When Savanna and I began planning her wedding I had a sense of ease, a calm contentment as though marrying first-born daughters was similar to birthing them. I dreamt about it, looked forward to it, prepared for it. Essentially, I turned the bulk of fruitfulness over to God; the grandiose arrival of it all was in His hands. No worry, no hurry. Everything will be just fine.
A few weeks ago Sav and I met our wedding planner-extraordinaire and friend, Sean O’Keefe http://www.seanokeefeevents.com/, at his meticulous studio. We enjoyed coffee, chatting, sketching, envisioning, and laughing (at times uncontrollably). Sean’s studio is wall to wall with particular décor. He pulled out all sorts of wedding party embellishments that were spot on with Savanna’s taste. We left the appointment feeling secure and confident that a wedding made in heaven was on the horizon.
There are exactly eight months and one week to go until Joey and Savanna’s official Vows day, June 29, 2019. In terms of every day life that’s a decent amount of time. Conversely, if you’re planning a wedding it’s about two eye blinks, left then right. The two-eye-blink analogy occurred to me three and a half weeks ago when a Holy Sh** Worry tsunami crashed over me.
You have no experience with weddings
There’s no family here to share
There’s too much to do
What if I fail
Fear
How can something start off so seamlessly then suddenly turn into a who-are-you-kidding-there’s-no-earthly-way-you-can-pull-this-off panic syndrome?
Is there any better way to lift your self up than by reaching out to help and join others in their moment of doubt and need? Jeff and I gathered at a friend’s house about a week ago to honor and support a long-time, dear friend fighting cancer. We were there to comfort, encourage and give support and ended up feeling it in return.
As we enjoyed a lovely, bittersweet reunion I caught up with another long-time, precious friend that I don’t often see.  I was stunned by what she said. Right then and there she offered to host a gathering for Savanna’s wedding – breakfast, brunch, cocktails – ‘whatever you like,’ she said. I was dumbstruck and to some degree still am.
My friend’s gracious offer planted an indescribable seed of joy and courage: Not only can I do this wedding-planning stuff, I can do a great job while at it. Family may not be close by, but there are friends around. So far, turning the bulk over to God has been the best wedding-planning idea yet.
Thank you, Sarah.  God Bless You.
Proverbs 11:24-25
24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
25A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Thank you for reading!
Love, Shelley
