A "Heaping" Disclaimer

The word "heaping" brings to mind many images, not all of them positive. Yet it's the word that keeps coming to mind when I think about how abundantly the Lord has been providing for me and Brant. I mentioned one of our faves in my first post: We are very unified in our beliefs about money. We don't take this for granted! Reports tell us that the #1 cause for divorces in this country is conflict over finances. We know we are undeservedly blessed with seeing eye-to-eye about "money stuff" so far.

I think part of what makes it so fun to be doing what we're doing at this time in our lives is we've had the pleasure and honor of walking along side many friends and family as they've planned weddings, been newly married, and settled into marriages. We've heard many a friend talk about their weddings, first homes, etc, and they more often than not start those stories with, "If I'd known then what I know now...." We have taken these thoughts to heart as we've shopped for a home for Brant (which we knew would become our married home; will post this story soon) and now as we plan for the wedding and all the events surrounding it.

We know that our attempt to reflect our personal values as a couple onto this process is about our personal values. The Lord has gifted everyone with a different set of experiences, perspectives, calls and convictions, and we hope that -- by blogging about our journey to be true to ours -- we can perhaps inspire others to be true to theirs, whatever those values are, applied to whatever circumstances lie ahead.

And if this blog happens to make it into the hands (eyes?) of someone who will soon or someday plan a wedding, I hope s/he can use some of the ideas about how to keep wedding expenses low. Because when I think about the ways in which wedding costs can pile up (and already have!)...well...the word "heaping" comes to mind for that, too...