Archives for May 2024

God Hasn’t Forgotten You

May 21, 2024 by Leave a Comment

Long term trials have a way of wearing us down—in more ways than one. Whether it’s ongoing illness, unemployment, marital problems, teenage rebellion, or any number of other anguish inducing situations, we soon grow weary physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We eventually wonder if God has forgotten us, don’t we?

If today you feel that God doesn’t hear your cries anymore or that he doesn’t care about you, remember that he loves you so much he sent his only Son to be your Savior. Take heart with these words of encouragement from my poem “Trust in Him”–

“And when you finally feel
Like God has forgotten you,
He’ll show you he hasn’t—
Trust in him.”

Father, show the weary and hurting your love!

“I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.” Isaiah 49:15 NRSV

*How has God shown you his love in the midst of a long-term trial?

*The current issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out earlier this month. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is FREE. *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

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

*Photo by Evie S. on Unsplash

Filed Under: burden, comfort, depend, encouragement, faith, faithfulness, help, life, love, poem, stress, time, trust, unfailing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sheet Music Design for Bridal Bouquet and Boutonniere

May 21, 2024 by Leave a Comment

Mother of the Bride, are your sweet Mr. & Mrs.-to-Be music lovers? If so, they may want to plan some of the elements of their wedding with a music motif. And that’s wonderful because possibilities abound!

One way to incorporate a music theme into a wedding is to use sheet music to make the bridal bouquet and groom’s boutonniere. Isn’t this a clever idea? Not only is it unique, but it’s actually quite attractive—not to mention the fact that it reflects the couple’s love for music. Definitely a win-win, right?

The bride and groom could add even more significance to their bouquet and boutonniere choice by finding the sheet music to songs especially meaningful to them. They could each choose their favorite song or composer/songwriter, or they might want to use the song they consider to be their song. Again, lots of possibilities.

If you’re wondering about the bridesmaids’ bouquets and groomsmen’s bouts, they could be something different but yet coordinate in some way. Your floral designer can probably suggest some terrific ideas.

MOB, share this idea with your girl and her guy and see if it strikes their musical fancy. They might like it even if they’re not musicians—they may just enjoy music and think it’s a cool idea!

*You might also like to read Wedding Decor: Craft It with Paper, Knitted Bridal Bouquet and More, and Wedding Idea That Sparkles: A Brooch Bouquet!

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

*The current issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out earlier this month. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is FREE! *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Flickr photo by jessica.hanrahan, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: bride, bridesmaids, creation/creative/creator, flowers, groom, groomsmen, memories, Mother of the Bride, music, new thing, preparation, variety, wedding Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Prayer for Finishing Strong

May 7, 2024 by Leave a Comment

Do you know someone trying to finish a project or reach a goal? Maybe a family member just about to graduate from high school or college or trying to complete an advanced degree? Or perhaps some of your teacher friends are trying to hang in there the last few weeks of the school year.

You may even be in the trying-to-finish category yourself right now. I know I am. The manuscript for my Christmas devotional book is due to the publisher on August 1 so I’m in the last stages of writing, editing, and polishing it. I’ve had several challenges to overcome in getting this far, and I need to keep pressing on until the job is complete and I’ve done the best I can do.

Those who are trying to finish a race right now probably need some encouragement and moral support, don’t they?

Join me, won’t you, in a prayer for all who are trying to finish strong:

Dear Lord, you are a finisher. You came to earth with a task to do and you completed it. You are also busy completing the good works you began in each of us. Help us, Lord, as we push on to finish the tasks you’ve set before us.

Help us to not grow weary or distracted or discouraged. Please grant us the energy, the drive, and the skill needed to finish strong. And help us remember, Lord, to offer thanks and give you glory as we cross our finish lines. We need you, Lord, and can’t do it without you. Thank you for your help!

“As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” Luke 9:51 NIV

*Are you trying to finish strong right now? May our prayers encourage you today!

*The current issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out last week. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is FREE. *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

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

*Flickr photo by Loco Races, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: Above and Beyond, challenge, determination, encouragement, fighter, finish, focus, goal, life, perseverance, prayer, strength, success, victory Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Wedding Cake Inspiration: Coconut Cloud

May 7, 2024 by Leave a Comment

Mother of the Bride, are you and your little-girl-turned-bride-to-be looking at wedding cakes yet? If so, you’ve probably discovered a plethora of choices. Allow me to add another one today.

The coconut cloud cake puts a whole new spin—and texture—to a traditional cake. Not only is it a perfect choice if the bride and groom are coconut lovers, but it will allow their cake to stand out as a little more unique than many others.

I especially like the coconut touch on an ombre cake (as pictured above.) The coconut shows up better when using a variety of colors, plus it allows the happy couple to incorporate one of their wedding colors if they so choose. The coconut cloud effect with the pink used in this cake almost gives a sunrise or sunset look, doesn’t it? Other colors will create other beautiful moods and images, but an all-white cake would look stunning as well.

Hope you and your daughter have fun, MOB, looking at all the cake possibilities out there. I know you’ll enjoy taste-testing when the time comes. My daughters and I certainly did!

*You might also like to read Wedding Cake Roundup.

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

*The current issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out last week. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is FREE! *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Flickr photo by Whipped Bakeshop, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: bride, cake, creation/creative/creator, decorate, dessert, Mother of the Bride, preparation, variety, wedding Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,