Sandra Heska King

daring to open doors

  • Home
  • About
  • DISCLOSURES
    • Amazon Affiliate
    • Book Reviews
  • Published
  • Contact
  • Blog
    • Commit Poetry
    • Dared

Fuel for the Weekend: Wedding Plans

June 17, 2011 By Sandra Heska King

We pick our way over the rocks and down the dune to the beach.

Is this the right spot?

We’re at the first bend on the way to Ludington State Park.

Those are the only directions we have to the site of my son’s 4th of July wedding.

How will the bride and the other girls pick their way down here in their long dresses?

 

 

We walk down the beach looking for another easier “aisle.”

We should have worn sweatshirts.

I hope it’s warmer in two weeks.

And sunny.

But not too warm.

A couple young studs raise their beer bottles and wish us happy Friday.

I try to imagine the afternoon activity during the ceremony time.

I wonder if the onlookers will applaud.

 

 

 

The plan is to choose a spot on the beach, set up an arch, a sand ceremony pedestal, and a handful of chairs. If there’s any music, it will come from a boom box. We’ve been told no loud music, no speakers, no mess. Like not even any flower petals? The grandgirl is going to scatter a few real ones anyway. We’ll pick them back up if need be.

We won’t know the whole plan until the rehearsal. An ordained minister who runs a local bed and breakfast will perform the wedding. There are no rain plans, so I ordered several 60-inch white umbrellas.

We scramble back up the dune further down the beach. This spot is a little easier to navigate. But my mind whirls with thoughts of how we will get the bride and attendants down safely in their long dresses and flip flops. And the guests. The boys in their tuxedos and bare feet will have to help.

Maybe there’s a better spot.

Some of us will be here a couple days early to find it.

 

 

 

We walk back down the road to where we parked our car, grateful for the small lane that protects us from the cars speeding around the bend. The grandgirl-flowergirl shrieks as we step over a snake carcass. It appears more like shed skin that crackles when we scuff at it. Why would a snake undress there?

 

 

My brain buzzes. About how many cars will line the road, the two one-year-old babies we need to carry down, the camera equipment, the wedding party, the grandma and great-aunt. And where was the spot they thought the guys could fireman-carry my mom down? (It turns out my parents won’t be able to attend, after all.)

And where will we hold the rehearsal meal? Deli sandwiches on white sheets on the beach? Grilled burgers in the park? Reserve space in a restaurant? A large table or room? Fancy? Pizza?

Weddings can be stressful.

Destination weddings can be stressful.

And the 4th of July is the busiest day of the year here.

And we are starting to stress.

Which is why my husband and I made a last-minute decision to scope out the territory this weekend, eat at the reception restaurant, stay in the hotel, see where the cake and flowers are coming from, get a handle on logistics.

The bride has made all the arrangements, but we are shouldering most of the finances for several reasons.

We’re approaching budget limits.

We’d like as few surprises as possible.

At least stressful ones.

And we want the memories to be good ones.

We drive back to town where the people at the hotel desk told us we’d find “hundreds” of picnic tables and charcoal grills in Sterns Park. It’s hard to envision what it will be like on the 4th. Right now there are kids and baskets and tents everywhere. It’s a Gus Macker weekend.

 

I’m overwhelmed.

Tomorrow we’ll wander the streets of town. Get a feel for the land. Pay the rest of the cake fee. Come up with some decision for the rehearsal meal. Choose a personalized menu for the reception.

And then when we’ve done all we can do to prepare, we’ll stand.

And watch God pull it all together.

Because if He can organize the destination wedding and banquet He’s preparing, He can handle a small party of 25.

 

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)

Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” ~Revelation 19:6-9 (NIV)

Sharing with L.L because even though it’s Friday, it’s still around Monday. Right?

On In Around button

And with Laura Boggess.

 

Share this:

  • Email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

Filed Under: stories and reflections

Comments

  1. HisFireFly says

    June 18, 2011 at 10:54 am

    Surely the best place to leave allthe plans is in His hands.. He already has plans of His own — better than any that can be dreamed up by man.

  2. diana says

    June 19, 2011 at 1:36 am

    Oh my, Sandy. I SO get this nervous checking out of details. And certainly, as Firefly has noted, relying on God’s grace is necessary here as well as in every other area of our lives. But, oh my – I GET THIS, I do indeed get this.

    We also bore much of the financial responsibility for our son’s wedding – which was larger and in a church – but still… And they chose a photographer who was new and really did not know what he was doing and…and…and…

    So…I did my best to give it over, to just release it to God and to the two of them…and it was fine. So the pictures aren’t the greatest. it was all right. It IS all right, now 14 years (including 4 years of med school and 3 years of residency for them both) and two precious grandgirls later. And yours will be, too. I await pictures of a beautiful day. :>) And a calm, cool, joyful mother of the groom, too. Blessing upon blessing as you move through these next two weeks!

  3. journeytoepiphany says

    June 19, 2011 at 8:58 am

    Can’t wait to see how His plans fall together! Be at peace friend.

  4. laura says

    June 20, 2011 at 2:03 pm

    I’m like Diana–just reading this makes me nervous! But the site it beautiful, and i’m sure it will be lovely! Imagine–a beach wedding. That’s pretty cool.

  5. Beth says

    June 20, 2011 at 3:44 pm

    Love weddings on the beach. I have been to a few you are right they can be a bit to figure out. It is amazing how they turn out and how lovely it is. Though I cannot imgainge one on the 4th of July.
    Im sure God has it all designed perfectly as you finsih up the final details that you can do.
    Peace be with you that peace that surpasses all understanding that only He can give.
    Blessings

  6. Amy says

    June 20, 2011 at 5:33 pm

    Sounds like it will be a wonderful adventure and memorable experience. When I read your line, “if He can organize the destination wedding and banquet He’s preparing, He can handle a small party of 25.” I thought, and He can handle a marriage. It’s a good way to begin knowing how much we need His help. Blessings for a beautiful time for all of you.

  7. Hazel Moon says

    June 21, 2011 at 1:11 am

    Rain or sun, sand or not, this will be a lovely wedding. You are so wise to scope it out ahead of time.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Meet Sandra

I’m Sandra, a camera-toting, recovering doer who’s learning to be. still. Read more…

Get updates from the stillness by email

Your personal information is safe and will never be shared.

Archives

Categories

Instagram Inspiration

sandraheskaking

“Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous to “Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous to be understood. . . Let me keep company always with those who say “Look!” and laugh in astonishment and bow their heads.” ~ Mary Oliver in “Mysteries, Yes”
🌱
No way could anyone ever convince me that this world in all its beauty and creativity and mysteries is here by accident.
Food truck night with a newcomer—@crepstick. So Food truck night with a newcomer—@crepstick. So yummy! I hope they come back.  But maybe not too often or I’ll have to do double time on the exercise.
“Embrace this day knowing and showing the world “Embrace this day knowing and showing the world that your God is more than enough for you.”
🌿
@tamiheim @tonibirdsong 
In @stickyJesus: How to Live Out Your Faith Online
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the str My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion.” Psalm 73:26 (ESV)
🌿
I’d almost forgotten what quiet mornings on the patio were like. (Quiet except for the birds and the sound of the neighbor’s AC.)
So yesterday I saw my cardiologist. It was the fir So yesterday I saw my cardiologist. It was the first time he wanted to see me in 6 months instead of a year. He said my aortic stenosis had gotten worse. Like on the cusp of moderate to severe. 😬

So the first thing he asks me is, "How's you daughter?" Wait. Isn't this supposed to be about ME?

Then he asks if I've had any symptoms. "Well, I don't know. Maybe. I felt a little dizzy out of the blue a couple times. And felt like I couldn't catch my breath. I wouldn't have paid any attention if I didn't know I was supposed to be watching for symptoms. I DID walk all over Israel and up a bunch of steep hills, even all the way up to the Golan Heights--against the wind--without anything but normal fatigue.

He laughs. "I created a monster." Ummm, yeah.

"Have you been exercising?" 

"Well, yeah. We walk a couple miles a day. I'm back on my Nordictrack Strider." I didn't tell him I'd been lifting some light weights and some very heavy boxes and other items during this renovation, though I was told in December not to.

So he listens to the beating of my heart. Then he says, "Well, I don't think the valve is ripe yet. I don't expect you to have symptoms for three or four years. You don't need to come back for a year."

Wait! So you ask if I have symptoms. But you don't expect symptoms--yet. And when I do have symptoms, someone is gonna do something. And then I'll be older and maybe weaker. Or what if I have some sudden and silent symptom and boom! And now I have to worry about that. 

(In other news, my oldest grand texts me the other day, and our conversation runs like this...
Last weekend we were in northern Michigan. And the Last weekend we were in northern Michigan. And there were lilacs. They even shook their heads over tornado-induced devastation. Look for the beauty and sweet scents in the midst of the mess. I miss the lilacs.
Yesterday’s morning view. We haven’t seen the Yesterday’s morning view. We haven’t seen the sun all day today.
When the folks in my hometown of Gaylord, Michigan When the folks in my hometown of Gaylord, Michigan ate their breakfast Friday morning, they had no idea what terror and devastation they'd face before dinner. Everyone has a story. You've probably seen pictures.

If not, take a peek at @mlivenews .

My great-nephew, not quite 12, had just gotten home from school when the EF-3 came down the street and left its mark on every home. My niece frantically tried to find her way from work through debris and blocked roads. My sister was 30 miles away visiting my dad in rehab. I don't want to know how fast my brother-in-law drove. 

The house and yard took a hit, worse than some, not as bad as others. A mobile home park was demolished--two deaths there. I heard one person is still missing. So many injured. So much awful. But the town is coming together for each other. Pray for them.

We plan to fly up Thursday--already planned to celebrate my dad's 95th birthday. 

Also, if anyone feels led to help, the Otsego Community Foundation and Otsego County United Way are accepting donations. Note “Tornado Relief.” Beware of any other fundraising requests.
Cutting tonight’s walk short. Stupid blue jay. N Cutting tonight’s walk short. Stupid blue jay. Not this one. A different one. But still. (My niece believes blue jays are a visitation from Grandma—my mom.) 
My shirt says “Walk in love. But I’m not feeling very loving. And if it WAS my Mom AKA Mother Mary Esther of the Order of Perpetual Birdwatchers, I’ll bet she’s having a good laugh. A passerby said she heard it was good luck and I should buy a lottery ticket tonight. In other news, I also banged my hip bone against our bed’s footboard and gave myself a mighty bruise. Then I burned my arm on the top of the grill. I did manage to wash all the knives without cutting myself and didn’t start any fires. So how was your day?
And now… “From the rising of the sun to the pl And now… “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.”
The world’s a mess, but His mercies are new. The world’s a mess, but His mercies are new.
When we were in Israel last month, we visited @yad When we were in Israel last month, we visited @yadvashem - the World Holocaust Center in Jerusalem. There wasn't enough time to spend nearly enough time. 

The Valley of the Communities was very moving. It's a labyrinth of stone from which there seems no way out. Our guide said It gives an idea of the endlessness of the horror. His parents emigrated from Vilna (the Jerusalem of Lithuania), before the Holocaust. In 1935, thirteen of his family members still remained there. By 1945 only one--an uncle--had survived. He wrote a book about them from a bundle of old letters. "One story out of millions."

"This memorial commemorates the Jewish communities destroyed by Nazi Germany and its collaborators, and the few which suffered but survived in the shadow of the Holocaust."
#Israel2022 #HolocaustRemembranceDay
“From my favorite spot on the floor, I look up a “From my favorite spot on the floor, I look up at the blue sky and the bare chestnut tree on whose branches little raindrops shine, appearing like silver, ” Anne Frank wrote in the Diary of a Young Girl. Watching the tree change through the seasons her family spent in hiding in an attic gave her hope. The Holocaust Memorial Center is one of only eleven sites in the United States to receive a sapling from that tree. I stand at “her” window and imagine hanging hope on a tree.

"It happened, therefore it can happen again: this is the core of what we have to say. It can happen, and it can happen everywhere.” ~ Primo Levi

From a post I wrote for @tspoetry after a visit to the @holocaustcenter.

https://www.tweetspeakpoetry.com/2016/07/27/regional-tour-holocaust-memorial-center-farmington-hills-michigan/
Stunning tree I parked near at Bible study yesterd Stunning tree I parked near at Bible study yesterday. I was in a rush and failed to snap the whole tree. I need to run back before the flowers fall. I think it’s a jacaranda? I want one.
Speaking of birds... bluejay in my backyard this a Speaking of birds... bluejay in my backyard this afternoon. I thought he was hurt, but I think he was just trying to cool off. (Maybe it's a young one.... unless it's the light?)
Someone should do something about that dog. She’ Someone should do something about that dog. She’s yelping and carrying on like she’s in some awful pain.
“Now in the place where he was crucified there w “Now in the place where he was crucified there was a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.” ~ John 19:41

“But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay…’”~ Matthew 28:5-6

Many wonder if this tomb, which lies just a few yards west of Golgotha could be the place where Jesus lay and rose. I wish we could have lingered longer here in this garden and in the tomb itself. It was easier for me to imagine the events of that weekend happening here than in the heavily incensed, decorated, dark and crowded Church of the Holy Sepulchre… though my hairdresser said her old boyfriend “got chills”’when he entered that tomb. We did not go inside that one because the line was way too long. 

At any rate, the most important thing is that he tomb is EMPTY and HE IS RISEN!

HAPPY EASTER!
#Israel2022 #GardenTomb #Easter
 “Peter said to him, ‘Lord, I am ready to g 
“Peter said to him, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death’ Jesus said, ‘I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day until you deny three times that you know me.’” ~ Luke 22:33-34

The Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu (rooster crowing) built over what tradition says was the house of Caiaphas where Jesus was brought after he was arrested. Perhaps he was imprisoned in one of the underground crypts while awaiting trial. 

“On top of the church, higher than the cross—I loved this—stands a golden rooster! I’ll never look at a weathervane the same again. How would you like to have a church commemorate your weakest moment?” ~ Wayne Stiles in Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus

#Israel2022 #GoodFriday
The olive trees here are ancient… some carbon da The olive trees here are ancient… some carbon dates to the 12th century, according to my Eyewitness book on Jerusalem. “DNA tests have shown that eight of the trees grew from cuttings from the same mother tree—perhaps taken by Christians who believed the tree to have witnessed Jesus’s agony.” 

Gethsemane means “olive press.” Jesus was pressed to his very depths that night.  He knew what was ahead. He could have run far away. But he went where he knew Judas would look for him. 

“And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.’ And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” ~ Luke 22:41-44

Garden of Gethsemane and Church of the Nations

#Israel2022
A "blue preacher" right outside my door, nearly as A "blue preacher" right outside my door, nearly as tall as I am. I wonder what he's wondering. Is he finding the answer blowing in the wind?

"Watch, now, how I start the day
in happiness, in kindness." ~ Mary Oliver in "Why I Wake Early"
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Get the Mug

Embrace the life you have t s poetry mug

Privacy Policy

Full privacy policy is available HERE.

I Read Light

TSP-Red button

bibledude-net



Sponsor a Child

Join the Compassion Blogger Network

[footer_backtotop]

Copyright © 2022 Sandra Heska King · Site by The Willingham Enterprise, LLC on the Genesis Framework by StudioPress · Log in