the Wedding War Room

it’s a 3hugs&blessings thursday and even though the blessings exceed far beyond the required 3, it is the perfect day to share this post because…

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Today

the page officially turned…

with a tiny-tidge of sorrow & a heaping portion of joy,

the entirety of the Wedding process has been completed!

(However) this doesn’t mean it’s the last time I will write about it, as a few of you have requested information about particular items from that day; which will spill out like sprinkles from time to time…I promise!  (Giggles.)

Over the course of the past several days we watched as the after-wedding brunch tent, tables, & white garden chairs were removed from our backyard. Cuppycake, our youngest son, and I picked up all the items from the Reception Hall and returned them to their rightful places. Dresses & a very suave tux were sent off to the dry-cleaners. Bills were paid, appreciation gifts delivered to our vendors, and today the final and last task necessary, to complete the Wedding planning/preparation/procedural process, was accomplished!

You see my friendly friends, today the Wedding War Room has been deconstructed!!

(Can you hear the sound of the Heavenly trumpets playing???)

“What is a War Room?” you might ask.

In business terms a War Room is a command centre which is any place that is used to provide centralized command for some purpose.

While frequently considered to be a military facility, these can be used in many other cases. Simply put, it is a room (or facility,) where people meet and exchange plans, ideas, information, etc., in an active way.

In governmental or military terms it is a room where battles are planned that is specially equipped with maps, charts, and computers showing the current status of troops in battle and how they are maintained.

In spiritual terms there are War Rooms as well!

They are the spaces and ways in which we centralize our prayer efforts. Spiritually, we have three battlegrounds: our own hearts; the spiritual realm (against spiritual forces, and where God works on the spirit of others); and the physical world where we interact ourselves. Prayer engages the battle in the spiritual realm. And it prepares our hearts to participate in that spiritual battle. But it also prepares us to engage in the physical world. Prayer War Rooms help us to activate and intentionalize our prayers and monitor how they are maintained and through the grace of God, answered!

Our Wedding War room was all of this (minus the battles) and more, wrapped up into one centralized effort…storing everything necessary to prepare/provide for The Wedding!

Normally, this particular room serves to house our youngest son during his time home for an occassional over-night visit. But he graciously surrendered this space during the many months we plotted and planned!

(Rest assured there was still another place for him to sleep, should the need occur!)

And so it was,

month after month,

that we stacked and stored and constructed!

Neatly arranging everything

to be ready

for the Wedding Day!

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But today

piece by piece

what little remained

I put away.

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First I sorted.

Then sifted and carried.

Returned items to their former homes.

Placed what could not be reused/repurposed in the trash.

And collected a sampling of all important items to be kept for the new

Mr. & Mrs.

in a forever box.

Until all that remained was just a tender reminder

of the only thing missing on that special day.”

-Said I to Cuppycake.

Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. -Romans 12:12

So with this last little item tucked safely away, (for another day when we shall play,)

the need for a Wedding War Room

was no more…

and in it’s place is,

once again,

a comfortable space for our son

to lay his head!

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Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

hugs n’ blessings

to all who have succeeded 

by the efforts of what was activated

in their War Room!

And I hope-itty-hope and pray you too may find 3hugs&blessings this day!

Watching over.

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Not many days remain now…

until you change your name.

And tho’ one might think sadness dwells,

it is pure joy which remains. 

To see your peace

and constant glow,

there is no more to ask. 

Than to know you’re loved

and cherished so,

by the one whom you will be attached. 

One thing I ask to be remembered

one wish I humbly tell.

Watch over this name you’ll soon be given,

remember to treat it well. 

Provide it only with honor

and tender loving care.

For God has gifted it to you…

and guided you safely there.

His name 

will now be your name

and with God together you will be.

3 strands of cord together…

forever strong,

you shall see.

And I am so very grateful,

that He gave you but for awhile to me.

A true Motherly Blessing,

(for so many years)

of watching over thee.

these hugs n’ blessings are for all the

ballerina tip-toes and fairy houses on the trails,

blanket forts, milkshakes and movies on rainy days,

barn boots, lip-sync, and feather-bed fluffs,

early morning birthday cakes,

bedtime stories with fairytale glitter,

and (of course)

Bun-Bun!

 

“Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.”

John 16:21-22

drafts for the draft!

 

“Wait. What?

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“You mean you’re not taking me with you to watch The Draft?”
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The NFL Draft, New York City, 2010

Our “very-own” calling the Steeler’s 6th round Draft Pick,  Running-Back Jonathan Dwyer, circa 2010

Our family enjoys watching Sports!

(Well….except this guy.)

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“I’d rather watch this water filter.” JDS

Preferably the Sport of football.  Followed closely by basketball.

You will occassionally see us watching Hockey or Baseball but only Cuppycake finds pleasure in watching the sport of Golf.

(This is like watching paint dry for me!! ZERO enjoyment on the fun-meter!)

We both hold out hope that we will continue to travel around the country and watch these two particular sports, at the Collegiate level.  We think it will be a WON-wonderful hobby for us to share together now that we are officially empty-nesters!

We’ve already visited a plethora of campuses & marked them off from our list, due mainly in part to THIS guy!

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Army Wins the Armed Forces Bowl!  2010

And this girlie…

And even this cutie-pa-tootie too.

(Yes, the Debate Team is considered a Sporting Event.) Well…kind-of.

We can’t wait to get out our calendars & plan for the Campuses we shall visit this Season and the games we shall be cheering at!

It was no surprise then to find a few of us “Sports-Faithful” gathered together to partake in sharing the excitment of watching The Draft together!

 

Drafts for The Draft!

This guy shared all the necessary details regarding the pros & cons, stats & stories, as each player was chosen by their prospective new teams.

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“This guy” with his Dad.

We love the part of listenting to the stories…but know we will have missed seeing them play now that they have moved into the professional arena of the Sport.  The Collegiate level is where our hearts remain and how we enjoy watching the Sport.  (Not that we still don’t enjoy watching anything Black & Gold with a Pittsburgh, Pa affliation! But mostly through the vehicle of a Telly.  Giggles.)

How many little boy’s dreams were made as they heard their names called that night!  How proud those who love them must have been to see this dream achieved.  I pray they honor this new blessing they’ve been given…that they remain humble, that they give back to others (especially those who helped them along the way.)  And that they MOST ESPECIALLY remember to give all the glory & honor to Him, who entrusted this talent to their care…

The arena of Sports is not the only opportunity for pride in our abilities.

In today’s culture Sports and Entertainment APPEAR to garner the most attention; however, there are many opportunities to exalt His name.  I am convinced God uses ordinary people to carry out His extra-ordinary plan in the game of life.

Although this Weekend we were able to watch, yet once again another NFL Draft, we were truly blessed to watch three young men carry out His plan in very extra-ordinary ways!

And I couldn’t help but be so proud to watch them each be “Drafted” to do His will.

Our “very-own” promoted to Captain in the Army!

Hooah!

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And two dear-friends newly Ordained as Deacons of the Diocese of Erie, Pa!

Amazing Grace!

God truly does use us in various ways!

hugs n’ blessings to all those using their talents on His playing field!!

If  our prayer is “Dear God, please use me to be of Service,” then that is what we will be.  And it is not for us to judge either the size or value of our gifts. Our job is to try to get out of the way, to defer to the Spirit moving within us and to become open channels for the flow of God’s love.”  Marianne Williamson