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12/22/2018
Is that all? I can still remember that Christmas in 2001 when, after opening his gifts, my son looked at me and asked “Is that all?”
It had been a tough year financially, and we had done our best to provide him with the best Christmas we could afford. But after weeks of seeing commercial after commercial of this toy and that car, my son fully expected to find everything he wanted under the tree. So once Christmas morning finally arrived, my son didn’t care much for the brand new coat that would keep him warm, or the books that would teach him how to add and subtract. He wanted the Superman action figure that could hang from the doorway. He wanted the Elmo doll that laughed and giggled. He wanted the transformer truck that could light up and turn flips. Aren’t we a lot like that, too? God gives us everything we need: breath in our lungs, a warm home, a car to drive, a well-paying job, hands to prepare a big meal for our family and friends. Yet we still long for the "shiny and new” things in life. We can often act like entitled children when it comes to receiving gifts because we’re looking for presents UNDER the tree, instead of seeking the PRESENCE of God in our lives. Believe me, I still have some work to do. I have moments where I am selfish too! But every time I catch myself saying a selfish word, or exhibiting an "But I WANT!" attitude, I ask God to check my heart. I don’t ever want to expect the presents I receive to define the level of joy I’ll feel that day. Instead, I want my heart to be filled with the goodness of God! Now, instead of an endless mountain of gifts to open, I want to open my door to find my family on the other side to join us for dinner. And instead of viewing countless credit card bills in January for all the unnecessary gifts I purchased in December, I now view my January calendar, which is filled with lunch dates and face to face time with my friends and family. I pray that your Christmas season is everything you want it to be. Whether it is a house filled with family and friends, or a quiet day at home in your pajamas, watching the Hallmark channel. But most of all, I hope your Christmas season reminds you of the true gift of the season: God. |
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May 2019
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Elizabeth Dado & Ben Waldron
Magic Wings
Crystal- We have been invited to witness the union of Elizabeth and Ben as they promise to face the future together, accepting whatever may lie ahead. In this space, surrounded by the grace and beauty of butterflies, with the strength that it offers and the peace that it brings, makes them truly grateful.
Elizabeth and Ben, nothing is easier than saying words and nothing harder than living them day after day. What you promise today must be renewed and re-decided tomorrow. At the end of this ceremony legally you will be man and wife, but you still must decide each day that stretches out before you, that you want to be married.
Real love is something beyond the warmth and glow, the excitement and romance of being deeply in love. It is caring as much about the welfare and happiness of your marriage partner as about your own. But real love is not total absorption in each other; it is looking outward in the same direction --together. Love makes burdens lighter, because you divide them. It makes joys more intense because you share them. It makes you stronger so you can reach out and become involved with life in ways you dared not risk alone.
Crystal: Ben, will you take Elizabeth to be your wife? Will you love and respect her? Will you be honest with her always? Will you stand by her through whatever may come? Will you make whatever adjustments are necessary so that you can genuinely share your life with her?
Ben -- I will.
Crystal- Elizabeth will you take Ben to be your husband? Will you be honest with him always? Will you stand by him through whatever may come? Will you make whatever adjustments are necessary so that you can genuinely share your life with him?
Elizabeth- I will.
Elizabeth and Ben share personal vows (Optional)
Crystal takes the holds hand of Elizabeth and Ben and says:
“These are the hands of your best friend, strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and as in today, tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children, the hands that will help you to hold your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.”
Ring Exchange
Crystal- What pledge do you offer in symbol of these vows? (Someone will present the rings.)
Crystal- These rings are gifts to eachother to remind you always
And those that gaze at their beauty
That you have pledged your love and commitment
In marriage to each other
And when you have been together for a long, long time,
You will look at these rings
And you will feel the indentation they have made on your fingers,
And you will know that these rings contain all the memories
Of what your lives and your relationship have been
May they always serve to remind you of how great your love is for eachother.
Crystal- Ben please place the ring on Elizabeth's finger and repeat after me:
Ben ~ Elizabeth, with this ring I give you my heart. It is a symbol of my love, respect and trust for you. With this ring, I thee wed.
Crystal~ Elizabeth, please place the ring on Ben’s finger and repeat after me-
Elizabeth ~ Ben, with this ring I give you my heart. It is a symbol of my love, respect and trust for you. With this ring, I thee wed.
Crystal-
“Within this blessed union of souls, where two hearts intertwine to become one, there lies a promise. Perfectly born, divinely created, and intimately shared, it is a place where the hope and majesty of beginnings reside. Where all things are made possible by the astounding love shared by two spirits. As you hold each other’s hands in this promise, and eagerly look into the future in each other’s eyes, may your unconditional love and devotion take you to places were you’ve both only dreamed. Where you’ll dwell for a lifetime of happiness, sheltered in the warmth of each other’s arms.”
Butterfly Release
Officiant: If anyone desires a wish to come true they must
capture a butterfly and whisper that wish to it.
Since they make no sound, they can't tell the wish
to anyone but the Great Spirit.
So by making the wish and releasing the butterfly
it will be taken to the heavens and be granted.
Officiant ~ Elizabeth and Ben, you have exchanged vows and rings, and consented to marry in the presence of your family and friends. By the power vested in me by the State of Massachusetts, I pronounce you husband and wife.
Officiant: You may now kiss the bride.
Officiant: I now present for the very first time: Mr. and Mrs. Ben and Elizabeth Waldron
Magic Wings
Crystal- We have been invited to witness the union of Elizabeth and Ben as they promise to face the future together, accepting whatever may lie ahead. In this space, surrounded by the grace and beauty of butterflies, with the strength that it offers and the peace that it brings, makes them truly grateful.
Elizabeth and Ben, nothing is easier than saying words and nothing harder than living them day after day. What you promise today must be renewed and re-decided tomorrow. At the end of this ceremony legally you will be man and wife, but you still must decide each day that stretches out before you, that you want to be married.
Real love is something beyond the warmth and glow, the excitement and romance of being deeply in love. It is caring as much about the welfare and happiness of your marriage partner as about your own. But real love is not total absorption in each other; it is looking outward in the same direction --together. Love makes burdens lighter, because you divide them. It makes joys more intense because you share them. It makes you stronger so you can reach out and become involved with life in ways you dared not risk alone.
Crystal: Ben, will you take Elizabeth to be your wife? Will you love and respect her? Will you be honest with her always? Will you stand by her through whatever may come? Will you make whatever adjustments are necessary so that you can genuinely share your life with her?
Ben -- I will.
Crystal- Elizabeth will you take Ben to be your husband? Will you be honest with him always? Will you stand by him through whatever may come? Will you make whatever adjustments are necessary so that you can genuinely share your life with him?
Elizabeth- I will.
Elizabeth and Ben share personal vows (Optional)
Crystal takes the holds hand of Elizabeth and Ben and says:
“These are the hands of your best friend, strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and as in today, tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children, the hands that will help you to hold your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.”
Ring Exchange
Crystal- What pledge do you offer in symbol of these vows? (Someone will present the rings.)
Crystal- These rings are gifts to eachother to remind you always
And those that gaze at their beauty
That you have pledged your love and commitment
In marriage to each other
And when you have been together for a long, long time,
You will look at these rings
And you will feel the indentation they have made on your fingers,
And you will know that these rings contain all the memories
Of what your lives and your relationship have been
May they always serve to remind you of how great your love is for eachother.
Crystal- Ben please place the ring on Elizabeth's finger and repeat after me:
Ben ~ Elizabeth, with this ring I give you my heart. It is a symbol of my love, respect and trust for you. With this ring, I thee wed.
Crystal~ Elizabeth, please place the ring on Ben’s finger and repeat after me-
Elizabeth ~ Ben, with this ring I give you my heart. It is a symbol of my love, respect and trust for you. With this ring, I thee wed.
Crystal-
“Within this blessed union of souls, where two hearts intertwine to become one, there lies a promise. Perfectly born, divinely created, and intimately shared, it is a place where the hope and majesty of beginnings reside. Where all things are made possible by the astounding love shared by two spirits. As you hold each other’s hands in this promise, and eagerly look into the future in each other’s eyes, may your unconditional love and devotion take you to places were you’ve both only dreamed. Where you’ll dwell for a lifetime of happiness, sheltered in the warmth of each other’s arms.”
Butterfly Release
Officiant: If anyone desires a wish to come true they must
capture a butterfly and whisper that wish to it.
Since they make no sound, they can't tell the wish
to anyone but the Great Spirit.
So by making the wish and releasing the butterfly
it will be taken to the heavens and be granted.
Officiant ~ Elizabeth and Ben, you have exchanged vows and rings, and consented to marry in the presence of your family and friends. By the power vested in me by the State of Massachusetts, I pronounce you husband and wife.
Officiant: You may now kiss the bride.
Officiant: I now present for the very first time: Mr. and Mrs. Ben and Elizabeth Waldron
(c) 2019 Crystal Senter-Brown