a wedding celebration

Last weekend found us down in NC celebrating the wedding of a long-time friend. I met the groom 28 whopping years ago, in first grade, at Calvary Assembly. I don't know his lovely bride nearly so well, but I know I like her a lot for the number of children she invited to share in her wedding day!

Do you know how special it makes someone feel to open a wedding invitation and have all the names of your family members listed, and even spelled correctly? That's no small feat, even if you don't have two children with African names and the letters u, v, and z in your last name.

All of my siblings were in attendance, with all of the cousins {to Bereket's utter joy!}, as well as three other friends and classmates from Mrs. Nelson's first grade class. It was a very fun time.

Congrats to you, Michael and Caroline! Thanks for inviting us to share in your lovely day.

Cousins are one his favorite things. And... wearing handsome clothes. I think he likes weddings. He's beaming. 

First dance. 

Nate was captivated. 

First grade class reunion! 

My not-so-little brother, soon to be a daddy. Woo hoo!!

My dancing boy-- he certainly loved his first wedding. 

Non nobis Domine, non nobis Domine, sed nomine tuo da gloriam!

April 23^rd. Shakespeare’s birthday.  St. George’s Day in England. I had grand ideas of how to celebrate today, to start a new tradition, make another being there experience for my kids. Because I like traditions and I like celebrations and, even more, I like nailing up hooks in little minds on which bits and pieces of knowledge can hang, I have been on a quest this year to add a few more holidays to our annual program.

But, my plans fell flat.  Our spring busyness is starting to slow down but I am reminded again that little boys don’t slow down. I was frustrated yesterday that I had to work at shaping the character of my children again! I mean, aren’t they supposed to have this “first time obedience” thing down already?!

I woke early this morning, and rather than resenting it, was thankful for the invitation to meet the One I need more of. Oh, how we need Him! As I confessed my sin and prayed for help for this new day, I thought of all of you, all the mothers I know who are giving of themselves to invest in their children.

I pray that you would know your Father today. I pray that He would help us to be faithful mothers, to not be distracted today from our primary responsibilities. Help us to take joy in those responsibilities. Disciplined, godly men and women are needed in this world today—more than mulched gardens and savory meals and clean floors. Help us rejoice in the opportunity to shape the character of the little ones You have given to us. And help us to do it well. May our hearts be set on knowing You and may our love for You overflow to our children today. We have nothing to give, without You.

I ask that we might be lights in this dark world today. May the simple act of loving and caring for our children shine your glory here on earth.

Thank you, all of you faithful mothers. May you find rest today in the midst of the busyness.

And perhaps enjoy a cup of tea and a scone with your flock over a child’s story from Shakespeare? E. Nesbit and Charles and Mary Lamb both have wonderful editions of Shakespeare’s stories for little ones. Or borrow Margaret Hodges’ Saint George and the Dragon from the library for a beautifully illustrated fairy tale of England’s patron saint {a Bereket favorite!}.

Or, if you are due for an in-house date and looking for a little culture, save the tea and scones for after your kiddos are in bed and snuggle up with their daddy to watch your favorite edition of Shakespeare a la cinema. Henry V with Kenneth Branaugh is excellent. In the last scene, after the battle of Agincourt, a soldier begins singing a beautiful, ancient song, Non Nobis Domine, and is then joined by other voices for a very moving scene, declaring "not to us, o Lord, not to us o Lord, but to your name give glory." 

This was the song sung at our wedding, as I walked down the aisle. 

I'll sing it again today.