Heart Choices: 2010-08-22 -->

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TSMSS ~ Wedding Songs

12:24 AM
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I have weddings on my mind this week.  I attended a bridal shower on Tuesday.  If you didn't read my post, you can read it here.  Jessica's wedding will take place at the end of September.

However, my niece Kristin is getting married to Kevin one week from today!  I am getting so excited.  Kristin is like a daughter to me.


It's so hard for me to believe she's grown up so quickly.  Here she is when she was little and taking ballet lessons.  Isn't she cute?


And here she is all grown up.  This was one of her profile pictures on Facebook that I snagged.  :)


Kevin proposed to her at SeaWorld.

This is one of their formal engagement photos.  Aren't they cute?

Since I don't know what song they've chosen for their song, I posted the top ten wedding songs.  I hope you enjoy.


I can't contain myself.  I may  need to post more Kristin photos this week.  I'll be leaving on Thursday to fly to Tampa/St. Pete airport.  I can't wait.

Don't forget to pop over to Amy of Signs, Miracles and Wonders for more Then Sings My Soul Saturday songs.

Blessings and love,
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Flashback Friday ~ Music

2:49 AM
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Since I was into the Flashback theme this Friday, I also decided to join up with Linda of Mocha with Linda.

Linda asks a question about the music we listened to in our youth.

My family has always been a singing family.  My mom played the piano by ear and both of my parents had great voices.  Whenever we drove in the car, either my mom or dad would spontaneously burst into song  and we'd all join in. 

"I've Been Working on the Railroad" was sung in three part harmony.  I loved when it got to the part about "someone's in the kitchen with Dinah" and "fee fi fiddly i-o". 

We also sang "You Are My Sunshine".  To this day, I often sing it to my husband Greg when he is just waking up.  It always brings a smile to his face.  

We sang many Norwegian songs.  I may not be able to speak fluent Norwegian but I know the words to many Norwegian songs from my childhood.

My brother Steve and I used to sing onstage at church.  If we'd visit another church, we were always asked to come up and sing a song.  My mom told me that one year we started singing a Santa Claus song and everyone laughed.  It's funny because today neither my brother or I have great voices.  In fact, I always laugh and say the Lord loves a joyful noise.

As a teenager, I worked in the record department of Billy Blake in West Babylon, New York.  Billy Blakes is no longer in business but it was like a Target.  I could play any album I wanted while working. Notice I didn't say CD's.  Those were the days of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Elton John and Billy Joel.  The Carpenters and Sonny and Cher were famous then too. 

It was the 60's and a time of rebellion.  I remember being invited by a coworker to go to Woodstock in upstate NY but I had to work.  I remember Sly and the Family Stone and going to Madison Square Garden to a concert.  I lost my flip flops as the whole crowd joined hands and were dancing.  My feet got so dirty walking around New York City in bare feet.

I loved Carole King and James Taylor. They performed in Central Park for free!  Can you believe it?  There are so many more to mention.  But I always remember my parents didn't mind my music.  We had a record player in the living room and music was always on. 

I used to go to all of the school dances and even those at the Knights of Columbus.  It seemed like every weekend was a time to go out and dance to live bands.  I've reconnected with many high school friends from Lindenhurst on Facebook and even some who often played in a band at all of our high school dances.


I'll end this post with a song I loved sung by James Taylor and Carole King in 1971.

Love and peace,

QuickEdit

Friday Photo Flashback ~ Greg and Debbie

12:03 AM
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Friday Photo Flashback
I discovered several boxes of photos in my garage today.  Since it's been so hot here, I'm amazed that they weren't ruined. I scanned some of them into my computer so I could link up with Alicia at More Than Words for Friday Photo Flashback.


This picture was taken July 1, 1950 in Dallas, Texas.  It's my husband Greg.  Isn't he the cutest?  His mom wrote on the back on the picture:

"Look, no hands, guess it's hydromatic drive in my little wagon."


And here's little Debbie!  My mom always dressed me up in frilly dresses that she handmade for me.  This photo was probably taken about 1955 on Long Island, NY. 

Little did Greg or I know that one day ...we'd meet, fall in love and get married.  And it will be 26 years in November.

Do you have any baby pictures of you and your husband?  How about linking up with Alicia?

Blessings and love,


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Thankful Thursday ~ Laughter

12:17 AM
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It's Thankful Thursday and Laurie of Women Taking a Stand is our host for this month.

Today I'm especially thankful for ...friends and laughter. 

I attended a bridal shower for my friend Julie's daughter Jessica.  There's something so exciting about love and marriage.  Jessica and Andrew will be married September 25th, 2010.

Pictured above is my friend Julie, Jessica (the bride), her sister Hope who will be a bridesmaid and her sister Natalie who is the maid of honor.  Don't you just love their smiles? 

And did I mention that I taught Hope in the children's program of Bible Study Fellowship when she was only four years old?  My, how fast time goes by!


Georgann opened up her house for this special occasion.  She was my teaching leader in Bible Study Fellowship for many years.  And she's the best hostess. She has the gift of hospitality, that's for sure.

Check out the salad Georgann served.  There's a restaurant in Scottsdale, AZ called Cowboy Ciao.  Their chopped salad is a specialty and Georgann got the recipe.  This salad has smoked salmon, couscous, arugula, sweet corn, Asiago cheese and is served with an Aioli dressing.  Trust me, it's awesome!

And I even found the recipe online on the AZ Republic site.

Her table setting is always so perfect too.  She even had name tags so we wouldn't fight over where we sat.  Did I really write that?  Only kidding. 

My friends were all smiles as we sat down to eat.  There's Jessica on the right at the head of the table.  She didn't know what she was in for.  Us older gals gave her some marriage advice.

Georgann passed around a basket of kitchen utensils.  Each of us stuck our hand in the basket and had to explain to Jessica what it was and how it was used.  I never knew there were so many kitchen gadgets. Many of us had no clue.  So we made it up which got us all laughing again.

Did you know there's a gadget to separate pie slices so the inside filling doesn't spill over to the next slice?  There were also special tiny tongs to core a strawberry.  I always use a little knife to do that. Go figure...

Opening gifts is always such a fun time at bridal showers.  I loved the expressions of joy on Jessica's face.

There was plenty of laughter too.


I can't remember if Millie was giving Jessica advice or what.  But I think she was blushing.  LOL.

LA and Marlene always have some spicy advice to share too.  Are you winking at me Marlene?

Did I tell you we love to laugh?

What a fun time!

I'm so thankful for friends and ...laughter!

Ecclesiastes 3:4 (NIV) says:

"...a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance."


This was definitely a ...time to laugh.
Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

Praise the Lord in This Moment

10:13 AM
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Extravagant Grace

Giving thanks and praising the Lord are often done after we see an answer to prayer. 

But what happens when you're in the middle of a trial and you've not seen an answer YET?

What do you do?  Do you:
  • Become fearful
  • Complain that God doesn't hear you
  • Wonder what you're doing wrong
  • Asking the question 'why' over and over
  • Take matters into your own hands
  • Attempt to fix things your way
  • Get advice from friends
I'm joining eLisa of Extravagant Grace today.  She decided to launch a movement of praising the Lord in this moment.  Not when everything is going well (although that would be a good time to praise Him).  But even in the midst of trials and unanswered prayers, would you consider praising God in this moment?

eLisa is asking us to make a 31 day commitment to praise the Lord in this moment.  Would you be willing to join in?  She will be having giveaways, praise challenges and opportunities to link up.  I, for one, am looking forward to the next 31 days of praising God in this moment.


After spending some time alone in the mountains last week, I've had an attitude adjustment.  And I'm praising the Lord for that.  He spoke to my heart during that time when I was alone with no interruptions.  I'm also thankful that the Lord prompted my friend Millie to loan me the use of her beautiful home in Flagstaff, Arizona.  Thank you Millie and Dick!

Praising the Lord in this moment goes along with the Scripture teaching I listened to over the weekend.  Scott Samter of Opening His Word Together  was teaching on John 11:17-46 about the death of Lazarus.  In verse 40, Jesus had asked Martha to trust and believe Him and then she would see the glory of God.

Jesus asks us to believe and trust Him first.  And then we are look and see how He will answer in His way.

This was also confirmed to me when I went to church and John 11 was our Scripture reading.  I love when the Lord confirms a Word again and again.

This also goes right back to my theme for this year.  Does anyone remember? 




It was trust and obey.  My desire has been and continues to be to ...live fearlessly in 2010.

Have all my prayers been answered yet?  No
Will I make the heart choice to praise the Lord in this moment?  You betcha

Now, how about you?  Will you join with eLisa for this 31 day challenge?  Will you make the choice to praise the Lord in this moment?

You can find out more by stopping by Extravagant Grace.

Blessings and love,

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