A Vivid Memory - Finishing May's Challenge

This is a hard one.  I don't know why.  I have a lot of vivid memories...some good and others not so awesome.  I recently shared a positive memory from my childhood about our first go-cart :)  That memory is still quite vivid.

My seventh grade memory that I shared was a not so happy memory.  So let's see...a vivid memory, perhaps from later in my life than when I was 13...

I remember when I found my wedding dress.  That was a wonderful memory.  I went shopping with my sister, grandmother, and mom in Winston-Salem, NC and hadn't found anything...but at least I did get a better idea of what I was looking for.  For some reason the pics below are posted in backwards order - sorry! 

On Dec. 5, 2009 - my daddy's bday...I went shopping for a second time.  I had Shannon, Holly, Kristin, and my mom with me.  Sissy couldn't come :(  I had gone to at least 5 places and didn't find anything I loved yet.  So we all traveled to a really small store in Raleigh, NC.  I tried on a few dresses until I tried on THE dress.  I spent over an hour in this dress.  It had everything I loved.  I felt so elegant.  They dressed me all up in a veil and I just knew.  I started tearing up when I told my mom, "I think this is it."  I loved looking at myself in this dress.  My friends all loved it too.  Plus, the price was right...future hubby and I were trying to pull off a wedding on a budget.  This dress fit within that budget so that helped for sure.

Here are some of the duds (which aren't really duds at all, they just weren't MY dress) I tried on before getting to the real deal:

 Strapless dresses weren't for me. 

 I was looking for more beading on the train too.

 I liked this dress except for the stuff at the V...I didn't like that.  Plus you could tell that this wasn't a well made gown...and it was way too expensive.

 I don't know if that stuff was removable or not but this looks like the same dress without it...I don't remember, all I remember is how badly I wanted to get out of David's Bridal.  (If you got your dress there - I'm not judging you...I just didn't have a great experience.)

 However, I loved these flowers and knew I wanted them. 

 Ew, halters on me...but the train :)

 Loved the deep V in the back and the beading :)

 Gorgeous but it was plain on the bottom so I felt like it cut me off.

 Yes, my mom tried on dresses to help me see what they looked like side by side...we are almost the same size so I could get a pretty good idea :) 

 I wasn't loving the 2-layered veil.

 This dress was too plain.

 This is about how I felt at this point - and this was on day 1!

You probably can't tell how happy I am in this "illegal photo" Kristin took for me, but this was right after I announced that I had found my dress!  It had been quite a long day for everyone so I'm sure Holly (in the background) is thinking "Thank goodness...!"  Thanks Kristin for snagging this pic for me:)

Here was the finished look:

Photo Credit goes to Dajuan Jones from In His Image Photography and Carl Johnson of Carl Johnson Photography

Day 30 - Letting Go

Today's challenge is to react to this term "Letting Go"...

I'm letting go of being stubborn when the situation doesn't merit it.

I'm letting go of control over my life (an ongoing process mind you).

I'm wish to let go of comfort.

I'm letting go of the idea that teaching is the only thing I'm "qualified" to do in life.

I'm letting go.

Tell me what you think this following "speech" has to do with Letting Go.


The Fellowship of the Unashamed
by Dr. Bob Moorehead

I am part of the “Fellowship of the Unashamed.”
The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line.
The decision has been made. I am a disciple of
Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down,
back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present
makes sense, and my future is secure.

I am finished and done with low living, sight walking,
small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams,
chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position,
promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I now live by
presence, lean by faith, love by patience,
lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my
road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few,
my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought,
compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back,
diluted, or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the
presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy,
ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander
in the maze of mediocrity.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until
Heaven returns, give until I drop, preach until all know,
and work until He comes. And when He comes to get
His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.
My colors will be clear.

I am not ashamed of the gospel . . . Romans 1:16

My Jams - a day late

1. Poison and Wine

2. Everybody (Backstreet's Back)

3. Where You Are

4. How He Loves

5. Blessed Be Your Name

Details later :)  Enjoy

Day 28 - Only Pictures, if you want explanations - ask :)