Our Wedding (Part V): Video (+ Photo) Highlights

APRIL 22, 2016: THE DAY I MARRIED MY FOREVER LOVE.

"Our Wedding"  ❤  A Five-Part Blog Series

• Part I – The Preparation (Click HERE to view)
• Part II – Our Ceremony (Click HERE to view)
• Part III – Our Reception (Click HERE to view)
• Part IV – Our Honeymoon (Click HERE to view)
• Part V –  Video (+ Photo) Highlights

Thanks for checking out my final post in the wedding blog series! It is all about videos and a final montage of some of my favorite photos from our wedding.

We are celebrating a year and a half of marriage (10/22)! Although the wedding posts may be coming to a close, our love and learning about marriage continues on. Thank you for taking the time to read these posts, and I hope you enjoyed them all!  ❤ 

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PART V: Video (+ Photo) Highlights

– Wedding Day Trailer –

Produced by "The Story is Told"

Ok. I am pretty stoked about this, so before I start tearing-up, it is my pleasure to present to you this amazing trip down memory lane...

Ladies and gentlemen, our wedding day trailer.

Enjoy! ❤

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– "Our Story" Wedding Video –

Videography – Ron Harrison   |   Editing – See below for THAT fun story... :'D

This video was shown during our wedding reception (see the extended story behind finalizing this video HERE). I really liked the idea of having a video that opened up about our lives: both as individuals, and our lives coming together as husband and wife. I've been to weddings where I really knew the bride, but not the groom (or vice versa), so I wanted those who may not have known either myself or Bryan very well, to get to know us a little bit more during our wonderful celebration. Enjoy!

The story behind the editing: The finished product almost didn't happen! The afternoon before the wedding (that's right...not even 24 hours before the wedding), I was at home trying to finish editing this (I know, crazy...). When I realized I just didn't have the physical strength or time to finish it, I broke down. I texted every and any videographer I knew, but came up empty-handed. Then, I got a text from a dear friend from my days at Disney, letting me know that the crew was finally in Arizona! I called her crying – telling her my situation. Trent, one of the other friends from Disney who knew the program from a graphic-designer perspective, offered to take a program he had little experience with, put his graphic design expertise to action and spent the evening editing the final portions to our video. A blessing that means the world to me (thank you, Trent)!!

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– "Forever" (aka Bryan's Song) –

Videography – The Story Is Told   |   Song Composition – Christie Lukes

After our first dance, I surprised Bryan with a gift of song. Bryan has always told me that one of his favorite memories of me is one of the nights he came over, I sat and sang while playing the guitar...and that meant the world to him. So, when it came to giving him something on our wedding day, I decided to write him a song and perform it for him. ❤

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– Favorite Photo Moments –

Finally, I close this series of wedding memories with some of my favorite photo moments. For a full collection of photos, visit my previous blog posts – links below!

 The Preparation  |  Ceremony  |  Reception  |  Honeymoon

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❤ PREPARATION ❤ 

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❤ CEREMONY ❤ 

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❤ RECEPTION ❤ 

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❤ Mr. & Mrs. ❤ 

See more blog stories at http://christieroshau.com/findyourstory.

Our Wedding (Part IV): Our Honeymoon

APRIL 22, 2016: THE DAY I MARRIED MY FOREVER LOVE.

"Our Wedding"  ❤  A Five-Part Blog Series

• Part I – The Preparation (Click HERE to view)
• Part II – Our Ceremony (Click HERE to view)
• Part III – Our Reception (Click HERE to view)
• Part IV – Our Honeymoon
• Part V –  Video (+ Photo) Highlights

Thanks for checking out my wedding blog series! We are on the brink of one year and five months into our marriage, and looking back on our wedding/honeymoon never gets old! Did you miss "Part III – Our Reception"? Click HERE to get the scoop on all of the details to our reception!  ❤ 

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PART IV: OUR HONEYMOON

– TEN "MAUI-WOWWY" THINGS TO DO –

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✔️ 1 – Stay (majority of your time) in Lahaina

We stayed in two different locations on the island, and I'm so glad we spent majority of our time based in Lahaina. It's a beautiful part of the island, close to a lot of beaches, and a great "home-base" when exploring elsewhere. We also saved by staying at a condo vs. hotel the whole time.

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✔️ 2 – Rent a Convertible and EXPLORE!

My favorite part about Bryan are the times he's able to legitimately surprise me (FE: Our proposal). This is another fine example. He surprised me by renting a red convertible for the week! The coolest part was how much of a God-thing the rental was...we ended up at the wrong rental car place, and when Bryan asked them about if they had a red Camero, they initially said how their location rarely ever gets the sports cars. But, low and behold...they had ONE left! 👌🏻

No matter the vehicle, explore the island! From the beaches to the back roads...plan some time to simply explore the island.

Surprising me with the Camero rental car!

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✔️ 3 – Eat Good Food

Here are my top five places to eat in Maui...

Our first restaurant we went to in Maui!

Amazing BBQ Pulled Pork Tacos (and fish tacos, so I hear...not a fish fan) :-)

The last-standing Cold Stone in Maui...being the ice cream fanatic I am, I say it's a must-visit! :-)

SO GOOD! Not typically a shaved ice fan, but this was a game-changer. Right off of Front Street...

An amazing place with an amazing view for our last evening in Maui... ❤

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✔️ 4 – If  You Take the Road to Hana, Take the Road with Dramamine...

Another term for this is the "Road to He...." nevermind :-) Let's just say, it's best to take a Dramamine if you get sick on wind-ey roads. Not sure if this contributed to my whoozy-stomach, but I will say that there is a place to eat half way, but I didn't think it was that good...so I advise bringing snacks!

UNLESS you want to see all of Hawaii's flowers in one place (kind of neat)...avoid overpriced "Phhokamoa Falls" .... Can't even get close to the falls, and the price was pretty ridiculous. Still, I got some great photos out of the visit!

Property of Christie Lukes, Christie Lukes Photography

Property of Christie Lukes, Christie Lukes Photography

Property of Christie Lukes, Christie Lukes Photography

Property of Christie Lukes, Christie Lukes Photography

Finally, this is a great drive for lots of waterfalls, jungle-feel and TIGHT road corners...so drive safe! It took us a full day to do the trip FYI, and we didn't even see everything. So, if you really want to see something particular, plan ahead.

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✔️ 5 – Molokini Crater is Your Place for Snorkeling

Real moment: I strongly dislike fish: eating, swimming with...seriously. BUT...I will say that this was a neat adventure to go out to this world famous area for snorkeling! Bryan was super patient with me and helping me conquer some (for me, uncomfortable) fishy moments. A great bonding activity! :-D The snorkeling deal we got also included a boat tour on the way back to shore.

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✔️ 6 – Go to a Farmer's Market and Buy "Apple Bananas"

Go to at least one farmer's market while you're in Maui (but remember that you can't bring food back to the states) A must-have fruit is an apple banana!!! They are so good, and the next time we go to Hawaii, I am getting a bundle of 'em!

✔️ 7 – Take a Stroll Down Front Street. Multiple times.

This is just a neat beach town with lots of shopping! ALSO...savings alert!! I forget the name, but there is a little hole in the wall right there on the street that advertises CHEAP activities: all you have to do is spend about 2 hrs of I remember right at a "timeshare" event in a hotel. We were able to go snorkeling and attend a luau for 70% off original price!!

✔️ 8 – Attend a Luah

Go to one! It may seem super touristy, but it's an all-you-can-eat event and a culturally neat ️experience. Also, I must say it was extra special to us, as we met fellow newlyweds sitting across from us. It's crazy how God brings people together at just the right time, and that couple certainly fit the mold of a new lifetime relationship!

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✔️ 9 – Watch a Sunset. Or Two. Or Three...

Of course, it didn't hurt to see a few of these moments while we were out there...

✔️ 10 – Have a Professional Photoshoot on the Beach

Finally, I wanted us to have captured moments from a professional towards the end of our trip. So, we had Stu! If you want a good photographer for a beach shoot in Maui...USE STU! I am more than happy to send his number to anyone in need of this during their Maui trip. These are only a small collection I've posted here, and love them so much!

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❤  I hope you enjoyed these "Maui-Wowwy Moments" from our Honeymoon in Hawaii! ❤ 

No More Shame.

You might not even realize it is something you're putting up with. You might not even know it's taking up a room in your heart.

When you don't live up to your own expectations or definition you've created for yourself, you are probably dealing with shame.

Have you ever caught yourself saying negative things like, "I'm not smart enough to..." Or, "Wow, how stupid of me to..." And even the occasional, "I don't understand why I'm so ..." You fill in the blank however you please, but the bottom line is that you are creating a definition of yourself that was never meant to be your identity, and it's creating a mindset that is unhealthy to your health, wellness and overall life.

You could have even done something that you think is so shameful, upright dishonest, or downright wrong that guilt trips up in your mind, and again, leaving the door open for shame to not just stop in your heart, say hello and then step out; but spend the night over and over and over again.

Over time, this shame becomes a part of you. Hinders you. Keeps you captive and, to a point, you may not even think about it anymore. It just becomes who you are, and who you think you were meant to be.

The truth? That is never how we were meant to live.

Jesus Christ offers us a simple way to rid of this residue, create the TRUE identity of yourself, and will turn your shame into honor. The requirements? Surrender.

"Jesus, I have believed one too many lies about myself. I'm done with thinking thoughts of neglect, unimportance, stupidity and no worth: I'm sorry for believing lies of shame for too long. I give you my mind, my thoughts, my heart. Clean house, God. Show me who I am in Christ."

From Hebrews 12:2, the Holy Spirit gave me this revelation:

SHAME is only removed when one realized their true identity in the One who despised it, conquered it, and replaced its power through the bearing of a cross. He replaced our shame with His HONOR.

That simple.

This isn't a religious act. It's a relationship act.

Only through a relationship with Jesus Christ can this kind of freedom happen. No one else has ever or will ever love you enough to die for you the way He did. Put your total trust in Him. Dive into the Word and find out what God thinks of you. If you are 'in Christ,' it means that you have the character of God living on the inside of you through the Holy Spirit.

Now it's time to know your authority in Christ, and bring your dead bones of true honor back to life. Talk with Him, walk with Him, and discover His thoughts over your life. Once your definition is defined by who God says you are through His Word, the lies you once believed about yourself will have no more authority. 

Take Action

Here is an example from the Word to replace your old way of thinking:

Replace the lie of: "I am worthless."

With the truth of: "I am God's Masterpiece."

Proof: Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Remember, this new way of thinking is not something that'll take care of itself. Only through the finished work of Jesus Christ will this transformation take place, and you must renew your mind daily with the Word of God and His thoughts towards you. Allow the Holy Spirit to help you. He loves YOU and He is faithful!

-Christie

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Here is some further reading that you may enjoy from writer Joyce Meyer's book, "Beauty for Ashes":

"One day as I was reading the Bible, I noticed this statement in 2 Corinthians 5:7: “For we walk by faith [we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight or appearance” (AMP). The Holy Spirit stopped me and asked, “What do you believe, Joyce, about your relationship with God? Do you believe He loves you?” As I honestly began to search my heart and to study His Word on the subject, I concluded He did love me—but conditionally.

But the Bible teaches that God loves us perfectly or unconditionally. His perfect love is not based on our perfection or anything except Himself (see 1 John 4:8). He always loves us, but often we don’t receive His love because of guilt about our wrong behavior. We are supposed to be conscious and aware of God’s love and put faith in it. But I was unconscious and unaware of God’s love; therefore, I was not putting faith in His love for me. What a breakthrough! That was the beginning of my emotional healing. It has been a process, but today I can honestly say I am healed and content. I know in my heart that God loves me—and I also love myself.

Saturate your mind with the truth of God’s Word. It’s filled with reminders of His unconditional love for you. He says you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). He says that nothing can separate you from His love (Romans 8:35). Don’t let the enemy steal your identity. You are God’s masterpiece. Believe it!"

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Work hard. Rest harder.

In our culture today, I've noticed that we tend to see over and over again the importance of being busy, and resting should only be done if you get all other obligations done.

"It keeps you going," one might say. Or, "If I'm not busy, I'd be bored." And even, "God wants me busy...it means that I'm serving Him and love Him.”

I can say this, because it's phrases I have thought before.

Work vs. Busy

I’ve recently discovered a revelation, and even though I am still learning about this, I thought I’d share what I’ve experienced thus far: Busy vs. Working.

Some of Webster’s Definition of Busy:

1: Full of activity
2: Foolishly or intrusively active
3: Full of distracting detail

Some of Webster’s Definition of Work:

1: Activity in which one exerts strength or faculties to do or perform something
2: Sustained physical or mental effort to overcome obstacles and achieve an objective or result
3: The labor, task, or duty that is one's accustomed means of livelihood

I highlight these specific words to show a contrast:

Busyness leads to distractions, intrusiveness, and foolishness

Working leads to strengthening, overcoming, and achievement.

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I searched the Word of God for the difference between work and busyness...and found this story of Martha, the woman who spent all of her time cleaning and doing chores while her sister sat and listened tot he teachings of Jesus. We tend to look at Martha and judge her for being pre-occupied with other tasks instead of spending time with Jesus. I mean, she was WITH HIM...wouldn’t you stop everything if you knew Jesus was in your home?

“But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." - Luke 10:40

Let me rephrase it this way that's a little more relatable:

“Christie was busy with much serving: music, teaching, work, competitions, cleaning the house, doing errands...and she approached Jesus during her 15-minute breaks (aka, driving from one event to the other) and said, “Lord, I am exhausted...don’t You care that everyone else is laughing and enjoying life while I’m serving You all alone? Tell everyone else that they are wrong in all their ‘non-doing,’ and have them come help me!”

To Be Continued...