Planning a wedding...

           One of my favorite pictures from Mary Norris and Matt's engagement.  Matt singing Mary Norris a song before proposing on a cool, gorgeous May day on a spectacular overlook in the mountains.  Doesn't get much better than this.

     And when they came back to the house, we were all waiting with lots of hugs and kisses and tears of joy...and a delicious Casa Carbone lasagna supper.  And strawberry shortcake.  Really doesn't get much better than this.  (This was everyone gawking over the ring!)
     And then the next day, Matt's wonderful parents came up for the weekend and a couple of Mary Norris' close friends.  Really really doesn't get much better than that.

     And Moses was there to celebrate with us.  And the mama swallow had just completed her nest (well, and daddy swallow was in there helping too)--no babies yet, but lots of swooping in and out of the porch.  Lots of activity and excitement and joy...for the swallows and for us.  Really really really doesn't get much better than this.

       And so now, I'm remembering all this as I'm LOSING MY MIND trying to plan a wedding.  Good grief.  Who knew there could be so many details and decisions...never good for a "big picture" person (that's lingo for "I am horrible with details").  And the list...ooh the list.  Don't get me started.  That's another blog post.  I will need lots of chocolate therapy to deal with that one.
       Thank the Lord for dear friends who are helping and advising us.  In fact, have I said lately--thank You Father for the priceless gift of friends and family?!  No telling where we would be without them.
      I'm quite sure I'm the most clueless mother of the bride in the history of the world.  Here's my stock response when asked multiple questions from fabulous Brenda who's in charge of receptions at the club (Praise God for Brenda!!):  "Well, we haven't thought about that.  What do most brides do?"  Or "Gee, we have no idea about that.  What do you suggest?"  Or "Gosh, I don't know.  Can we get back to you on that?"
     Here, on the other hand, is the question my husband would like for me to be asking--it's quite simple really:  "Well, how much would that cost?"  Because we are learning weddings are not inexpensive affairs.  My dear mama always taught me that it was the teeniest bit tacky to talk about prices and cost... my husband, however, does not agree with that philosophy.  And I'm just thinking we can't have a reception with nothing but cheese and crackers.  But you never know...as long as there is lots and lots of cake, we ought to be good.  (Now there's one aspect of wedding planning I'm really fired up about--cake tasting. Finally, something in all these details and decisions that I ought to be pretty darn good at...but that's another blog post too.)
     So, there you have it.  We are in great need of mercy and grace...and wisdom and joy and patience and perseverance and hope as we enter these next exciting, but wee bit challenging, months.  Aren't you glad God is a God of details...especially when we aren't?  And aren't you thankful He is the Lord of perfect and infinite love...especially when we can sometimes start running on fumes in the love department?  O, and don't you want to praise Him for His never ending supply of grace--for us, the often ungracious and underserving...and His bountiful mercy and forgiveness--for us, the desperately needy and sinful?   And don't forget His limitless strength for the weary, joy for the joyless, and hope for the anxious.
     "Have you not known?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable.  He gives power to the weak, and to him who have no might He increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." (Isa.40:28-31)
     Yep, that is our God, and there is none other!
      So bring it on wedding!  I may be crummy at planning...but I have a Lord who planned and created everything from far flung galaxies down to microscopic cells.  I think He's got this too.
     And by the way, thank You, Father, for the beautiful, priceless gift of Mary Norris and Matt and their love for You and for one another.  That's what it's all about.  If we were to have nothing but water and crackers at the reception but we have our Lord, and Mary Norris and Matt and love, well, we are soooo good!  To God be the glory.