Lovely day, lovelier bride :)

On Saturday, March 20 one of my dearest friends was married to her Prince Charming. The very skies seemed to smile their approval of the joyous occasion. It was a perfectly glorious day--sunny and 70 degrees with a slight breeze--on the first day of spring. The kind of day you simply want to step outside, stretch out your arms and inhale deeply. And maybe spin around in circles, soaking in the delightful early spring sunlight. Given how entirely unpredictable spring is in East Tennessee--especially early spring--I have no doubt our Father hand picked the weather just for Sarah (and Jonathan). It was perfect. :)



It has been a joy to watch their love story come together over the past year and it was truly a pleasure to watch the culmination of that as the two became one. I know God has great plans for them--as individuals, yes, but also as a couple. And I can't wait to see how he uses them together! I felt the presence of God strongly throughout that entire day. There was truly a tangible joy and peace present in every element of the day. I know that God was looking down from heaven, smiling.



And I have to say, Harvest receptions are the best I've ever attended. They are so much fun! My friend Wendy does such a great job of coordinating the refreshments! I've been to weddings before that featured catered meals or buffets at the reception, and if you can afford that, that's fine. The food is great and I'm sure it is much easier to handle. But honestly, I think it is more fun to pitch in and throw a reception as a church. I love to bake, so preparing baked goods for the reception is a joy to me. And I like feeling like I'm helping my friends achieve the special day of their dreams.






The entertainment also is great. The dancing is fun to watch and participate in (even if I'm not the greatest dancer). Some people at Harvest can really bust a move!




It truly was a God-kissed day. I know that God has great things planned for Jonathan and Sarah and I can't wait to see what he will do in and through them in this next chapter of their lives!

True beauty

I found this quote in a book I'm reading and it is simply too good not to pass along.

"How beautiful are the arms which have embraced Christ, the hands which have touched Christ, the eyes which have gazed upon Christ, the lips which have spoken with Christ, the feet which have followed Christ. How beautiful are the hands which have worked the works of Christ, the feet which treading in His footsteps have gone about doing good, the lips which have spread abroad His Name, the lives which have been counted loss for Him."

- Christina Rossetti

In a world full of false beauty ideals that many women blindly try to achieve, these are the "beauty routines" we should desire and implement in our lives!