Budget Bride: v.1.1

First of all let me say that of course I think I had the most beautiful wedding ever. It was everything I wanted it to be but it certainly was not without the help of my amazing family! I am truly blessed to have so many aunts, cousins and friends who helped make it a dream come true. Not even to mention my parents and sister who sacrificed so much to make it the absolute BEST day of my life thus far...

I want to share things that I did and that I think most people would find helpful in planning their weddings. Wedding season is right around the corner. I personally believe the year is actually broken down into 3 seasons:

*Football Season (Can I get a BIG ROLL TIDE!!! 13!!!)

*Holiday Season (Christmas is my favorite!!!)

*Wedding Season

So as we approach wedding season let's celebrate! I'm not sure how many of these posts I will do but I hope that you find them helpful & that you gain at least a little peace of mind as the big day approaches!

Wedding Season...Two very exciting words! What emotions do these words evoke in you? Well, if someone you love is getting married you are probably thinking/feeling:

LOVE

HAPPINESS

LAUGHTER

TEARS OF JOY

BEAUTY

FUN

PARTY

HONEYMOON

& perhaps even JEALOUSY

However, if you are a bride or parent of a bride you might be thinking/feeling:

STRESS

RUSHED

SAD

COMPROMISE

CONFUSED

BROKE!!!

Tip #1 --

Take advantage of today's down economy!

HOW: As unfortunate as it is that businesses are closing and people are losing jobs, there is a benefit for consumers. When you and your boyfriend/fiance are seriously ring shopping go to stores that are closing/going out of business. They are simply looking to get rid of their inventory and will reduce prices significantly. Also, don't be afraid to "haggle". Ultimately the ball is in your court in these situations. They are looking to unload inventory and make a profit of any kind. Keep in mind however, that if you do purchase rings, be it engagement or wedding, that if the store is closing you will more than likely have to get them sized at another retailer. We did this with my engagement ring and we even found a retailer that sized it for FREE! Another idea to keep in mind is to purchase wedding rings with engagement rings. This is something I wish we would have thought of. When you are in the store look for wedding bands, as they too will be reduced in price.

CAUTION: Do not order a FUTURE good/service from a company that is going out of business. Last year there were several news reports of brides that had ordered cakes from a company that later went out of business. However, they had already paid them a non-refundable deposit and ended up with no cake(!!!), leaving them scrambling to find another baker! What a nightmare!

--L

Evidence Not Seen - A Book Review of Sorts

This book was by Darlene Deibler Rose. She was a survivor of a Japanese internment camp in World War II. This book was wonderful and so relevant. I could connect with her because she was my age and a newlywed. Also, she was funny and nervous and loved the Lord but she was completely imperfect. She was definitely a modern day Moses. A regular person with an extraordinary purpose. 
  The book begins with Darlene and her new husband, Russell, venturing off to the mission field to be one of the first missionaries in Papa New Guinea. It was on their first wedding anniversary that they set out on this journey and Darlene was 21! 21! Can you imagine having been married for a year and setting out to an uncharted land where everything is unknown? I could not imagine, although I pray that if I was ever called to do that the Lord would give me boldness. Believe me, I would need His courage and it could ONLY come from Him, but back to Darlene... They set out and when they arrive Russell has to hike over mountains to find exactly where the people live and where he will begin to build a home for his new wife. During these excursions they would be separated for months at a time. Graciously the Lord provided a wonderful team of missionaries to encourage young Darlene during their times apart. 
  Not long after their arrival to this very strange and new world WWII begins and their lives are forever changed. I do not want to spoil all that happens to Darlene, I want you to read it for yourself, but I was not able to put this book down! It was inspiring, captivating and totally relevant! The difference between this book and The Hiding Place is that Darlene was a young woman during the war whereas Corrie Ten Boom was in her 50's. Also, Darlene was an American and Corrie was Dutch and Darlene was married, Corrie never married. Do not misunderstand me, The Hiding Place is an absolutely wonderful and inspiring book as well and a classic at that, I personally, was just able to relate better to Darlene. My favorite quote from this book is a rather long one which I have posted on my FB profile http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=58901574#/profile.php?v=info&ref=profile&id=58901574 but I do want to talk about a little snippet of that quote and what it currently means to me and to today's world.

  "Were not these also the characteristics of the godly men and women in the homeland who knew a God whose supply is not modified by the world's economic situation?"

This quote is referring to a missionary campaign that was launched in the Netherlands East Indies in 1929 right in the middle of the Great Depression. "A God whose supply is not modified by the world's economic situation"...How comforting is that? What a brilliantly beautiful reminder for everyone who is currently being affected by today's economy. God will provide. He is not limited as we are. 

  Yesterday at church the Pastor spoke on Hebrews 12:26-29 

²⁶At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens."^[a] 27The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

 ²⁸Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,²⁹for our "God is a consuming fire."

These words too offer comfort. We are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken. The world around us may completely fall apart but God and His kingdom remain therefore if we are part of His kingdom we too will remain IN HIM - that is the best part, In Him. Just as Darlene recognized that in 1929 during the Great Depression the Lord still provides and shows His glory we too need to remember during this "Great Recession" that the Lord STILL provides and shows His glory to receive more glory! He is the same. The same as the day Hebrews was written, the same as in 1929, the same as in WWII & the same today.

  I highly, highly encourage everyone to read this book! I initially received it 2 years ago at New Years Conference with Campus Outreach and it was not until last month that I read it. Don't wait 2 years like I did! Read it this month! It is an easier read with great human emotion. I literally laughed and cried throughout this book. Please let me know what you think when you read it! I know you cannot read this book and not be touched.
--L

My Favorite Books

I put up images of the book's covers because I am a very visual person and it helps me to remember something if I have a picture. Hopefully you will read and enjoy at least one of these books!

Book Review: Twenties Girl

This book by Sophie Kinsella surprised me. I did not like Confessions of a Shopaholic nor did I like Remember Me. Pretty much the only reason I decided to read it was because I needed an easy read after reading The Hiding Place and Evidence Not Seen (which I hope to review later).

 The book is about a young woman who lives in London and is haunted by her great-aunt's ghost. The problem is she never met her great-aunt and she definitely does not understand her "ways". Her great-aunt, Sadie, appears as a 23 yr. old woman, not as the 105 yr. old that she was. She also is obsessed with the twenties decade because that is when she was in her twenties. The two form a relationship that is completely humorous and touching. They are on a mission to find a necklace that is precious to Sadie and in the end find way more than just the necklace. I suggest reading this book because it is entertaining and so much fun! It is a great read for the Holidays when you just want to relax and unwind and have some extra time to do nothing.

  I would LOVE to see this book become a movie! I think it would be an instant hit (with the female gender, of course)! I believe it could make you laugh, cry and inhale sharply due to shock =)

Book Review 2: To Kill A Mockingbird

I finished re-reading this book and I have to say it was like seeing an old friend that you have not seen in forever; you know you love them but when you see them you are reminded of how much you love them and why.

  I will share the reasons why I love this book. It is told from the vantage point of a child. How clearly she (Scout) sees the world. She sees through the covers of adults and sees the truth. Everything is so cut and dry to her. It is so simple and yet she is but a child. She does not understand how adults, who are presumably wiser, do not see the simple truths of life, yet she, as a child, understands these truths.

  To see life through a child's eyes is extremely humorous in such an innocent way. My favorite scene is when she goes to jail at night while Atticus is guarding Tom Robinson and a group of scraggly men from Old Sarum arrive and are surrounding Atticus when Jem, Scout and Dill pop out. Scout spots a familiar face, Mr. Cunningham, and remembers Atticus telling her that it is polite to speak to people about subjects that they are interested in. She begins to strike up a one-sided conversation as Mr. Cunningham is too ashamed of himself to speak with her. In the end the gang leaves and Scout is confused as to Mr. Cunningham's lack of words. She does not even realize she has helped her father beyond belief. That is a wonderful thing about children, they are typically honest about what they think and shoot you straight without realizing the effects. Where does that go as people "grow up"?

  The simple way this story is told and the concepts and truths that are scattered all through out are timeless, humorous, entertaining and endearing. I HIGHLY recommend to read this book and if you have already read it I suggest re-visiting! You won't be disappointed!