12 Marriage Promises

 I found this list in an old notebook shortly before getting married. It was handwritten by me, I do not recall ever seeing it before. I thought it timely as I enter into a new marriage. I gladly shared these promises with Michael on the night of our wedding. I hope to be able to carry through on these. It is great food for thought.

12 Marriage Promises

I promise to never flirt, lust, or desire the attention of someone of the opposite sex.

I promise to never expect a 50/50 marriage.

I promise to make the gospel the mission of our marriage.

I promise to love who you are today, not what I want you to be.

I promise you will never be responsible for my happiness.

I promise to make my expectations clear. 

I promise to never say, “I forgive you,” unless I mean it. 

I promise to be FOR you, to encourage your dreams, to help you become the man God created you to be.

I promise to never complain about our marriage, in general or you in particular to others.

I promise to believe the best is yet to come, regardless of how good or bad things are today.

I promise to protect our marriage from outside influences, including kids, work, and in-laws.

I promise to surround our marriage with a community of Christians who will encourage and support us. 

Married!!

 Well, it happened, it really happened! 

Michael and I were joined in marriage on April 10, 2021. I could not have had a better day (weekend) than what happened. Let me share some of the highlights of the week.

My sister Kathy arrived from Texas on Tuesday. I picked her up and we went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner and invited Rebecca to come along. From there we went and picked up my dress from Rebecca's house (I had hidden it there to prevent my excitement from showing it to Michael before the wedding).

Kathy and I headed home and started planning our agenda for the week. 

Wednesday I ordered groceries and a few items that we needed to get our meal preparation started. I washed my sheets and cleaned up the house a bit in preparation for the company I would be having later.  Ryan had gotten hired at Generac and needed a ride to Whitewater to do his tour. His latest disaster of a vehicle and happened the day before on his way to the job, so I needed to take him there. We rode alone so we could talk. It was a good talk. On our way back to Janesville, my text alerted me that groceries were ready, so Ryan and I stopped and picked them up. We went home and I had him take a lot of stuff to the basement to get it out of the way. 

I was showing off my dress and realized that I had a tag on the inside of my jacket that would show when I wore it. The jacket is a sheer ivory fabric and the tag was black. I contemplated removing it myself and pulling out my sewing machine and fixing it. One of my very wise sisters advised me to call my seamstress friend and ask for advice (in hopes that she would say, "Just bring it to me!") So, I sent a message to my expert friend Denise Severson and as predicted, she said, "I am free right now, bring it over." Denise is the woman who reconstructed my dress for Jim's funeral and charged my nothing, despite being a very expert seamstress with an awesome business. Once again, the blessings begin to show up when least expected. Of course there was a trip to Dollar Tree and Hobby Lobby.  We picked up Chubby Bubba's pizza for dinner. (Kathy's favorite in Janesville)

Thursday morning I usually have a Bible study group in my home. I had talked to the gals about just meeting for breakfast instead of study that day. Konni decided she would host and call it a "shower". It was lovely. She outdid herself. What a huge blessing to have that group shower this undeserving person with such blessing. 

After the shower, Kathy, Rebecca, and I went to the church to practice taking pictures. Kathy is now my photographer. We wanted to make sure we were choosing the correct camera and flash. (Not sure what we would have done had it not worked) Of course, another trip to Dollar Tree and Hobby Lobby was necessary, and we lost the car in the parking lot at Hobby Lobby, and it was cold and rainy. Such fun memories.

Then, we headed home to get the food started for the wedding reception. Kathy makes a mean lasagna, so I decided that was a good choice for the wedding reception dinner. Kathy worked at that from 1:30 in the afternoon until about 8 pm. We-(by we I mean she) made six pans of lasagna and two Texas sheet cakes. 

Michael had come to bring some stuff and Alex (his youngest son) came with. 

I had not met Alex until this point in time. I cannot even begin to describe how my heart was quickly filling up with love for my new family.  Michael and I ordered our food for the "rehearsal dinner" from Red Robin. Alex took Ryan out to look for a vehicle. I think they bonded well as step-brothers. (Two of the nicest men you will ever know) Alex had plans with friends and his brother, Tom. So he and Michael headed home. Later that day, Michael called me and informed me that he had spoken to his sister Sandy. She was coming to stay with me and had wanted to spend some time visiting with Michael. So, he was headed back. (we love our impact on the carbon footprint). Sandy got to my house around 8. I fixed her a home cooked meal. (By the way, Home Chef is a great way to have meals handy).  Michael and Sandy sat and visited, and my love meter just started increasing all the more. I realized I am gaining another sister, and God has blessed me so greatly. 

Bedtime was a welcome friend, we had had a very long day. 

Friday-let the good times begin!! Mike and Leila came just in time for Leila to finish our "to do list". We had expanded it knowing that she would be excited to clean toilets and finish the laundry-NOT!

Michael and I had asked Mike to officiate our ceremony. We felt so honored to have him agree to this and to give us his blessing. (Mike is the closest person to a father that I have-this made it very special)

 

We started planning how to decorate for the "rehearsal" dinner. Well, what better thing to do than to go to Dollar Tree and Hobby Lobby to look for supplies? So, the four of us loaded up and headed to the stores. We found some picnic themed tableware, so that's what we got. 

Cannot believe not one person took a picture of the tables for the "rehearsal dinner". 

We had a great time of just sitting around, eating, drinking, and getting to know one another. My heart was about to explode. I had a conversation lately with Leila about our mom and we concluded that Mom was the type of person who loved to have people surrounding her and she loved to entertain. I think I come by that naturally.

Saturday morning we had breakfast, I made French Toast casserole and a sausage/egg bake. Both big hits! I went to get my hair done and stopped to visit with Rebecca at Breakfree because I knew she had a client there. Then, I headed home to get ready to go to the church. I had not seen Michael on Saturday and wanted very badly to have him see me for the first time as I entered the sanctuary to exchange vows and commit myself in marriage. 

I took my dress to the church and got finished getting ready in the women's restroom. Rebecca was there to keep me company. 

I heard that Michael and his sons had arrived. 

 

I had asked Sandy to put Michael's boutonniere on. 

There was some pre-wedding photos taken of Michael and his sons. 

Jeff, Justin (grandson), Tom, Jake, Michael, Alex

Ryan, Michael, Dan

It was getting closer and closer. My plan was to have my sons walk me down the aisle. Rebecca left me to go to her post, I waited for the word that they were ready. 

I opened the door and there were Ryan and Dan waiting for me. Dan was so amazed and kept telling me how beautiful I looked and made me cry. 

Dan

Ryan

In the women's bathroom!

Michele played the prelude and as a surprise for Michael, the processional was the theme song from "The Princess Bride." His favorite movie. (Sadly, he was so preoccupied, he didn't recognize the tune!) It was beautiful, nonetheless. 

Here we are, the first he saw me that day:

I will share other photos and stories later. Hope you enjoy reading about our special day. Thank you to all who came and contributed to making this day extra special. 

The Dirty Feet

 In John chapter 13, we read of the account of the feet washing done by Jesus on the night of the Passover dinner. It isn't shown how each person responded to this, only Peter's response. However, have you ever thought about how Judas felt? What about what Jesus thought as he washed the feet of the man he knew in a few hours was going to openly betray him and set into motion the end of the journey to the cross? Judas had already started the process even before joining the disciples for dinner. He had betrayed Jesus in his heart, and for that, we really can be grateful, because had he not, the whole redemption story could look so different. 

But, think about this: Jesus washed the feet of the man he knew had already betrayed him. No one else in the group knew, but the two of them knew. Jesus didn't point out Judas' faults, he alluded to them, but he didn't call him out or try to shame him, he just washed his feet. 

If Jesus could do that for the man he knew betrayed him so completely, he can forgive your sin, no matter what they are. He works that way. He doesn't call us out, shame us, make us do things to earn our forgiveness. He gently leads us to a place of surrender, he says, "Take off your shoes, be vulnerable, let go of what is binding you, give it to me and I will clean you up." 

So, as Easter approaches, think of what you need to do to completely surrender to Jesus. He gave his all in place of you. Ask him to make himself real this season. You will never regret the choice to surrender and follow him.