So, there’s been a lot lately. I don’t know who conspired together, but our lives have just been full to the brim… and I’m not complaining. We’ve had a few busy months mixed in with the everyday, ordinary-life things we have going on. So let’s do a quick review:
To start out the season of greatness, this happened.
Nate and Brooke Reeves tied the knot and well, it was a Christ-honoring wedding that will only continue in their marriage. Love it.
On a whim, Caitlin, Christy & I drove up to Chicago to visit our friend, Emily.
Then, we Kyle & I ventured down south to Eatonton, Georgia for his stepsister’s wedding, which I officiated!
It was my first time performing a wedding ceremony and I loved every minute of it. The preparation, rehearsal, wedding day. . . it was all such an honor and I loved getting a front-row seat to two people committing to love each other ’til death do them part. Plus, I’m kind of a big fan of Emily and Brince, so that part was easy. :)
Up next? I got to spend quality time with some precious (I really mean precious) high school girls at the end of September. And it was beautiful.
Are you envisioning a suitcase getting worn out yet? Because it’s only just begun. A few days later, I went out to nowhere, Indiana with my best friends from college for a few days of laughing, Funfetti cookies, reading, music videos, hot-tubbing, and a lot bit of crazy. We’re weird. We know it. We show it.
PS-If those backgrounds look eerily similar, it’s because… they’re in the same place.
That next Saturday morning, we drove up with the Reeves’ to Evanston, Illinois to watch the Michigan/Northwestern game. Nate and Brooke have become such close friends of ours this past year, so we’re a little excited that they’re married now. :) They’re in ministry, too, and work at a church about 10 minutes from us. So not only do they “get it,” but we’re honest and encourage each other, too. 
Last weekend, I got ordained. I haven’t taken the time to write about it yet, but all I can say is I was overwhelmed by the amount of people God has placed in my short journey so far. It was humbling to say the very least. My friend Caitlin took some photos of the ordination service, but I don’t have those yet, so for now… all you get is a photo of me with the cake one of Chapel Rock’s youth leaders made. PS–Stacy (the woman who had the cake made), told me that she told the baker to make it “sassy, not cheesy, and funky!” I take that as a major compliment. :)
Yesterday, I drove up to Chicago with my mom and her best friend, Debbie, to celebrate her 60th Birthday. We went to a Dinner Theatre last night and shopped for my mom today. Debbie has been apart of my mom’s life since before I was on the scene, so their friendship is comfortable and familiar… and definitely gives me a picture of something I want for my friendships as well. 
Here’s a look at what’s to come in the next few weeks: Gungor/John Mark McMillan/and someone-named-David-Crowder concert, Crawfords’ Celebration, Youth Ministry Fall Hayride, The Civil Wars Concert, Congregational Dinner, and the Marks/Drye wedding in Winston-Salem, NC.
When I got home today, Kyle had dinner ready and knew I’d want to lay around all night in our pajamas watching football. Well, he did the football watching, I did the Sunday prep. But you get the idea. So now, after a few deep breaths, I’m feeling a little like this:
Happy Fall, to one and all.
anne m. wilson 