That's not love...

After skimming articles, watching video clips and listening to radio shows surrounding the mass murder in VA, the only thing I could think of was "That's not love." Obviously, Cho was mentally disturbed, as indicated by his diagnosis of autism and confessions by family matters that they were concerned about him. In one of the video clips, Cho claims to have punished these students in the name of faith - in the name of Christ. He describes Christ's death - how these students couldn't possibly understand it, and how their sins, in a sense, have led him to show him their proper punishment.

Let's get something straight... Yes, Christ died an excruciatingly painful death. No, there's no way we, as humans, can even begin to understand what He went through on physical, spiritual, mental, or emotional levels. None of us were born perfect, lived a perfect life and then took on the punishment of every soul from the beginning till the end of time. And ya know what? We're not supposed to. The necessity of Christ's death was for the opposite reason Cho claims - Christ endured that horrible pain so we wouldn't have to. His death brought us an interpersonal relationship with the Creator, freedom from eternal death, freedom from animal sacrifices, freedom from sin! Awe, respect, fear, love, gratefulness... these are all appropriate responses to that sacrifice. Forcing someone else to feel that pain is not. God is love... His followers are to be set apart by His love eminating through them. If you read the Bible, the entire thing points back to LOVE. This cruel massacre was a sick, deranged human being, his mind so twisted by disease and hatred, that no room for love was left. This was not someone who exemplified God's love for those students. Nor was it his responsibility to exemplify God's wrath. God's wrath is always tempered by His love...

My heart aches for the victims, for their families, for their friends. My heart aches for Cho, for his family, for his friends (which it doesn't seem he had too many of). Cho is responsible for the choices he made and I make no excuse for him... but it does make me keenly aware of my interactions with people each day. I just wonder... if he had had the opportunity to experience true love... divine love... would he have made the same decision?

These thoughts are hardly complete... I have so many others, but not too much time left on my lunch break... just thought I'd throw that out there for now... thoughts?

Wedding #6: Chrystal and Paul, wedding day

We started bright and early at 5:30am with hair and make-up... and coffee, provided by Betho... what a darling. We sure needed it! :)


After the girls finished dolling up and the guys finished with their pictures, the girls headed downstairs to the indoor courtyard, equipped with fountain and a bunch of pretty trees for our photo-taking pleasures... Cari was the maid of honor and Aimee, Sarah and I were her bridesmaids. :) Good times...

So pretty! She looked like a princess... Her cousin was her bridesmaid (in a dress made by her aunt!)
Then we headed over to the church, all prepped and prettied up.
JP and I took a picture in between the ceremony and the reception. We're so cute. I love us. :)
Aimee and Josh Parsons...Sarah and Paul's roomie... :)

Cari and Matt Thacker...

The night was amazing. We had a fabulous time dancing, a great time hanging out and so much good food, good laughs and special moments. :) It was a blast and I'm SO grateful I got to be a part of it... :) Blessings to Paul and Chrystal!!!

Wedding #6: Chrystal and Paul, rehearsal dinner

So... one of the requests from Chrystal was for Cari and I to sing "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from the Lion King... so... we obliged somewhat. We bought paper bowls that had little animals on them and did a re-enactment, with all the bridal party breaking the bowls out at the chorus... it was hilarious, a lot of fun and Paul and Chrystal absolutely loved it... fun times. :)

They had a Hawaiian luau with L&L BBQ... so yummy! We just hung out and hada good time before getting ready for our early morning the next day! :) The bridal party went back to our hotel... the girls chatted, hung out and finally made it to bed around 1am... oops... :)