Saturday, January 31, 2009

TWO WEEKS TWO WEEKS TWO WEEKS

Hello lovely ladies!

This is Mandy again, Matron of Honor Extraordinaire, even though I'm no substitute for your beautiful and beloved Shelly. She'll be back. Eventually. Probably sometime in March or April. After a two-week honeymoon (yes. two - count them - TWO), and then all the post-wedding nesting that will take place. Thank you cards. etc etc etc. Oh yeah, and spending time with Nate.

I wanted to ask a favor of you ladies that Shelly loves so much. (Did y'all know that she has mentioned some of you by name to me before? She thinks of you more than you realize...)

Anyway, back to the favor!

This is the two week mark - February 14th is fast approaching. They finally found an apartment and Shelly moved in this past week. (I heard through the grapevine that the location isn't the best, even though the apt has a HIGH cute factor rating.)

Anyway, back to y'all! :)

I wanted to invite you to give Shelly some last minute advice before her big day - but, I'm asking for a very specific focus to your advice... Since her head is swimming with to-do lists, could your advice be focused in the direction of how Shelly can STAY FOCUSED ON WHAT MATTERS over the next two weeks?

Something like this: Shelly, I know your head is swimming with information, and you have LOTS to accomplish over the next two weeks, but I think a great way for you to stay focused would be by _______________.

She'll be reading these comments via email, as they'll be sent directly to her (and me) - and it's my Matronly duty to make sure she pays attention.

Ok ladies! I'm looking forward to what you'll offer Shelly.

15 comments:

debra parker said...

focus on enjoying those crazy stressful moments... for this time will only come once in your life.

And plus, you would not want to stress so much as to create multiple zits and a surprise period.

Yes, that is what happened to me.

Toknowhim said...

Sweet Shelly,

It happens to the best of us, even though this is one of the most special experiences of your life, stress can overtake you with all the details.

You are special, and I am sure that you are already doing this, but as Matthew 6 reminds us, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God..." Seek him sweet one...early in the morning, in the afternoon and if you are up burning the midnight oil seek Him then too. (fyi: do try to get rest though)

God has brought you and your Nate together for such a time as this (if I can use that term from Esther).. My heart rejoices for you and your future hubby, even though we have never met...

Blessings, Kim (The other "To Know Him")

Heather said...

ENJOY each moment first and foremost. Even the crazy stressful moments, for this will only come once!

Make yourself a list ... of all the details left to accomplish ... big and small. Prioritize them and delegate where you can! And let Nate help if you can as well.

Mostly don't lose sight of Nate! Let him hold you up as you enter the last 2 weeks and know that 2 weeks from today you will be MRS. Nate! How fun. Focus on that and hey focus on the wedding night too! :) That will help put a smile on your face for sure during those stressful moments!

Holly said...

Shelly,

Sweet, beautiful girl. I am only going to give you one word...with no fluffing, as is my strong nature to do!

NOTICE.

That's all. Know that I'm praying for you and for Nate by name on a daily basis. May God truly bless you both in every way with all that you need and may He delight you with joy in one another.

Love,
Holly

Taylor said...

Hi Shelly,

So. Happy. For. You. Congratulations, girl. I'm not married so I'm not sure if my advice is "official"...but here goes, ponder, ponder, ponder--the moments, the scenes, the words, everything from the glee to the heartache. And no matter what, be thankful. Your God loves you so.

Love, Taylor

ocean mommy said...

Hey my sweet friend..

If I could look you in the eye and say one word it would be

Linger.

Don't rush through these last few days.

Linger over that cup of coffee with your girlfriends.

Linger over that conversation with your mom and family.

Linger over dinner with Nate.

But most important, linger with God.

I'm thrilled for you both and can't wait to see what God does in your new life!

Hugs and blessings,
stephanei

Gran Jan said...

Shelly - all of life we have "seasons." This season is about to end and a new one beginning - a glorious new season.

Enjoy every minute of this time, and abide in the peace that comes from spending time with the Lord.

Bless you girl,
Georgia Jan

one of four said...

Shelly,

My advice would be to just remember that everything will turn out perfectly because at the end of the wedding preparations, you get to begin spending the rest of your life with your best friend. So, enjoy it and don't worry about the small stuff.

Anonymous said...

One word ... REST!(cease striving, be still) REST in the arms of your Lord Jesus, REST and draw strength through His Word, REST in meditating about His purpose for marriage, REST even in the midst of parties, preparation, and people. Oh, and REST in the arms of your beloved prince, charming Nate. Your wedding will be a dream come true! Praying for unexpected miracles!! :)

Anonymous said...

Wake up in the morning and laugh. at EVERYTHING. if you laugh, you can't stress.

Kristen said...

Dearest Shelly...

So much to do during the last weeks prior to your wedding. Deep breaths in the Lord my dear.

Relish these last few weeks, take it all in. Slow down (the best you can) when panic seeps in, pray, relish this time, as you will only be an earthly bride to be this one time! A Heavenly Bride to be... until our
Bridegroom returns.

There is a lot that will be packed in to a short time... but love every minute of it!

Such precious moments as you and Nate anticipate becoming one. Joined together by God's divine plan. This time will rush by... journal in your quiet time about all the "God Stops" you will experience in the next weeks.

And most importantly... HAVE FUN!!! God wants you to enjoy this!!!!

God Bless you Shelly. God Bless Nate and your marriage.

Marriage takes three to be complete;
It's not enough for two to meet.
They must be united in love
By love's Creator, God above.
Then their love will be firm and strong;
Able to last when things go wrong,
Because they've felt God's love and know
He's always there, He'll never go.
And they have both loved Him in kind
With all the heart and soul and mind
And in that love they've found the way
To love each other every day.
A marriage that follows God's plan
Takes more than a woman and a man.
It needs a oneness that can be
Only from Christ-
Marriage takes three.

Kelly S. said...

I would suggest to take LOTS of beautiful pictures so you can remember everything well. But we have seen that you have that covered!!! (My children like to look at our wedding pictures)

Ya'll are precious.
praying
love you

Tiffanie said...

Remember to enjoy each other...it goes by so fast and as the other lovely ladies have said...this only comes once in your life! Things will get done one way or the other...but as long as Nate and you are standing with the preacher saying "I Do" that's all that matters :) Can't wait to see you in your beautiful dress! Love you!

Emmy said...

Two weeks from today! YEAH! Can you believe it! Oh I am so thrilled for you! You have SO much to look forward to!

Just sit back and take it all in! Cherish every moment of every minute!

I am going to pray that Holy Spirit would just still your heart... that He would allow you to let go of all the busy details and worries... that you and Nate will have a supernatural peace, that you all would be able to see God in each other, your guests, the service, the reception... the honeymoon! : ) That His presence would be HUGE and palpable!

Love you and praying for you both! I am just thrilled! Will be with you in my heart!

ENJOY!

Emmy : )

Emmy said...

I meant to say ONE WEEK from today!