I’m about to make 4 dozen banana chocolate chip muffins, pick up dry cleaning, and make sure I have Kleenex packed.
My house is bustling with so many overnight guests, I don’t know if I have enough hairspray, and I’m still praying I fit into my dress.
Because tomorrow my youngest daughter is getting married.
I’m a bundle of emotions. This feels very different from when Rebecca got married, because when Rebecca married I still had Katie. She wasn’t living at home anymore, but she wasn’t settled, either. So there were still things to worry about and some mothering to do.
I still talk to Rebecca constantly (she works with me so we’re always FaceTiming), and I know I’m not going to lose Katie. But somehow it feels like mothering is now done, even more so than when they moved out of the house. While they’ll still come to me for advice, they’re settled. I can look forward in both of their lives for the next few decades in a way that you don’t when they’re not married.
So that’s a lot to get used to!
She has a great head on her shoulders, I know she loves Jesus, and David really, really loves her. So I’m comfortable that they’ll have a good marriage. But it’s still a lot to take in.
I’m just praying we have a few minutes alone in this very busy household sometime today before the big day tomorrow!
In honour of her wedding, I thought I’d share a few of her videos so that you could get to know her better. These are just some of my favourites; I know she’d appreciate if you shared any that you like!
Here’s one she did soon after she started her channel five years ago on why she’s not dating in high school!
Here she’s talking about the two things you need in a guy:
This one went totally viral on Facebook:
Here’s one on how she feels like we’re too flippant about God and our faith:
And finally, here’s where she announces her engagement!
Pray for grace for us today if you have a chance. It’s busy around here, and I’d like to catch some quiet moments to talk with my daughter before the big day.
But we’re happy, everything seems to be in place, and even though I didn’t get much sleep last night I think I’m going to be okay through it all.
By the way, just a word about yesterday’s post on Billy Graham. I see that there are a ton of comments–to be honest, I haven’t read through them all because I’m just too busy! I’ve been very sidetracked this week, and likely it wasn’t the best judgment to post that yesterday, so soon after he died. It was just something I was thinking about because it was in the news, and I wanted to talk about what was on my mind.
Keith and I were talking about it in the car yesterday, too, and I honestly don’t have a good answer any of it. My question really isn’t about Billy Graham, though, and I hope I made that clear. It’s not about whether or not he made a mistake; that’s not what’s bugging me. What’s bugging me is the question about GOD, and Billy Graham is a great example of it. Does God ever call us to a ministry or a job which would take us so much away from our kids that we basically don’t know them?
I’m not talking about a life in the military, where you may be deployed for several months but you’re home the other time. You can deal with that. I’m not talking about someone with a busy job, like my husband, who got called in to the hospital a lot when the kids were young. I’m talking about someone with a ministry or a job which would cause them to not be there to form a relationship with their kids. Does God call us to that ever?
I really don’t know. I’d like to say absolutely not, but examples like Billy Graham give me pause. I’m sorry if I shared it too soon; I’m just not quite done wrestling with that question yet, and to me, it really does matter!
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Congratulations!!! So excited- I can’t wait to see some pictures and videos. Regarding Billy Graham, I appreciated your heart on the issue especially in light of our previous email conversation. This is why we have to abide in the Lord and seek his glory, not our own, and trust the Holy Spirit to lead us each individually. I know the heart of God is to divide fathers from their children but I also know that he calls us to more with this life on earth, and that taking up our cross means something different to everyone. I don’t know the answer but its a question we all must reflect on when pursuing a life with Kingdom purpose.
Yup, make sure you have that kleenex.😊. My sincere congratulations to the bride and groom and their families.
I’ve been following Katie’s channel for a long time already and I’m so excited about her wedding… can’t wait to see pictures!
See Sheila – Thats what I am talking about – Looking at yourself and taking responsibility and re-evalutaing what is my part in others reactions. That is what you do around here and you allow your readers to do that for you unless you are standing up for some hard core principle etc or most importantly standing up for Jesus. It is my absolute favorite thing about your blog and its probably what attracted me to stay here more so than the sex talk. I understood the point of your post yesterday but others didn’t. I really hope the people who read here are taking your example and running with it. It shows how to embrace and understand rather to be understood. I love it! It is also what I am constantly trying to do. It’s called personal growth and humility. The results are awesome. Have fun at the Wedding..Congrats again to Katie and David.
Thanks Phil, I appreciate the encouragement.
Thanks, Sheila, for even taking the time to post during an extremely busy week. I join others in wishing you well for the big wedding tomorrow. I’ll offer a prayer for you. One of the things I appreciate most about you is your focus on Jesus and your desire for godliness and for your family to follow Jesus passionately and incorporate biblical principles into their lives. I think you and Keith have done a great job in parenting your girls and I hope you feel deep gratitude and satisfaction for who they are and the the women they have become. Kudos to you and glory to God.
PS: my wife and I are regular readers of your blog.
Congrats on the wedding. We married off both our kids, one in July and one in Dec, so the transition was pretty fast as both were at home until they married. My husband and I have decided we don’t like the term empty nest and are figuring out our “new normal”. While not exactly mothering…they still come for advice, which I’m so thankful for! Praying for you all. Enjoy the day💕
Congratulations, Katie!! You’re a beautiful person with a beautiful soul! I will be praying for you and your family tomorrow. Enjoy this new chapter!!! And take lots of pictures of your first year!
Congrats, what an exciting time for you!
Regarding yesterday’s post, I still am digesting it. I do agree that it probably should have waited, and could have been worded a bit differently to use Graham as a small example instead. While I was reading it, all I could think of was my husband and his time in the military. He did not go for a while, and then stay home. His job as a flyer had him gone 50% of the month, then home working days the rest of the time prior to 9/11. After 9/11 he was gone all but 4-6 days a month. They did away with post mission crew rest, so no more guaranteed days off after a trip. Those days were spent doing paper work such as travel vochures, etc… before he was off again. This was day in day out, not including his 30 days a year leave (when he was allowed to take it). I was pregnant with our first during 9/11. He basically didn’t know his own kid. Internet was dial up and his axcess to it was spotty. He made great tax free money, plus hostile fire pay, per diem, etc…, but it wasn’t worth it. We didn’t want that life, and he got out after 10 years of service, 7 years after 9/11. I’m so glad we were able to make this decision, but I am also thankful to others for staying in, someone has to. Anyway, I don’t have the answers, and am still thinking over yesterday. I just wanted to put my 2 cents in that not every military member deploys and then stays home, I use to say I wish he would I just go for 6 months and them be home for 6 months. That would have been great!
Julie, it is a real struggle with deployments, there really isn’t a specific way that everyone experiences it. The only thing common in the military is that fact that things are always different. Each military member experiences deployments/taskings in so many different ways. I understand exactly what you mean about wishing it was just a 6 month deployment and then home. In theory that is great, although with my experience I don’t think I know anyone that experienced it quite that way. Non military families don’t get that. In fact, I have had many people think it was strange when I said it was just easier when my husband was away for longer periods of time. Unfortunately the back and forth is even harder. Congratulations on the 10 years of service, it sounds like it was the right decision for your family.
Congratulations! I am so excited! This is fabulous! Praying for you!
Katie is such a beautiful young woman. She has so much wisdom. You have no idea how refreshing it is to see other young women with a desire to know God’s heart. My heart is so full as I feel like I’ve come to know her in some small way through watching her videos. I’m so happy for her as she enters into this new stage of life!
How exciting Sheila! I’ll be praying that the day is full of love and laughter for you all.
Congratulations to Katie and David.
Can’t wait to see photos!!!
Genine
❤️👰🏼🤵
What I love about you, Sheila, is your transparency, honesty and humility in your writing…as evidenced in today’s post regarding your question about Billy Graham. In that post, I read the heart of your question, but I was puzzled by your timing. After all, a great man just died! And, just like you being you, even in the midst of the joy of your daughter getting married, you took time to apologize for the timing of your question. Just wanted to point that out and thank you….just make me love you more! (oh, and enjoy this very special day!! So happy for you! I look forward to the pictures on your blog!)
I’ve been a subscriber of Katie’s for 3 years now! I was researching Modesty and came across her “Christian Modesty: The Double Standard” video and absolutely LOVED her. I loved her style, her character, her point of view, but especially her sense of humor.
I’ve honestly never found another youtuber that really resonates with me like Katie. It’s almost like finding a long lost friend. lol. Crazy right?
Anyway, its been really nice knowing her from a distance and watching her grow into an amazing young woman.
I am so happy for her and will continue to pray for her!
Congrats to your daughter!! I’ve wrestled with the same thing regarding missionaries and their children especially. No good answers from me either!:)