Candles and a Honeymoon

I had wondered what had happened to a nice gift I had given to Lily on her birthday last year.  A wooden, heart-shaped, hand-poured soy candle with a delicious aroma called Sweet Lemon. 

Was it given away, quickly used up, or forgotten in a corner?? No --- Lily saved it 😊  For several months! 👍

She took it with her for their wedding honeymoon in Tennessee. They had rented a cabin for a week. 

My respect for her self-control and ability to wait to use it for a worthwhile, memorable event went up several notches. 

So happy for our son.  He is blessed of the Lord thru Lily.

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MacKenzie-Childs: Wedding Rehearsal Dinner

 This was our first and very likely our last Rehearsal Dinner as traditionally, here in the USA, the groom's family hosts the RD; and this was for our youngest son's wedding. Our older son got married in Europe, and his in-laws hosted the Dinner.  (In fact, a total of 3 parties were held to celebrate J & B's wedding in Yr 2016). We were told to expect about 35 people.

We were encouraged to go the informal, stress-free route.  So, pizza, a couple of Filipino dishes (pancit, egg rolls), plus sweets were deemed adequate. I fancied it up with a few of my MacKenzie Childs pieces and voila, we had a blast!

MacKenzie Childs Three Tier Sweet Stand

MC Serving Platter

pc:  MC

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Lovely Lily's Bridal Shower

the ribbons from her gifts

My future daughter-in-law's bridal 👰 shower! Her Mom's friend created a simple, beautiful, memorable event.  My stomach was full and my heart was bursting with joy for my son who will be marrying this lovely girl.  May the love of God keep us together!

souvenir candles (various tiny succulents)

dessert table, yum 😋

guests signed a Jenga block

table setting

my friend signed her Jenga block for the couple

delicious, simple, yummy!

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Designer Monique Lhuillier is 49!

pc: Net-a-Porter

It's Monique Lhuillier's birthday!

Monique Lhuillier (born September 15, 1971 in Cebu City, Philippines) is a Filipino fashion designer and creative director known for her bridal, ready-to-wear and lifestyle brand. Internationally recognized as one of America’s foremost designers, she launched her eponymous brand in 1996 and has since established fashion houses in Los Angeles, California, where she primarily works and lives, as well as in Manhattan's Upper East Side. - wikipedia

pc: moniquelhuillier.com

pc: pc: moniquelhuillier.com

So proud of this Filipina lady -- quite the popular top-tier Designer the world over.  What I could afford and needed is what I bought, but her other stuff is very beautiful. Just look at the outside of the box of her simple candle with Agraria!

Monique on her wedding day. Photo: @moniquelhuillier.

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly,

 his faith is counted for righteousness.

Romans 4:5

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier Website

Monique Lhuillier Cake Dome

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Max Lucado & Fixer Upper

I was in the middle of binge-watching HGTV's Fixer Upper when Joanna Gaines mentioned to Chip that the lady client, Sarah Jones, happen to be Max Lucado's daughter.  Happy Birthday to author, Max Lucado (born January 11, 1955).

Mr Lucado performed Sarah's wedding to Jeff Jones in year 2014 and wanted the Gaines to include words in a prayer to God that he had written which were part of their wedding service.

A WEDDING PRAYER

Would you take these two,
of dust and bone,
Born of flesh, then you,
Would you make them one?

Would you speak again
The words you spoke
When Adam slept
And Eve awoke?

Would you let your wine
Replace our water.
And look with grace
On this son, this daughter?

Oh Lord of Eden
In your majesty
Create again
Your tapestry

One heart
Where there were two.
This is the prayer
We lift to you.

by Max Lucado

The Gaines came through with the request.  See how they did it in the episode called:  "A Young Couple Hopes for a House With Old World Charm" (Season 3, Episode 9).

a fave quote

Max Lucado

Written for the wedding of Jeff Jones and Sara Lucado

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A First! Wedding at Big Mansion

Our friends' only daughter recently got married.  The venue for both ceremony and reception was the Lehmann Mansion in Villa Park, IL. 

PROs: 

1. gorgeous, quality-built mansion with wood trim and floors, lots of windows
2. pretty garden
3. open Bar
4. pleasant Servers
5. great food

CONs:

1.  mosquitos in the evening were a-plenty 
2. cars/parking lot was the de-facto background on some outdoor photos. A prettier background via the installation of a tall, decorated barrier is a must.

liquid refreshments for a warm day

pretty tiles in the bathroom

chicken

steak

wedding keepsakes

pretty, pink Rose candle

Lehmann Mansion, Lake Villa Illinois

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Paralyzed But Not Crippled in Soul

Wow, just WOW...

This is our friend Freya at our wedding reception! I met her at the intersection of Berry Rd and Franklin Pike on April 27, 2016. She was the driver who paralyzed me on my bicycle.
.
I woke up in the hospital not knowing what had happened. When I was told that someone had ran a red light and hit me, but was very shaken up and distraught, I wanted to reach out, to say that I was surrounded by family and that I was going to be OK. That I forgave her.
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I didn't hear from her for 5 months, until one day I received a long, poetic text message about how devastated she was...
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It was honestly really good closure to hear from her. To know it was a real person that cared and was deeply troubled by what had happened.
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I sent her a video of me walking in a harness... Said it would be OK. A few months later I was back in Nashville in audio school, and we coordinated a time to meet in person.
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It was like a movie. The name of the coffee shop was, ironically, The Red Bicycle. I walked in, she expected me to roll in. I said "bring it in", and we embraced for a solid 30 seconds. It was one of the weightiest moments of my life... The significance of that act.
.

I had every right to sentence her to jail time. To make her pay for her mistakes. She deserved it. And she knew it. She had cried every day.
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I chose light. I chose life. And instead of a jail cell, she now has freedom from drug addiction, she's reconnected with her mother, and has turned to God. All I did was extend forgiveness, and look at the result!
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Give someone something they don't deserve today, you just might change their life.

Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, 

are forgiven;  for she loved much: but to whom little

 is forgiven, the same loveth little.

Luke 7:47

Driver Who Paralyzed David

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