Psalm 126:3 was a theme throughout our planning and on the actual day of the wedding. We could not be more overjoyed with all that God has done for us!
Change...Growth Takes Place
15 years ago
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Wedding & Reception
We were married at our church in Lynchburg on July 5! It was great to have friends and family together to celebrate and get to see the place where we met! Thank again to all of our family and friends who could make it into town! The reception followed in historic downtown Lynchburg. Enjoy the pictures!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Year in Review (Jan-July)
Usually you see year in reviews on December 31 or January 1, but we wanted to be different...or maybe we had friends in town, started work, and got sick. Either way, here is my attempt to review our quite wonderful year! This may take awhile and, as a new blogger, I'm not sure what's kosher for the amount of pictures in one post.
To start things off we celebrated with our friends Dom and Bekah as they got married in Lynchburg, VA on January 5, 2008.
Who knew that one day later on our day trip to Washington, DC that we would get engaged? Kevin's plan was to go to Georgetown, VA (near DC), walk around town, grab lunch at Ima Vegetarian Cafe (Indian Cuisine), 
walk along the river, go to Grace Church for their 6pm service, and propose. 
He assumed I'd say yes...and I did! I had no idea that he had such a huge day planned. 
Kevin started his last semester of grad school a week later which consisted of a ton more writing. He's one of the most diligent students I know! I started the fun (only to be had once in a lifetime) task of wedding planning. I think I ordered my wedding dress on January 12 since I knew February is usually a busy month for work with no weekends to get away.
On Febuary 4 I got a phone call from my dad saying that my grandma had passed away unexpectedly. She never got to hear the full, details loaded version of our engagement story. My grandpa was a rock and said the whole day, "this is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." What a lesson, being glad on the bad days too. Wow.
We went to the Ann Wharton Lecture Series on Valentine's Day where Em Griffin (author of COMS textbooks) was the keynote speaker. You can see below that Kevin was filled with glee by the dinner, the speaker, and my accompanying him. :)
In March we went to NY and Michigan over Spring Break. In Jamestown, NY Kevin was in our friends' Justin and Tiffany's wedding on the 15th.
From there we traveled to Kevin's hometown for a wedding shower put on by his family where I met his family, friends, gradeschool teachers, sunday school teachers, etc. It was so much fun to see the people that have been a part of his life for so long. We stopped several times and thought, "we are so blessed." Thanks to all who made it such a fun weekend!
At the end of March my friends Liz and Jen threw me a bridal shower.
It was great to have most of my friends in one place for a fun occasion. My friends are incredible! Too bad I don't have a picture of everyone who was there.
April proved to be another busy month. I threw a baby shower for my sister Shara one weekend...
Here's a picture of all the girls including Tilly (Jen's dog who was wearing a dress for the occasion).
To start things off we celebrated with our friends Dom and Bekah as they got married in Lynchburg, VA on January 5, 2008.
Who knew that one day later on our day trip to Washington, DC that we would get engaged? Kevin's plan was to go to Georgetown, VA (near DC), walk around town, grab lunch at Ima Vegetarian Cafe (Indian Cuisine), 
walk along the river, go to Grace Church for their 6pm service, and propose. 
He assumed I'd say yes...and I did! I had no idea that he had such a huge day planned. 
Kevin started his last semester of grad school a week later which consisted of a ton more writing. He's one of the most diligent students I know! I started the fun (only to be had once in a lifetime) task of wedding planning. I think I ordered my wedding dress on January 12 since I knew February is usually a busy month for work with no weekends to get away.
On Febuary 4 I got a phone call from my dad saying that my grandma had passed away unexpectedly. She never got to hear the full, details loaded version of our engagement story. My grandpa was a rock and said the whole day, "this is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." What a lesson, being glad on the bad days too. Wow.
We went to the Ann Wharton Lecture Series on Valentine's Day where Em Griffin (author of COMS textbooks) was the keynote speaker. You can see below that Kevin was filled with glee by the dinner, the speaker, and my accompanying him. :)
In March we went to NY and Michigan over Spring Break. In Jamestown, NY Kevin was in our friends' Justin and Tiffany's wedding on the 15th.
From there we traveled to Kevin's hometown for a wedding shower put on by his family where I met his family, friends, gradeschool teachers, sunday school teachers, etc. It was so much fun to see the people that have been a part of his life for so long. We stopped several times and thought, "we are so blessed." Thanks to all who made it such a fun weekend!
At the end of March my friends Liz and Jen threw me a bridal shower.
It was great to have most of my friends in one place for a fun occasion. My friends are incredible! Too bad I don't have a picture of everyone who was there.
April proved to be another busy month. I threw a baby shower for my sister Shara one weekend...
Here's a picture of all the girls including Tilly (Jen's dog who was wearing a dress for the occasion).
Later that weekend I met my Grandpa Pick in DC to visit my brother, Nate. We had the best time as Nate showed us around town and hosted us at his apartment.
We also had a wedding shower hosted by my parents and church family in my home town the following weekend. Once again we were amazed at the generousity and the support of our family and friends.
Kevin finished grad school in May! We were so proud of him! His bound thesis was a coffee table book for awhile. What an accomplishment! YOu should have seen the dedication in person.
Kev started working at JMJ Landscaping Supply soon after graduation which proved to be a relief from such an academic way of thinking for a while. I have no pictures of Kev playing in huge dirt and mulch piles with real Tonka trucks. I think he secretly dreamed his whole life that he would play in the dirt as soon as he finished grad school. Every boy should one day fulfill his dreams and Kevin did! Too bad I don't have any pictures. Flash forward a couple months and a bee stings Kevin in the lip during the week before our wedding. The funny part of the story, being the caring fiance that I was, took him Benedryl at work. On the back of the box it reads, "when using this product, be careful if operating heavy machinery." Oh well, the guy needed some medicine to take the swelling down.
My nephew (now our 2nd nephew), Kaleb was born on May 21. He weighed in at 11 lbs 4.5oz. My sister was the talk of the hospital...what a trooper! 
At the end of May I was moved by work to a temporary apartment for the summer since the one Kevin and I would move into after our wedding wasn't finished. My apartment for the summer was nice, but it was quite the task to keep my stuff (boxes labeled summer or fall) and wedding stuff organized and easy to get to once I moved.
June...finished with the first move. Time for the last month of wedding planning and two wedding to go to in the Burg. I remember when I first looked at our schedule for June...how? when? wedding? marriage? :) As we said throughout our wedding planning, our goal was to honor God and to get married on July 5 even if ever detail wasn't finished.
My friend/co-worker Meg got married on June 7...
...and our friends Daniel and Brooke got married on June 14. Oh the numorous, glorious weddings!
Our wedding was only 2 weeks away! Here are some pictures from what we lovingly called my apartment during the half-packed, half-moved, wedding planning galore days -- wedding central. And on into the 1st of July and the final week of wedding planning. Hooray!
(Nate & Kev's idea to throw leaves in the air while woalking down the aisle...we all almost fell over laughing)
(our attempt to find the LU Monogram and take a break from wedding planning before the final week started)
(Kaleb & Daddy helping--really, my dad wrapped all of my bridesmaids gift and giftcard box with precision. who knew?)
Thanks for all the help guys!
You can see wedding and honeymoon pictures from July in our other posts. Here we are arriving back at our first apartment (for 2 weeks). Also below, a picture of our first meal at our house...thank you for wedding leftovers!
We also went to my friend/co-worker's, Elisha's, wedding on July 12 as Mr. and Mrs. Mahan.
We saw Shara, Kaleb, and Jon off as they were leaving for Galveston. It was Kev's idea that Kaleb's 1st Cup o' Joe come from his Aunt Rachel.
And, to top off July, we moved again into our apartment for the school year.
Our wedding was only 2 weeks away! Here are some pictures from what we lovingly called my apartment during the half-packed, half-moved, wedding planning galore days -- wedding central. And on into the 1st of July and the final week of wedding planning. Hooray!
(Nate & Kev's idea to throw leaves in the air while woalking down the aisle...we all almost fell over laughing)
(our attempt to find the LU Monogram and take a break from wedding planning before the final week started)
(Kaleb & Daddy helping--really, my dad wrapped all of my bridesmaids gift and giftcard box with precision. who knew?)
Thanks for all the help guys!You can see wedding and honeymoon pictures from July in our other posts. Here we are arriving back at our first apartment (for 2 weeks). Also below, a picture of our first meal at our house...thank you for wedding leftovers!
We also went to my friend/co-worker's, Elisha's, wedding on July 12 as Mr. and Mrs. Mahan.
We saw Shara, Kaleb, and Jon off as they were leaving for Galveston. It was Kev's idea that Kaleb's 1st Cup o' Joe come from his Aunt Rachel.
And, to top off July, we moved again into our apartment for the school year.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Jan 3. 2009
"...My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor 12.9
I don't think there is a need for me to elaborate on the context of this verse from Paul, although a reading from the beginning of the chapter to the following verse (10) will prove to be encouraging for strugglers like myself.
This has been my verse of mediation this weekend. While needing patience this weekend I wandered to this phrase like all great scholars by looking up verses in the back of my Bible that had keywords like "strength" in them. I've tried to hold fast to at least a cursory understanding of this oft quoted phrase, but today I went a bit deeper and found out that Paul was uttered these words from Jesus while at a very desperate and insufficient part in his life. Infirmities were hassling his view of himself. Today, my hassel has been detachment and insignificance. My couch is broken in and my feet are itching for something to do, but the real issue is detachment from people in the midst of friends being present. How is that?
My match is my mind and I'm wrestling it constantly to know that Paul in his insufficience was instructed that his sufficiency (this word also means "to be possessed of unfailing strength") was not of his concern. Neither is mine. The truth still remains that unfathomable and deliberate grace continues to prove through generations of doubters and strugglers that weakness is necessary. Weakness - not a popular maxim in our world. Weakness - a prerequesite to Kingdom living.
Insufficence is actually a strength. Hmm... go figure. Jesus better come through on this one. :)
I don't think there is a need for me to elaborate on the context of this verse from Paul, although a reading from the beginning of the chapter to the following verse (10) will prove to be encouraging for strugglers like myself.
This has been my verse of mediation this weekend. While needing patience this weekend I wandered to this phrase like all great scholars by looking up verses in the back of my Bible that had keywords like "strength" in them. I've tried to hold fast to at least a cursory understanding of this oft quoted phrase, but today I went a bit deeper and found out that Paul was uttered these words from Jesus while at a very desperate and insufficient part in his life. Infirmities were hassling his view of himself. Today, my hassel has been detachment and insignificance. My couch is broken in and my feet are itching for something to do, but the real issue is detachment from people in the midst of friends being present. How is that?
My match is my mind and I'm wrestling it constantly to know that Paul in his insufficience was instructed that his sufficiency (this word also means "to be possessed of unfailing strength") was not of his concern. Neither is mine. The truth still remains that unfathomable and deliberate grace continues to prove through generations of doubters and strugglers that weakness is necessary. Weakness - not a popular maxim in our world. Weakness - a prerequesite to Kingdom living.
Insufficence is actually a strength. Hmm... go figure. Jesus better come through on this one. :)
Friday, January 2, 2009
Amigos
This week at the Ravin household was a sudden surprise. Three of our wonderful friends came into town and stayed with us. Stacey hitched a ride with the Middle-schoolers from North Carolina, Lucas flew in from Dayton, and Jason drove over form the Beach.
We've decorated Luke & Laura's house, celebrated the New Year, talked a lot about grad school, painted various pictures, watched football, read books, talked, watched Rob & Big, ate Rachel's delicious dinners, and slept some. It's like meeting old friends again. We also met a new friend named Alberto and got him in trouble with his wife.
There has been significant progress made for our "Year in Review" post, but more time is needed. 2008 was a great year for Ravin and there is a lot to share. Stay tuned.
We've decorated Luke & Laura's house, celebrated the New Year, talked a lot about grad school, painted various pictures, watched football, read books, talked, watched Rob & Big, ate Rachel's delicious dinners, and slept some. It's like meeting old friends again. We also met a new friend named Alberto and got him in trouble with his wife.
There has been significant progress made for our "Year in Review" post, but more time is needed. 2008 was a great year for Ravin and there is a lot to share. Stay tuned.
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