7 Quick Takes #2: Wedding & A Pope Hand

I'm a MRS. now! Here are 7 Quick Takes about the last month of wedding, honeymoon, and the start of married life :)

--- 1 ---

Two Become One

Michael and I got married on October 5th in Memphis, TN. Michael's best friend celebrated the Mass, my Deacon Daddy witnessed our vows, and we were surrounded by family friends. As cliche as it sounds, our wedding day was the happiest day of my life.

--- 2 ---

Dancing Queen

I forget just how much I love dancing until it is time for a wedding reception... And ours was so much fun!! Our Father-Daughter dance was EPIC (yes that is an appropriate use of the word)!!  Imagine Nat King Cole's "Unforgettable" and then it is suddenly interrupted by "Jump on It".  Kudos to Mom for providing our light up glasses.  (If I can get a video of the dance up here I will... too fun not to share!)

--- 3 ---

You brought WHO on your honeymoon?

Before we were even engaged we knew that we would be going to Rome in October for our last Graduate Theology class.  We were able to invite guests to come with us on this trip, so we planned on bringing my parents and one of Michael's younger sisters.  We didn't want to uninvite anyone after this trip became our honeymoon because... it's ROME!  How often would we get to be with family in Roma??  Plus, this happened....

--- 4 ---

The Pope Hand

Meeting Pope Francis at the October 16th Wednesday Audience

I can't even begin to express what a gift this moment was.  I need to just dedicate an entire post to how this happened.  But to sum it all up: God is good and I'm even more grateful to be bilingual.  

--- 5 ---

Rome Sweet Home

Walking into St. Peter's Basilica for the first time was one of my favorite moments from our time in Rome.  It wasn't just the architecture or artwork that left me speechless (although those are breathtaking!); it was the feeling that I was home.  The history and significance of where we were standing just sort of hit me all at once, and it brought a whole new meaning to "I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church."  

--- 6 ---

Right Place.  Right Time.

On our first day in Rome, Michael and I took a walk with my parents to the Farmacia.  We're almost home when all of a sudden Michael sees one of his friends from college!  His friend is a seminarian at the North American College, and asked if we would like tickets to the Papal Mass on October 13th when the Pope would be consecrating the world to Our Lady.   Oh yes!  So basically because of a chance encounter with my husband's friend we were able to go to the Papal Mass and get a tour of the NAC, and I got a chance to meet other friends of my husband's from his days in seminary.  

Did I mention I met my husband after he left the seminary? :)

--- 7 ---

Mawwage.

After almost 3 years of working with engaged couples, teaching Theology of the Body, and promoting things like NFP, I finally got to step into Sacrament of Marriage with my best friend.  I love my husband, and I am so excited to see where God leads us.  God is so good.  

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Why Easter Vigil ROCKED

p a x

I don't know if it is possible to have a "favorite Mass", but the Easter Vigil 2013 is going to go down in my book as one of the most life changing experiences ever.  I'll give you a rundown of my favorite moments:

from holyfamilyfishers.org

Christ Our Light, Thanks be to God!
For as long as I can remember, the very beginning of the Easter Vigil Mass has got to be one of my favorite moments.  The Church is dark, the Easter fire is lit, and the celebrant walks into the Church with the light of the Easter candle singing "CHRIST OUR LIGHT!"  Slowly but surely the congregation's candles illuminate the sanctuary.  There's something about looking around the Cathedral at hundreds of candles that gives me a very concrete visual of what it means to be the Body of Christ.  Together we overcome the darkness.

The Exultet
Not only is it beautiful to stand there holding the light of our candles, we get to hear someone sing the Easter Proclamation!  #bestchantofalltime.

Front Row Seat
Working for the Church has many perks... like getting a front row seat to 28 baptisms!  Ok, so it wasn't a front row "seat" it was more like "Deanna stand close to the baptismal font and help if people need help." That was awesome.  I got to see the faces of women, men, and children as they walked into the font with our Bishop and the Pastor, and the radiant joy on their faces as they stepped out.  Neophytes are extra awesome.

He's One of Us!
Another highlight of this Mass was seeing my best friend's husband enter full communion with the Catholic Church.  It just made the mass that much more special :)  They've been married almost one year and are expecting their first child in July.  I think I saw more joy and excitement on their faces that night than on their wedding day!  #Catholicandproud

L-R Me, Michael, Blake (baby Catholic!) and his wife Becca

Shortly after we took this picture, I suggested that Michael (my boyfriend of almost 3 years) and I take a picture together at the altar.  We hardly ever get pictures taken together, so why not do so when we're in our Easter best!  We took our places at the foot of the altar when Michael said "Deanna..."  

Which was soon followed by "Deanna, will you marry me?" :

I, of course, said yes!  Which was followed by this pretty awesome shot:

I love love love this picture... Mostly because the tabernacle... the Eucharist is at the very center of it.  Right where it should be.  It reminds me of Venerable Fulton Sheen's Three to Get Married.

And that is why I haven't written since the Easter Vigil :-p  Life has been a bit of a whirlwind since March 30th!  Between work, grad school, and wedding planning... I haven't really been sure where to begin on the next entry!

There's a lot to share, and I think it is perfectly appropriate that I began this blog, "Getting Out of the Boat" on the night that my beloved proposed.  Preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage in the midst of one of the busiest years of my life will be an out of the boat experience for sure.  When I look at everything that I have to get done between now and the end of the year it can feel a little overwhelming... but there's this beautiful peace in all of it knowing that on October 5, 2013 I will marry my best friend.

So at this point, I sincerely ask for your prayers.  In the midst of all of the wedding planning, writing a thesis, taking comprehensive exams and continuing ministry at the parish,  things can feel a little crazy! But I know that if I keep eye contact on Christ and keep Him at the center of all of this, 2013 is going to end up as one of the best years thus far!

There's no way we're going to be able to do this on our own.  But with Christ at the center we don't have to.

be at peace
walk on water
be not afraid

d*

"Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is as strong as death..."

Song of Songs 8:6