Newborn Wonder

So many reasons to stand in awe of God.
Evelyn Rose, four days old.

T.O.G.E.T.H.E.R!!!

We had the joy today of having Eric and Lissie stop by on their travels from their honeymoon to their home in the Boston area.

We went on a hike with the newlyweds.

Lissie and her youngest sister, Oksana, have enjoyed an especially close relationship since we added the little Russian through adoption nearly three years ago.

Oh, how we love the times we can be together!

A Bride Adorned

A couple of weeks before her wedding, Lissie visited the hairdresser for a practice run on the hairdo she would wear on her special day. Her sister, Natasha, accompanied her to take photos.

Before long, the hairstylist had arranged Lissie's locks just as the bride-to-be had dreamed.

 When she returned home, her sister, Daria, was ready to practice the wedding day makeup. As Daria worked, the rest of Lissie's sisters and I stood in wonder as a radiant bride emerged.

We clamored for Lissie to don her gown and the transformation was complete. Daria then put on the finishing touch...

I couldn't miss that my little girl was all grown up, ready to be a wife.

We shifted the beautiful bride-to-be to another room for different lighting and continued to marvel at what God had prepared for Eric.

...and then Natasha suggested we take some photos outside.

Her sisters gathered her gown and we stepped into the warm glow of autumn sunshine.

During this family event, even Lissie's beloved pooch, Sunshine, got to join in on the joy!

We put the dog back inside and Lissie moved into the beauty of the afternoon. 

We were captivated by how her veil moved poetically in the light breeze.

We finished this practice confident that Lissie was ready for her wedding day.

I finished the afternoon stunned yet again by my great God. I couldn't get over the the wonder of a mother having the opportunity to fellowship with her daughters in this setting. The shared hours had been magical. We'd laughed together as we relished Lissie's joy at this final step in the preparation to marry the man of her dreams. 

The bride was radiant that afternoon as she anticipated her wedding day. Her radiance emanated from love of her savior Jesus Christ. This devotion to Christ had fueled impassioned purity as she had waited in faith for marriage. Lissie was ready now for her first kiss.

A Happy Interruption

Tonight I want to take a brief break from recounting the lead up to the wedding and the ceremony itself to share three photos of the youngest member of our family. Five-week-old Evelyn traveled with her mama and sister, Brielle, to spend the whole week with us. It was a great joy to have this little wonder in our home.

Eric and Lissie's Wedding: Becoming One

United in prayer

Eric and Lissie's Wedding Day

I was privileged to get to tag along as the photographers took the photos yesterday. For a camera-toting mother this was the very apex of delight. I got to take pictures of Eric and Lissie's immeasurable joy at the completion of their courtship! God did above and beyond all I could have asked on my daughter's wedding day, and this opportunity to photograph the bride and groom was just the cherry on top.

Mr. & Mrs.!!!

I'm sure I broke every etiquette rule in the book, but this mother-of-the-bride snapped a few photos during Lissie and Eric's wedding ceremony this afternoon. This is my favorite. Pastor Dave (in the background) had just pronounced the couple husband and wife and the pair lifted their joined hands in a happy gesture of unity. (To the right of Eric is his best man and cousin, Josh. Next to him is Lissie's twin, John. And last-but-not-least is Eric's brother, Jacob, the ring bearer.)

From Church Sanctuary to Storm Shelter

While we were rehearsing tomorrow's ceremony, drama was taking place outside the stained-glass windows. Tornadoes were making their way into our area. So as we finished the practice, we descended the stairs lit by the church's janitor on hand into the storm shelter. The bride led the way.

Sixty-five or so of us sang, "In Christ Alone," as we waited for the tornado sirens to cease blaring. The groom saw to it that the bride was distracted from any fear.

When we got the "all clear" we exited the downtown church to still-ominous clouds sailing in conflicting directions while nervous birds vacillated in their decision over whether to wait any further threat or flee.

While we remained safe we were saddened to learn that a small town about 35 miles away had taken a significant hit from a tornado. Certainly it was a night to remember, a night to remember God's might and His mercy!

Pre-Wedding Bliss

We're two very happy grandparents this week. Anna and her daughters arrived on Saturday to help with preparations for Lissie's wedding on October 5. We're enjoying much quality time with 15-month-old Brielle:

For Grandpa, this has meant the chance to play with his 'girl'.

 

For me, it has meant the chance to study the wonder of  my oldest granddaughter through a camera lens yet again.

We thank God for this important week!