July 22, 2007

• PART II … IAN’S VISIT

   
  

  ” I will lift mine eyes unto the hills,
  from whence cometh my help.
  My help cometh from the Lord,
  who made heaven and earth.” 
  - Psalm 121:1-2
  
  
   Part II … of Ian’s Homecoming!

   

  “This is the day that the LORD has made, let us (we can) rejoice and be glad in it”!!!

   

  I know, it’s been almost a week since I’ve posted, but I’ve been a bit down since Ian left, and we’re not sure when he’s coming for a visit again before all of this is over.  I’ve really missed visiting you all and finding out what’s going on in your lives!  I will be around soon and catch up!  It was beautiful here yesterday, and Lew’s been working all week … hard work … so we just had a lazy afternoon then he went to the prison ministry meeting.  Today, it’s absolutely georgous out there, and we are going to over to Lew’s parents to have dinner and celebrate his sister’s birthday.  I hope you all have a beautiful Sunday…well, onto Part II … The Royal Wedding!  (Not Ian’s, he just filmed it this one!)

   

   Friday Evening Remnants… I’ll pick up where I left off last Friday, July 6th, when I was running for the shower, as Ian was sleeping on and off during the afternoon … we had a great evening, after the “well-man” got all things in working order.  We just lazed around enjoying each other, ordered a pizza, and talked about his last two months in California … I also got our clothes ready to go to our nephew’s wedding on Saturday, way over in Decatur, Illinois … about a 3 1/2 hour drive … so we cut the night short in order to get up and get there way ahead of time, for Ian to set up his cameras for the videotaping.  Josh had asked him to do that about 4 months ago, and he was more than happy to oblige!  I think he got some very good footage … he had 3 cameras going!!  Ian told me that this would give me a chance to try out the new camera.  I’ve yet to see the training DVD on it, but well, actually I did start that last night … I need to find a basic beginner’s one, before I venture into all that this camera offers!  I’m so very blessed having it, I’ve wanted one ever since I can remember, and anxious to learn all I can about it!  I did take it to the wedding, but I wasn’t the main photographer.  Josh’s sister was … she took courses, and is a graphic’s artist, as well.  So, in order to stay out of her way, I took pictures that were not quite centered like hers were … photography is something I’ve always wanted to do, and would love to someday have an in-home studio, but as I’ve said, I’m only a beginner, so some of these photos don’t look right, and I hope you’ll understand, and besides, have you seen how many buttons you can push on these cameras to get a certain look to the photo?!!  It’s a small computer!  It was fun though, regardless of what I did, or didn’t, know!  There were about 4 cameras all going at once, and boy did we have the wedding party totally confused … well, they were definitely ready to throw something at us by the time it was over!  Papparazzi … on a smaller scale! 
  
   Saturday ….. The day dawned bright, blue, beautiful, and semi-cool.  We had our family devotions … boy have we missed doing that with Ian … and a french toast and egg breakfast with blueberry syrup.  Then we got ready, and headed over to ‘The Land of Illinois’!  It was a beautiful drive!  The difference between Indiana and Illinois is striking.  The farms, lawns, and the highway looked so well kept, green and clean!  It was warmer over there, though, and this was an outdoor wedding!  I knew we were in for a warm afternoon!  We were running a bit early, so on the way we stopped at a small souped up car show and took a few pictures.  I wonder just how much money they put into those!  My brother used to do that, but we’ve all grown older and he doesn’t tinker much anymore with cars like he used to. The property, where the wedding was held, was way out in the country … farms all around … peaceful and beautiful!  The people who loaned it to them, took 7 years getting this area landscaped … pond and all … couldn’t ask for a better setting for this event! 
  
  We arrived a little more than 2 hours early … and Lewis helped Ian set up all of his equipment, while I walked around the property looking at everything … and beginning to sweat!  Someone had been there earlier setting up the tent, complete with tiny white lights (it’s a 7:30p.m. wedding), music area with a dance floor, tables and chairs, the food area … and of course, the royal port-a-potties!  As I said, it was out in the country, and the house wasn’t included in the use of the property for this!  We finally got all the cameras set up and in working order just about the time people were arriving.  They were preparing the food … lots of fresh fruits and vegies, BBQ chicken and pork, and lots of cold drinks!  It was getting warmer by the minute, and the bugs were beginning to arrive as well!  They asked Lewis if he’d be the “bug bomber”, so he walked around with this wonderful little can of chemicals, fogging the area … I ran and sat in the car, air conditioner running to dry the sweat … didn’t want to inhale too much of that! 
  
  The plan was to take pictures of both men and ladies of the wedding party, separately, of course, before the wedding.  That took some time, and the wedding didn’t start until almost 8:00p.m.  I don’t think anyone minded, no one rushed out when it was over … they were all enjoying the atmosphere of this beautiful spot!  So, after the ceremony, we continued taking pictures and video, ate, watched them cut the cake and dance.  Then at precisely 9:30p.m. (long wedding) fireworks went off from a farm down the street.  It is a small town, and apparently these people do this every year, and many come to see them.  It was just neat that they went off on this day and time … kind of an extra little celebration for Josh and Chrissy!  At 10:30p.m. we said our good-byes, since we had a long drive ahead of us.  It was a nice quiet drive home, as the guys were snoring away!  I was driving and listening to worship music, and praising the Lord, first … for my precious family, second … that Ian was home with us, and third … that we are all healthy, and loving the mighty God who is so very gracious and loving toward us!  Well, that was the end of day 2 and 3 with Ian home, so stay tuned for Part III of Ian’s visit!  I made a slide show below of some of the pictures I took of the wedding, and remember, I’m no professional!  I did this for the family to log on and see … they are also over on http://www.slide.com as well.  I did want to use them all, but you’d be here all night! (yawn) I hope it shows up okay … if you have trouble seeing it, let me know … and be sure to start at the beginning by clicking on the first tiny picture in the lower left hand corner … in the meantime … you’re invited to a Royal Wedding …
   
   ”For the Love of Josh & Chrissy”…. Enjoy!!
    
  Romeo: (On first seeing Juliet)
  ‘Did my heart love till now?
  Forswear it sight!
  For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.  
  ~ From Romeo and Juliet
  
  

  He is the half part of a blessed man,
  Left to be finished by such as she;
  And she a fair divided excellence,
  Whose fulness of perfection lies in him.
  ~ Shakespeare
  
  This is romantic, but we know that our fulness of perfection lies in what Jesus did for us on the cross!  I pray you all have a beautiful day, and I’ll be back very soon with Part III of Ian’s visit, and I’ll be getting around to all of you later today, providing we aren’t too late in getting in tonight! 
  
   Love & Hugs,
  ~ Deborah <><
  
  

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