At last ...

It's been a long time since I've posted. Much has happened -- lots of good things! -- and I'll be sharing ...

Here's one of the two best things: I got to spend the Fourth of July weekend with all three of my children, and my granddaughter! Yup, it was the first time in nearly 6 years that we have all been together.

The occasion? Family reunion, this year in Springville, Utah. We had thunderclouds, a little rain, mosquitoes, long (and rather eventful) drives -- and a great time!

Courage campaign

You may have already seen this video. And if you've read my blog, you know how I feel about same sex marriages.

Let's not only sign this petition, let us also hold in our own hearts the belief that love will prevail, regardless of sexual orientation (or color, or age, or health or wealth or anything else).

On behalf of Amy and Deborah (together over 12 years), Pierre and Bob (over 17 years), Robyn and Sam (nearly 20 years), and Lenaea and Michelle, Sarah and Lou, Lori and Mary, Leon and Carlos, and all the other couples whose love knows no boundaries, thank you.

Blessings,
Rev. Jeri

My book has arrived!

I am so excited to announce that I'm a published author! I've written a wedding book, "Celebration Ceremonies, The Perfect Words for Your Wedding Day!" and it just arrived yesterday.

Now, before you head over to Border's to purchase multiple copies (!!), I must confess that it's really more of a marketing tool than something you'd want to curl up with and read before a toasty fire. Unless, of course, you love looking at wedding photos -- most of which include me! -- and pondering ceremony ideas.

In the past when I've met with couples -- that no-cost, no-obligation, no-pressure first meeting -- I would bring my black binder which includes parts of the ceremony, samples of what I might wear, and a few pages of "kudos" from happy couples.

However, after putting together a life-story book in honor of my boyfriend's birthday last year, I decided to create a book about weddings. I used an online bookmaking program, Blurb.com, and I HIGHLY recommend it. It was so much fun, easy to use, and the finished product looks great! (In my humble opinion, of course. LOL!)

So, thank you for letting me brag on myself! (And if you're a Sacramento couple, looking for a wedding officiant, give me a call. If we meet, I'll let you look at my book!)

Blessings,
Rev. Jeri
www.RevJeriMurphy.com

A sweet expression of love!

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all feel this loving towards others, even if they are "different" from us?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rooyt3ptNco

Rev. Jeri

To love, cherish ... and obey?

Instead of exchanging rings ...

I read this on another blog, and I LOVE the idea:

Instead of doing a ring exchange, our officiant asked us to hold our hands over the other's heart and declare, "From my hand to your heart, I thee wed" which reminded us that love is an action. Our actions and what we do with our hands affects people's emotions. We must live every day choosing to love our partner and protecting and cherishing their heart and feelings.

It gave me goosebumps when I read it!

Anyone else done this? Or anything else very special and personal, while exchanging rings?

Rev. Jeri

(PS: Photo by Lifetime Photography by Bakari)

I Am Thriving . . .

(Warning: There are many exclamation points in this post, because I'm excited about this topic!)

One of my favorite annual events occurred at my house yesterday: Treasure Mapping!

Ummm, what is a Treasure Map, you ask? Where do you find one, or how do you make one? And why? Why spend an entire day (or, at least, many hours) cutting up magazines, and gluing words and pictures on a poster board?

I'll tell you why! Because Treasure Mapping is an imaginative, powerful and FUN way to create! (And I have my own success stories to prove it!)

Each year I invite some of my very best girlfriends to come to my house. I entice them with the promise of homemade minestrone soup, and I invite them to bring food to share. (And, naturally, we nibble throughout the day. Cookies and edamame and lemon cake; oh, my!)

Armed with poster board, glue sticks, scissors, magazines, a photo of ourselves, and big dreams, we create Treasure Maps. (You may know them as "Vision Boards," especially if you're familiar with the book "The Secret.")

We start with introductions. Most of the ladies already know each other; this year we have one new -- and very special -- addition to our group. My sweetheart's daughter, Carrieanna, joined us for the first time. And by her enthusiastic response, and the great welcome she got from the group, I'm guessing she'll be back! (Plus, she created an amazing Treasure Map. I'll be eager to hear HER success stories!)

After a simple meditation, we go around the circle and state our goals: One wants more balance in life; another is affirming good health and a sleeker body. One is ready to find true and passionate love -- hey, maybe she'll want me to perform her wedding ceremony. You bet I will!!

I spend a few minutes talking about how to create a Treasure Map, and then we start. Cutting and pasting and laughing and eating and creating and believing that we can be/do/have whatever we can envision!

(No, it isn't "make-believe" or "magic." It's the power of intention and the law of attraction and positive thinking. But that's another blog topic for the future. However, if you're interested in learning more now, I highly recommend Maria Nemeth's book, "The Energy of Money." A truly life-changing book.)

My own affirmation: I am thriving, spiritually and economically, in my successful, dynamic ministry! (Can you find those words in my poster?!) I included personal photos, pictures from magazines, and "feeling words" to describe how I will feel as I realize my goals.

We end the day with another fun exercise. I hand out big (12-inch) balloons and ask everyone to inflate them. "And as you blow up that balloon, imagine that you are releasing any fears or thoughts that might limit your ability to have what you've created."

And then we BLOW UP that "I can't" energy by popping our balloons! (One friend -- Anna -- barely inflated her balloon. She said she didn't have much "I can't" energy to release. YAY!)

Like kindergarten students, we all eagerly show off our posters, and promise to encourage each other (vocally and with positive thoughts) as we manifest our dreams.

This morning Anna (The Dove Lady from Whitebird Ceremonial Dove Releases) sent me an email, and with her permission I quote:

"Thank YOU!! for setting aside such a huge chunk of your day to guide us on this path. I think I've told you before that I think about goals ONCE A YEAR! At your house! . . . Guess I've just been lucky. But, yes, GRATITUDE is my new mantra, and it really didn't hit me until you gave us the balloons. Am I in denial? I really tried to think of some 'cant's' in my life, but I just think 'wants' obliterate 'cant's'."

Gratitude. Ah, yes.

That's my benediction ... on this year's Treasure Map, and for today's post. Gratitude.

"Thank you, God!"

I Am Thriving . . . .

Namaste,
Rev. Jeri