Month: April 2008

Anniversary questionaire

Found this somewhere else and sent a copy of the questions to Laurie for her to answer and post on her blog. Thought I’d see how our answers compare. Here are my answers:

1. How long have you been married? 1 year exactly

2. How many people came to your wedding reception? Probably most of the people that came to the wedding. 250-300

3. What kind of cake did you serve? A red velvet cake with white frosting.

4. Where was your wedding? Lake Ridge Bible Church, where Laurie grew up and both of our parents go to church.

5. What did you serve for your meal? We had sort of a finger-food buffet with fruit, veggies and Chick-Fil-A chicken nuggets

6. How many people were in your bridal party? 6 grooms-men, 6 brides-maids, 1 ring bearer, 2 flower girls, 2 pastors and 3 or 4 in the house party

7. Are you still friends with them all? Yes.

8. Did your spouse cry during the ceremony? I didn’t see her if she did.

9. Most special moment of your wedding day? The unity sand as well as the kiss and walking out to “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” the e-harmony theme song

10. Any funny moments? Our nephew sneezed and shot a load of snot into his hand. Standing in front everyone he had a hand full of snot and no where to put it. He started to wipe it on the brand new carpet in the sanctuary until his dad grabbed his hand and stuck it all in his pocket.

11. Any big disasters? See above :-). No not big disasters that I can recall.

12. Where did you go on your honeymoon? Hot Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs, Colorado

13. How long were you gone? Six days. Sunday through Friday.

14. If you were to do your wedding over, what would you change? Take more time to enjoy our reception.

15. What side of the bed do you sleep on? The left.

16. What size is your bed? King

17. Greatest strength as a couple? We both love having fun and hate conflict.

18. Greatest challenge as a couple? We both hate conflict.

19. Who literally pays the bills? Both

20. What is your song? I would say, “I Have and I Always Will” by David Barnes

21. What did you dance your first dance to? Don’t recall – it was a swing song at a friends wedding I believe

22. Describe your wedding dress: I wore a tuxedo

23. What kind of flowers did you have at your wedding? Her bouquet was made of yellow tulips

24. Are your wedding bands engraved? Yes, they each have 4-28-07 and SMILY on the inside.

To my bride

“Love is not an affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person’s ultimate good as far as it can be obtained” – C.S. Lewis

One year ago today I made a pledge and vow before (at that time) Laurie Janine Turner, before God and “all these witness” that I would love, cherish and adore Laurie as my partner and my friend.

I’ve learned a lot in the past 365 days. Most of what I learned was from the shared life experiences over the past year.

I think first and foremost I’ve learned that marriage is not a 50/50 partnership. It’s as Brian puts it, a 100/100 relationship. And even when you might feel like its more 100/50 or 100/0 Scripture still tells us to give that full 100% – and more – I only wish I could give more.

I think we typically want to approach marriage (and any other relationship) as “what can I get out of this?” but Scripture calls us to “lay down your life for one another.” Not only when you’re getting your way. Not only when things are happy-go-lucky. But day in and day out when the muck really hits the fan.

And I must add, that while we shouldn’t go seeking our own benefits in a marriage, I’m lucky enough to say that I enjoy every day I’m married to Laurie. And makes it so much easier to love her with her grace, mercy and gentle spirit. Her love outshines mine each and every day.

She understands me in many ways that no one else can. She accepts my flaws and mistakes with true love and grace. She brings me joy and laughter. Smiles and gladness. She makes me earnestly want to be a better man and husband. She encourages me and lifts me up and always has my best in mind.

And even with all this new knowledge and understanding I’ve learned over the last year (and what I’m certain is much much more to learn and understand) I can say this again today with even more boldness and clarity and understanding than I did on April 28, 2007 ::

“Laurie Janine Blundell, you are my wife. I love you as Christ loved the church. I respect, comfort and love you. And in the presence of God and before our family and friends, I have choosen you Laurie to be my wife and I promise you these things: I will laugh with you in times of joy, and comfort you in times of sorrow. I will share in your dreams, and support you as you strive to achieve your goals. I will listen to you with compassion and understanding, and speak to you with encouragement. I will help you when you need it, and step aside when you don’t. I will remain faithful to you for better or worse, in times of sickness and health. You are my best friend, and I will love and respect you always.”

walking

The latest on Elliot

Received word that Elliot did pass away at 9:05 a.m.

From Sara’s sister:

Elliot weighes 4.65 pounds and is 18 3/4 inches long. I have attached a couple of pictures so that you can see our beautiful boy.

Elliot passed away at about 9:05. We are all heartbroken, but praise God for the time that we all had!

We are so grateful for your continued prayers and support.

Vanessa

Please remember the family at this time.

Elliot comes into the world screaming and crying…

Hello everyone!
Here’s the latest from Sara’s family…

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers today while we are in the hospital.

Elliot was born at 8:05 this morning! He came out screaming and crying! He is beautiful – we have all been able to hold and kiss him and love on him while we can!

Sara is doing very well, the surgery went great and she is not in any physical pain right now.

I will send out pictures and further updates throughout the day. Please keep praying!

Vanessa and Carly (the aunts)

Please keep Sara & Elliot as well as dad, Brandon and sister Sydney in your prayers today and throughout the week.

For more background info, visit here and here.

Continue to pray

The latest from Sara:

I just wanted to let everyone know that Elliot Skaggs will be born this upcoming Monday, April 28th. I have a c-section scheduled for 7:30 that morning, so please be in prayer for us, for Elliot, for the Doctors, for everything surrounding that day.

I am confident that God’s grace is going to cover us on Monday, just as it has for the past three months. He has been so good, so faithful, and so abundantly compassionate towards us, and I know He won’t stop now as all that we’ve expected for 14 weeks comes to a head.

I still believe that God can perform a miracle, and that He alone can make Elliot perfectly healthy. That He can place normal sized, fully functioning lungs in Elliot where there were none on the sonogram just a week ago. That He can give him a functioning kidney, completely void of cysts, though the doctors have told us it’s impossible. I believe that He can. But even if He does not, I believe that He will take care of us, and that He will take care of Elliot – even if that’s by taking him to Heaven. The five year old son of one of my best friends reminded me that I shouldn’t be sad if God takes Elliot to Heaven, because “it’s so beautiful there, and Elliot will be much happier there anyway”. And Parker is right. There is suffering and pain and sin on this earth that my son will never have to know. He will be immediately swept into the loving arms of Christ, and though I will long to hold him in mine, I know that there’s no better place for him to be.

Ron English :: anti-advertising

From the artist, Ron English:

It’s great to be a criminal, right? You’re in pretty good company. It’s hard to explain to your kids, because they think that if you break the law you go to jail and you’re a criminal. But if you take out a history book, a lot of the people on the forefronts of social movements were considered criminals. We’re just ahead of the curve. Maybe the bad guy is the one who owns and puts up all the billboards all over the neighborhood, selling people malt liquor and cigarettes.

What ad would you change to make people think?

What advertising drives you nuts?

Are you OK with the current rate of consumption/consumerism?

If not, are you doing anything about it?