Wedding Wire Award

Posted January 18, 2019

In Ceremonies, Elopements, Officiant, Paris, Pastor, Vow Renewals, Weddings

A Year in Review

I never dreamed that I would be an “Award Winning Wedding Officiant,” but Ruffled By Grace has won a 2019 Wedding Wire Award. It is such an honor to receive this Couple’s Choice Award.

The Path

A couple of years ago, a friend told me there was work for me to do here in Paris. I told her (basically) “No.”

A year and a half ago, I sat weeping in worship at a conference with another friend who told me “God isn’t done with you yet.”

In February, a dear friend helped me launch my website, and I became “officially an officiant.”

In May, I sat with friends to reflect on the trajectory I had been placed on – the OMG this is a “thing” moment arrived…

And what a year it has been.

My Heart

Thank you to everyone who encouraged me along the way, even when I said “No Way.” Thank you for the pokes and prods and artistic voices.

Even though I have married so many couples since my ordination to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in 2005 (in the Presbyterian Church), it wasn’t until a couple of years ago that a vision for blessing even more couples OUTSIDE of the church doors was laid on my heart.

Last year, when I “officially became an officiant,” it was a step that began a new kind of ministry in Paris. With so much encouragement from the people around me, I took a grand leap of faith.

It was so incredible to hear couple’s stories, and to be able to bless couples who have left the church, or who have felt marginalized by the church, but who desired a holy moment at the beginning of their married life.

My Gratitude

What a privilege it has been to speak love over people’s lives, to bless people, and to give grace so freely. I could never have asked or imagined this role, but I am so SO thankful.