Some more pictures from our wedding. The middle one is my sisters Heather and Susanne. They are so beautiful aren't they? They are my best friends. Heather is 10 years older than me and Susanne is 8 years older. But to me, there is no age gap. I can talk to them about anything and they have mentored me, comforted me, laughed with me, cried with me (a lot, cuz I'm a crier!), shared scripture with me, supported me, they've always kept in contact with me wherever I've been around the world. Most of all they've loved me unconditionally! And I'm so thankful that God blessed me with them as my closest friends. There is a special bond as sisters and I don't know what I'd do without them!
The bottom picture is Wayne and I with our wedding party. We have such great friends and it was awesome to have them as witness' to our committment. Wayne has two younger brothers and he has so much respect and love for them. There is also a cool bond between brothers and its awesome that he's blessed with J.P. and Andrew!
My mom and dad. Jim and Sharon. Jimmy and Shari-babe! Many names but what it comes down to is the most loving, patient, caring, generous, forgiving and gracious parents anyone could ever ask for. What a blessing it is to be raised by these two beautiful people and to be able to call them my parents.
"Children, do what your parents tell you. This is only right. 'Honor your father and mother' is the first commandment that has a promise attached to it, namely, 'so you will live well and have a long life.' " ~Ephesians 6:1-3 ~the Message
I know at times I haven't always kept that commandment of honoring thy father and mother... but I know that God has surrounded me with loving Christian friends and two fantastic sisters who have influenced me to desire what God wants for my life. God commands me to honor my parents and do what they say and my prayer is that I have been honorable to them. As I think about having my own children, I hope and pray that Wayne and I can be even half the parents that Jim and Sharon have been to me! Thank you mom and dad for praying for me! For loving me and protecting me and for sacrificing so much for your daughters. I love you so much.
"Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that." ~Ephesians 5:2
What a verse to live by! Learn a life of love. If everyone in the world gave a little more love, and not loving just to get something, but truly selfless love.... can you even imagine what this place would look like. Hard to picture. But what a blessing we have in God's word. His true and faithful promises to LOVE us even though we sin against Him everyday. He is so good!
