3 July 2011
This is Will and Bethany Joy.
They were joined as husband and wife on June 25th. On that day was much joy, love, beauty, thanksgiving, and most importantly the love of Christ.
At their wedding they shared their first kiss. Their commitment to purity displayed the loveliness in keeping oneself pure until marriage for the one who the Lord has for you to marry.
The ceremony reflected the love of Christ, displayed the importance of serving one other, and was filled with the blessing of the parents as a new family was founded.
The sign welcoming the guests. There were three sections of chairs set up and in front of each section were quilts laid out on the ground for the children and a closer view.
Joy taking the arm of her father as they approach her groom.
Prayer for their new life together.
My dear father was a groomsman in the wedding (he is farthest left in the group of men at right.)
Their FIRST kiss.
Mr. & Mrs. William A. Smith, III. Happily wed.
Flower girls rejoicing with the bride and groom.
Although I was not an official photographer, Kristi was very kind to let me tag along and act as an unofficial second-shooter. It was delightful!
Only the beginning.
The stunningly beautiful bride, Mrs. Smith.
After the wedding the guests and wedding party boarded the “Dixie”, a paddle boat from the 1920′s, while the bride and groom’s portraits were taken. There was great cheering when the newlyweds appeared and boarded the boat.
The icing flowers were made by the bride, the cake was made by her mother, and the log-stand was decorated by my sister, Breezy.
The bride and groom’s first dance was choreographed to “Lucky.” (But, of course, everyone would agree that they are blessed.)
Instead of birdseed or bubbles, lavender was handed out to the guests to be tossed at Will & Bethany as they departed.
Mr. & Mrs. Wm A. Smith, III.
Balloons were released…
…and they “sailed” off on a speedboat.
We’re excited to see how the Lord will use this couple in the furtherance of His Kingdom!
(We love you, Will & Joy!)
[Find a few more pictures from the wedding here.]
2 July 2011
At the rehearsal dinner. The next day Will would gain a wife and Joy would gain a husband before God and man, to glorify God and further the dominion mandate.
The wedding rehearsal.
Will with my dear father. They first met two years ago when Will began working for the same company alongside Dad. Their friendship has only grown since then. Dad was honored to be asked to stand with Will as one of his groomsman and gladly accepted.
[More pictures from the wedding coming soon!]
8 June 2011
To let go and trust – willingly, without a fight.
There is a peace that comes with trusting in the One who “knows all things” (1 John 3:20).
When I’m completely submitted to the Lord’s will and purpose, the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Phil. 4:7) covers me and I’m engulfed in joyously watching the Lord’s hand at work.
Yet too often I try to control a situation, wanting my way in my timing. I am left anxiously worrying about whether or not things will happen according to my plan instead of soaking in the rich mercies and blessings of my Savior in His timing. And, before long, I’m exasperated.
The entirety of every situation is in God’s hands, no matter what I try to do. It’s when I, in foolishness, pretend that I can “handle” things that I’m lead to anxiety and worry.
Wholeheartedly in every circumstance I must, by the grace of God, trust and say,
“Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
I know that His will is perfect, His grace sufficient, His peace surpasses all understanding. This is a thought too wonderful for me, but I know I must hold fast to it and trust.
“How wise should we be if, with joyful certainty, we accepted each unfolding of His will as a proof of His faithfulness and love!”
—Susannah Spurgeon
31 May 2011
Honor life. Embrace life. Love life.
“Behold, children are a gift of the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.”
—Psalm 127:3
31 March 2011
As I looked out the south-facing window, I was met with a crisp view of the morning light just beginning to shine on the frost-covered grass. Being one of my favorite times of the day to capture the outdoors, I took camera in hand and hurried, knowing that there was only a brief opportunity when the light would be at its warmest.
As the cold air greeted me, I pulled my shawl around me tighter. After walking a short distance, I bent down to gain a closer look at the iced grass. As I gazed up towards the rising sun, I was reminded of these verses as I repeated them over in my mind:
“For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.”
—Psalm 30:5
“[His mercies] are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.”
—Lamentations 3:23
[Listen to the words from Psalm 30 set to beautiful music in this song by The Sterlings. And you can visit Mrs. Sterling's lovely blog here.]
7 March 2011
A flower with its vibrant, created life shines from the garden. Its declaration of the might of its Maker can been seen, and it is picked to be brought indoors. Inside it still reflects the beauty, the wondrous beauty, as it drinks in the water from the glass. It brightens up the surroundings with its peaceful and cheerful face. [Continue reading...]
14 February 2011
“…while growing old together.”
For years I have watched these hands serve, comfort, build and embrace. My parents are a shining example in their love for one another and devotion to fulfilling the Lord’s will and glorifying Him in their lives with a Kingdom-driven purpose. I am blessed.
18 January 2011
Yes, it is true. The Lord, my great Savior Jesus Christ saved me last month, December 2010.
How thankful and grateful I am for the boldness and humility of a friend in sharing his testimony. The Lord used that in my life as one of the final breaking points of my conversion.
Yes, I did believe myself to be a Christian beforehand. Yet the course of my life I would describe now as three years ignorant; thirteen years in false assurance; a year and a half in miserable uncertainty; and then a day that changed every day, month, and year that would follow.
God showed me through the wonderful passage in Romans 2 that I had spent my life as a “self-seeker,” (Romans 2:8) following me. He showed me my utter brokenness and helplessness before Him. He showed me that my faith up until that time was inadequate—a relying on my own faith and ability to trust, not on the Lord and His strength.
It was painful. But, my friends, “joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5) Never before had I rejoiced as I did that day. Never before had I understood true peace, true joy, true love. That Someone had laid down His life . . . for me.
Me. The one who is a sinner, the one who was self-seeking, the one who resisted Him.
Undeserving me.
But that, in itself, is one of the beauties of Christ’s love. He takes the weak and makes them strong. He takes the proud and makes them humble. He takes the clay, He molds the clay.
“For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.” —Romans 6:5-7 [emphasis added]
I lay this before your feet, dear ones, desiring the Lord to use my story for His glory and the furtherance of His Kingdom. My pride got in the way from seeing what I truly was. But He changed me.
I beseech you, friends, to work out your salvation with fear and with trembling. (Philippians 2:12-13)
4 January 2011
The NCFIC Love the Church Conference was held in Asheville, NC December 9th-11th. It was a time of rich teaching, precious fellowship, wonderful memories, much singing, and priceless workings of the Lord for which we are forever thankful.
Below are just a few of the photographs from the conference:
Morning landscape in Indiana while traveling.
Myself, Emily, Lauren, & Breezy. (Photo by Mum)
Taking notes during the Men’s Leadership Luncheon.
A priceless moment.
Two of the dear Kendall ladies.
Mr. Phillips speaking.
The Kendall family sang from their hearts. God has blessed them with beautiful, harmonizing voices.
To see the rest of the post with more pictures, click here!
