In a previous post, I told you how God blessed our whirlwind trip to Kansas for a family wedding, where we had our first experience being the out-of-town guests. I knew it was customary to be invited to the rehearsal dinner, but our host and hostess went above and beyond.
Friday 12:00 - Lunch at the bride's family home
6:00 - Rehearsal dinner at the church
- Bonfire afterwards
Saturday 12:00 - Lunch at the church
5:00 - Light dinner at the church
6:30 - Wedding ceremony at the church
7:45 - Dessert reception at a local hall
Sunday 8:00 or 10:30 a.m. Worship service at the church
12:30 - Dinner at the bride's family home
Because of health issues this optional itinerary, coupled with the fact that we'd be driving 30 hours between Thursday night and Sunday night, seemed like an impossible schedule. Had I relied on my own understanding, I never would've attempted this trip. Thankfully I was trusting God (Proverbs 3:5) because what seemed overwhelming before we left turned out to be absolutely fabulous! Literally everything was planned with the guests in mind. The obvious advantage was not needing to worry about meals since we always had the option of eating the cuisine provided, but the true beauty of this itinerary was that it allowed us to get to know the other guests.
"The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing." ~ Psalm 145:15-16.
We left Michigan at 6:30 p.m. Thursday and rolled in to our destination in Kansas around 10:00 a.m. Friday. That gave us a couple hours to clean up and relax before a lunch of grilled burgers at the home of the bride. Since the wedding was held in a small town and there's only one motel, we were also given the option of staying with a host family. Bob and I have always been blessed by the people who have stayed in our home, so we immediately decided that was the route we would take.
The rehearsal dinner was only our second meal there, but we were already seeing familiar faces and getting acquainted as we waited for the wedding party to arrive. The wedding reception the next day was so much more enjoyable knowing so many of the people there rather than just the few relatives that made the trek with us.
Since the rest of our party was at the motel, Bob and I were without a vehicle, but thanks to our gracious hosts, that was not a problem. Even though we did miss out on a trip to see the World's Largest Ball of Twine, (seriously!) I'd take the experience we had over a ball of twine any day, regardless of how big it is!
Meet Mary and Tom, our hosts for the weekend and fabulous new friends. After a fantastic homemade breakfast on Saturday morning they took us on a guided tour their charming town.
I absolutely love their courthouse! It reminds me of the one Grand Rapids used to have before it was torn down in the 1970's.
The only time we walked through town - walking only because we chose to - we came across this nice little meditation area with the Ten Commandments in the center and the Beatitudes around the perimeter. Otherwise, Tom and Mary were always there to shuttle us where we needed to go. They really were the ideal host and hostess. Not only did they provide us with a place to stay, they were also very flexible, giving us the opportunity to rest when we needed to but also willing to visit ever we were able. Sunday morning was bittersweet since we had to part far sooner than we would've liked, but not before we were blessed with the best cinnamon rolls west of the Mississippi! (Luckily for me, my mother-in-law lives east of the Mississippi so I don't have to choose!)
There may be no place like home, but Kansas is a close second!
Father, I thank you for paving the way for us to attend this wedding, for all the wonderful people we met and the new friendships we made. I pray this would not be the last time we see them, but only the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
TweetFriday 12:00 - Lunch at the bride's family home
6:00 - Rehearsal dinner at the church
- Bonfire afterwards
Saturday 12:00 - Lunch at the church
5:00 - Light dinner at the church
6:30 - Wedding ceremony at the church
7:45 - Dessert reception at a local hall
Sunday 8:00 or 10:30 a.m. Worship service at the church
12:30 - Dinner at the bride's family home
Because of health issues this optional itinerary, coupled with the fact that we'd be driving 30 hours between Thursday night and Sunday night, seemed like an impossible schedule. Had I relied on my own understanding, I never would've attempted this trip. Thankfully I was trusting God (Proverbs 3:5) because what seemed overwhelming before we left turned out to be absolutely fabulous! Literally everything was planned with the guests in mind. The obvious advantage was not needing to worry about meals since we always had the option of eating the cuisine provided, but the true beauty of this itinerary was that it allowed us to get to know the other guests.
"The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing." ~ Psalm 145:15-16.
We left Michigan at 6:30 p.m. Thursday and rolled in to our destination in Kansas around 10:00 a.m. Friday. That gave us a couple hours to clean up and relax before a lunch of grilled burgers at the home of the bride. Since the wedding was held in a small town and there's only one motel, we were also given the option of staying with a host family. Bob and I have always been blessed by the people who have stayed in our home, so we immediately decided that was the route we would take.
The rehearsal dinner was only our second meal there, but we were already seeing familiar faces and getting acquainted as we waited for the wedding party to arrive. The wedding reception the next day was so much more enjoyable knowing so many of the people there rather than just the few relatives that made the trek with us.
Since the rest of our party was at the motel, Bob and I were without a vehicle, but thanks to our gracious hosts, that was not a problem. Even though we did miss out on a trip to see the World's Largest Ball of Twine, (seriously!) I'd take the experience we had over a ball of twine any day, regardless of how big it is!
Meet Mary and Tom, our hosts for the weekend and fabulous new friends. After a fantastic homemade breakfast on Saturday morning they took us on a guided tour their charming town.
I absolutely love their courthouse! It reminds me of the one Grand Rapids used to have before it was torn down in the 1970's.
The only time we walked through town - walking only because we chose to - we came across this nice little meditation area with the Ten Commandments in the center and the Beatitudes around the perimeter. Otherwise, Tom and Mary were always there to shuttle us where we needed to go. They really were the ideal host and hostess. Not only did they provide us with a place to stay, they were also very flexible, giving us the opportunity to rest when we needed to but also willing to visit ever we were able. Sunday morning was bittersweet since we had to part far sooner than we would've liked, but not before we were blessed with the best cinnamon rolls west of the Mississippi! (Luckily for me, my mother-in-law lives east of the Mississippi so I don't have to choose!)
There may be no place like home, but Kansas is a close second!
Father, I thank you for paving the way for us to attend this wedding, for all the wonderful people we met and the new friendships we made. I pray this would not be the last time we see them, but only the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Lisa
I've been known to link up with: Soli Deo Gloria, Inspire Me Monday, Titus 2sdays, Tell Me a Story, Teach Me Tuesdays, Courtship Connection, Into the Beautiful, God Bumps & God Incidences, Word-Filled Wednesday, Winsome Wednesday, Simply
Helping Him, Weekend Whatever, Spiritual Sundays, True Vine Challenge, Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday, The Beauty in His Grip, Playdates With God, Monday's Musings, Monday Montras, Thrive at
Home, Knick of Time, Hope in Every Season, Funky Junk Interiors,
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That courthouse reminds me a lot of the one that was in the town I went to college in. They sure don't build things as beautifully as they used to! I'm stopping by from the Thrive @ Home link party.
Jamie H
http://coffeewithus3.blogspot.com