Amy's Wedding

Yesterday, June 21, we were privileged to witness the marriage of our dear friend Amy to her beloved David. It will be one of our greatest memories of 2008. Amy has waited for this day longer than most of us. For years, Amy has patiently prayed for this man who is now her husband and has waited on the Lord and His timing. Amy has an amazing heart for the Lord, for His Word, for ministry and for people. Since moving to North Carolina, we have longed for a friend like dear Amy. She is so genuine, so real, so caring, and so loyal. And she comes from a great godly heritage. Her parents both know Christ and her three sisters and brother are also Christ followers. They all genuinely love each other and enjoy spending time together. Matt and I secretly wish we could be adopted into the Scott family! :) One of my favorite memories of the wedding was watching Amy and Mr. Scott dance to In My Daughter's Eyes. It was so sweet.

David and Amy, husband and wife.

A picture without children?! Yes, isn't it wonderful. We don't look a day over 25, do we? Matt and I were so blessed yesterday. Aside from enjoying Amy's and David's marriage ceremony, we were able to enjoy seeing all of our best friends at one time.

Bobby and Lanie (aka: Uncle Groggy and Aunt Lazy. . .their nicknames are a result of their wake time when we vacation together :)). Matt and Bobby have been best friends since college. And I love Lanie. Before Bobby and Lanie even began dating, we all did youth ministry together at Reston Bible, serving side by side and sharing many joys, troubles, and camps. Camp alone with over 100 teenagers is enough to bond anyone for life! ;) Lanie is an example to me of someone who really delights in the Lord, who longs for heaven so that she might walk with Christ, and who prays about all things.

Our old Bible study--Allison, me (Matt in Back), David, Amy, Alli, Cyndi, Jen, Craig, Bobby, Lanie and Amy. When the study started, it was just the guys and the wives were added through marriage. Aside from meeting together weekly, we spent most weekends together hanging out, playing games, and doing youth ministry. It was such a special time with such sweet memories.

My sweet friend Jen, who has perfected the art of holding a camera in one hand, while posing for a picture. I confess that I had little faith in her picture taking capabilities when I saw her prepping to do this, but check out her skill!!! I really miss Jen, especially since she lived just two blocks from us in Leesburg (Craig and Matt have been best friends since kindergarten in Korea when their families met, and Jen and Matt, along with Craig, went to JMU together). Jen is a really special friend. She is very genuine and tender. And she's one of those people who will tell you the truth straight up when you ask her. She has a great heart for the Lord and has been such a great example to me as a godly wife and mother. The woman has 4 children and you would never know if you met her!

Alli, Matt, me and Cyndi. Knowing Alli, she was probably giving instructions about how to take the picture or something else. :)

The Guys--Matt, Craig, and Bobby. What a handsome bunch, but not as much hair nowadays. Matt definitely led the group in that arena! At the wedding, everyone kept telling us that they knew who we were from the back because they recognized Matt's head--not sure if that's a compliment. :)

Alli, Alli, Alli. I consider her my best friend from Northern Virginia. I just love Allison. We are so similar in so many ways and so different in other ways. Allison is wise and a true prophet. Her lips speak truth and her counsel comes straight from the Lord. She has an amazing heart for the Lord, for in depth Bible study, and for ministry. I am hoping that next year we are coming together for her wedding. Though there's no man in the picture right now, the Lord can do anything in a year's span!!! :)Cwag. Truly, I have not met anyone as close to the Lord as Cindy. She is amazing and so humble and so godly. I crave being near to her. For so many years she was a mentor and role model to me. Matt and I are on the search for a job for her, as she just finished her counseling degree and wants a job with hospice, nursing home. . .

Missing from these pictures are the Elam's. Though Allison was there, we forgot to get a picture together and Justin is in South Africa on a missions trip. They too are sweet friends that we admire and who have spurred us on in our walks with the Lord. The Lord really used Justin to draw Matt to Him and Matt following Justin to JMU, where Matt became a Christ follower.

After the wedding we headed to the James' house for some connect time without children (hooray for grandparent babysitters!). It was so special to be reminded of the friendship the Lord has blessed us with. Though we have no idea where the Lord will lead us, it gave me a great desire to stay in one place and grow roots, as deep relationship, centered around Christ, is one of the greatest joys God has given us on this earth.

Have a great time at St. John's Amy! Hope you don't come back with a tan (ha, ha, ha--when Matt and I returned from our honeymoon Bob, in front of the entire youth group, said that we did not look tan. . .implying that we had spent a lot of time inside).