On My Way to the Wedding!

Hey, Siestas! Well, I’m sitting right here in Terminal B at George Bush International in Houston, Texas about to head to Nashville, Tennessee to Rich’s wedding! Those of you who are not familiar with Rich may not realize he’s one of our all-time best Miestas. He’s the one who prepares all our slide shows from the events. Glance down a couple of posts and you’ll see a picture of him and his bride-to-be. My sweet, sweet relationship with that young man is one of those kinds of things only God could contruct. YEARS ago the event team at LifeWay realized they needed all hands on deck and could use somebody whose entire job at events was to get me where I needed to go. At that time, one of the event team members had a little brother (he seemed about 15 at the time but that’s a slight exaggeration) that was available for a little part time job. That was my dear Rich. I cannot even express what a fun friendship developed between a middle-aged Bible-beating woman and a young man still trying to figure a few things out.

I have watched Rich grow up. Laughed my head off with him. Prayed for him. Worried over him. Celebrated with him. Mothered him. Mothered him. And mothered him. (He’s got a fabulous mom. I’m just a maternal hormone waiting to happen so I’ll happily even mother the well-mothered.) Was around when he got serious about his first real Bible study. Was around when he first got his heart broken. Was around when his beloved grandmother went home to be with the Lord. Was around when God began to start making a photographer out of him. Was around when he first used the “L” word about a young woman named Gretchen. I nearly died. I knew he was serious when he DIDN’T tell me not to get overly excited about it.

I love this boy.

This man.

And his gorgeous, smart, godly bride. I so approve. Not that I had to – he was dead set on marrying her – but I’m blessed to say Rich would have wanted me to.

And I will have the privilege, along with my good buddy, Travis Cottrell, to be part of their wonderful, blessed wedding ceremony tomorrow. The Cottrells (all of them I hope) will pick me up at the airport and I’ll stay in their blast-of-a-home just like Trav stays in ours when he can.

I got a text from Rich early this morning. I just pulled my phone out and propped it on my lap so I can dictate it straight to you since it involves you. It says, “Thank you for your prayers from your family and siestas. This week God has put a calm on everything. He is so good.” Yes, Rich, He is. And He has so often been good to many of us through you.

If you heard my phone ding, that was Travis sending me a text. We’re getting pretty excited. They’re just about to call passengers on Flight 2474 to Nashville to board. I loved spending these few minutes in the airport with you. I hope the onions weren’t too strong on my Schlotzsky’s Medium Original.If this post seems a bit disjointed, I have stopped and started a lot while having the privilege to say hi to several people. And then I realized I had the continent’s biggest fleck of pepper between my front teeth. I hate myself.

Y’all know good and well I love you. No time to proof. Deal with it.

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105 Responses to “On My Way to the Wedding!”

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  1. 101
    Siesta OC says:

    To my siesta girls –
    I posted a message in a time of extreme sadness and depression and let me tell you got some of the most wonderful responses. I didn’t know I would but I will say it was wonderful. There is just something important about feeling like someone noticed. GOD is so good and faithful and I love him so. And I absolutely love that I was the receiver of so many prayers; prayers from women I don’t even know. This has giving me a jolt and I will say that you all (or ya’ll) have inspired me to be the kind of christian women you have been. Thoughtful, caring, obedient and absolutley darling prayer warriors. Prayer is big, I am learning that and I will not forget this.

    God Bless you all,
    Siesta OC

  2. 102
    Shellie Paparazzo says:

    I never bothering proof reading anything. No point. It’ll never be good enough to satisfy this perfectionist anyway.

  3. 103
    Sasha says:

    Mamma Beth…
    This has nothing to do with your wedding post, (although it made me laugh hysterically)but I’m just so excited I have to take a second and tell you this… I just began doing the online Believing God study this week. I asked God some very specific questions this morning about His character and understanding Him etc. and happened to watch the week no. 2 TODAY! I feel humbled beyond belief, and I can’t believe that He loves me so much that he spoke to my heart so directly today… He didn’t waste any time. What a relief to think that I can’t possibly fathom His greatness, and know that I wouldn’t actually WANT to serve a God that I could so easily “grasp.” Thank you for your teaching and the direction it gave me in understanding God through His wonderful word today! (Just love you so!!!)
    Sasha in Washington

  4. 104
    Erin says:

    Oh Beth, I’m sorry, but I’m SO glad you had a fleck of pepper in your teeth. Once, I was talking to this guy that I thought was quite handsome and he was smiling at me while I spoke. I thought, “This guy is a great listener! He really seems interested in what I’m saying. And I’m pretty sure he thinks I’m cute!” When I finished talking, he said, “You have something in your nose.” It was, without a doubt, a booger.
    Sighhhh….
    Just glad to know that one of my heroes has had similar things happen to her. 😉

  5. 105
    Janet Morgan says:

    Beth,
    I grew up with Rich & Shelley and love their family deeply! You are right about Rich (Shelley too)! My parents were at their wedding in Nashville too. I'm so glad that you are a part of their lives!

    Janet M
    Knoxville, TN

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