Archives for September 2019

Simple Wedding Attire Expense Tip

Mother of the Bride, on your MOB journey, you’ll constantly be making decisions about how much to spend on different aspects of your daughter’s big day—wedding attire included.

Questions like is it okay to spend a little more than I wanted to for this pair of shoes and should we go with the less expensive veil will pop up on a regular basis—and sometimes even play havoc with a good night’s rest. That’s understandable. Like any good mother of the bride, you’re always looking for ways to trim wedding expenses.

Here’s one simple guideline to use as you decide when it’s okay to spend a little more for one wedding attire: If it’s an item you or the bride (or someone else in the wedding party) will keep wearing for a long time, go ahead and buy the more expensive option if you’d like. A better quality product will more than pay for itself if you’re able to get several years’ use out of it.

Shoes? If you’ll wear them for a long time, by all means get the better ones. The veil? Unless you have other daughters that might use it, that’s pretty much a one-day use. You can find gorgeous options at reasonable prices.

Apply the how long will we wear it guideline with each attire purchase decision, MOB, and your decision-making agony will be cut in half. I can’t promise a good night’s rest, though—too many other things can interfere with that!

*You might also like to read Getting the Most Bang for Your MOB BuckBudget Agreement with the Father of the BrideSavings Tip for Bridal and Bridesmaids Bouquets, and Wedding Savings Tip: Borrow!

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early November. Sign-up is FREE and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*Flickr photo by AMagill; Creative Commons License

One of Jesus’ Prayers For Us: Unity Among Believers

“…Christ Jesus, who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Romans 8:34 NIV

It’s almost too much to comprehend. The One who conquered death is right next to the Father interceding for us. That’s a pretty incredible thought, isn’t it? As incredible as it is, sometimes we forget that Jesus is praying for us. Think about it a moment. Picture it in your mind’s eye. Do you wonder what he’s saying? Would you like to hear his words?

While Jesus walked the earth, one of the prayers he prayed for all believers was for unity. On the night before he was crucified, we were on his mind. In John 17:20-23 we find his words:

“My prayer is not for [the disciples] alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

Do you think Jesus is still praying this prayer today? Let’s join him and pray for unity among believers—in our own circles and around the world. May we all be brought to complete unity!

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3 NIV

*Where do you need see a current need for unity among believers? 

*I hope you found this revised post from May 2011 helpful today!

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early November. Sign-up is FREE and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.

*Flickr photo by tipiroCreative Commons License

“Depend” Acrostic: 2019 Theme Word Refresher

Last year I wrote an acrostic as a refresher and enjoyed the exercise so much I decided to do the same again this year for my 2019 theme word—depend. I should have done this at the half-way point, but we’re two-thirds through the year now. Better late than never is a motto that will surely prove true for this tardy effort of mine today, though, don’t you think?

Below you will find some thoughts (in acrostic form) that came to mind as I contemplated the various aspects of depending. I also hope the above photo from my summer trip to Colorado will give you a visual of depending on God and of using laser-focus to keep your eyes on him.

Depend

Dare to trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)

Empty yourself of pride and admit that you need God as well as others.

Place all your concerns into the hands of God and enjoy his peace.

Endure whatever trials of life come your way as you count on God to see you through.

Name the characteristics of God and give thanks that he is able and trustworthy.

Dig deep in your faith in God and resist the impulse to take matters into your own hands.

I hope this depend acrostic blesses you and offers help for a current situation you’re facing. I encourage you to try your hand at an acrostic as well—whether with your word for the year or for another word you need some further insight or encouragement regarding. May God bless all our efforts to grow in our walk with him!

“The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.” Lamentations 3:25 NLT

*What aspect of depending on God is most challenging for you?

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early November. Sign-up is FREE and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.

*My photo

9 Quotes to Encourage and Help You on Your Mother of the Bride Journey

Are you in need of a little encouragement or a few words of wisdom today on your Mother of the Bride journey? If so, don’t feel down on yourself. Every mother of the bride goes through moments like that. And never fear, I can help you.

Below you’ll find a few quotes I’ve compiled with you in mind, with hopes of refreshing your spirit or giving some practical help. A verse in the Bible says, “. . . how good is a timely word!” (Proverbs 15:23 NIV) And I wholeheartedly agree. May the following words be timely and prove to be good for you today!

“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” Eleanor Roosevelt

“Laughter is an instant vacation.” Milton Berle

“Take the gift of this moment and make something beautiful of it. Few worthwhile experiences just happen; memories are made on purpose.” Gloria Gaither

“God is, and all is well.” John Greenleaf Whittier

“Attention to detail is the secret of success in every sphere of life . . .” Hugh Black

“Joy is the best makeup.” Anne Lamott in Grace Eventually

“Let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find in every hour, some heavenly blessings!” Henry Ward Beecher

“To be prepared is half the victory.” Miguel de Cervantes

“When your dreams for a particular event seem to be slipping away, don’t despair. An unexpected joy may be waiting in the wings.” Cheryl Barker in Mother of the Bride

I hope these made a difference for you today, MOB. Be blessed!

p.s. That last quote is from my book Mother of the Bride: Refreshment and Wisdom for the Mother of the Bride. Hope you’ll grab a copy for yourself on Amazon or contact me for a personalized, author-signed copy!

*You might also like to read Wisdom and Encouragement for the Mother of the Bride, You Are Appreciated, Mother of the Bride!, and Mother of the Bride: 9 Easy Ways to Pamper Yourself.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early November. Sign-up is FREE and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*My photo