A Wedding, A Farewell, and a Party!

What a weekend! We helped sister Karalyn get married to Danny Walker on Saturday, did a HUGE farewell party at Trinity, planned and led our next to last WhiteWater Youth Event, and planned and set up a surprise party for brother Kris and sister-in-law Sara for completing their Seminary training and Masters in Youth Development--all this in one weekend!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WEDDING:

Flower shopping with Karalyn who arranged all her flowers for her wedding. Kara is a florist par excellence and has the "in" with the flower wholesellers, and it was a treat for her brothers and father to tag along and watch her in action. She used the the whole refrigerated unit (size of small house) as her palette, and picked and chose quickly with a clear eye on everything. Dad said something like, "Wow, I just got introduced to a whole new culture!" And anyone who knows Dad knows that made his day:)

Watching Karalyn walk down the aisle glowing and shining and putting her flower arrangements to shame (they were good Kara, but not as beautiful as you!).

Watching Dad get misty-eyed as he walked her down. Yay Dad! You never cry, so that was quite the sight. Good for you.

Visiting with the Great Grandmothers and watching them dandle the little ones on their knee.

Seeing Darren and Phil make it to the wedding with a few hours to spare, driving all night from Montana.

A short but amazing visit with Aunt Irene who has the gift of sitting with people who are dying and being the presence of God to them. I'm so glad to see God showing up in your life in his powerful and unique way!

Listening to G.G. Almeda tell about walking 2 miles to school with a lunch bucket and a jug of water (in South-Eastern Montana) when she was five. Reading the school dictionary when she was bored and memorizing the times-tables on the board--to this day Great Grandma does all her math in her head. No calculators for her!

Watching Karalyn's face and knowing that Dan will do good by her.

Listening to G.G. Almeda tell me that she remembers that Mom and Dad left with me for Africa the very first time back on July 5th, 1973--and now we're preparing to fly out on the same date, July 5th. Could it get any more weird. For one thing I had no idea. I was a baby, and can't remember dates anyway. And can you believe Grandma still remembers a date from 1973? (insert sounds of awe here)

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FAREWELL AT TRINITY:

Little Brian Shrode telling me in front of the whole congregation how much I meant to him.

Cards and speeches filled with deeply-thought words of encouragement and prayers.

An incredible powerpoint slide show of our years at Trinity.

Leading the Body of Christ in singing "Spirit" on the day of Pentecost, and getting to hear the choir sing "Nyame Odoh"--a Ghanaian song I introduced to them a couple of years ago.

Holding my wife's hand as she cried, and realizing how thankful I am that my best friend and partner in adventure is so soft with love and able to let her feelings out.

Smiles, hugs, well-wishes, and more hugs and tears.

Having Mel Buscher come up to me and say, "you're not just grafted into the vine. (he was referring to the sermon) You're more like a potted plant, moving where you're sent. Getting picked up and taken where He wants you." I thought maybe he knew my history, but no. . . . it was the Spirit speaking through him (many do not know that my friends, roomates in college, and partners in pranksterness were known collectively as "the potted plants.")

HIGHLIGHTS FROM KRIS AND SARA'S PARTY:

The look on Sara's face when she walked in to all of us singing "pomp and circumstance" and clapping our hands. Her jaw dropped, and she had to walk away and come back.

Friends coming from all over to celebrate with them.

A quiet night at the end of it all, with good friends taking the time to listen and encourage us in the midst of this tremendous change--thanks Phil and Patti.

There's one word to sum all of this up, and it can be found in Karalyn's middle name: "Joy." Not happiness, although there was plenty of that. But Joy--because in the midst of changes of names, and commitments, and farewells, Joy stands strong, rooted in God's sure Love.