Rejoicing

The pastor greeted the congregation this morning at the start of the worship service. His welcoming remarks included the observation that “some of you come this morning rejoicing; some of you come grieving.”

I looked to my right down the row. Ada wasn’t sitting with us because she was serving in children’s church. Next to me was Liz, then Caleb, then the lovely, godly young woman who is marrying my son, her diamond ring glinting in the church lighting, then Jeddy on the other side of her. And I thought, I’m in the rejoicing category.

In addition to my own mother, who champions each of her children’s marriages, and my own mother-in-law, who welcomed me into the family as warmly as you can imagine, my real model for impending mother-in-lawhood is Apolline Delacour.

The Delacours, it soon transpired, were helpful, pleasant guests. They were pleased with everything and keen to assist with the preparations for the wedding. Monsieur Delacour pronounced everything from the seating plan to the bridesmaids’ shoes “Charmant!”

~ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Besides doing my best to be charmed with everything Jed and Maddie are planning, I do hope to get a decent rehearsal dinner together and have everyone from the groomsmen to my family appropriately dressed. 

A few weeks ago we spent a long weekend visiting with my parents, where we alternated doing school while Jason worked alongside us in the timeshare overlooking the lake, and sending the kids to do educational historical stuff with Nana and Grandpa.

My other activities this month have included such things as driving Jason to the hospital for his first colonoscopy; a procedure which resulted in an all-clear for health, which was good, and an “8 out of 10” rating for how well he did his prep, which is pretty good, but also kind of horrifying that they grade you on that. 

[I’m secretly determined to outscore him when my turn comes around.]

Preparing for tacky skate night

The day after that, I went with several other ladies from church on a children’s ministry retreat for a few days. I enjoyed their company immensely, as well as the refreshment that came from worship, teaching, and encouraging workshops.

Caleb’s playing soccer, and we’re plugging along with school—easier now that I’m not out of town on retreat. 

I also finished reading the sixth Harry Potter to Caleb, and we started the seventh one.

I spent one whole evening last week composing emails to volunteers for our upcoming Easter program. It was productive for a while, until a hugely long, painstakingly-composed email went poof into the ether, so inexplicably and thoroughly that even Jason couldn’t bring it back from oblivion. I lost my momentum after that, but I do need to get back to it at some point. 

I labor on in weakness and rejoicing.

~ CityAlight, “Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me”