Save the Best for Last

No, this isn’t our first dance song. Although it was my favorite song in seventh grade!

This is exactly what happened at the first miracle at the Wedding at Cana. Jesus was invited to a wedding and he must have RSVP’d because he was there when the dreaded thought of the wine running out occurred.

His mother ran to him and asked him for help. He told the servants to fill the jugs with water and bring it to the master of the banquet’s table. (I wonder if this is like the wedding coordinator back in the day. I am picturing Martin Short’s character from Father of the Bride).

When the master tasted it he pulled the groom aside and said, “Why are you serving this now!? Everyone brings out the good wine at the beginning and saves the cheap wine for when people are too drunk and happy to notice!” (I'm paraphrasing here)

And so the story ends and the celebration continued and this was the first miracle of Jesus.


Interesting story on so many levels. After talking with one of my bridesmaids (Hey Amy!) we sort of hashed out a few key points.

• Jesus was invited and came to a wedding
• What Jesus touches makes things better

First, I love that Jesus went to a wedding. He was obviously invited and attended. He saw the importance of marriage. The very symbol of the Groom coming for his Bride was about to take place in his own life on a Cross in a few short years.

Jesus created a wine that tasted even better than the best wine served at the beginning. And for the master to recognize this in perhaps a slightly tipsy state says something about how good that wine was! Jesus made it better.

What can we take from this? First and foremost, Jesus is invited to our wedding, our marriage, and our life! I want him to attend. I want him to be the honored guest. I want him to be a part of our celebration. We are having this shin-dig in his honor- to signify the beauty and symbolism of the wedding ceremony and to rejoice in him bringing us together.

And I sure hope that it gets better and better. I think after several Couples Sunday School Classes and Pre-marital counseling sessions we can firmly say that nothing will get better, resolved or grow with out his help and I want the best wine to come later. I think with and only with Jesus help can the "wine" of marriage get better.

We are having a quote from C.S. Lewis read at our wedding. I absolutely love it. It is the most realistic approach to marriage I can think of. This, my friends, is just the beginning for Blake and I. I hope you will join us in prayer as we continue on this journey…the three of us.

From A Year With C.S. Lewis: Daily Readings from His Classic Works "Being in Love"

"If the old fairy-tale ending "They lived happily ever after" is taken to mean "They felt for the next fifty years exactly as they felt the day before they were married," then it says what probably never was nor ever would be true, and would be highly undesirable if it were. Who could bear to live in that excitement for even five years? What would become of your work, your appetite, your sleep, your friendships? But, of course, ceasing to be "in love" need not mean ceasing to love. Love in this second sense-love as distinct from "being in love"—is not merely a feeling. It is a deep unity, maintained by the will and deliberately strengthened by habit; reinforced by (in Christian marriages) the grace which both partners ask, and receive, from God. They can have this love for each other even at those moments when they do not like each other; as you love yourself even when you do not like yourself. They can retain this love even when each would easily, if they allowed themselves, be "in love" with someone else. "Being in love" first moved them to promise fidelity: this quieter love enables them to keep the promise. It is on this love that the engine of marriage is run: being in love was the explosion that started it."

-- C. S. Lewis



Ecclesiastes 4:12 (New International Version)
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.





John 2 (New International Version)
John 2
Jesus Changes Water to Wine
1On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, 2and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."
4"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come."
5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
6Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.[a]
7Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.
8Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."
They did so, 9and 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 10and 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."
11This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.

The Big Design

I just wanted to let everyone know who follows this little blog that I am still here and things are in the works to update all of you on a few changes that are to take place in my life.

I am sort of unsure how to approach the blog since things are changing. Obviously my parents are much better and in a totally new place compared to that cold December night in 2008.

The blog began as a way to update everyone on their progress and out of it a beautiful healing process began. I shared with all of you the pain of physical recovery and the spiritual redemption that we experienced and I hope in turn it touched you on some level.

I want to continue sharing what the Lord teaches me as I move from being a bachelorette to a newlywed but I am not sure if this is the platform for those experiences. My life is about to drastically change. Not only will I go from single life to married life but I am moving to a new city, learning to share my living quarters and going back to school!

I am enrolling in a few graphic design classes and chasing after a dream I have come to realize over the course of my 20s. As I pray about how to refocus the blog please leave your thoughts and comments if you are still interested in reading these ramblings.

I feel like God has some exciting "designs" in store for me and I can't wait to share them with you if you will let me in.

Thank you for your prayers, thoughts, cards, emails and encouragement over this 2.5 year journey. I continue to cherish these moments we have shared over this little blog.

Exodus 35:35 (New International Version)

35 He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them master craftsmen and designers.

Separation Anxiety

Blake and I have had phases of being a long distance couple in our 3.5 years of dating. When we first met he lived in town, just a few miles away. Then after about 4 months he moved back home to wait and see what med school would accept him. He was about 4 hours away and we did our best to see each other as often as we could and adapt to our new relationship as it changed and grew.

Luckily, UAB was where he ended up for med school and as quickly as he left Birmingham he returned back! We lived only 15 minutes away from each other for 2 years until this past year when he moved to Tuscaloosa for his 3rd year rotations.

We went right back to being a “long distance” couple and relied heavily on our cell phone providers and their unlimited text messaging and/or friends and family plans. Tuscaloosa is only an hour away and the weeks tend to go by fairly quickly and before I realize it the weekend is upon us.

The fall seemed to fly by because I was always headed to Tuscaloosa on game days (Go Dawgs-don’t worry UGA you’re still #1 in my book). The New Year started with a few surgeries for mom and an engagement ring for me. Here we are today in the thick of wedding planning.

Not much is left to plan really, just a lot of tiny details before the big day. But what I am realizing more and more is that I am so ready to live not only in the same city as Blake but also the same apartment with Blake. I am thrilled about our upcoming wedding but I’m more excited to no longer be separated by space and time.

I am eager to share a space with my best friend. Dare I say it, I am ready to have a roommate again?! Lately I can tell in my voice and his that each time we say goodbye at night we are both experiencing a little separation anxiety…Just wishing it was as easy as rolling over and turning off a bedside lamp instead of hanging up a cell phone.

Do you ever experience separation anxiety from your true love? Well the funny thing is you can’t. You can never be separated from the love of God. No matter what happens in life-good or bad-nothing can keep you from God’s love.

Life throws a lot of curve balls and change up pitches. Sometimes a curve ball comes and I’m not even standing in the batter’s box! But no matter what, I’m still receiving the redeeming love of my Savior.

Of all the verses in the Bible this one speaks to me the most. I think because of what it says so clearly. Nothing can keep me from God’s love-not even unexplained car accidents, cancer, depression, or even happy times. He is and always will be right by our sides.

Romans 8:37-39 (New International Version)
37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Laughter

Do you remember the first time you truly laughed so hard it hurt? When you got so tickled about something with a friend that the two of you couldn’t talk you were laughing so hard.

I think for me that must have been in my family. My dad has this ability to keep a straight face while others are laughing so hard they are crying. He can make the entire family crack up and yet he never breaks. It’s truly one of the things I love most about my dad. People leave dinners with him holding their stomach because he has them laughing so hard.

I think other times have been as a small girl playing with my sister or my neighbor down the street. One minute you are angry they took your favorite Barbie, the next you are rolling on the floor giggling so hard that a parent has to make sure no mischief is taking place.

I think the best thing about getting married is knowing that I will still be laughing that hard with Blake for the rest of my life. Blake and I can and have spent time just laughing and talking together for hours just like he was a part of my family or one of my childhood friends. That even in some of life’s saddest moments, he has kept me smiling.

I remember one time in particular when we were in the car driving to and from the hospital in those early days of the accident. I wasn’t too happy in those moments but Blake kept my spirits up by making me laugh. We had and still have a long standing joke about Third Day’s music that wouldn’t make any sense if I tried to explain it here.

And when he proposed he popped out of a larger than life box and the first thing he said was, “Thank you for making me laugh…”

How can you not say yes to someone who laughs at your jokes!?

I think when God talks about Beauty for Ashes this may be a peak of what he meant. That despite some of the “ashes” in my own life-the sadness, the tears, the pain, the disappointments and failures that God knows and desires the “beauty” for my life. I think the beauty is marrying someone who makes me laugh. Who knows how to not only be my husband but also my friend.



We had some engagement photos taken recently and there are some that are amazing but the ones I think I love the most are when we are laughing. (you can click on the one above to get a better view) We are 3 months away from being man and wife and I absolutely can’t wait. I pinch myself sometimes just to make sure I really am getting to marry my best friend. Ouch! Okay it’s true. I am.





Psalm 126:2-3 (New International Version)
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
3 The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.

Spring Showers

So far we haven't had too many of the spring showers. The weather has been amazing despite the large amount of pollen on the ground and cars. However, as with every spring, I am sure some spring showers are headed our way. I guess it'll be nice to wash all the pollen away though.

This spring also brings another form of showers-Bridal showers! I am honored that I have such amazing friends that have planned these for me and Blake. We haven't really had to do anything or ask anything of anyone. We have our first shower this Saturday night. It is just a celebration dinner and I am thrilled to stop for a night and surround myself with my friends and family who have supported Blake and me through our relationship.



According to the all knowing Wikipedia-Bridal showers began when a father couldn't give his daughter a dowry and her friends and family would instead bring gifts to compensate. I wonder if my Dad is wishing my friends would pay for the wedding instead of buy us dishes right now?


Needless to say, this tradition has stuck and now every bride gets the chance to be showered. I am looking forward to this upcoming shower not for the gifts but for the friendship. To finally include the best part of my wedding planning-my friends and family. To look around a table and to be showered with joy at the amazing friends, parents and soon to be parent-in-laws that we have as a couple.

Isn't it funny that we don't share that same excitement and joy for all the amazing things God showers down on us? Instead when any anxiety creeps in my knee jerk reaction is to complain and whine and cry. I don't stop and thank God for the other awesome things he has showered down on me. I fret and worry and miss the blessings. Maybe the blessings are just time to talk with him, a roof over my head, food on my table. Simple things that he showers me with everyday. Like manna from heaven, God gives me the sufficient daily bread that I need until I start a new day with new blessings.

I think this spring, I will begin to first thank God for his showers. Last year my Mom was still struggling to use both arms and hands. Feeding, cleaning and other simple tasks were a struggle now she is helping me plan a wedding and traveling back and forth to Birmingham for fun things like meetings with the florist, dress shopping and now showers!

Spring is here in more ways than one. As someone just said to me today-He is making all things New! It almost brings tears to my eyes to realize how New we are from just last year. I don't thank my Heavenly Father enough for the showers he pours over me every day!

Spring showers are coming from heaven's skies-get ready to rejoice

Joel 2:22-24 (New International Version)

22 Be not afraid, O wild animals,
for the open pastures are becoming green.
The trees are bearing their fruit;
the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.

23 Be glad, O people of Zion,
rejoice in the LORD your God,
for he has given you
the autumn rains in righteousness. [a]
He sends you abundant showers,
both autumn and spring rains, as before.

24 The threshing floors will be filled with grain;
the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.

Unveiled

So it’s been a little over a month since we got engaged and much has happened. I think we have all the big ticket items in place and now it’s all the fun details that get a tad bit overwhelming if you start to list them.

Luckily, we have some pretty amazing people around us that have offered help when we need it!

Blake picked up his suit last Saturday and I just got the call today that my dress is ready! For some reason now that my dress will be hanging in my closet makes this all more real to me.

I still don’t have all the pieces of my wedding day attire. I have my shoes of course and sadly-I bought those maybe before I was even engaged-sssh don’t tell! They were just too perfect not to own! I now have my dress. I may have just seen the perfect necklace online today and I even have the garter. But I don’t have a veil!

I have looked at plenty online-bubble veils, blushers, and the adorable birdcage veils. I have tried a few on but I have yet to find the one I want.

For as long as I can remember I have always thought a veil was necessary. Otherwise you are just a girl in a big poufy white dress. It’s putting on the veil that pulls it all together. When else are you going to wear a veil?

It hit me this week-Holy Week-that the need for the veil is even greater. I love the idea that I’ll be walking down the aisle wearing a veil over my face with my father approaching my bridegroom. My father will give me away to my future husband and lift my veil. No longer will there be separation between me and my groom.

Does that sound familiar to you? If you get a chance this week pick up your Bible and read Luke 23. It’s painful and you will cringe and perhaps cry as you read the suffering that our Savior endured for us on the cross. However, take note of one of the last things that happened right before he breathed his last breath.

44 Now it was[l] about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 Then the sun was darkened,[m] and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’”[n] Having said this, He breathed His last.

Did you catch it? The veil was torn in two. What does that even mean? Why is that even important to know?

I was blessed to go to a Christian elementary school and one of the big things that stood out was our study of the Jewish temple in Bible class. We learned all about the way it was built, the symbolism and the role of the priests within the community. One of the things I remember my teacher pointing out to us was the temple veil. The veil separated man from God or from the “holy of holies.” (Ex 26:31, 33) Even the high priest was only allowed to go into the sacred area once a year on the Day of Atonement.

But that all ended when Christ died for you and me on Good Friday. The sky went black, the veil was torn in two and Jesus breathed His last breath.

Man and God were no longer separated. Jesus ended the separation. The veil was torn in two. The Bride was united with her Bridegroom.

What an amazing image that is for me as a bride-to-be but also as a child of God. I don’t have to be afraid or approach with caution or be a high priest to come close to the throne of God. Christ ended all of that at the cross.

This Easter I am going to reflect on what that means to me as the bride of Christ. I have full access to my King. His Death and Resurrection made that possible. May you enjoy the freedom this week offers you. The sorrow of the cross allows you to rejoice in the torn veil and approach the holy of holies any and all the time!

Bought with a Price!

I’m engaged! My best friend and the love of my life asked me to marry him last Wednesday night-February 24th. I knew it was coming at some point but I was definitely thrown off guard.

Well it was a typical Wednesday for me-working out and babysitting. I ran a hard 4 miles at the gym. For some reason it was really exhausting and I was so glad to be done with it. So covered in sweat I went to the Janas’ like I always do on Wednesdays. I had a feeling it was coming this week but Tuesdays I have Bible Study and Wednesdays I babysit. I thought maybe Thursday or even Friday because my parents were coming into town.

So the dog was barking while we were finishing up dinner. I had just wiped off yogurt on my sweatshirt from cleaning up with the kids. I go to the front door and 2 Men and a Truck are there with the biggest box ever. They had a delivery for “Emily Adams.” Um…weird since I don’t live here. This isn't my apartment?! So I immediately got nervous and figured something was up but it was all a blur after that. I had to sign for the box and they kept asking me where I wanted it and I was like um…right here I guess. They also kept saying over and over it's really heavy! I was like -fine okay!?

So then as they go to move the box, Blake popped out of the box and got down on one knee and said, "I love you for making me laugh and for waiting on me even when I’m late, will you marry me!!?" I of course said, "YES! I WILL!" Flashes were going off and I was like who all is out there??? And so Alex his old roommate was taking photos. I have the entire proposal and Blake in a box captured for a lifetime!

However, I was still babysitting so I was like-come in we are playing Wii and finishing dinner! I showed Lily and she was proceeded to tell me she has a ring upstairs that’s bigger. And then Sam began attacking Blake for being his "futuristic man sitter!" Mass chaos until Mike and Mary Ann got home-which wasn’t too long after. Sorry, I fell down on my job and didn't bathe or read to your children that night!

As we were leaving, he gave me a bouquet of flowers and the sweetest card ever. I am sure I have read as many times as I have gazed at my left hand. I finally got to shower!!! And we went to cheesecake at like 10pm because of all people he had not yet eaten!! Ha.

The ring is perfect. He custom made it to look just like a little costume ring I have had for like 7 years but way better!



So once the dust settled down from the weekend and whirlwind of wedding activity I decided to reflect on the ring. I love to look down at it and see it there on my finger! It sparkles in the sunlight. Sometimes lights overhead catch the spectrum of color in the perfect cut and shape. I love having people ask to see my ring. I gush when I hear comments about how unique it is and how it is so my style.

Someone loved me so much and wanted to spend the rest of their life with ME! I have read the card he gave me over and over again and looked at pictures online of the proposal more times than I should. I get to look at the daily reminder that my future husband put so much time and effort into having a ring custom made for my finger.

Best of all I’m spoken for. I’m no longer available. I have a fiancé!

I went back to my favorite book, Lover of My Soul, and read the chapter entitled “The Cost of A Diamond.” The first line is quite simple, 1 Corinthians 7:23 “You were bought with a price.”

It’s interesting to think about how instead of a diamond on our left hand we have a Savior that has scars on both of his hands. That he went to great lengths to make sure I knew how much he loved me by dying for me. The cost of “my diamond” wasn’t money but an innocent life.

The empty tomb sparkles in the sunlight. Rays of sun bounce off the beauty of my perfect risen Savior. I gush when I hear comments about how special I am to him and how I was perfectly made.

He loved me so much and wanted me to spend the rest of my life with him that he was nailed to a tree. I read passages in the Bible over and over again about how much he loved me and gave himself for me.

Best of all I am spoken for. I am no longer available. I have a Savior!

My prayer for my marriage is that I will remember what it symbolizes. That I won’t forget it is the amazing picture of Christ and his Bride. The love we have for each other needs to reflect that pure unconditional love that Christ has for his children.

I am not perfect; we don’t have a perfect relationship. We will fail, hurt and disappoint each other more times than we care to admit BUT we have a perfect Savior who showed us how to love at Calvary. And that is True Love!

ps if you click on the photos you can get a bigger image of them!