And They Lived Happily Ever After

Mrs. Beaver:

Day after day we're assailed in the news by stories that make us cringe and sometimes even cry. Our souls long for a happy ending. Our hearts want a reason to rejoice.

This past weekend our family traveled to Kansas City to celebrate a remarkable turn of events that has left us jumping for joy. Earlier in the week, Mr. Beaver's Uncle John and Aunt Carol announced that they plan to remarry 27 years after divorcing.

We have been pleading with the Lord in prayer for this very news for years. We've remained close to both of them since they separated. We love each of them dearly! And, individually they've been among our greatest supporters as we've added trio after trio after trio of older children to our number through adoption. What a great God to answer our many prayers and make the seemingly impossible possible!

With the news so fresh, our desire last Saturday was to take the newly engaged couple out to dinner to rejoice with them. As soon as we arrived at Uncle John's, I asked for a photo of the two of them. There was no need to tell them to "smile" when I was ready to snap the picture! These two can't stop smiling!

When we got to the restaurant, I asked for one more picture of the duo, knowing it would be dark when we came out.

Then over delicious food, we enjoyed laughter and fellowship.

We then returned to Uncle John's place for ice cream (Blue Bunny, of course) and strawberries. First though, we gave Uncle John and Aunt Carol a small gift. The two of us shared our all-time favorite book on marriage, Paul David Tripp's What Did You Expect??: Redeeming the Realities of Marriage.

Our John helped his uncle dish up dessert...

...while Aunt Carol shared some family history with the girls.

Her tales prompted Uncle John, the family's genealogist, to pull out the extensive records he's collected.

Here he was showing us his ancestor's letter requesting a medical release during the Civil War.

We were fascinated to see the documents,

although the girls quickly decided they don't want the beard which their great-great-great-great grandfather sported to come back into fashion!

While the older kids were getting a very personal history lesson, the little girls were getting loved on by Aunt Carol.

 All too soon, our wonderful evening was over.

On Sunday morning we went to church with the soon-to-be-marrieds. Then following a group photo...

...we had to get started on the five-hour journey home. So we said our good-byes and climbed into the van.

As we backed out of the driveway, the beaming couple gave us something to hoot happily about...

May God bless and keep these two as they reunite in July!

May He cause His face to shine upon them as they begin again!

May He guide them and enable each of them to live in selfless service to the other!

May His way be their way.

And, may they live happily ever after!