being a bridesmaid

Audrey had to go to a bridesmades dinner last night in Charlotte.  She was supposed to be in this wedding for this couple who are mainly friends with Wesley, but this bride wanted everyone who dated to be together as bridesmaids and groomsmen.  Audrey never was really asked to be in the wedding, it was assumed.  She called the bride back in the fall to tell her she couldn't be in the wedding. Mainly at the time due to finances.  The dresses were $300, shoes $75 the lingerie shower present, the wedding in Charleston, and then Wesley's  stuff for the wedding was going to cost the 2 of them about $1000.
In my mind I am trying to recall when it started, this outrageousness that goes before the wedding activities.Their are 5 showers (his and hers, each family, church, friend , lingerie,) then there are bridesmaids weekends that usually cost up to $300 by the time you pay for food, presents for a bridesmaid shower gift, hotels, and travel. Then there is the wedding cost that as a participant you do have to pay for things.   When did people start paying weeks of salary to see other people get married.
I think that this is where alot of the problems have begun, Wesley made the comment to Audrey, so many girls spend so much time on the wedding day they forget about the work for the marriage. I think this is so true, I have seen a number of weddings that cost way more than they should and within 3 years they are divorcing. Back to my looking for laughter.  Audrey went to this dinner last night, the bride has a tendency to shorted all words, Audrey is Aud, Wesley is Wes, her groom is Quinn but she calls him Q.  Audrey got a text say they were having heavy apps, she said it took her a little while to figure out that meant heavy appetizers.  She sent me a text last night saying all the girls were talking in short words, I sent her one saying sor......   ry. Finding something to smile about everyday.....

searching for laughter

I haven't had alot to say (write) lately, mainly when I talk alot I cough. I don't feel very deep in thinking lately either.  But I need laughter right now....Last night I went to sit with Myra, my friend with cancer.  She had a very bad morning trying to get her pain level down.  By the time I arrived for the evening shift she was managing better.  She looked so frail, I thought in my mind, she makes my little 100 lb daughter look fat. We talked alittle, her son was in and sang a few songs for her, she decided she would like to try and eat something.  We tried some soup, not much, but it just wouldn't go down. She asked me to rub her back, the pain has been so bad there, she thinks the tumors are growing and causing her pain when she breathes. She would tell Jake and me constantly that she loved us, then she would ask "do I sound like a drunk" we would laugh, and the then a few minutes later, she would tell us again she loved us and then ask "do I sound like a stupid drunk". You know how sentimental drunks can be.
You have to know Myra to know that she has never been drunk in her life so this to us was rather funny. As I sat there in the dark room in quiet letting her rest, I started to get very melancholy and I had to stop myself. She needs us to be up and positive for her, call it like it is but positive.  Jake told her Mom your body is failing but that mind is still sharp and it is so true. She remembers alot of things and pays attention to what is going on around her but the body isn't working like to should. Hugging her felt like hugging a small teen, she feels like she could just break into. I am just praying now for her pain to stop and her breathing to not be hard on her.  I can't stand to  feel like I can't breathe or swallow.  It can be a very scary feeling.   So pray that God protects her from this anxiety and that she is peaceful in rest.
I know this situation is nothing to laugh about, that why when she says funny things I have to laugh , that is why I search for laughter right now.

Disappointment

Last night at small groups our discussion was on disappointment.  The disappointments we have in our lives, with people, with God, and the disappointment of how our life has turned out.  Romans 5 was the scripture that was used " We know trouble  and trials produce endurance,  and endurance produces character and character produces hope and this hope does not disappoint us." Many in class shared their disappointments of life, but we all agreed that through these disappointment we learn and grow.  I had about 4 new ladies and they really opened up about the struggles they had as young wives and bad choices they made and it was good for the younger ladies in the class to hear this.  Sometimes we put people in the church in certain classes that we forget how the old can mentor the young and hopefully learn from our mistakes.

Rejoice

This is suppose to be a beautiful weekend, so let us rejoice in it..... Stop and enjoy it.... Don't hurry, relax and try not to miss anything.....

Beautiful Outlaw

If your spiritually doesn't fit into normal life, it is religious..... How does that sound to you.  Have I mentioned I am reading  Beautiful Outlaw.   This is one of the lines in the book.  The test is, if you can't take your church culture and language and drop it in the middle of a bar, bus, or work and have it make sense to the people there, then it's not from Jesus. He would make it easy to understand for anyone.
This chapter I am reading is about clearing away the religious fog. For example,  religious activity is confused with commitment to Christ, Holiness is substituted for rule-keeping, or what would it take for a person to get fired from your church? Pretty Deep...I will say this book isn't for everyone.  Some can't handle it yet.  I find it very intriguing and thought provoking.  I will leave you with this to think on...
There are 168 hours in your week.Are you going to say that the one or two you spend at church are more important to God than the other 166. The spiritual life is meant to be lived out in everyday life.