I'm laying on the recliner in my quiet house this morning, listening to the clock tick, and trying to untangle all the thoughts and feelings of the past 7+ days. The suitcases have all been unpacked and put away, the laundry washed and folded, but my mind keeps replaying and rehashing a myriad of thoughts and feelings and experiences. The short version is that my sister got married last Friday, and my girls and I spent the week before the wedding in Arkansas, helping get things ready. The long version is much more nuanced and layered with feelings and emotions, half of which aren't mine to share and the other half of which are rather sacred and personal.
Rachel is the sister next to me in age (there's two brothers between us, which makes her a little over 9 years older than me), but growing up, I don't remember us being especially close. My next older sister was the one who was like my second mom -- we shared a bedroom and she combed my hair and I cried sadly when she went off to teach school in Virginia. Somewhere along the line though, Rach and I became close. Maybe, it was when I grew up and we were the same size and shared dresses and shoes. Maybe, it was when we lived in the same community after I was married. Maybe, it was after my mom died and Rach became my main source of connection with the world I had moved away from. For sure, it's been the last couple of years, watching her and Steven's story unfold and realizing how much alike we are in some ways and how very different in others.
I feel so, so privileged to have been able to spend that week in Arkansas before the wedding. God worked out a ride for my girls and I, so we didn't have to drive out alone, and Chris was way more than generous with encouraging me to go and leave him and the boys behind. Forever grateful. It was such a good week.
I'll share a few pictures, but I won't even try to do justice. It's not my wedding to share for one thing. Also, I couldn't begin to tell it all. Rach is a woman of unbelievable creativity and sentimental attention to detail and the wedding was so perfectly her, it makes me get tears every time I look through my pictures again.
The venue was a little ol Arkansas church built in 1907.
4 comments:
Thanks for the pictures, especially the one of the couple! I enjoyed the others, too, though. --Linda Rose
Oh, Bethany! I couldn’t wait to hear your few comments on the wedding; as well as, a few pictures! Thanks so much for sharing! I knew there would be a lot of mixed emotions, thoughts, and memories, etc. for y’all with Steven and Rachel’s wedding! Our hearts and prayers were there with y’all! I am Glen and Salome‘s oldest daughter! Your mom was special to my mom, and I knew of your family as far back as I can remember! Then with my family and your sisters serving in Belize for a time, Carl marrying Joy (she lived close to us and spent a lot of time at our house!), and now wonder of wonders my Uncle Steven marrying Rachel, we continue to have connections! We are very happy for them!! I’m sure it wasn’t easy for Rachel to make such a life-changing decision! I know your family has had many changes and experiences to work through! God continue to give you courage!! I do really enjoy reading your blog! God bless you richly as you walk with Him!!
Thanks, Bethany, for sharing your thoughts and the pictures of Rach and Steve’s beautiful and unique wedding. I was directed here through Kristine’s email. I know your family mostly through her and was privileged to host Rach and Steve on their Belize trip a few months ago. God’s grace is seen through you all!
Thank you Nancy! I think I may have met you years ago when my parents and I were in Crique Sarco filling in for two months but I have heard your name many many times through Kristine and feel almost like I should know you 🙂
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