When Small Wonders Add Up To Kingdom

This past weekend was full... as in, super full.  

But it was filled with all kinds of blessings and so much honor! None of it felt bossy at all!

I'm gonna do this post old school... a throwback of sorts to Multitudes on Mondays or #1000gifts!

Because... well, 
I introvert on Mondays. Hard. 

And last weekend was full and blessed and it involved all kinds of extroverting, so we're gonna keep this short! Plus - Vacation!  Yep... we are leaving town in just a couple of days so there is all of that prep work that must get done, too!

We started off Friday night with a Wedding Rehearsal... way  (read: way, way, WAY...) out in the country... you know, where the buffalo roam.


OK... not really! It was more like cows. 

The cattle was roaming. And pigs... they raise pigs, as well!

It was a gorgeous homestead... property out in the middle of nowhere and so perfect for the bride and groom! And, as I said, it was such an honor to be invited to be a part of their special day!  

The bride: A close friend of our girlies who grew up at our house. (Resisting urge to post awkward middle school picture. You're welcome, girlies!)

The honor: They asked My Honey to officiate the wedding! 

So he spent time with them in pre-marital counseling, and we met with them together as a couple and prayed with them... poured in to them... encouraged them to build on a firm foundation.  And then Dave worked with them and came up with the perfect ceremony. The couple wrote their own vows and Dave put together some for the ring exchange as well and oh my goodness, this wedding, y'all!

I mean it in the most loving way --this shin dig was Red. Neck!

From the hay bales as seats, to the skull/antlers on the top of the Wedding Arch, to the Busch beer and pulled pork sliders, to the reception in the barn, to --well, down to every last little detail... and it was perfect. And fun. And a whole different culture. And such an honor to see the love!

Gah! How I love these two!

My Honey in a full on suit! He's so handsome!

So that was Friday night and mostly all day Saturday.

Then came Sunday.

Like our new signs? Now we look more official and the signs turned out great!

We celebrated our first Anniversary as Dad's House church on Sunday (since Mother's Day already has celebrations of its' own!) and we prayed for nice weather and set up everything outside on the lawn because - who doesn't love to have church outside? I mean... that is one of my most favorite things and I was telling my prayer partners last week that I feel such an anointing and an outpouring coming this summer over open-air gatherings! I just love it!

Anyway - we did our original first ever worship set that we did on our first day as a church (which included several favorites but wrapped up with Good, Good Father and went in to How He Loves!) 

We had a couple of baptisms... and then Dave and I were honored to be officially ordained and commissioned.  We've been the Associate Pastors from the beginning and we are not so into titles and such, but it was something that the elders and the lead pastors wanted to do and we felt so loved and appreciated.

Of course, it comes as no surprise that my favorite part was the laying on of hands and praying over us!

After service, we fired up the grill and threw on some hot dogs, and we had our first annual Crockpot Cookoff Competition! Seriously, you guys... it was so hard to pick a winner! I forgot to get any pictures of all the crockpots lined up inside because - hello long line and delicious food!

 If only Shawn was not so shy... (He's such a ham!)               

The Winner: Sharon's Gumbo! Yeah... so good!                  

One of my favorite moments was when My Honey heard that our friends were there... these four! Man... we have lived some life with them by our sides!  One couple lives in town but is heavily involved in their church and the other lives out of town and so none of them had been able to make it out yet! I didn't tell him that I invited them so when they showed up he was so blessed!  

We have ministered together, vacationed together, experienced loss and heartbreak, hurt and wounds, as well as victories and healing, restoration and miracles... we have stood together, stood up for, and knelt down beside... we have prayed over, prayed into, prayer for, and prayed through (hallelujah!) ...and let's not even talk about the laughter and kindredness... the all-in and one-for-all-and-all-for-one-ness that we have with these friends who are more like family! 

We were so honored that they would come out and celebrate with us!

 And really, this is life... yes?  This living side by side, heart to heart... face to face... this is really how all these little small wonders add up to Kingdom!

They add up to Kingdom living and Kingdom walking and Kingdom loving when we sow into them, pour in and pour out... when we love and laugh and cry and hope... when we do all of those things, and then give them time and room to grow... when we nurture and care for them and move in to do our part and then step back and watch Him to the rest!

Because here is the deal... every one of these small wonders that we experienced last weekend? They all started with relationship... And our God is so relational! How could we ever forget that the Kingdom is the Kings' domain and in His reign... relationships are top priority!

How do everyday things become small wonders?
  ~ You must slow to notice and count them as a gift!

How do small wonders add up to Kingdom?
  ~ You keep counting... You keep seeking and finding and letting love flow! Then sit back and watch and see how He swoops right in and makes them grow!

P.S.  I'm linking up with these lovely writers:

Kelly Chripczuk  for #SmallWonders 

Holly Barrett for #TestimonyTuesday

Kelly Balarie for #RaRaLinkUp

Jennifer Dukes Lee for #TellHisStory

Oh yes... and this!  This is where we ended up by 3:30pm on Sunday afternoon: 

Huddled in bed, reading and relaxing and introverting separately, together! (Because, of course!)