder. Bri captured these shots of the little fella.

Did you know:

• That after feeding and doubling its weight, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird flies nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico during migration. The flight takes about 20 hours
• The hummingbird cannot walk (it uses its feet for perching), so it has to fly to get about
• The hummingbird can digest nectar very rapidly and efficiently. The nectar will pass entirely through the hummingbird’s digestive system in less than 20 minutes!
• Even though they have an extremely high metabolic rate, hummingbirds do not eat until they are full at every opportunity. During daylight hours, the hummingbird will eat frequently for short periods of time. At night, the hummingbird will eat as heavily as the nectar supply will allow. The hummingbird may store a third of its weight in nectar to ensure that it will survive its overnight fast while maintaining its normal resting metabolic rate.
• While hovering, a ruby-throated hummingbird beats its wings up to 75 times PER SECOND
• The hummingbird has many other unique features that set it apart as a special witness for God and Creation.

Isn't God's creation magnificent? Such a tiny little miracle!

Fall? Well, kinda, sorta....

It doesn't feel like fall. (Read--we have the a/c on!) But, it is almost October! Yikes!
In light of that, the kids were in a festive mood, and put out all of the fall decorations... here is a shot of my flag with my flowers all still blooming in the background.

So, here is one of my favorite flags--in honor of giving thanks and praise to God. :0)

I think that fits no matter what the season! Don't you?