With This Ring....The Power of Two

 

A Happy Saturday to YOU, fair reader!  What is happening in YOUR neighborhood today?  We got another soft, soaking shower again today in Montgomery County; and the plants are smiling!  

Yesterday was my 16th wedding anniversary!   Just a glance over at Wikipedia to quench my undying curiosity to see if perhaps there was an algorythmic or cataclysmic or revelatory siginificance to the number 16.  Wiki revealed two things that stuck out to me:  #1 16 is the Coming of Age, for quite obvious reasons in our culture.  Sweet Sixteen and all the pop culture songs celebrating that magical coming of age.    Digging a little deeper....

"Sixteen is the fourth (#2) power of two. For this reason, 16 was used in weighing light objects in several cultures. The British used to have 16 ounces in one pound; the Chinese used to have 16liangs in one jin. In old days, weighing was done with a beam balance to make equal splits. It would be easier to split a heap of grains into sixteen equal parts through successive divisions than to split into ten parts. Chinese Taoists did finger computation on the trigrams and hexagrams by counting the finger tips and joints of the fingers with the tip of the thumb. Each hand can count up to 16 in such manner. The Chinese abacus uses two upper beads to represent the 5's and 5 lower beads to represent the 1's, the 7 beads can represent from a hexadecimal digit from 0 to 15 in each column."

The power of two!   Yep, this has significance to me.  The Bible says that if one can put 1,000 to flight, then two can put 10,000!   Also, Ecclesiastes, that sage book written by Solomon states, "A strand of 3 cords is not easily broken".


For me and my husband, our marriage was witnessed by many, but most of, by God Himself.  I like that

in this photo, loud and clear, and with bold, red italic font, we see here our Solemn Witness, the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself.   As Christians, we make a covenant with God to love unconditionally, and to the end:  One Man, one Woman, and One God.   The very first institution God established was the institution of marriage, in the Garden.  When He instituted that, He also gave Man + Woman dominion over all of His Creation; to rule and to reign.   We see this shattered today in our society as marriage is continually assaulted by those who want to erode our society from the inside out, but nevertheless the testimony of God stands sure; for Scripture says, "The LORD knows them who belong to Him..."   He gives us the power to both will and do His good pleasure.  


I guess I am kind of whimsically enthralled with these photos today, being delighted that though they are film pictures, that I could successfully scan them on my Epson Workforce printer and upload them, thus preserving them digitally!  That's pretty exciting to me, since I am a digital girl...heehee....  A big plus, of course, is getting to photoshop these images and have fun with them, and to glory in the fact that the "younger me" was really quite beautiful, if I do say so myself.  ;)   And to vow, however I can, to try to revive that beauty again.....somehow.   


Joe Taylor and I met 4 years before our marriage.   He was fresh froma travelling workman lifestyle, a lifestyle of bravery, hard work, a rock and roll lifestyle, hard living and hard knocks.   Married at an early age but not willing to really settle down (18 is YOUNG, y'all!) he lost his first wife to divorce and estranged from his little girl.   He has hung iron on scyscrapers, hung over ships welding, hung over mountains, bridges, and trains to leap off, and then hung his heart on me!     I felt honored when he wrote me my first song, gave me his first kiss, and "went steady" on Valentine's Day, 1995.


I was the Rambling Girl; travelling 6 states by the age of 6, and then 32 nations by the time I was 30!   Learning how to read and write the Thai Language, braving the Amazon Jungle and River, climbing mountains in Golden Triangle, smuggling Bibles into China,  and living on a ship carrying relief supplies to war torn areas.  I had been lost at sea, lost in sin (before that), lost in Los Angeles, and lost in love.    But when I met Joe, I saw a man who was ready to settle down, and a man who would be true.   We married in July of 1995.

Here are my lovely bridesmaids.   My sister Erin was my Matron of Honor, and she was pregnant with my nephew at the time.   My best friend Sharon, my daughter in law, my  wonderful friend and Pastor's Wife and her daughter and another close friend to "got us together" so to speak attended me.   My best friend's daughter, and another close friend's daughter were flower girls.   I had a processional of dancing girls who led the celebration with a worship song, and a worship service preceded our event.   It was also a reunion;  I saw some smiling faces out in the audience who I did not know, and later found out that our Worship Leader was 2nd cousins with Joe's brother!  Small Small world!

How embarrassing....we sort of did a "budget" wedding.....since we both didn't have any money; he had just started  his construction business that year (poor thing-what a stressful year for him!), and I of course had been a missionary for 13 years before that....so I think our whole wedding was done on less than $500!  Now, that's a deal!   Our reception was done in the children's Sunday School building and they were remodeling....lol!   Haha.  Oh well!   Maybe I can photoshop the sheetrock mud and tape and float off the picture!

My Daddy walked me down the aisle, and poor thing, he was SO sick that we thought he would not even be able to make it to the wedding.   He didn't even let my little brother buy a ticket he was so sure that he would not live to survive the trip.   So in the end Todd did not come as it would have been exhorbitantly expensive for him to fly last minute.  That was a sad occasion for me.  I loved my DAD so much and was so happy that he was able to !

Here is Joe with his late brother, Jay.  I loved Jay SO much and miss him terribly.   Here they are cutting up.......as usual.  

I really like this picture; not sure when it was snapped, but I think it might have been during the vows?

Notice I am smiling and laughing.    I distinctly remember a little giggle during the "I promise to submit to you part".   Lol.....

Here's the exit photo.    

Did look ecstatic or what?!     Our wedding party:

So you see, a Wedding really is A Family Affair.  Two lives, completely separate, now joined by an Unseen God who chooses to show Himself strong to those who will take Him at His Word.   Bound together, in covenant, backed by the power of Heaven; the First Divine Institution, unshakeable, unmoveable, destined to bring glory to the One who gave Himself to establish Covenant, Redemption, Family, and Dominion.   

I really choose to believe what Wikipedia said about the number 16.   Coming of Age, and the Power of Two.  I believe that this coming year, our marriage, like a fine vintage wine will come of age, and be enjoyed, not only by ourselves and our daughter, but by those around us; bringing stability in these troubles times.   And I choose to believe; to grasp, apprehend, and take hold of the dominion covenant for our lives, marriage, business, ministry and families:  The Power of Two, a strand joined by a Third, though Unseen Party; a cord which cannot be unraveled by stress, worry, fear, issues past present and future.  He who is Faithful has chosen us, and He will do it!

I hope I have encouraged you, fair reader by my story!  Thanks for allowing me to share today!

P.S.   There is alot more to the idea of marriage than just wedded bliss.  For a complete commentary and a really thought provoking in depth read on marriage, here is a great book!

Comment, please!  What is your favorite wedding memory?  What have  you learned on your journey as a married couple?

So I'm on "Vacation" but I cannot rest?

G'day Maties!   I hope you all had the best Christmas ever!

After running, and running, and running some more in the time which elapsed before Christmas,

 my little family of three woke up on Christmas morning, and sauntered downstairs.

It wasn't snowing, or raining but the sun wasn't shining either.

It was cold outside, and the sky was grey.

That might sound a bit dismal to you, but cold and gray weather puts me in a

kind of really cool mood; it kind of winds me down and mellows me out, 

to borrow an expression from the 60s...hee hee!

The first thing after coffee we had to do was to wrap presents.

DON'T SAY A SINGLE WORD!

The Taylors, well.......you really do need to feel sorry for them.

Holidays we kinda flunk every year.

So anyways, we wrapped presents on Christmas morning.

Before we could open them, though, we did fulfill one Taylor Family Tradition:

we listened to the Perry Como Christmas Album

that I listened to when I was a little girl.   

He tells the full story of Christmas according to the Gospel of Luke

Chapter 2, and inserts Christmas Carols in between the verses.  

It is  my absolute favorite childhood memory!

We listened, me with tissues, and closed eyes, 

savoring the precious story of our Savior, Jesus' Birth and humble beginnings. 

 We sat for a moment and savored this memory and tradition as a family.

Then...we opened presents!

and the Big Present This year was for my darling daughter, Casey.   She got this:

yes, an electric guitar and amp!  She was so excited!

I got some black high heels from my darling husband, Joe. and some sorely needed

mineral eye shadow and purple smoky eye pencil  from my daughter.   

It is kind of hard to describe, but the peaceful feeling that morning was so visceral.

We just basked in each other's company, relishing the fact that there was nothing we had to do, 

nowhere we had to go, and nobody we had to see.  Just us three.

This year has been a whirlwind.  Time has flown like never before.  I still

cannot grasp how it has passed so quickly.  

This month we sold a litter of 5 beautiful Mini schnauzers.  Just in time for Christmas!

I was SO grateful both the time that they were born, and also for the 

amount of people looking for them on Kijiji.com.    On Monday of Christmas week,

we still had 4 to sell and I was slightly panicked that our ad was going to be overlooked, but the phone began to absolutely ring off the hook and by Christmas Eve, all but one little pookie was left!

She cried all night, so we got up and put her in our bed.

If you have never snuggled with a little puppy, let me tell you, the only thing better is 

your very own tiny baby!  So soft and sweet!

Here is a picture of my friend, Lindsay Summerlin Munson.   I am so glad one of our

babies is going to a friend who lives close by!   

The other wonderful thing that I have to report is that I got a friend to come and

help me the last two weeks before Christmas.   Chanda if you read this, you actually saved my life and my sanity over the last month!  Thank you for going above and beyond in your love and service to my business and to me! I love you!

We actually got to "babysit" two of our grand daughters as I call them:  Snowy and Bella 

This is my favorite picture of them running in their backyard.  I actually hand delivered Snowy last March, and then had to bottle feed her to keep her alive.   That was an experience that I will never forget!

But now she is thriving!  God never ceases to amaze me at His wonderful creation!

Sometimes life seems so fragile, and at other times, so indestructible too.  Snowy was one of those "fighters" who just refused to die no matter what the odds.

Anyways, alot has happened in this month!   We are still selling at the local market on Saturdays, come rain or shine!   A couple of weeks ago we got to be part of a big celebration that the The City of Conroe did for Christmas.   Here are some pictures of my booth there:

I think it is starting to look like a real business with real branded product and overall I am pleased although there is always ALOT of room for improvement!

So now, this week I am "resting".....but it is hard!

On one hand, my body is tired, and needs rest.

But on the other, I am so energized by what has been 

happening and the excitement of taking off finally.

So what am I doing?    Here is a microcosm of my brain:

well, not that well ordered and neat of course.....

way more artistic things are happening in my brain as well....

So I am filled with a passion and zest to run run and run some more!

But not until I take a wee bit of time and look out over the 

horizon, and reflect, and think, and mull over, recant and plan.

My friend, Anne-Marie, has been a big part of this part of my journey.

Every year, this time, she writes posts and she knows what she is talking about. 

As the CEO of her own Company and a successful millionaire in her own right at the ripe

old age of 32, she writes about planning, goals, and business development.

Why don't you take a hop on over to her blog?   You may find something vital to your success

this year; whether it is ministry, a band, a new business, or a new family or even relationship!

There is great power in taking stock and evaluating our successes and failures!  

Day 1 of her Mini Series called "Designing Your Best Year Ever" can be found here.

Day 2 can be found here.

I highly recommend this reading!

My friend, this was kind of a jumbled post, but I felt compelled to write.   

May this time be a time of rest, recuperation, and reflection for YOU, my friend!  Let's take off our glasses, wipe them clean, close our eyes, and dream again!  Let's write down the vision that we may "run".   And after running for awhile, let's take out our compass to see where we may have gotten a bit off course, and then re-direct ourselves back afresh!     

I love you, my friend!   And for me.....it's beddy bye time!  Hee hee!

Oh, one last picture and a bit of a puzzle for you:

This picture was taken 12/26/10.  

Do YOU see anything amiss in this picture?

Comment, if you DARE!

#Follow Friday #TGIF

I just cannot be serious today. I have, dutifully and joyfully, spent time working on my #smallbiz via @twitter, @facebook, @indiebusiness and now my blog. I don't have much to report, just Joy Joy Joy.

I am filled with a sense of happiness as I work to pursue this small biz that I have. Doing all with my whole heart, to the glory of God and for the increase of His Kingdom.

The weather here in Texas is beautiful. The puppies are frisky; I witnessed them joyfully and gleefully digging holes in my real estate; looking for the ever present moles. Such synergy, such zest, such enthusiasm.

I therefore flung open the doors of my home to let in the coool air being brought down by the jetstream. Humidity thus being lowered, my bath bomb cupcakes dried out sufficiently to be wrapped and all ready to go to a new retail location Secret Kingdom in Magnolia. I am thrilled and overjoyed to be alive.

My outside dogs are cold, however. While listening to a live blog session this morning, I heard some uncharacteristicly (sp?) large, I mean LARGE sized, up sized slurps coming from the kitchen. I finally got up and saw Champ, my 108 pound Golden Labrador slurping water out of my 3 indoor Mini-Schnauzer's bowls. So funny. The Grass is always greener, no?

Meanwhile, my beautiful darling daughter simply could not homeschool today and I do not blame her. It's simply too beautiful outside.

Joe came home early and mowed the lawns - all 8. The Garden of Eden has been restored.

Meanwhile, it just feels like "Go outside and Play weather." Some of you have snow, some of you have rain, but here in Texas, the sun is shining and all at least looks well.

Today, my friend, be Joyful. There is alot to be thankful for, alot to look forward to, and alot to prepare for. I wish you peace, joy and new life in this season.

Enjoy!