Cheryl Barker's Blog, page 4

2025 Theme Word: Trust

What does starting a new year mean for you? For me, it means it’s time to focus on a new theme word. I’ve never been big into New Year’s resolutions, but this is the thirteenth year I’ve chosen a theme word to help guide me through the year. It’s a practice I highly recommend. I can honestly say it has benefited me year after year.

The word the Lord impressed on my heart for 2025? Trust. When the thought of choosing a new theme word first crossed my mind back in November, trust immediately spran...

Custom Sneakers for the Bride or Groom

Mother of the Bride, everything the bride wears on wedding day will be noticed—and photographed—and that includes her shoes. What style is she interested in for the ceremony and formal shots? How about the reception and party? Almost without exception, a more comfortable pair of shoes than her dressy heels will be needed before the dancing is over and she dashes off to her honeymoon.

A great choice for the reception (or at least after you get past the important photos) is custom sneakers. Not on...

Gift Yourself with Silence This Christmas

[image error]Do you have your own name written down on your Christmas list? If not, put it at the top right now. I’ll even make it simple for you and tell you what to give yourself.

 Gift yourself with silence. That’s right—the glorious life-giving gift of soothing silence.

You see, the gift of silence took me by surprise one November morning years ago. Not long after the hubbub of school-and-work traffic had ceased, I went out to fill the birdbath with fresh water. As the sun proclaimed its brilliance, the ...

Wedding Planning Help Plus Holiday Blogging Break

Mother of the Bride, with December here and Christmas inching ever closer, I’ve decided to take a blogging break until after the first of the year. Like you, I want to focus on faith, family, and friends over the next few weeks. We need to make the most of our precious time and do what’s really important, don’t we?

So allow me to go ahead and wish you and yours a very merry Christmas—and I wish all the best to you and your daughter as you continue preparations for her big day. I hope the followi...

Take Time for Wonder

Years ago I invited extra beauty into my life by putting a birdbath and birdfeeder in our backyard. Since my office window provides a perfect view of that portion of our yard, I’ve enjoyed moments of wonder ever since that I would never have spotted otherwise.

I took the above photo of a cardinal that first November and was thrilled to capture the shot. In my experience with photographing birds up to that point, I’d found that male cardinals didn’t sit still for long—at least not long enough for...

Aisle Decor Idea for Outdoor Weddings: Fresh Flowers!

Mother of the Bride, is your daughter planning an outdoor wedding for next spring or summer? If so, the two of you may want to come up with some ideas to spruce up the folding chairs you’ll probably be using.

Fresh flowers provide the perfect aisle/chair décor when the ceremony is held in the great outdoors. Not only do they fit right in with the outdoor setting, but they add gorgeous pops of color to the sea of seats. And colorful flowers look especially striking when the chairs are white (as p...

Unexpected Opportunities: Seize the Moment

Unexpected opportunities can sure mess with our schedules. A moment packed with potential presents itself, and we’re met with the dilemma of either staying on task or pulling away and taking advantage of the opportunity before us. Which will we do?

More and more I’m learning to seize the moment before it disappears. Whether it’s taking time to take photos of beautiful birds at the birdbath or feeder or putting my work on hold to offer some encouraging words, to help someone, or to take time with...

Wedding Day Checklist: Leftover Cake Containers

Mother of the Bride, here’s a short and sweet reminder for wedding day: Don’t forget containers for the leftover cake!

I know it’s hard to imagine that your guests might leave some of that wedding cake yumminess uneaten, but they sure do. Chances are you planned for more than enough cake because cake is one thing you don’t want to have in short supply at the reception. Plus, not everyone will eat cake. Hard to believe, but true.

Check with your wedding cake baker to see if he or she provides box...

A Special Touch: The Kiss of God

[image error]Special touches from God—those moments that fill and warm the heart. Those moments when we feel his presence so vividly. Our spirits long for such moments, don’t they?

I think God may give more special touches than we recognize. We may know we’ve been touched by joy or peace or contentment. But sometimes we fail to recognize the Giver of these good gifts.

Let’s not miss him. Let’s not miss the kiss of God.

The Kiss of God

Sometimes it catches us
completely unaware,
other times it answers
our lon...

Ultimate Guide to Looking Your Best on Wedding Day

Mother of the Bride, would you like to point your bride-to-be-daughter (and yourself) to a fantastic and comprehensive beauty guide for her wedding day? You’ll be surprised at how much you both can do to prepare to look your best on the big day, starting even six to ten months ahead of time if you so choose.

Théia Aesthetics’ article on essential bridal beauty rituals covers a range of tips and approaches to help brides achieve the appearance they want and feel good about it. It undoubtedly incl...