Richard and Johanna's Wedding

I’m finally getting around to posting my random assortment of pictures

from Johanna and Richard’s wedding day!

To me it feels VERY random.

You see, I was a bridesmaid (I was SO honored and loved every moment!)

and only had a camera in my hands for little bits at a time.

I’m still kicking myself for missing some of the gorgeous details that

I really could have taken photos of.

But I’ll just wait patiently to see what Marla (from Emelem Photography),

who was their photographer, captured from the day.

 Johanna is my husband Nathan’s youngest sister

and the last of either of our siblings to get married.

Richard has been attending our church for a number of years

and God’s orchestration of their marriage has been been a blessing to watch.

We’re delighted that Rick chose Johanna for his bride!

 Richard and Johanna got married in our backyard.  (Which I don't have a picture of.)

The week before the wedding I was in the backyard thinking,

“Wow.  Where I live is so gorgeous that it’s perfect for a wedding.

And it’s nothing of my doing.  I’m SO blessed!”  And it’s true.

Living on this farm where Nathan works is an amazing privilege.

I don’t want to take it for granted.

 Johanna’s two nieces, my Cassia and her cousin, Jenika,

were the flower girls.  Oh so exciting!

 I can’t help but take pictures of Jeni, with the freckles sprinkled

so perfectly across her nose and those gorgeous eyes.

 The two big brothers with their little sis.

There’s never a dull moment.

 My brother, Dennis, and his wife, Alison who is Johanna’s sister.

Lest there be confusion, let me try to clear it up now.

Alison and I were best friends.  Then her brother Nathan and I got married.

Now we were “sisters”.  Then my brother, Dennis, married her.

So now we are double “sisters”.

And our kids are double first cousin - all very fun!

And possibly very confusing.

 Little Jeni and her pretty mamma.

Jeni holding her mamma’s flowers.

 Me and my man.

  

Just me.

 Johanna looked truly happy and full of life.

 Johanna’s talented dad, my father-in-law, has done a beautiful job

of the flowers for all his children’s weddings.

These were no exception.

Johanna’s lovely gown was made by Karen Heatwole.

(with many helpful opinions given by all the sisters and mother.;)) 

 The Duster comes out on wedding days!

Rick’s brother, Dennis, and his beautiful family.

 

I think it would be safe to say the older sister 

is happy for her little brother!

The groom’s parents.

Richards little niece and nephew – quite a pair.

Such a handsome little man with his sweet mamma!

  

Johanna’s sister and her family.

 My girls with their Daddy.

  

And our whole family with Sheralyn together!

 Kadence looked like quite the little lady.

Her hair was done by Ashley Coblentz – thank you Ashley!

The lovely cake was made by Tanya Nissley.

Gorgeous as always!

 Dennis and Alison created this hanging wreath “chandelier”

over the bridal party table.

Gold diamonds, beads, and ribbon hung draped from the boxwood boughs.

Johanna had lots of lovely gold accents to go with the teal color scheme.

(Wishing so badly I had more photos!)

Oh my pretty Jeni, there you are again!

  The little man with his grandpa.

The candy favor table captivated the children.

My onliest nephew, Creedon.

  

And after all the ice-cream is gone on a hot afternoon,

what better way to end the day than playing in the leftover ice?!

 

“The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the LORD.

Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments,

the singers raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang:

‘He is good; his love endures forever.’"

2 Chronicles 5:13a

Up Into the Cherry Tree

Foreign Lands

From A Child’s Garden of Verses

By Robert Lewis Stevenson

Up into the cherry tree
Who should climb but little me?
I held the trunk with both my hands
And looked abroad in foreign lands.

I saw the next door garden lie,
Adorned with flowers, before my eye,
And many pleasant places more
That I had never seen before.

I saw the dimpling river pass
And be the sky’s blue looking-glass;
The dusty roads go up and down
With people tramping in to town.

If I could find a higher tree
Farther and farther I should see,
To where the grown-up river slips
Into the sea among the ships,

To where the roads on either hand
Lead onward into fairy land,
Where all the children dine at five,
And all the playthings come alive.

Do not be anxious about anything, 

but in everything by prayer and supplication

 with thanksgiving 

let your requests be made known to God.

Philipians 4:6

Johanna's Bridal Shower

I guess it’s only natural that a wedding in the family would make quite a stir.

My husband, Nathan’s, baby sister is getting married this month,

and the event is adding quite a bit of excitement to our lives.

Johanna is the very last of either of our siblings to get married,

and I’m determined to enjoy all the activities this wedding is creating!

Last week we had a bridal shower for Johanna.

Her sisters (both in the bridal party) know her tastes quite well

and conceived the theme – a bohemian style evening on the lawn.

We all brought various decorating items from our homes

and came up with an eclectic collection that blended quite well.

Nothing was planned in detail, it just all fell together and turned out beautifully!

 There were various seating areas scattered around the yard

where the ladies could gather to eat their supper.

We were blessed with a lovely cooler evening 

following thunderstorms that passed on either side after a hot afternoon.

God is so GOOD to bless us in small ways!

A low table was set up for all the guests to take a blank page

and write or draw a personal message for Johanna.

Her sister, Alison, will combine all the pages

between the covers of an old book that she decorated.

Since Johanna isn’t really a game person,

the only “gamish” activity was a table for guests

to guess the number of items in jars.

 The meal was the kind where you really wish you could just keep eating!

There were marinated vegetables, an Asian noodle slaw,

a number of delicious breads with a variety of spreads,

lentils with caramelized onions,

and grilled chicken on skewers.

The future groom, Richard’s, family made scrumptious cakes

and skewers of brightly colored fruit for dessert.

And of course there was Chia tea – one of Johanna’s favorites,

after being in India twice and leaving bits of her heart there.

 Johanna, I admire your beautiful spirit in spite of the trials in your life.

You know God’s goodness and how to worship in the midst of pain.

I know God will guide you as you walk a new path in life,

and I pray His plans for you bloom in a most beautiful way.

“I waited patiently for the LORD;

and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

He brought me up also out of a horrible pit,

out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock,

and established my steps.

And he has put a new song in my mouth,

even praise unto our God:

many shall see it, and fear,

and shall trust in the LORD.”

Psalm 40:1-3