LWYoung

ULC is an accredited religious organization. Your ordination certificate should be sufficient if they require credentials. If your state requires more formal documentation I believe that is available from the ULC website.

After a few tense days followed by over a week of steady progress, I am pleased to report that the boy is doing much better and is now home. Thank you everyone for their thoughts and prayers.

I know there are many fine folks on this forums regardless of their philosophical differences. Our newest grandson was born Nov 2 2009 some weeks premature. It was determined within hours of his birth that he contracted pneumonia, suffers from PDA, and jaundice. He was immediately transported to the neonatal care unit at MUSC here in SC. He is on a ventilator and antibiotics for the pneumonia and underdeveloped lungs, undergoing phototherapy for the jaundice, and may need a heart surgery procedure if the PDA doesn't heal normally. He has steadily improved but is not out the woods yet. MUSC is a teaching hospital and one of the best in the country. The doctors and nurses at MUSC are as close to medical wizards as you'll find anywhere and the prognosis is "guardedly good." The parents are staying Charleston with the baby while my youngest daughter and I tag teaming the chores of looking after their 4 other children (ages 7,5,3,2.) My family and I humbly request for my newest grandson be kept in your prayers if you have an extra minute and happen think of it.

Before I do a wedding ceremony I have a consultation with the couple. Sometimes more than one if they need/seek premarital counseling. The practice ceremony (if they have one) usually works out most of the kinks. Some of the questions I ask are: What type of ceremony do you think you want? Traditional or other? You can find traditional vows, ceremonies, online or you can get a book with various ceremony styles from any decent book store etc. If Other: Do you have an idea of what style/faith/belief/special requests might they have. The most common I run into is they want to write their own vows. Sometimes to repeat to each other (which means you need a copy) or they want to say them to each other (which means you'll have to prompt them for them) Either way ask for a copy of each in case they drop/forget/lose them and get that big eyed look during the ceremony. How they want to proceed, how they want to be presented at the end of the ceremony etc. Some advice I'd give is: Whatever style the ceremony.. be prepared.. read the ceremony over a few times. Try to get a sense of timing for what goes where and when. Brides and grooms are supposed to be nervous and stutter, stammer and look big eyed, NOT the official. If they're particularly nervous, during the vows and ring part of the ceremony (if applicable), ignore the crowd and talk to them by name. It gives them a focus and seems to help clear the fog. Count on nothing going exactly according to plan.. the flower girl might decide to sit down halfway the aisle.. the ring bearer may decide he wants his mommie and only his mommie and is going to GET his mommie and doesn't care how solemn an occasion it may be. The groom may loose the ability of speech. You get the idea. Regardless of religious affiliation.. there is an even chance the groom may be tipsy/er/est. There is a better than even chance that no matter how sweet otherwise, the bride is on her last nerve and close to a bloodletting. Grab them right after the grand exit and sign the license(s) before they get caught up with any other activities. In SC the official has to present the completed license to the clerk of court. Laws may vary by state. But SC doesn't consider them legally married until the license is signed and recorded. And most importantly, don't take yourself too seriously, this isn't about you or all those people looking at you, its about the couple. Stay focused, have fun, keep it moving, nudge when necessary and lead when needed. Don't eat too much cake

Happy Halloween.. living out in the boonies, the only kids I get are usually the grandkids... So I get the candy they don't