Going to the Chapel

Who knew choosing a wedding date could be so complicated? I obviously was clueless. After getting engaged on August 16, I knew we needed to go ahead and choose a date. Being the cold-natured girl I am I insisted on choosing a warm month to get married. July seemed too far away, May has too many holidays (ie. Mother's day and Memorial Day), so that left June. I never wanted to be a June bride, but it seemed like the only option. Then, as any true Attalla bride would do, I checked with Benny Campbell of Attalla Florist to see if he was available. Benny is a fabulous florist and the only florist I would want for my wedding day. Benny was available on Saturday, June 12 so that had to be the date!! Whoo hoo! A date and florist!!!

The next order of business was to find a location to get married. I have lived in Birmingham for the past 10 years, so naturally I wanted to get married there. I have attended a fabulous church (Church of the Highlands) for the past 4 years. Unfortunately, my church does not have a chapel for weddings. What's a girl to do?! I began checking popular wedding venues all over the area and everything was already booked for June 12th. Crazy! I thought getting engaged in August and planning a June wedding was ample time to prepare!! I was obviously wrong! So once again, as any Attalla bride would do, I decided to bring the wedding back to the home roots! I have chosen to get married in the church that I was a member of while in high school. It is a very special place for me because my sister and I were baptized there together. I am certain I will feel her presence there during the wedding. So First Baptist Church of Attalla will be the fabulous setting for my fairytale wedding!! Whoo hoo!

The next drama was finding a place for the reception. Attalla isn't the largest town, so I knew this would be a tough one. But, as I always say, God provides! The Gadsden Country Club was available for my date so we quickly filled out the form and got my name on the calendar. You just can't hesitate when planning these events!! So thank goodness everything is finally settled! What a relief!

Here are the final details for the wedding:

June 12, 2010

6:00pm

First Baptist Church of Attalla

Reception following at the Gadsden Country Club

For I know the plans I have for you......

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Our God is an awesome God and He is so true to His word. Throughout my life I have continued to be amazed with God's plan for me and His timing . I truly believe that if you give your life to our precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, God will always comfort and provide even when you don't realize it. As I grow older and closer in my relationship with the Lord, I realize that He is working in my life every day. God sees the big picture when all we see is what's happening in the moment. However, God is guiding us daily so that He can reveal in His timing His fantastic plan for each of us! God never promised the journey would be easy, but He did promise to never leave our side!!!

For as long as I can remember, I have always been the single girl. You know, the one that went to college for eight years, has a great career, great church, great friends, and a new house all on her own, but the one that NEVER has a boyfriend. I used to get so frustrated with being single. I couldn't help but wonder when I would meet "the one" and walk down the aisle on my daddy's arm to wed prince charming. Weddings were happening for girls all around me, but not for me. I often prayed for God to lead me to my soulmate, but for years that prayer never seemed to be answered. Little, did I know that God was in the process of answering my prayer. He was preparing my soulmate and I for one another.

I met my fiance while at work last December. I clearly remember my friend telling me that he was perfect for me! I couldn't help but laugh because I have heard that statement so many times before and it never worked out. Nevertheless, I went on a date with this "frog" and he turned into my prince! I have always been told, you will meet the man of your dreams when you least expect it, and that proved to be true. I definitely was not looking for a man while at work and I was really frustrated with dating at that time. I was sure that dating someone was that last thing I needed. But, God had different plans and decided I needed to be with this guy! Later I would learn why...

On July 24th of this year, God took my sister, Amber, home to live in His kingdom. Words cannot describe what a devastating loss this has been for my parents and I. I lost my one and only sister. Amber was only 29 years old when she passed away. Her presence is sooooo greatly missed. However, God always knows what is best. He knew Amber's body was tired and weary and that she deserved to walk on the streets of gold in Heaven. He also knew that I would need support to get me through this tragedy. This is why I believe I met my prince charming earlier this year. God always provides. He answered my prayer for finding a spouse in His timing - when He knew I would need someone the most.

Now it is finally my turn to be that happy girl with a beautiful engagement ring on her finger planning a fairytale wedding!! God is so faithful!

My prayer is that anyone that reads the blog will realize that God is always with us and working in our favor even when we don't realize it! The Bible says He will never leave us or forsake us. God's timing is always perfect, yet we must be patient and continue to listen to Him and submit ourselves to His plan. Never stop praying!! Regardless of circumstances and how horrible life may seem at any given moment, we must always trust in the Lord and lean on Him. God is the ONLY answer! He is the truth, the light, and the way!!