Guest Blogger: Nicole Cole

One year of marriage.  One WHOLE year of marriage.  When I really think about these first 365 days of marriage, I realize that it is just a blink compared to the lifetime of moments and days and memories we have left to share.  Babies will come, moves will happen, new jobs will begin, heartbreak will strike.  That’s the beauty of life, I think.  Knowing that there’s good and bad, but knowing that the Lord has given us the promise of His Spirit and His love.  Knowing that He’s blessed us with husbands, wives, friends, and family to walk through each and every season.  This newlywed season has been one of the very best seasons I’ve experienced in my short twenty-something years of life.  It’s special in so many unique ways that I never even thought about before now.      

There are little things that make my heart skip a beat and things that bug me that I didn’t even know would be an issue.  Just the other day a situation arose and my first instinct was to be frustrated or mad, but then the Lord screamed “GRACE!” into my heart.  Brides, being a wife is so much more than planning for a wedding day, wearing a white dress, and partying with your friends.  Marriage is dying to yourself on a daily basis and choosing to love, respect, and give grace to someone else.  Marriage is the earthly relationship that mirrors the relationship God has with His bride, the Church.  This is HUGE, friends.  

I spent so many early mornings and late nights praying over our marriage and digging into the Word and finding out what the Lord had to say about marriage.  I prayed fervently that Jesus would come and fill that barn with His presence.  I prayed, oh I prayed, that He would give me clarity and that I would be fully present in every single moment.  The Lord was faithful.  

Brides, I can only encourage you to PRAY, PRAY, PRAY for your marriage.  Pray that the Lord would show up on that sweet wedding day of yours.  Pray that He would protect your marriage.  I’m only a little ways in and I can already tell you that our marriages are something to protect.  Something we have to FIGHT for.  Fight for your man.  Love him with fierce passion and pray that the Lord would prepare you to be not only a bride, but a wife.  I will forever have a soft spot in my heart for March the 8th.  I will always love our engagement and the fun times that we had with the people who love and encourage us most.  This is such a time of preparation.  Use it not only to prepare for your wedding day, but use it to prepare for your marriage.    

I encourage you, commit to pray daily for your wedding day and for your marriage.  Start reading scripture about what marriage means and what it will look like for you as a wife.  I can tell you from experience, your wedding day will be SO full of joy when you’ve prepared your heart, mind, and spirit for it!

Brides, you have such a special season ahead.  Your wedding day will be a beautiful.  It will be one of the most incredible days of your life.  But, real, raw, tender moments in life shared with your husband are special in ways that are nearly impossible to describe.  Joy. So much joy.    

Jon Sharman Photography | The Bloom Blog

Guest Blogger: Mitchell Walters

A passion for classical music is brewing among students in Vicksburg.  Thanks to the devotion and drive of one extraordinary Mississippian, Ruthanne Schnell, violins are making a comeback.  Mrs. Schnell's fondness of classical music began at an early age.  With a particular interest in stringed instruments, she pursued her passion across the globe to Stuttgart, Germany. 

While studying music in Stuttgart, she had the rare opportunity to hear some of the most renowned musicians in the world. Though students were granted free tickets, they were hard to find.  Even after being warned that someone "would have to die" in order for her to obtain a coveted ticket to the Opera, she made her way into an unforgettable performance.  After she returned to the states, she began sharing her talent, playing in a number of different orchestras around Mississippi.

Mrs. Schnell also grew an interest in teaching children.  She noticed that local papers advertised pop rock, blues and jazz concerts, but rarely did she see classical music.  Mrs. Schnell began teaching strings in the Vicksburg Warren School District.  Interest in the violin, cello and viola immediately began growing.
Then came the shattering news.  The school district had accumulated a multi-million dollar debt, and Mrs. Schnell's program was abruptly dropped. 

Mrs. Schnell knew that many parents had purchased expensive instruments for their children. She says, "it seemed terrible that a child must put an instrument in a closet and forget about it!"   With an increasingly small group of people interested in classical music, she felt it was vital to allow her students to continue their musical education.
With her ever-determined spirit, Mrs. Schnell contacted the Southern Cultural Heritage Complex in Vicksburg.  They provided a perfect space, where she began offering violin, cello, and viola lessons to students - completely free of charge!
Every Monday and Friday, Mrs. Schnell drives 15 miles to the Center from her home in Edwards, where she offers group and private lessons.  One by one, she teaches young children to properly hold an instrument, glide the bow across the strings, and begin to play.  
She is currently sharing her love of music with twenty students, ranging in age from the third through the eleventh grade.  Not only are the children benefiting from her time, but she assures it brings her much delight. 

Mrs. Schnell notes that some of the greatest classical musicians from the 1920's became great because they practiced, practiced, practiced.  She laughs, "there was nothing else to do!"  Mrs. Schnell adds, "if the children want to play well, they have to give it some practice."

One woman, one instrument, and one child at a time.  We have no doubt this remarkable Mississippian is inspiring a new generation of great classical musicians.
All photos courtesy of Justin Sellers and The Vicksburg Post.  Photos taken at the  Southern Cultural Heritage Complex

For three year old Holly, there is nothing she loves more than horses, so a carousel birthday party at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum was the perfect way to celebrate her big day.  

Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum | Cake: Karissa Deckerd  |  Face Painting: Kelli Tisdale  | Photos courtesy of Mary Robertson and Angela McRae

Here at Inspiration MS, we wondered what it would be like to work with your spouse day in and day out, so why not go to the source? We sat down with Wendy and Bruce Putt of Fresh Cut Catering and Floral to find out what it would be like to run a true "family" business. 

The Fresh Cut story began twenty-four years ago when Wendy put her floral skills to the test and tried to make a lifelong business from her passion.  As her venture blossomed, she found the perfect partner in work and in love when she decided to partner with her husband, Bruce.  Wendy’s floral expertise and Bruce’s enjoyment in the kitchen meshed perfectly to form a balanced and solid business.  Bruce made it his goal to keep Wendy from worrying about the food, so that she could focus on the flowers that brought her to this profession.

Fresh Cut is not only focused on flowers and food, but on creating a family.  The couple’s children, Julia and Harrison, are off to college now, with Julia following in her mother’s footsteps by studying floral design. As Wendy says, "Everyone who works here is like a family too!" The couple has worked hard to establish a place where they can all work, laugh, and love together on a daily basis.

This dynamic duo not only managed to cultivate their own love and relationship, but they built a business that enriches so many lives around them.  One might wonder how they could manage such a feat, and the answer is simpler than you would imagine.  They have an amazing balance between work and home, and they continue surprising each other everyday. 

“I am always amazed at how she balances it all,” Bruce said of his bride.  We personally believe that this sort of awe, mixed with their hard work and trust, will continue to bring success to both the Putt family and their Fresh Cut family for many years to come.

{Guest Blogger} Mitchell Walters

As the sun rises tomorrow morning, we usher in a season known for its warmth and long, lazy days.  Summer is a wonderful time to treat yourself to the best Mississippi has to offer: delectable meals freshly charred from the grill, picturesque beaches along the Gulf Coast, and live music with roots in our great state.  Here are a few ideas to help jump start your best summer yet.

{B B Q}

Summer weekends are a perfect excuse to fire up the grill and share delicious fare with your friends and family.  We recommend visiting The Everyday Gourmet in Jackson, MS (www.theeverydaygourmet.com), to purchase some amazing Mississippi-made products, great for seasoning and serving your barbecue.  We cannot wait to try the Daddy's BBQ Sweet Love Chicken Rub and the Shapley's Gourmet Seasoning. 

photos courtesy of theeverydaygourmet.com

Need a little help whipping up an impressive feast?  Head to Greenwood and take a class at the Viking Cooking School!  A list of upcoming courses is listed here on their website!

If you have a craving for a refreshing toddy, shake up a drink with one of the four original Cathead Vodka flavors.  For inspiration, check out their list of Cathead cocktail recipes here.  

photos courtesy of www.catheadvodka.com 

{BEACHES}

The Mississippi Gulf Coast boasts an impressive 62 miles of shoreline, including 26 miles of gorgeous beaches, just begging you to visit!  The Gulf Coast is known for its white sand and calm waters.  While you are there, shop and eat your way through the many charming cities and towns in southern Mississippi.  For more information, visit gulfcoast.org.  

photo courtesy of www.visitusa.com

If you prefer a pool, we highly recommend the pristine pool at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi.  Overlooking the Mississippi Sound, it is a calming oasis and perfect spot for a cool dip on a hot summer day.

Photo courtesy of www.beaurivage.com

{THE BLUES}

Mississippi is known as a birthplace of the blues, and its soulful music still lives on today.  As the great John Lennon once said, "I wish I could play the guitar like B.B. King."  In 2008, the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center was opened to honor Mr. King himself, often called "The King of Blues."  Settled on Highway 82 between Greenwood and Greenville, the museum is a must-see.  For more information, please visit www.bbkingmuseum.org

photo courtesy of www.bbking.com 

Are you are aching to hear some live bands throughout the summer?  Go to www.visitthedelta.com for a complete list of blues festivals, promising rich and captivating music.  

We at Inspiration Mississippi wish you a wonderful start to a memorable Mississippi summer!