Visited Willamette Christian Church this morning where Pastor Joel Dombrow gave a great message on marriage. As Corey and I are preparing for our own marriage, I found the message especially interesting and thought it would be appropriate to share some of it on here.
Pastor Joel started out by explaining that he knew this topic would be sensitive for some people, but that it's an issue the Church can't ignore. Marriages in the United States seem to be more fragile than ever, people are uncommitted and lack loyalty and devotion. I realize that I've never been married, and perhaps don't have a real voice to speak to this issue, but it seems obvious from the statistics that something is wrong. According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2009 there were 23,000 marriages in Oregon and 13,000 divorces. There is a trend with fewer people getting married and more people getting divorced. I believe Joel was 100% correct when he said that the world wants to rip apart your marriage, and it never stops... until you die. He pointed out that often times people have higher expectations for their spouse than for God. We believe the lie that this one person will meet all our needs and make everything better. Then we're disappointed when they don't live up to this impossible task.
During the service this morning, Pastor Joel gave 3 reasons people either wait so long to get married or don't get married:
1. People think marriage is unintelligent
2. People think marriage is unnecessary
3. People think marriage is unrealistic
Statistic: Approximately 90% of people in the United States will get married, but less than 50% of them will remain married over 15 years. Additionally, 60% of married women and 70% of married men will have an affair at some point. -- The world's way of doing relationships doesn't work. Marriage is a BIG deal to God (Matthew 19:3-10).
Here are the main 5 points about marriage that Pastor Joel spoke on:
1. Marriage is more wonderful than anyone on earth understands.
It was created and designed by God, he saw there was no suitable helper for Adam and he created Eve.
2. Marriage is God's work!
God brought Adam and Eve together, he gave the bride away (Genesis 2:18-25)
3. Marriage is precious!
Don't treat it carelessly or casually. Cherish, honor, and protect your marriage. Some people put more thought into their fantasy football team than into cherishing their marriage. Or they put more work into keeping their lawn green than into protecting their marriage. Your marriage is more important than sports, keeping a nice yard, or even having a successful career. Instead of being Corey and Betsy, once we're married we're one, CoreyandBetsy. Joel pointed out that even if you aren't married, marriage is to be honored- pray for marriage, stay away from other peoples' marriages.
4. Marriage is intended to last.
The thought has to be, "Even if you hate me, I will still love you," because that's what God says to us. Even when we push him away, he loves us and longs to be close to us. God never gives up on us, he tells us "I'm always available for you." And that's what we need to be to each other in marriage. This kind of relationship and love is in many ways beyond our comprehension, it's not circumstantial love but it's covenantal love. Through marriage two are linked as one forever. Instead of 1+1=2, in marriage 1+1=1. We must be 100% devoted to each other... forever. 'Til death do us part is literal, not metaphorical. This love and devotion that God models to us, is what he intended for our marriages.
5. The purpose of marriage is for God's glory
When we extend grace to one another, we show the world that God is gracious. Joel told everyone to be the kind of person who is worthy of being married. Remember from the first point, that marriage is more wonderful than anyone on earth understands and it's a gift designed by God. Be the kind of person who is worthy of such a wonderful gift. We aren't perfect, but we can be faithful and do our best. Fight for your marriage, fight for the reputation of your God.
Well, I left church feeling very encouraged and inspired. I'd encourage everyone to listen to the sermon online or download the podcast on itunes. Listening to Joel would convey the message a lot better than reading my notes. I'm excited and feel honored to be going into this new season of life with such a wonderful man. And I feel blessed to know we are loved by such a wonderful and loving God. I know we will have a lot of work ahead of us and it's not going to be easy at times, but I'm excited and with God's help I know it'll be amazing!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Spring Break
Spring Break!!! So our wedding is only 129 days away! Time flies, which is a good thing. School has been crazy busy but it's Spring break now, so I have a few minutes to update this.
1. We booked Famous Dave's for our catering.
2. Moving Picture Weddings out of Portland will be videotaping our wedding for us! I'm very excited to have them recording our special day! Their work is absolutely amazing. I had a really hard time deciding if I really wanted to include videography because of the cost, but we're only getting married once and I'd love to have it recorded. It's not something we could get back if we wish later we had done it, so I decided to splurge and do it.
3. Chad Dowling will be our DJ/MC. Pumped to get to meet with him later and to have him providing some entertainment and party atmosphere!
4. Corey and I decided to order our cake from Lamb's. I was going to go order it today, but we have to wait for a consultation. Unfortunately their next weekend opening isn't til April 21st... so we have to wait til then, but at least we've decided.
1. We booked Famous Dave's for our catering.
2. Moving Picture Weddings out of Portland will be videotaping our wedding for us! I'm very excited to have them recording our special day! Their work is absolutely amazing. I had a really hard time deciding if I really wanted to include videography because of the cost, but we're only getting married once and I'd love to have it recorded. It's not something we could get back if we wish later we had done it, so I decided to splurge and do it.
3. Chad Dowling will be our DJ/MC. Pumped to get to meet with him later and to have him providing some entertainment and party atmosphere!
4. Corey and I decided to order our cake from Lamb's. I was going to go order it today, but we have to wait for a consultation. Unfortunately their next weekend opening isn't til April 21st... so we have to wait til then, but at least we've decided.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Change of Plans...Honeymoon in Jamaica!
Due to increased warnings for travel in Mexico, Corey and I decided to travel to Jamaica instead! We found a great deal through Costco, and we'll be staying at the Hilton in Jamaica! It's an all-inclusive deal for 6 nights! We're excited! Neither of us have ever been to Jamaica! Praying for good weather and no storms. It should be a great time! :) At this time we already have our flight booked!
This past week I've spent some time looking into videographers. This was something I wasn't originally interested, then I stumble across a video by The Wedding Theater in December and it totally changed my mind. This is the video I saw: [VIDEO] Jenny+Tim’s Star Hill Ranch Austin TX Wedding. I totally fell in love and decided I should look into getting our wedding video taped. I talked with Jonathan of The Wedding Theater, which is based out of Texas, and he was very helpful. Unfortunately it was not in our budget to fly him up here, but he graciously offered to give any help he could by giving second opinions on videographers I found in Portland. I've been emailing with him more this week and he's given me some great feedback. I'm very appreciative of his willingness to help, I'd definitely recommend The Wedding Theater to anyone in Texas looking for a videographer or anyone with a little bit larger wedding budget.
Also leaning toward using Costco bulk flowers and doing our own. That would hopefully save us some money and allow us some leeway in the budget to help cover videography. Still thinking of using Famous Dave's for catering. Also looking for a DJ this week. So much to do! Only 162 days left! I'm getting so excited because it's finally coming more quickly. Corey's been looking for jobs as he's finishing up school and we're starting to look for places to live. I've just been praying a lot that God will provide and that we will trust in Him and do all we can to do our part. :)
Also leaning toward using Costco bulk flowers and doing our own. That would hopefully save us some money and allow us some leeway in the budget to help cover videography. Still thinking of using Famous Dave's for catering. Also looking for a DJ this week. So much to do! Only 162 days left! I'm getting so excited because it's finally coming more quickly. Corey's been looking for jobs as he's finishing up school and we're starting to look for places to live. I've just been praying a lot that God will provide and that we will trust in Him and do all we can to do our part. :)
Monday, January 30, 2012
187 days to go!
Stats exam tomorrow morning, but I had to take a minute to write a bit. :) Finalized bridesmaid dresses and put half the money down on Saturday! The store will order the dresses as soon as all the girls get their measurements in! Excited to have that taken care of!
Corey and I had premarital counseling on Saturday with the Garricks. :) It was good to meet with them again, it had been a while. We're reading the book Love and Respect.
Oh, we went to Famous Dave's Friday night with my parents. We're fairly certain we're going to have them cater our wedding. It was nice to just go out with my parents and have a meal. I feel like last week was a little crazy, so it was nice to have some down time and relax. Also my parents liked the food, so that was good too.
Continuing to collect addresses and send out Save the Dates.
Also loving these cute tutu flower girl dresses! Still looking for what Karly is going to wear, but thinking this is an adorable idea.
Corey and I had premarital counseling on Saturday with the Garricks. :) It was good to meet with them again, it had been a while. We're reading the book Love and Respect.
Oh, we went to Famous Dave's Friday night with my parents. We're fairly certain we're going to have them cater our wedding. It was nice to just go out with my parents and have a meal. I feel like last week was a little crazy, so it was nice to have some down time and relax. Also my parents liked the food, so that was good too.
Continuing to collect addresses and send out Save the Dates.
Also loving these cute tutu flower girl dresses! Still looking for what Karly is going to wear, but thinking this is an adorable idea.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Progress
Today was a productive day in a lot of ways, unfortunately I was not productive in studying and I have a big exam Monday. However, I've gotten some of the wedding things done/started.
Last night I went over to Corey's house and worked with his mom to address save the dates. Although I still don't have everyone's address, we mailed out about 60 save the dates this morning and I already have addressed 12 or so more. I'm hoping to get everyone's address in the next week. Hoping that I stay organized enough to not accidentally miss anyone! I got these Save the Dates from Vista Print, they had a special going and I paid about $11 (including shipping) for 100 Save the Dates! We got some other save the dates from wedding paper divas.
Corey and I also finally decided on a honeymoon destination! We plan to go to The Grand Mayan in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. It's a beautiful place! I've never been to Mexico, I'm super excited.
Now we're just working on getting the hotel booked, flights booked, and my passport. :)
My mom and I also stopped in at Mr. Formal and Bridal Exclusives today and checked some stuff out. Found a dress I really like for the bridesmaids potentially. :) It's an Alfred Angelo and I'd have them wear navy. It's not too heavy so it would be fine for August and I think it's cute and a good length.
I also may have come to a decision about cake. Corey and I have talked about the cake earlier and we decided to supplement our cake with sheet cake to save money. I think we'll get the sheet cakes from Costco (they have delicious cakes!!) and get a 3-tiered cake from Lamb's Thrift-way. I'll have to double check with Corey when he gets home tomorrow, but I think he'll like it. That will help us save some money but still have delicious cake!
Today I emailed a florist and I'm going to try to set up an appointment with her. My family is going to try to go out to Famous Dave's sometime soon so they can try it, Corey and I are leaning toward having them do our catering. We're still looking for a DJ and someone to video tape. But slowly we're making progress!
Last night I went over to Corey's house and worked with his mom to address save the dates. Although I still don't have everyone's address, we mailed out about 60 save the dates this morning and I already have addressed 12 or so more. I'm hoping to get everyone's address in the next week. Hoping that I stay organized enough to not accidentally miss anyone! I got these Save the Dates from Vista Print, they had a special going and I paid about $11 (including shipping) for 100 Save the Dates! We got some other save the dates from wedding paper divas.
Corey and I also finally decided on a honeymoon destination! We plan to go to The Grand Mayan in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. It's a beautiful place! I've never been to Mexico, I'm super excited.
My mom and I also stopped in at Mr. Formal and Bridal Exclusives today and checked some stuff out. Found a dress I really like for the bridesmaids potentially. :) It's an Alfred Angelo and I'd have them wear navy. It's not too heavy so it would be fine for August and I think it's cute and a good length.
Today I emailed a florist and I'm going to try to set up an appointment with her. My family is going to try to go out to Famous Dave's sometime soon so they can try it, Corey and I are leaning toward having them do our catering. We're still looking for a DJ and someone to video tape. But slowly we're making progress!
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