I was just encouraged by some of these as I picked through them, and thought it might be helpful to someone else as well. So funny how much we can learn from others who have gone before. It was good for me to reminded of all this stuff. You don’t have to stick it out if you don’t want to…(you realize that of course). Some of these are too awesome not to share:

“I have two thoughts for you. A successful marriage is the union of two great forgivers. Zephaniah 3:17 – The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” – Love Aunt Pam

John 12:24 “…except a grain of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone, but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit.” Behind every good party or event, someone (or two or three someones) have put aside their self to prefer another. Many times in marriage and later motherhood, you will need to die to yourself for others…and in doing so you will bring forth much fruit.” Jean Ellen Hornberger 6/6/04

“My Dear Becky! Keep in mind Galatians 5:13…”You my brothers were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sin nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command; “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Serve each other fully and completely in love. You won’t be sorry!” – Ruthann Anderson

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 – You followed your heart and God’s will and found Jon. I wish you complete happiness! Leslie Loehwing (Beveridge)

To Jon and Becky, from Nancy Illian – This verse has meant so much to me for the past ten years. I have grown to understand it more and more. Maybe you’ll find encouragement in these words. “This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.”

Especially for Bekah and Jon – June 6, 2004 – Psalm 33:3 – For the word of the Lord is right and true, He is faithful in All he does! Ephesians 4:32 – Be ye kind to one another – Bekah to Jon – Jon to Bekah – tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you. A truth you’ve known since childhood, but so relevant to all relationships. God’s word is the ONE steadfast and sure thing! Trust it, rest in it, & know it will lead and guide you through this new part of life’s journey. – Ruth Wheeler

My wisdom for you is very simple and true. Always be true to the heart that God has given you. He has placed within you a wonderful combination of gifts, talents and love that no one else has! Chris Ryniker

Ecclesiastes 4:12 “Though we may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Keep the Lord as your focus. Both individually and as a couple, as your THIRD strand, and He will help you through it all! Amy Estes

Liking is a Feeling. Loving is Doing. Aunt Tammy

Becky and Jon, Enjoy each moment. The good and the bad. You’ll learn and you’ll grow closer as you work things out. Remember the joy is in the journey. Keep your eyes on Jesus always! Sabra Wilson

1 Peter 2:9 – But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, people belonging to God that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness and into his wonderful light.” You are HIS Bekah, he has chosen you. Remember, there is no one like you.

Allow each other the space to grow and change into the people God has created you both to be.

Pack a luggage full of forgiveness for your journey.

Best words you can say, “I’m sorry honey. You’re right darling! I love you.”

Although it may seem counter-intuitive, remember that the surest way to ensure your own happiness is to put your spouse’s needs ahead of your own. If you both do that, you will truly be blessed.

“Do you want to be right? …or do you want to be married?” – Dad on 7th Heaven

Love unconditionally. Even when you most feel like saying a mean word or throwing something back in the others face, or even when you are spoken to unfairly – speak in love having no regrets – hold your words – answer in love even if you don’t feel it at the time. Always say you’re sorry and mean it, with no “buts” – FORGIVE LOTS!

Time is a friend to marriage; it lends perspective to problems and can deepen your love. Pray, Love God, and hang in there.

This may have been more fitting on my anniversary…can I back date it?

These are the hands that will work alongside of yours, as together you build your future.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will give comfort like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will open again and again as you release your personal interests for the needs of the other.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.

These are the Hands – Bob Biggs (for Jon and Bekah on July 9, 2004)

These are the hands that will help to hold your family together as one.

These are the hands that will give strength when you need it.

And these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will be reaching for yours, to offer the same unspoken tenderness through just a touch.

And upon these hands will be placed the rings that will always serve as a reminder of the promise made to one another today.

Bob Biggs (for Jon and Bekah on their wedding day, July 9, 2004)

The hardest part right now is that it is inevitably looming over my head…Wednesday slowly approaches. I know that it will come and go, and I will survive. But for now, it’s hard to make it seem real. And Olivia hasn’t quite been herself lately. She’s been sort of clingy and lovey. It’s almost as if she knows, too, that the very special time we’ve shared over the last 18 months is coming to an abrupt end.

I feel like being Olivia’s mommy has become my identity, and I’ve been perfectly and totally okay with that. I’m a little nervous about getting back out there and making sure I haven’t lost it! But I’m grateful for the opportunity. Lots of changes in our lives of late. I think (or I guess I know) it will get easier and easier as time goes on. Going back to “work” (work outside of the house) in addition to being a mama must have it’s challenges…ones I can’t even begin to know about yet. I will take it one day at a time. We’ll be okay.

…has not even begun to do ANY Christmas shopping yet.

…wonders why there are two ways to spell Hannukah (Chanukah).

…just baked pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Delicious.

…seems to have some changes coming down the pike. With a side of mixed emotions.

…thinks this one will be an emotional weekend.

…erased over 100 friends on facebook today.

…knew that her car would smell like rancid milk before long. No matter how quickly she sopped up the spilled milk with a warm, wet rag.

…needs a girls night out…asap.

…has been enjoying typing Davis’ journals from 2007 of late.

…feels like laundry is never-ending.

…can’t think of anything but the Glee rendition, and the kiddo in the wheelchair everytime she hears “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys.

…was going to go to youth group, but Olivia needed a bath and didn’t want to keep her up late for the third night in a row.

Short story…I conversed with someone semi-famous today.

Girl has hang up. Boy has obstacle. Both of them are living miserable or at least mediocre lives. Girl and Boy meet. You think for a while that Girl and Boy would be perfect for each other, and that they will be so happy together. But then the hang up/obstacle/maybe both (I haven’t decided yet) will come back into the play. It’ll be something like…a child the other one doesn’t know about who has been away for a blissful summer…or an inability to love…or like one of them will do something that is misconstrued by the other for their job…or like maybe they won’t have REALIZED that this person was the right person because they were just really good friends looking for love in all the wrong places, and some other person comes into the picture….or they will just clam up because they’ve failed at this love thing in the past…or they’ll see one little thing that happens in this other person’s life and decide it’s just too much to bear. Anyway, there will be some CRAZY event…like a death in the family, or an almost marriage to the OH SO OBVIOUSLY wrong person, or a job out of state, or a new love who seems even more perfect, or SOMETHING that will serve as a catalyst and then BAM! Just when the reader had given up, they will end up together. The ending will be very happy…warm fuzzies for all. You might even say that it was PREDICTABLE in the end.

I mean, I have NEVER seen anything like this done. I think it’s a sure shot. Just need to get some of the specifics down on paper…and have my characters size me up, see if I’m worthy of writing their story…and then I’ll be in business. We’ll be rich! (That last part, about characters sizing me up was for Bobbi Jo. Lest she wonder).

(If it’s not obvious…this is to demonstrate my utter frustration with the predictably and sameness of many of the romantic comedies out there. Why do I even bother to watch them/read them).

Anyway, The Parents Television Council did not appreciate the photo shoot either. In fact, the President, Tim Winter, had this to say about it, “It is disturbing that GQ, which is explicitly written for adult men, is sexualizing the actresses who play high school-aged characters on ‘Glee’ in this way. It borders on pedophilia. Sadly, this is just the latest example of the overt sexualization of young girls in entertainment.” The Parents Television Council also said, “With a demonstrated market of eager fans for an entertaining, musical-themed program like ‘Glee,’ we wonder why the show’s creators feel the need for such graphic sexualization of women. Interestingly, the photos of the male character showed him wearing a shirt, tie and vest.”

I was just disappointed to see this photo shoot. I realize I probably have expectations that are too high for this cast, as they are just that…a cast. But I can’t help feeling a little sad about this. I think I feel protective of them. I haven’t watched any of the episodes from this season yet. I have heard that it has taken a different direction this season, and perhaps I will be disappointed when I find time to sit down and get caught up. But I love the characters these kids play. I love a show that incorporates music so well. I love high school kids. In the formative years. I hate that sex sells. My eyes saw these photos, and my heart is saddened.

Anyone out there considering reading a Mark Driscoll book, allow me to summarize them all in 3 points:

1) Men, stop playing video games – watch MMA fights instead.
2) Women, quit your jobs, have babies, be quiet.
3) Joel Osteen, Rob Bell, Brian McLaren – you be quiet too, like the women.