So this weekend is our IV Fall Conference in Kansas City.  I’m co-leading a seminar with another staff and I need to do a little prep work – so I thought I’d turn to a few faithful blog readers for help.  Our seminar title is “Friendships and Dating”, which means we are the most popular seminar.  College students LOVE talking about this stuff.  Here’s our description of the seminar:

“Many of us come to college with the hopes of building lifelong friends and THE lifelong friend whom we hope to marry.  Unfortunately, most churches just preach abstinence from sex without any clear guidance with what it means to pursue platonic and romantic friendships.  This seminar is see if Scripture can give us greater guidance and principles that we can use for our modern relational milieu. Come ready to share your experiences and questions in this interactive gathering! ”

We’re going to do a little teaching time, a conversation about giving 100% vs 50/50, and then talk about the myths of marriage.  Now, as I’ve been thinking about our title and the fact that this is college students, I think we may want to include some myths about dating too.  To get my readers inspired, here’s our list of the Myths of Marriage.

1.  Guys, marriage isn’t the answer to all of your lust issues.
2.  Girls, marriage isn’t the answer to all of your insecurity/loneliness
issues.
3.  Your spouse will want to do the same things you want to do. 
(Especially if he/she was willing to do them while dating.)
4.  Your spouse will do things the same way that you do.
5.  Your spouse will be reasonable and make sense.
6.  Your spouse will always understand you.
7.  Marriage gets easier the longer you are married.  
8.  You will be able to resolve all of your conflicts.
9.  You will be able to change your spouse.

Here’s where you come in – reply back with any additions you might make to this list, AND anything you might put on a Myths of Dating list.  Let’s see what we can come up with!

That’s the reason for my LONG absence.  We got married – YAY!!! I love it so far.  The honeymoon was great – pictures to come soon, I just keep forgetting to download them.  Moving was not so much fun – we’re still unloading boxes and figuring out where everything should go.  Plus trying to get work done too.  Fun fun!

Eventually I’ll change the name of this…..be on the lookout for an update!

I know some people think pre-printed RSVPs are want for taste and etiquette, that we should all follow Emily Posts rules and write our own RSVP on personal stationary and instinctively know what to say.  And even though that might be fun, I am VERY glad for pre-fab RSVPs.  I think I’d be too worried about not hearing back from people using something else, so it’s such a relief to hear back from people and know who’s coming.  It’s also sometimes sad – I don’t take it personally that people can’t come to our wedding, but it is a bummer when close friends can’t make it because of schedules or whatever else is going on in life.  We wish these important people could be there to celebrate with us!!

Now we just have to figure out stuff for our reception in MN – how to invite people and do RSVPs for that, because we want to make it super simple.  I think we’re going to do a mailed postcard and RSVP with the internet.  It’s a casual thing anyways, so it fits the bill.  Hopefully it will work!

I know you’ve all been waiting for it, they’re finally here.  A few pics from my surprise bridal shower a few weeks ago.  I couldn’t post everything because I didn’t want to COMPLETELY incriminate half of my friends.  :-)

Moments after the surprise, hence the look of astonishment and slightly crooked picture.  

The yummy mini-bundt cakes with edible flowers.  Mere’s mom made TONS of these little sugar flowers and brought them all the way from Washington!

The front and inside of invitations.

My favorite – the larger bundt, complete with potted flower inside, and windex to boot.  :-)

And they’re off!  The relay begins!

Kate gets her hair teased, I don’t think she liked it very much…

This idea was so non-PC/orthodox – the “baptism” was turning in circles 5 times within a little chicken wire fence.  Gotta give props to Sarah for creativity.

My “greek” bridesmaids – Kristen, Kate, me, Sarah and Meredith.  I was supposed to choose which one most resembled one of the girls from the movie.  Mere’s team won!

Most of the group – some students, roommates, IV friends!  Thanks for a great party!