C h r y s a l i s

Candids from our Daughter's Wedding

"Mom, it just felt right! I just knew I was in the right place at the right time."

Apparently, our sweet e-girl didn't have any second thoughts as she took slow, measured steps toward her husband-to-be. Those of us seated in the first row heard the groom gasp, "Wow!" when he caught his first glimpse of the radiant bride. Pastor Rod Shimabukuro of New Hope Christian Fellowship opened their ceremony by remarking that every wedding ought to have that special WOW factor.

"And now, let's begin with a prayer." And so it went, from the official giving away of the bride, to the couple's covenant vows, and then two Scripture readings
(Ecc 4:9-12 and Deut 28:1-9). After exchanging the rings and sharing a special Unity Cup, there was a prayer of dedication, and then they were introduced as Mr. and Mrs.
It was all over in a blink—nearly twenty five years to the day that I gave birth to my precious first-born daughter.

E-Dad and I agree, e-girl planned the most unique and beautiful celebration we've ever been part of. Of course, we're a wee bit biased, but truly, it was a day to remember forever. For example, have you ever heard Pachalbel's Canon in D Major or Ave Maria played live by a slack-key guitarist? (The processional). Or tried to dab at the corners of your eyes of with tissues while wearing sunglasses? We're U.S. northwest coast natives, where it rains a lot. I mean A LOT. We just had to laugh!

Our family was blessed to spend a whole week on Oahu. Early one morning we hiked up Diamond Head for a sweeping view of Waikiki beach. (Warning: lots of stairs!) We also visited the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, and then body surfed at Kaneohe on the eastern "windward" side of the island. The rehearsal dinner was held in Honolulu right on the beach, where I ordered a sushi-like ginger Ahi tuna. (Awesome.) And for four nights leading up to the wedding, e-Dad, e-boy, and I, plus the two bridesmaids all shared a cozy beach house with just one bathroom. Now that was an adventure!

So how did it feel to be the mother-of-the-bride? Odd. Very strange. And well, I realize I could become a grandma at any time! Am I ready? Definitely not. Well, alright. I guess I'm ready. Until now, I had no idea how important a rite of passage a wedding is for both the couple and the parents. For e-Dad and I, our daughter's wedding is an important marker. It says says—among other things—that we're aging, and that the cycle of life is beginning all over again, just as it did for us. Sisters, as MOB there's the tremendous joy of completion and a "job well done." But there's also a little sadness too...

So, I've talked enough! Now it's your turn. Many bloggers have limited time at the computer during the summer months, so in order to make it easy, today's topic is wide open. Feel free to discuss Christian marriage from any angle you deem relevant and God-honoring.

You may to add your permalink to Mister Linky (below) any time between July 7 - July 9, 2008. If you're new to Marriage Monday, here's a brief introduction to this meme.

August's Topic: Recreational Companionship

Next month, Marriage Monday will meet on August 4, 2008. I'm going to make an "executive decision" and suggest we all write about how vacations impact marriage. I'd like to put the emphasis on the male need for recreational companionship. Consider writing about travel, sports, and time spent outdoors together, and how those affect your husband's attitude. Please tell us what you've discovered about men and "play."

Have you ever attended a destination wedding?

Meanwhile, I’m Dancing the Hula

A bit of an oxymoron isn’t it? Sleeping and hula dancing at the same time!

As you may already know, I’ll be away from the computer for four weeks, starting today. I’ve been gathering Aloha shirts, sandals, sunscreen, and something respectable (but cool) to wear as MOB. Our daughter’s Hawaii wedding is going to be held in a tropical garden venue under a festooned bamboo chupah. We're so excited!

They've planned an intimate morning ceremony with a luncheon reception in the adjacent restaurant. The officiating pastor is from New Hope Christian Fellowship, a 10,000 member Foursquare Church with several satellite locations. The rehearsal dinner will be held in a restaurant right on Waikiki Beach, just below Diamond Head.

I've arranged a spa lingerie shower for the ladies the day before the wedding. Shortly after their honeymoon in the islands, the happy couple will be moving to back to the "mainland." We're hosting a big going-away BBQ here in the Pacific Northwest before the newlyweds depart for new jobs on the (American) east coast. Busy times!

Please Join Us for Marriage Monday in July

So, while we’re dancing the hula, this blog will be snoozing. I’ll be back at Chrysalis for Marriage Monday on July 7, 2008. After that, I plan to stick around for the rest of the summer. I should have plenty of time to visit and comment on your blog then. Meanwhile, though, I will really miss you.

Winner!

It seems fitting that as a commenter on the "Listening Post," Roo at It’s True Sighed Roo is the random winner in my drawing for a box of Barefoot Contessa’s Coconut Cupcake and Cream Cheese Frosting Mix.

You see, she’s about to become the proud mother of their second baby. (I’m thinking maybe you’d like to feed your first little chick the cupcakes, while you’re nursing baby number two?)

If you e-mail your snail mail address, Roo, I’ll send your prize. Think of the cupcakes as my baby shower gift to you. Have some fun making a mess in the kitchen!

Survey Results

A warm "thank you" to all of you who cast your votes in my anonymous survey. If you have an interest, you can view the survey results here.

The most popular topics at Chrysalis are Spiritual Growth, Marriage Monday, Bible Study, Relationships, and Books. Awesome!

Related: Sharing Bloggy Love

Bloggy friends are the best, don’t you agree—especially the ones who send you presents...

I’m tickled to tell you that a beautiful gift-wrapped parcel from Susan at Forever His arrived at our home recently. She sent a lovely sculpture by Willow Tree appropriately titled, "Chrysalis: Protect and cherish; give wings to fly." Imagine that!

This photo illustrates the figurine, which now graces our fireplace mantle. Thank you again for your love and generosity, Susan. You have no idea how much I needed your encouragement.

You’re an inspiration to us all.

Graphic: Digital Post-it Note Generator

Our Wedding Day!

Welcome to June and the month of weddings. This was the two of us, 30 years ago this year. Sometimes we tease each other saying, "It's been like one long, lovely afternoon."

And actually, we really do mean it.

We were married in Canada, where I grew up. Our nuptials took place in a lovely stone Baptist church. Afterward, we hosted an hors d'oeuvres reception in a converted mansion—with 21 fireplaces—owned by a posh women's club. (My mother's idea.) We stood for a formal receiving line and then there were speeches. Several telegrams were read aloud before we cut the cake.

I came to faith in Christ in my late teens through the youth ministry of Young Life, and I migrated around a bit before settling down with the Baptists. My husband (a handsome dude, isn't he?) was attending an "on fire" Charismatic church south of the border at the time, so we had both pastors co-officiate at our wedding.

After we exchanged our vows, the American pastor offered, "You may kiss the bride." Always a showman, my new husband bent me over backward and planted a great big juicy one on my lips. The congregation gasped and then snickered. My proper Baptist minister (a Scotsman) attempted to regain control of the situation by intoning, "And I think a prrrrayer should be apprrrroprrrriate." We heard more snickers and some outright guffaws.

We dutifully bowed our heads.

Since e-Dad and I were married in the October, we opted for brown tuxedos on the men, with celadon floor length gowns on the women. We had three groomsmen and three bridesmaids. I sewed my own satin gown and veil. Notice the quail feathers in my bridal bouquet. Aren't they unique—and reminiscent of autumn? (My dear mother again.)

We planned our ceremony to be something of a witness to our 200 guests, most of whom were not believers. Our music was mainly contemporary worship songs, and the ceremony was full of God-honoring Scripture. We had two guitar soloists—one from each country. As a further sign of our commitment, we chose to sign the legal documents in front of the whole congregation.

I walked down the aisle on my father's arm to classical organ music, and nearly didn't make it. My knees were literally knocking together! Have you ever had that experience? I hadn't—and fortunately, I haven't since!

This photo was taken on our way back up the aisle (more organ music) after we were introduced as Mister and Missus. The door to our adventure together as life partners had just flung open.

We closed our eyes, plugged our noses... and jumped!

Now tell me your story.

Welcome To Marriage Monday

Our topic for this month is, "Our Wedding Day!" (Please join us, even if you weren't married in June.) If you’ve already told your story in an previous blog post, give us more details. You can talk about your:

July's Topic is Open

Many Mommy bloggers have limited time at the computer during the summer months. In order to make it easy, July's topic will be wide open. Feel free to discuss Christian marriage from any angle you deem relevant and God-honoring.

Up Next—Coconut Cupcake Mix Winner

Have you been married more than once?