it is well with my soul

I grew up with a very tidy and sincere belief of marriage. Marriage was forever. Even when the marriage might get tough and the couple do not get along, vows are taken and those vows are taken seriously. 

But as I said this is a tidy belief of marriage and easy to uphold theoretically, but I am not in charge of the universe or what other people do. Especially in the matter of marriage and remarriage.

If any of you have followed my blog for awhile, you might remember me posting about my daughter's wedding back over seven years ago. It was an extremely difficult time in my life, and even the year leading up to that time was heartbreaking to this mama's heart. Marriage is one of the most important decisions we undertake as people on this earth. It is important to God and it is important to us, His church.

But we knew that a young eighteen year old was not ready for marriage and the person she chose to marry was even less ready. It was a terrible mistake, but what do you do? You pray and  you hope, and you pray and you hope. 

So seven and 1/2 years later there is another marriage. I would be lying if I said I have not struggled with remarriage in general and this one in particular because it is so close to me, even with the very obvious circumstances that caused the other marriage to end, which were legitimate. I still believe in the sanctity of marriage and its lasting foundation.

The wedding was a very simple affair in the church with our pastor and a few family members attending.

This was by far the highlight and best memory of the day. My sweet husband ironing his daughter's dress.

We do love this young man who has vowed to love and protect our daughter and granddaughter forever.

I do what every mama should always do, I pray and I hope.

And that is what makes this marriage well with my soul.

 

of delights and joys

A brick-paved patio is currently in progress and my visions for another addition to our new home and back yard is truly happening.

Look at this sky. Rainstorms almost every day roll in and we welcome it since these days continue to be hot and humid. For several days we would just stare at the sky and delight in the cloud formations. 

Yes, summertime.

Several weeks ago on a trip back home we were delighted to drive by the Plow and Hearth store outlet. We quickly turned around and in the very hot afternoon's heat we found new cushions for our screened porch furniture. 

 Considering I have made super changes in my life this summer,  still I have managed several small trips out of town including one week of working at a small Bible camp for 17-23 year olds. 

But this particular week my mama's heart strings vibrate strong. One day my daughters and I went to town together and I wanted to remember the moment with this snapshot after eating our lunch. 

  

Even as I am writing this blog post I am driving back with my husband having dropped the daughter on the left back at college where she is a rising sophomore. She declared emphatically last night she is absolutely glad she is not a freshman ever again! 

The daughter on the right is getting married this Friday; it will be a small family ceremony. Tomorrow I will meet up with my daughter-in-law's mother who is helping  make a lovely fresh bouquet of sunflowers and eucalyptus tied with a black silk ribbon. A dress is awaiting me at home for a few small alterations and a good ironing on the hem that a very dear friend cut and rolled hemmed for us. I get nervous even thinking about cutting off dress hems!