INSPIREMS

Easter Reflection with Heath Ferguson

4/19/2019

Happy Friday y'all!
Today we wanted to share some inspirational thoughts with y'all in celebration of the upcoming Easter holiday. Our guest author today, Heath Ferguson, is the Director of Pastoral Care and Faith Relations for Mississippi Baptist Health Systems. His words never fail to inspire us and we hope that y'all agree. We hope y'all have an absolutley wonderful weekend with your loved ones!

Light judges the darkness simply by existing. Darkness can only be understood in relation to light. Christ’s presence in our understanding presents to us our understanding of our sin, depravity, and need for salvation. In His perfect existence among us as the Incarnate God in flesh, He presented Himself as the judge and deliverer of our souls. His life gives us more than hope. Faith in Him grants us eternal life.

When we think of who He is, we must be forced to think of who we are in relation to Him. In doing so, our hearts are broken by the reality of our sin and selfishness. But He is more than judge, He is the mender of our brokenness. He is the healer of our hearts. He is life everlasting.

Today is Good Friday. Today we observe, with heavy hearts the most selfless, loving act ever committed. We recognize the most innocent of innocent’s willful submission to the most shameful and painful death imaginable because of our sin. Jesus Christ died the death He did not deserve so that we could have the life that we did not deserve.

Sunday, we celebrate life. We celebrate The Risen Savior. Easter is about victory over death. It is with reverent, worshipful hearts that we praise The Triune God for grace, mercy, and love that abounds beyond our imagination. What is Easter? Easter is creation’s celebration of life and love.

24 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8

Kirsten & Austin {Weddings}

4/15/2019

Hey Y'all!
We hope y'all had an amazing weekend. Today, we wanted to share one of our favorite weddings of this past year with y'all. Kirsten & Austin Golding just celebrated their first anniversary this past Sunday and we could not be happier for this sweet couple. Their wedding was the perfect example of the magic that happens when the state's best vendors come together to bring a client's vision to life. Keep reading for more!

Choosing the venue for your wedding day is one of the biggest decisions a couple makes during the planning process. The venue largely sets the tone for the entire celebration. The amazing thing about getting married in Mississippi is that almost any space can be transformed into a breathtaking venue when incredible vendors from across the state work together to bring a vision to life.

The banks of the mighty Mississippi River served as the perfect location for this incredible Vicksburg wedding. The ceremony space was defined by landscaping along the bank of the river. Using beautiful natural elements such as trees, mulch, and shrubbery the outdoor ceremony space was seamlessly integrated into the natural beauty of the environment.

The reception venue was created by clustering large, white top tents. Floral accents and strategic lighting lent an ethereal feel to the space and created the perfect environment for an energetic celebration. Breathtaking floral wreaths suspended from the ceiling brought the outdoors even further into the tents, aligning with the overall feel of this amazing wedding.

{Inspiring Details}
The venue of the wedding was integrated into even the smallest of details of this celebration. The couple’s logo incorporated the Old Mississippi River Bridge and their last initial to give an elegant look to their invitation suite, welcome basket items and guest favors.

{Vendors}
Photography: Mark Eric Photography | Rentals: Mississippi Tent and Party Rentals | Lighting: Davaine Lighting| Catering and Bar: Pretty Presentations Catering | Florist: Au Courant Floral | Event Coordinator: Kendall Poole Event Planning | Invitations & Branding: Designs by KPEP | Welcome Boxes: Gifts by KPEP | Videographer: The Film Poets | Dress: Lauren Elizabeth Bridal and Boutique | Bridesmaids' Dresses: The Bridal Path | Ceremony Music: LOVE Bagpiper + The String Quartet | Transportation: Phoenix Limousine and Luxury Coach | Hair & Makeup: Makeup by N. G. M | Cakes: The Cake Diva | Sound: Bobby Gross | Band: Southern Komfort |

Mississippi Armed Forces Museum {Life}

4/11/2019

Happy Thursday y'all!
We hope everyone has had a great week so far and that y'all's weekends will be even better. If you're looking for something fun to do with the entire family we suggest checking out the newly expanded Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby. Keep reading for a little bit of the museum's history!

Generations of brave Mississippians have served in our great nation’s Armed Forces. Their endless sacrifices have ensured our safety and freedom. The Mississippi Armed Forces Museum’s mission is to honor, remember, and educate the public about these sacrifices. Director of the Museum, Thomas Lofton, adds, “ While most folks may only set aside one day a year for special days like Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, or Veterans Day, our museum strives to honor veterans every day and do what we can to collect, preserve, and display their stories for future generations of Mississippians.” The recently expanded museum stands proudly on the campus of Camp Shelby in southern Mississippi. For over one hundred years, Camp Shelby has functioned as a military training facility for multiple branches of the United States Armed Forces. The Camp was the second largest training facility during World War II and continues to be pivotal in preparing troops for overseas service. Camp Shelby’s campus is expansive, covering 134,000 acres of Perry, Forrest, and Greene counties.

In 1984, two retired veterans, Donald Evans and Doug White, converted a small room inside a warehouse on the property into a display of their personal collection of military artifacts. The collection began to grow as more veterans donated to what was the beginning of the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum as we know it today. Only nine years after the start of the Museum, the collection had grown too large to be contained in the original space. The collection then moved to a larger space on Camp Shelby’s grounds in 1993. In 1999, the Armed Forces Museum Foundation, military veterans, and state and local leaders secured 4.5 million dollars from the Mississippi State Legislature to fund the construction of a brand new facility. Construction of the Museum’s current building was completed in October of 2001. The Museum has continued to expand and renovate, updating exhibits and creating space for new galleries.

The Mississippi Armed Forces Museum’s exhibits are creative and engaging for all age groups. Historic artifacts and documents combined with video installations are excellent tools for educating visitors about the history of the American military. “Numerous letters, photographs, and some diary accounts from various wars help tell the story of some veterans, but also provide examples and experiences to visitors who are attempting to better understand the evolution of warfare and the service or sacrifice of their ancestors,” says museum director Thomas Lofton. “We not only try to recognize those who gave their lives for our freedom throughout the course of military history, but also try to acknowledge their families that suffered and grieved directly from that loss for many generations to come. In fact, near the front entrance of the museum is the first, and so far the only, Gold Star Families Memorial Monument recognizing the families that have lost so much for freedom.”

The Museum also houses recreated trenches and jungles to create an immersive experience for visitors. These exhibits highlight the significant role Mississippi plays in the United States Armed Forces as well as a general history of the United States Military. The galleries in the Museum are organized by time period. The exhibits span the history of the United States Military and include the 19th Century, First World War, Second World War, Korean War, Vietnam War, and the Global War on Terrorism exhibits. The Museum also has a number of outdoor exhibits, making the visitor experience truly comprehensive. On the grounds of the Museum, guests will find beautiful memorials and a vehicle park with aircrafts, tanks, and field artillery that allows guests to come face to face with real equipment used during combat.

The Mississippi Armed Forces Museum is free and open to the public Tuesday- Saturday 9 am to 4 pm. There are multiple ways to support the efforts of the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum. The Museum is currently accepting artifact donations from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. These objects, including equipment, documents, and photographs should provide documentary support of the military service of Mississippians and those who trained at Camp Shelby specifically. Additionally, monetary donations are welcome and go a long way towards helping the Museum honor Mississippi’s veterans. To inquire about donating an artifact and more general information about the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum please visit their website https://armedforcesmuseum.us.

Most Inspirational Mississippian 2019 {Life}

4/9/2019

Happy Tuesday Y’all!
Today we wanted to share a truly inspirational story with all of you. Stacy Underwood was named Most Inspirational Mississippian in our most recent issue for a very good reason! Her sacrifices, determination, and creativity have made the Jackson community a better place. Stacy is a light in so many people’s lives and we hope her story inspires y’all just as much as it inspired us. Keep reading for more on Stacy Underwood and the incredible organization she founded, HeARTworks.

Stacy Underwood understands the power of artistic expression. A creative from a young age, Stacy’s own creative ventures changed in nature as she grew older. “I have always loved art, creating things with my hands has always satisfied my soul. As a child, I loved all things crafty. As a teen, I poured over Martha Stewart magazines for homemade gift ideas. As a college student, I was intrigued by graphic design and now, I am thrilled by the fine arts,” smiles Stacy. Stacy founded HeARTworks eleven years ago. HeARTworks is a program that aims to place the power of creative expression into the hands of individuals who otherwise might not have the opportunity to express themselves through an artistic medium.

HeARTworks was brought forth from Stacy Underwood’s desire to combine her own passion into a meaningful ministry. I had been searching for a way to give back and nothing was really inspiring me. I wanted to create, and I also wanted to help, but just couldn’t get excited about anything until I read Ron Hall’s Same Kind of Different as Me. After completing that book, God woke me up to a lightning bolt of an idea to start an art program for the homeless. It just seemed to answer all my questions; I could give back using my passion, art!” says Stacy.

Almost every Tuesday morning for the past eleven years, the old cafeteria at Stewpot Community Services in downtown Jackson transforms into an art studio. HeARTworks volunteers walk with members of the Stewpot community through the creative process. Stacy, now a faithful volunteer, is there for almost every meeting, and helps the director of HeARTworks, Mac Brown, run the program smoothly. “ These meetings provide a non intimidating setting for getting to know someone you might not otherwise get to know, in that way HeARTworks is a connector of people. Tuesday morning classes inherently foster deep understandings, empathy, and friendships among all those involved. Aesthetically beautiful art, while exciting when it happens, is not necessarily the ultimate goal of Tuesday mornings,” says Stacy.

The benefits of the program extend beyond the regular Tuesday morning meetings. The artwork HeARTworks participants create during this time are collected and put on display in the annual HeARTworks Art Show. At the show, members of the Jackson metro area at large are encouraged to come view the hard work of the artists and purchase the pieces that speak to them. Eighty percent of the proceeds from the sale of the artwork are given directly to the artist and the remaining twenty percent is collected by Stewpot Community Services. The annual show serves to give agency to the artists and educate the greater community about the program.

The importance of programs like HeARTworks cannot be understated. Programs that provide disadvantaged individuals in our community the opportunity to gain the resources and knowledge that allow them to recognize their potential as an artist or otherwise, strengthen our entire community from the inside out. It is the sacrifices of individuals like Stacy Underwood and all the HeARTworks volunteers that make the Jackson community a better place. “The old saying, ‘it is better to give than receive,’ may be trite, but it has proven true time and time again in my experience downtown. As a community, we are only as strong as our weakest neighborhood. It seems to me that by that definition, there can be no suburb without the urb. If the heart of our state, Jackson, is not well, the rest of our state suffers, no matter how pretty we paint our buildings,” says Stacy.

There are many ways to support the mission of HeARTworks. If you feel led to volunteer with program, you are encouraged to help with a Tuesday morning class; all are welcome to join no matter the level of artistic experience. Additionally, the program benefits from donations of acrylic paints, art paper, paint brushes, and other art supplies. Finally, monetary donations are always appreciated. To find out more about the HeARtworks program, please head over to their website www.heartworksms.com or follow them on Instagram @heartworks.

Photography by Christina Foto

Christian & Brooks {Weddings}

4/4/2019

Hey y'all!
Happy Thursday! The weekend is just around the corner and we are ready for it, as always! We wanted to brighten up your Thursday a little by sharing Christian and Brook's big day with y'all! Captured by the talented Kyle Hancock of Kyle Hancock Photography, this darling couple's wedding day was filled with Mississippi favorites and beautiful florals from Fresh Cut Catering and Floral. We also fell in love with their reception venue, Two Mississippi Museums, it added such a modern twist to a southern celebration! Keep reading for more.

{Tell me a little bit about y’all!}
Brooks is from Magee, Mississippi and I am from Greenwood! We met at Mississippi College, where we both went to college. He played baseball and I played soccer, we crossed each other’s path a couple of times due to playing sports. Brooks is currently in physical therapy school at UMMC, and is graduating in May. I am a registered nurse in an Emergency Department in Jackson, and I am currently in the family nurse practitioner track at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

{Tell us about the proposal!}
One thing I have always loved about Brooks is that he documents every moment, from special occasions to the casual walks around town. For our proposal, he compiled a video of all of our special moments throughout our relationship and at the end of the video it showed him walking into a jewelry store owned by our dear friends. Then the video cuts off and there he was on one knee, asking me to marry him! Of course, I was crying the happiest tears one could imagine, with the answer as YES!

{What did you use as your main inspiration for planning your wedding?}
Brooks and I have always been major supporters of local business and we wanted to show our love for Mississippi. My engagement ring and our wedding bands came from a local jewelry store in my hometown. All of our paper products came from a local stationary shop, Posh Design Shoppe. The rehearsal dinner party favors were a Mississippi ornament from Boswell Regional Center in Magee, MS. These ornaments are made by children and adults with special needs, and the money goes to this support this awesome program. Everything we chose to be a part of our wedding was near to our heart, from location, food, style of the band, paper products, and much more!

{Why did you choose your wedding ceremony location and reception venue?}
Our wedding ceremony was held at Mississippi College’s Provine Chapel. This was always my dream, ever since I was a student at Mississippi College. The building is an old chapel, built in 1860, with beautiful high ceilings, gorgeous chandeliers, and wooden pews. Oddly enough, during the civil war, the Union used this building as a hospital for their soldiers. Provine Chapel is a historical location with a lot of character. It was so pretty on it’s own, that it did not require too many decorations.

{Why did you decide on the specific flowers and bouquet styles?}
Honestly, it sounds crazy, but I had no idea on flowers while I was planning my wedding. Thankfully with the combination on Pinterest and my wonderful florist, Wendy Putt with Fresh Cut Catering and Floral, we were able to get some good inspirations. Being a fall wedding, I knew that I wanted to have some greenery, but I was lost without seeing pictures of others weddings. Wendy recommended flowers and greenery that were practical and beautiful and I trusted her fully to make it beautiful,. She truly went above and beyond!

{What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process?}
My favorite part of the wedding process was getting to combine all of the things that Brooks and I love and throwing a huge party. Having a wedding allowed my to reunite with people that I haven’t seen in years and good friends. Every piece of our wedding was exactly what we wanted!

{What advice would you give other brides-to-be?}
The best part of planning a wedding is that YOU get to choose. If there are things that you are passionate about, go for them. If certain areas don’t interest you, don’t stress it. Throwing a wedding is not meant to be stressful. If it ever becomes overwhelming, step back and realize “at the end of the day, we will be married, and that is all that matters”. That is my mother's famous quote. Enjoy every moment because the time truly flies by!

{What were some of favorite detail from your big day?}
Paper products are always one of my favorite details of any celebration. Brooks and I were able to customize them the way we wanted and add our special touch. From the save the dates to the napkins, each one gave a picture of our personalities.
My absolute favorite detail of the entire night was the glow sticks, and flashing light tambourines. These were an absolute crowd favorite and made dancing the night away so much fun! Everyone, of all ages, were having such a good time using them!

{Vendors}
Photography: Kyle Hancock Photography | Event Coordinator: Rachel Curtis- Posh Design Shoppe | Dress: Low’s Bridal and Formal | Floral, Catering, and Lighting: Fresh Cut Catering and Floral | Ceremony Venue: Provine Chapel at Mississippi College | Reception Venue: Two Mississippi Museums | Paper : Posh Design Shoppe | Videographer: Revival House | Band: Even Odds- Memphis, TN |

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Easter Reflection with Heath Ferguson

Kirsten & Austin {Weddings}

Mississippi Armed Forces Museum {Life}

Most Inspirational Mississippian 2019 {Life}

Christian & Brooks {Weddings}

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