Congratulations Pat and Rachel!

Last Saturday I had the opportunity to take a road trip with some friends to Patrick's wedding.




Charlie

Chris

Jerelyn










Co-P

Michael











Chris and Jerelyn fixed up an abundance of food for the entire crew. Oddly, they looked just like the cold cuts we had at their wedding ...?




For the hundredth time, I like new things. So we took a new (to me) route toward Chicago to make it to Sawyer, Michigan. Jerelyn's home town of Gridley has two gas stations, an AC church and some large farm buildings. But there are signs of booming growth in the local economy...a brand new car wash.

We left early enough to spend some time getting ready at a house that the Deutch clan was staying at for the weekend. The place was in an interesting neighborhood.







Trey party in the pew.


Steve and Elise gotta love the fact that there's never a shortage of people to take the kid off their hands.






As we broke out of Peoria, guess what Michael all of a sudden realized was missing...

Who is Pat anyway? What originally attracted me to the group of friends I hung out with at church was the friendly engaging and mature attitudes of guys like Patrick, Rodney, Jon and others. I stick to my friends like glue now, but back then, I wouldn't have been plugged in or have any of these friends if guys like Jon (best man below) hadn't stuck with me and continually sought out ways to encourage and get to know me. Well, times they change, and people get married. Pat is the last of the original guys I knew to be taken by marriage. He's been studying down at Dallas Theological Seminary for a couple of years now, so we've been missing him for a while already.


The Hood Men



Mike and I called dibs on Trey so that Kari couldn't use the "I'm holding a baby" excuse for not dancing, like usual. She was just left with "I don't wanna" like the rest of us. Trey learned all kinds of things being around uncle Mike and Kevin. How to pick a wine and pick on a girl.








The Lueken kids were a little surprised at the real deal being served on the table.






The Deutch man is a dancing fool. At Rodney's wedding, it made me so frustrated to see that he could make dorky dancing cool. It's still just dorky when I do it. After crazy time with the kids, Momma had to break in.





What's Madison mad at me for now? Not dancing. Back off! (don't hurt me)


With Gridley's rock bottom gas prices (at the time), Chris' skills got us back there with a little left to take advantage. Thanks for driving Chris!

Congratulations Josh and Jackie!! (Saturday Part 2)

Josh T. and I haven't seen each other much in the last year. Unfortunately, he (now they) lives in Washington, which is somewhat of an annoying drive on an already busy schedule. He's done a sweet job switching from being the newbie participator we all are in new groups, to a hoster and encourager. He has also overcome MANY personal challenges in life. Josh loves learning about what other people do and like, and remembers it well.

I'm not very observant of people, but have recently enjoyed noticing the changes in life of the people who I've known so long as singles, and now know as marrieds. Josh and I were in a small group for about a year. I bet it's hard for him to remember the time when he was frustrated about things like being single and being tight on a budget. And now, he's found a wonderful bride and just enjoyed a beautiful wedding. Life will bring new challenges and joys, and he'll wonder why he ever let the old ones get to him. Wait...why do I let my current ones get to me when they will be old too? Cuz, it turns out I'm the most stubborn person I know.


Jackie, Josh's bride, was my high school counselor. Not really, but everyone in our class knew you could go to her for advice before class and she would offer the most caring and thoughtful advice you could ask for. She still just wants to help out and encourage. Once they get back from wherever their honey moon is, we'll be working with Jules on the 10 year reunion for next spring.

Ritch speaks on the same thing at most weddings - Oneness and the journey to it in marriage. It might seem like old news when you've heard it five times, but it's new news to so many people, and foreign news to a world who's mentality in marriage is that "I have my own life to live". Not surprising though if a person has yet to make Jesus Christ Lord of their life and source of their joy.

Speaking of reunion, Shannon was at the wedding. I had hoped to see several high school friends there, but Shannon was the only dedicated Crusader. Shannon was one of the best people to have in a classroom with Mr. Fay. Fay quotes don't get any better than when they involve Shannon. Originally there were four volumes of quotes, but I can only remember this one right now. "Shannon! Please sit up straight. That way when you dose off again I'll hear your head hit the desk."


Mrs. Weeks (above) was also in attendance! She was only a substitute and study hall teacher for my grades, but I'm sure she did a great job in Jr. High Bible class.







The table settings were FASCINATING. I'm positive Ritch is going to find a way to use them in an upcoming sermon.

Congratulations Chris and Jerelyn!!

A quick note on this month's Men's breakfast. Roger Bennignton gave us his testimony and shared what opportunities God has used him in, and used his family in over the years through Cars.
I feel pretty down at times when I see how people who put alot of passionate energy into something constructive (even if it seems vain at times) and have been able to use it in so many glorifying ways. What have I put my time into with results other than TV, movies, games and laughing?








Ben and his ridiculous corduroy hat! Take it off now! :-)














Congratulations Chris and Jerelyn!!!
It's your big day buddy.
Any last words? ".......no".

Chris' three brothers were groomsman. A modest bunch of studly farm boys.





Something feels strangely familiar about this.













This wedding was filled with children. The ring bearer, Junior bridesmaid, a baby and her driver, and two flower tots.







Jerelyn's newest niece hitched a ride up the aisle in this sweet wagon



A bunch of crazies thought Josh looked like their friend Fred (link to picture) at Jed's wedding. Um no! That's right, you heard me! Honestly. How about this one though? They even have the same name this time.





Same sense of humor too.


Well...almost the same.






The Jedster and I. I'm very lucky to have someone I'm close to at each of these weddings.








Josh was in the wedding for his pretty singing voice. The rehearsal dinner was the first time he and his duet partner had practiced the song, so they got some more in about an hour before the wedding. The picture had to be taken during practice because it definitely wasn't going to be used by me during the wedding.

Check out the moderately good looking, sorta cute, kinda so so bridesmaids that Jerelyn decked out the wedding with. A couple of them got a little nutz, letting the wedding day makeup and hairdos get it in their heads that they were "Hot Bridesmaids". Even going so far as to write it on the rear windows of their cars. So vain. What's worse is that the loser(s) who did it forgot to take pictures....whoops.

Elise is a super photographer, but didn't bring her camera to this event. Perfect, because I needed someone not on stage to get some sweet shots for me. Steve and Elise gave me bonuses too. The camera was returned filled with Treyness! Yea!!! Thank you guys.








Score!! These wonderful ladies were very gracious in allowing me to brag since they are actually very happily married. Christi, on the right, and her husband will actually be hoodies a block away from me in a few months!





Ladies aaaaaaaand gentlement....


A lovely excuse to use the "Food" tag.





Ewwwwwwwwwwww




Within moments of being shown this sweet candy corn trick by Christin, I had to have Peter try it out. Very cool.





Car decorating #2 was not as well prepared as the last one because Jess was not around. However, with leftovers and the most random stuff you can think of from Kari's desk, we made it happen.






"You hear that? She called me a noble steed. She think I'm a STEED!".









(Bridesmaids cars highlighted in visible colors)