Perspective

I was doing some research and came across some interesting facts on this site. It is crazy to think that 45 years ago, interracial marriage was still illegal in some states, and I am thankful that through the initiatives of many people in our society, interracial marriage is legal today.

-In the 1660s, Maryland became the first colony to prohibit interracial marriages. 1

-By 1750, all the southern colonies as well as Massachusetts and Pennsylvania made interracial marriages illegal. 1 For example, Virginia had a law stating that "All marriages between a white person and a colored person shall be absolutely void without any decree of divorce or other legal process." (Code Ann. A7 20-57)

-During the 1950s, half of the states still had laws prohibiting interracial marriage.

-By the early 1960's at least 41 states had enacted anti-miscegenation statutes at one time. 1

-in Maryland, when slavery was introduced in 1664, "the law also prohibited marriages between white women and black men.... between 1935 and 1967, the law was extended to forbid marriage between Malaysians with blacks and whites. The law was finally repealed in 1967." 2

-The first court to overturn an anti-miscegenation law was, predictably, the California Supreme Court in 1948. 3

-By 1967, 16 states still had anti-miscegenation laws in place.

References used:
1. "Lewis et al., v. Harris, et al. Superior Court of New Jersey: Brief of plaintiffs in opposition to defendant's motion to dismiss," 2003-MAY-8, at: http://www.lambdalegal.org/
2. Eddie Becker, "Chronology on the history of slavery and racism," at: http://innercity.org/holt/slavechron.html
3. Perez, supra, 198 P.2d 17. Quoted in Ref. 1.

One Year

Exactly one year from today, I will be walking down the aisle as Ms. Weldin, and leaving The Village Church as Mrs. Nase.

The reality of everything is starting to set in-that after today, the countdown begins. This is my last year as a "single" woman. This is my last year to have a roommate other than my future husband. This is my last summer to live at home. This is my last Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family.

When my heart starts to flutter as I think about the checklist of things to accomplish within this next year, I am reminded that if Christ is the center, that is all that really matters.

A year from today will be one of the happiest days of my life, but the greater celebration is with our Father when He comes again to bring us Home. I will admit, it is easy for me to say that in my mind, but not with my heart. However, my prayer for this next year is that I would praise Him, thank Him, and be reminded that the joy belongs TO Him, and not for my own glory.