Top 10 and 5

Right now I feel like there is so much and nothing going on at the same time ;)

When I returned from Europe and someone mentioned I needed to make sure and post a blog about my trip, I suggested that I wasn't sure where to begin. They said I should do a "top 10". It worked well and since I'm sometimes at a loss of what to blog now, here's a top 10.

Top 10 from life today (not in any particular order):

1) Last night's shower for Stacey was really fun! I enjoyed helping to throw the party!

2) I get married one month from tomorrow!!

3) I enjoyed visiting with Jenni Clayville last night at the party and realized I miss hanging out with her :(

4) My parents are really stepping up to help me with wedding details! They are awesome people!!

5) Mark has to work a ton lately so we don't get to see each other much during the week, so I'm trying to take care of him well during his off time with food and giving him rides from work.

6) Mark's family was in town this weekend and I just really love them!! They are generous and welcoming and just go with the flow. And I'm SO honored that Adrienne (Mark's sister) and Michelle (Mark's sister-in-law) will be bridesmaids!!

7) People were really generous at my bridal shower last Thursday night and my family shower on Saturday! It was neat to see people I haven't seen in a while and to see their excitement for this season of my life!

8) After the weekend's activities I really began to realize how close the wedding is!! I can't believe that in 4 weeks from today 2 of my friends will be arriving!!

9) My friends and family are SO gracious and patient with me as I pepper them with emails and details about the wedding... it helps me not feel overloaded if I can spew my thoughts out of my head on to paper or share them with others.

10) I'm more in love with Mark each moment that goes by!! How this is possible I have no idea but I can't WAIT to be his wife!!

Top 5 things I'm praying about (in no particular order) and would LOVE you to pray with me!!

1) That Mark and I would selflessly weather the first year of marriage and all the "hard times" married couples talk about. I can't imagine having "hard times" with Mark!! But I'm sure those who experience them thought that as well.

2) That I wouldn't be selfish about silly things like how the toothpaste is squeezed (someone mentioned this last night) or whether or not the lights are left on or cupboard doors are open or Mark doesn't always put his dirty clothes in the dirty clothes basket. I really want to use this as an opportunity to let love prevail over my selfish nature!!

3) That I wouldn't get too overwhelmed or impatient about final details before the wedding. That finalizing the rooming list for friends and family, schedules, and everything would come together with ease and everyone would be on the same page.

4) That I would be able to really release things before the wedding and let others handle everything so I can enjoy the weekend, day, and the people! And feel that bad that others are doing so much work for us to have a special day!!

5) That God would be more present in our lives today than yesterday. Since I've stepped out of ministry and turned my focus towards wedding planning and preparing for life together, I feel like my relationship with God is slightly misplaced. I'm worried about this unknown phase of life and not focusing on God in the middle of everything. To help combat that, I've started memorizing scripture again to meditate on. Although I forgot until just now! Here's the first verse: "I could speak all the languages of earth of angels, but if I didn't have love for others, I would only be a noisy gong or clanging symbols." 1 Cor 13:1. I know it's rather clique to to memorize that chapter, but I figure God is love therefore if I focus on loving others, God will be the center :)