3 weddings and a graduation

Whew. It's been such a full three weeks! A very fun and joyful three weddings that I had a "front-row seat" to as a bridesmaid. It really is beautiful to watch God bring two people together as husband and wife and to witness this celebration of their marriage covenant. As I've been in these weddings, it's great to see how each wedding really represented the couple getting married and reflected their unique personalities.

Like Nathan and Erica Kurcsak -- who began their ceremony on May 5th by singing a worship song together. What a great way to set the tone of worship together! And it's a picture of how I know God has already used them -- to lead many to worship Christ through their relationship.

And then Mark and Susan Clark whose weekend and wedding on May 12th was full of the joy of Christ that they reflect together so well! In fact, there was even some spontaneous laughter during their vows which I think is such a picture of the freedom Christ has given them to love fully -- making the most serious commitment you can make to another person with confidence in the One whose faithfulness they trust.
And last, but certainly far from least, was the wedding on May 19th of Jonathan and Nicole Davis. In fact, since it was so recent ... and I haven't uploaded pictures yet ... I'm just going to have to write about theirs in a future posting. It really was beautiful to watch God bring these two together, and to see their solemnity as they made their vows to one another. Their relationship speaks so deeply of the loyalty and faithfulness that only Christ can give between two people.

So...three weddings. And now in three days, my graduation from Westminster. Which will certainly be a celebration of a different type. It still hasn't sunk in yet. But I'm sure it will as I walk across the stage to receive my Master's diploma on Thursday.

May has become from beginning to end the month of celebrations!

Finished

As I ended my last final of my last class in my last semester, I reflected (a bit) on the fact that I am FINISHED.

Finished with three years of a Master's program in Biblical counseling at Westminster Seminary. (www.wts.edu)

...with 56 hours of class

...with 6 semesters and 2 winter terms

...with over 18 finals

...with dozens of papers

...and 1000's of dollars

But the true cost of this all -- is priceless. When I think about the friendships I've made, what of Christ I have learned, how my own heart has been changed, and the hope of future opportunities to love people and bring the hope of the gospel into their lives.

In many ways, I guess I'm just beginning. Stay posted for more graduation reflections to come...

Happy 25th Birthday, Jonathan!!

This is one of the last pictures I have where my "little" brother Jonathan is actually shorter than me. In honor of his birthday today, this post is for him!

One of my first memories is one of delight and joy when my parents told me as a two year old that I was going to be a big sister. I remember being so excited to meet this new sibling in the hospital. And probably begging my parents over and over again to hold him (which they rarely allowed, due to their wisdom!). Until Bryan came along, I would usually force him to play whatever girlish game I was playing and he usually coerced without a fight. He's always been much more laid-back than his older, bossier sister. And I know that I took advantage of that too much when we were younger!

Even though he is my younger brother, Jonathan was quite an example for me as we grew up and I entered the tumultuous years of adolescence. He had wrestled with his faith in Christ at a young age when he would stay up late talking to Mom and Dad about very deep, hard questions. He was always pretty mature for his age. I often discounted this or tried to brush it off. However, spiritually he really was an example to me and encouraged me to really pursue God even when it seemed too difficult or irrelevant. His steadfast faith has continued to this day and has grown through many trials.

It has been a true joy to see the way that we have become good friends as we've both grown up. We've asked each other for advice, prayed with and for each other, and kept in touch throughout the college years and now post-college. It's only fitting that each of our weddings would be within 9 months of one another! I'm thrilled that God has brought such an amazing woman into his life as his bride, and that we'll celebrate their marriage in less than a month.

So...HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY, Jonathan! And thanks for all the ways you've encouraged me in Christ as my brother throughout the years. I look forward to many fun vacations with our families in the years to come. And we'll see you at the wedding to your beautiful bride in less than 3 weeks!!!!