Friday, February 14, 2014

Post Wedding

How do you end a day which begins with a family brunch, a trip to a fish pond and famous track field, a WEDDING and a giant party with old friends? 

With more family.....the kids, Dakota and us went home....we sat around and took a bit of time to unwind.  Layla was a big help! 




We sat in the kitchen and chatted. We ate fruit. We went to bed. The Texan Gherkins were leaving the house at 0615 in the morning. 

Jared and Dakota talked in their bunks until 0400 or 0500.....

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Father of the Bride's Charge & Wedding Vows

Michael says these were given publicly and it's o.k. to publish them.
BreAnne's vows

Michael's Charge to Izaak - notes

Stradivarius to a gorilla - "I told you when you asked to court BreAnne  giving your daughter to a man is like giving a Stradivarius violin to a gorilla. That's still true." (Everyone laughed.)

First born child

Remember her leadership in the home - shaped much of the family dynamics

This day I am placing into your care one of our nine greatest treasures on this earth.

Bless her with your words and your deeds every day.

How she responds to you will merely be a reflection of how you love and care for her.

Taking the time to listen is a gift that will be greatly appreciated

As Bre enters into this new covenant with you, I am giving you the symbol of her faithful completion of the first covenant.  The essence of this old covenant was to live her life in a manner pleasing to The Lord without exception.   She was faithful to that old covenant.  She will be faithful to this new covenant.

I charge you to live together in a manner worthy of The Lord.

I charge you to be the servant leader of the home.

I charge you to cherish, to hold close, to tenderly care for my little girl.

I charge you to care for her and love her as Jesus does - Laying down your life for her each and every day.

I charge you to remember that the greatest gift you can give her is that you have first given yourself to the Lord. 

Izaak and BreAnne did the traditional "I Do" and then shared personal vows they had written for each other. 

Izaak's Vows
BreAnne, my greatest wish is to be your husband. God's Word tells us about true love...Christ's love. It's a love of action. "Love is patient, love is kind, it's not jealous; it doesn't brag and it isn't arrogant it doesn't act unbecomingly; love doesn't seek its own; it's not provoked, it doesn't take into account a wrong suffered and it doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things." This is the love that I will forever strive to have for you until my passing day. It's with an overwhelming joy that I receive you into my life so that the two of us would serve Christ together as one. I promise you my deepest love, my fullest devotion and my tenderest care. I promise to you that I will live first unto God rather than others or even you. I promise that I will lead our lives into a life of faith and hope in our Savior Jesus Christ, always honoring God's guidance by His Spirit through His Word no matter what may lie ahead of us. So today, in front of God, you and these witnesses I pledge to you my very life as your loving and faithful husband. 

BreAnne's Vows (And now you'll understand the keys everywhere)
Izaak,

Years ago, I gave God the key to my heart. I told Him that I would leave it in His hands and not try to take it out of His hands to give it away. I told Him I would wait until the right man took it up with Him and got the key to my heart from Him. I have come to the conclusion and declare in front of all these witnesses that you are that man. You, my Dearest Beloved, have won the key to my heart. I do believe that God has given it to you. I kept this key on my hope chest to remind me that I had given God the key to my heart. Today, I want to give it to you as a symbol of what has taken place spiritually, emotionally, and mentally.

After much prayer and thought, I declare to you and all that are here today that with all my heart I love you! I've always loved you. I just didn't always know who you were. Now that I do, from this day forward I promise to love you with a love that is more than mere emotion.  I promise to love you with a love that puts you first. I promise to love you with a love that will be there through the good, the bad, and the mundane. I promise to love you with a love that supports you and the vision that God has placed on your heart. I promise to love you with a love that submits to your leadership in our home. I promise to love you with a love that stands beside you and takes on life with you as your best friend. I promise to love you with a love that causes me to be your greatest fan. I promise to love you with a love that forsakes all others over you. I also promise to love you with a love that will keep us sweet through our days. I promise to honor and respect you as my husband from this day forth. “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the Lord do to me if anything but deaths parts you and me” (Ruth1:16-17, NASB).  I love you, Izaak D!

I must add - at the end of the ceremony - Michael said, "Izaak - you are my son; you are not a gorilla." 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Wedding Odds and Ends

I mentioned several posts back that the wedding was ready to begin and we couldn't find Zander. We checked in the gym, the bathrooms, upstairs, parking lots....finally Sherri (Sister in law and Wedding Coordinator extraordinaire) said, "Just go De'Etta and we'll find him." 


The wedding began without Zander. It was time to seat the "bonus women". 

Cy ushered Shelby down the aisle....and he saw what had happened. Zander was standing by the family pews. In front of hundreds of people....Cy had told him to stand there and make sure no one sat in the pews. Do you see where THIS is going? He forgot him! 

Zander stood there as the sanctuary filled up. The photographer wanted to sit in the pew to take a photo. 

Zander - I can't let you sit here. 

Photographer - I need to take a photo. 

Zander - We have strict regulations about this. 

Photographer - Can I sit down just to take a photo and then I'll get up? 

Zander - I'm not sure I can trust you. ::snort:: 

When Josiah reached the pew Zander was guarding he told him, "I'm so sorry, you can go...." and Zander told him, "I'm going to karate chop you." 

The crowd knew him when he came back in with the "Here Comes the Bride Job." ::snort:: 

We ran out of time to get all the family shots we would have taken - but here are a few someone took as the photographer took them. I hope hers turns out a bit better. ::snort:: 

Izaak's family
Cousins, Step Dad, Mom to the left - sons to the right
Via Facebook of  David R. 
Um....hilarious....trying to get those Gherkins in some sort of order.... 
Via Facebook of David R
 The best we have at this point
Via Facebook of David R
All of the Gherkins plus Grand Gherkin! 

Uncles enjoyed meeting Dakota
 





Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Wedding Reception

Nolan 

Arielle - must be talking to a big brother? 

Jared
 BreAnne was followed by her girls 

Dakota - Best man, son, our Grand Gherkin (Izaak's son)

Josiah and Krista

Josiah 





Best man makes a toast

Maid of Honor makes a toast 


Father of the Bride makes a toast....and calls for Mother of the Bride - who hadn't given this a thought....

I LOVE that I can still make this man laugh after 30 years....

Look at his face - he's wondering what I'm about to say. ::snort:: Happy Anniversary, Hon. 

I said it...."Finally, I'm a Grandma!" ::snort:: 

Pastor Kirk makes a toast....and calls up Will

Will had been wearing the suitcase - full of cards. LOL  Happy Birthday, Will. 

This is about the moment when he made his comments about Hot Grandmas. ::snort:: 


Mom G
 One last detail to take care of....


Signing the license

Josiah and Jared

Jamin photo bombs

Not sure where he learned that rude habit - all five ushers are in this shot
Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Wedding Ceremony

We were a bit late starting - we couldn't find Zander (adventure blogged here).  Eventually, both grandmothers and moms were ushered to their seats.

I'm sure Kami got photos of some of these things. 

The wedding party entered while  "Haven't Even Kissed" by Moriah Peters played (click title to listen). This song was perfect for BreAnne's journey - even to the keys..... those of us who knew smiled big, sniffed a bit and watched seven handsome men in fedoras and seven beautiful  women in Audrey Hepburn dresses walk in.

After the members of the wedding party were settled, Nolan came down to pull the runner up. But...um...it seemed to be tacked down backwards. In any event, it would NOT unroll. This is where Nolan's humor (loved his laugh) and his unflappability (spell check says this IS a word) came to the rescue. I have learned to hoot, holler and make emotional moments or awkward moments humorous so folks aren't nervous while a solution is sought. Nolan ended up bending over and rolling it down the aisle - he even kicked it a time or two. I started the cheering...and there was laughter, clapping and all was well....Though Michael and BreAnne wondered what in the world was going on. (We have a video clip of this but I'd like to edit. It won't load at this point.)

Zander was up next. He had a cute chalkboard with, "Here Comes the Bride" written on it. A fun idea from pinterest. He came up the aisle and was hamming it up! The crowd had fallen in love with him when he was "lost" and everyone was relaxed by now. Lots of laughing and cheering.

The music changed to a beautiful instrumental arrangement of, "Someday my Prince Will Come," and Stacia walked down the aisle. (I can't find it on youtube to link). 


At this point the ushers - our five sons - were in the back getting ready to sneak into the front pew during the worship. Josiah looked up and caught this photo. Oh, be still  my heart. I love it. Thanks, son. It's a precious photo.  As I watched them walk towards us I reflected on life coming full circle. We're in a good place. Thirty years ago this very day, I walked down the same aisle to meet Michael at the altar. Today, he walks our oldest down to her groom.

Pastor Kirk said some sweet things (I'll load a video clip). Kirk grew up in this church - as did I when we weren't overseas. He went to Bible college at the same time as Michael and I. Fun to have him tag team with Michael. One of the things Kirk said was,  "BreAnne entered into a covenant of purity with her parents and with God to remain physically and emotionally pure until her wedding day. Today she has fulfilled this covenant and returns the symbol of that covenant to her father." She gave the ring to Michael - God's grace is truly amazing! 

 Michael gave Izaak a charge (blogged here)

During the charge, Michael said, "As Bre is entering into this new covenant with you, I am giving you the symbol of her faithful fulfillment of the first covenant.....she was faithful to that old covenant. She will be faithful to this new covenant." He gave Izaak the ring. A tender moment for sure. (Michael's charge was caught on video). 
 

When the wedding party came up, they moved to the front pew on either side of the aisle. AJ (is one I used to babysit. His family moved away. We moved away. BreAnne and Izaak are both on staff at this church now and he was a groomsmen in her wedding - small world connections) - ANYWAY - AJ led the congregation in two worship songs...and it was good to have time to compose ourselves.

We sang, "This is what you do,"  and "There is None like You."(Click titles for clips).


Loved these red shoes - Bride wore them too ::grin:: 

I thought the Converse were pretty cool too. 

Don't the groomsmen look spiffy? Dakota (our Grand Gherkin) is the best man

Izaak reads his vows (will eventually blog here)

BreAnne reads her vows (blogged here)

This is where Michael lost it at rehearsal but he did GREAT tonight....with this ring....

While Izaak and BreAnne took communion we listened and worshiped along with, "In Christ Alone!" I'm telling you they sang some of my favorite songs.....this and There is none like You are two of my favorites....
Four sisters in one shot
 During the rehearsal I had asked if any of these gals wanted to make bets how far Michael would get without tearing up. One disbelieving bridesmaid said, "Not at the rehearsal."

Ah - she doesn't know my tender, lovable, engaged daddy,  husband as I do. When he teared up, I yelled, "I win!" and ran up and gave her a high five...broke up the emotions and allowed all to relax and move on...and within minutes Kirk teared up too....and at the wedding...well I think most of the bridesmaids teared up at some point. It was a really sweet ceremony.  When I blew this up I caught a few tearing up.

Have you ever seen the sand ceremony? We hadn't - but it is beautiful. Dakota joined them for this, signifying the joining of their three lives into one family unit.  Happy Together (this exact version) played during this part of the service....it was fun and sweet and perfect. 

Their first kiss


"It's my pleasure to introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. Izaak and BreAnne D....." She does look like a princess! 

The recessional? Fabulous! My all-time favorite work out song! ::snort:: 
James Brown belted out, "I Feel Good!" 

Some danced down the aisle, all smiled, we whooped and clapped....it was simply fantastic! 

There are many more photos. Shelby took all the ones during and after the ceremony. She did a fabulous job. I'll load them all to Facebook...but couldn't put them all here.  I still have a few more posts to go.....

Izaak and BreAnne had obviously thought of so many special details. There was a slide show while folks waited...and even a few photos of OUR wedding....we love you two, too!  There were coloring books for kids....they turned their colors  and redeemed the coupon for one of those wedding sweets the girls and I had made. Many commented on how sweet the wedding was and how FUN it was. Kids were captivated and still. It was a balance of traditional and contemporary, spiritual and plain out fun! 

We are thrilled to have a new Son and grandson. This was a red-letter day! 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...