Blessings

As I was working on my last post a song by Laura Story was playing, a song entitled Blessings. I am not one that would typically type out lyrics for a song; however, I felt these lyrics were so moving, so true to life, and very touching. Maybe it was the topic of the last post, maybe it is because I leaning completely on God’s guidance to navigate me through life, whatever the reason I felt it necessary to share this song with you.

We pray for blessings. We pray for peace. Comfort for family, protection while we sleep. We pray for healing, for prosperity. We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering. All the while, You hear each spoken need, yet love is way too much to give us lesser things. ‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops. What if Your healing comes through tears. What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near. What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise. We pray for wisdom Your voice to hear We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near. We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love. As if every promise from Your Word is not enough All the while, You hear each desperate plea And long that we’d have faith to believe When friends betray us When darkness seems to win We know that pain reminds this hear that this is not our home. What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life The rain, the storms, the hardest nights are your mercies in disguise.

Laura Story

The three of us

I question daily if I left my heart in Oklahoma when I moved. I have a sense of peace, comfort, happiness, and love that seems to be unmatched as I fumble through my new life here in a new place. It could be that I have spent most of my adult life in the heartland, it could be that I have so many great memories (I choose to turn the not so great memories into learning experiences so as a result everything in life is a great memory), it could be that my best friends reside in the state of waving wheat, it could be that my family also known as my oxygen calls Oklahoma home, or it could be that a little man so important in to my life, it takes my breath away thinking he is no longer with us in flesh, is laid to rest in the beauty of the plains. Bryce passes away a little over 10 years ago and I can not only speak on behalf of my life but on behalf of our entire family, on March 30, 2002 our lives changed forever. Bryce was so young when our Lord took him home, yet I learned more from his gentle soul, saw more love is his eyes, and experience more happiness flowing out of that little man than I see in most adults. I feel it is such a mild phrase to say he blessed my life beyond compare, but I don’t know how to put into words my love, gratitude, and happiness to have had him in my life, even for such a short time. For years I was not strong enough to go visit Bryce, I suppose I had a lot of unresolved emotions that have been broken into and are being address during this most recent and continuing journey I have been on. So with new found strength and the uncovering of the woman I have always been, simply hiding behind the pain and coping skills I chose in life, I went to visit Bryce.

After a day of rain and clouds Maggie and I arrived at the grave site to a beautiful sunset, I felt Bryce was there with Maggie and I. It was just the three of us, laughing, smiling, taking in the beauty that only appears as colors exit the Oklahoma sunset skies. We enjoying our time with Bryce and taking the time to shoot a few pictures of the gorgeous sunset over the wheat field.

Bryce loved harvest and as the wheat is nearing the harvest point I knew he was there with us in spirit. Little man, I guess not a little man anymore, you would be nearly 17 years old…..I miss you more with each passing day, but I know you would not want any of us to sit here paralyzed in sadness and pain, you would want us to live our lives to the fullest just as you did in your 6 years with us here on earth. I love you buddy!!!

Got hitched

I am a few days late in updating my bog. What is that you said…..I am a few months late in updating my blog…..well you might be right but we don’t judge around these here parts. My cousin Alexander got hitched to one of the most precious, loving, giving, and amazing women I know. For any of you that are unaware, Alexander and Mary met while in Switzerland. Alexander was studying abroad through a program at Pepperdine and Mary was working with the studying abroad program, and on May 5 after dating for nearly 2.5 years family and friends gathered at the ranch for the wedding of this perfect couple. After much anticipation, through the pasture we saw a glimpse of the bride…..and groom riding to the ceremony on horseback, very fitting for this ranch wedding.

As Alexander led his horse to the hitching post...

and proceeded to the alter where he meet his groomsmen....

Mary galloped to the back of the aisle.

Where she met her father and Alexander's father

In preperation to walk down the aisle.

To meet her best friend, her love, her future husband.

As the pastor provided laughter, tears, and melting hearts with stories of Alexander and Mary’s fairy-tale, the bride and groom loving looked into each other eyes.

I Alexander, take you, Mary, to be my lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. With this ring I thee wed.

I Mary, take you, Alexander, to be my lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. With this ring I thee wed.

I now pronounce you man and wife!

You may kiss your bride.

Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Drummond!!

I have attended many weddings, many beautiful weddings and I am not sure if it is my age, my desire to get married, or the fact Alexander is family, but I really think this might have been the most stunning wedding I have been blessed to attend. Alexander and Mary, thank you so much for inviting me to part of your special day, I truly felt blessed and honored. I wish you unending love, laughter, blessings, and success in your new titles of bride and groom, husband and wife, and all the other titles you will gain through your years. Love you!!