A Beautiful Nebraska Wedding

Several weeks ago I shared that after three years of having to miss out on MANY special events and one-of-a-kind occassions and countless tears at all of the "No's" the Lord gave me the opportunity to say a huge "yes" to travel and attend the beautiful weeding of a dear friend and celebrate all that God had done in their lives. It was an emotional "yes". 

This week my medical team cried as I walked out of treatment... it was happy tears at this beautiful milestone of healing. It was tears not for the time lost, but of a glimpse of the future...a future full of "yes's". It was tears speaking into the silence as I was given a "yes" by a doctor who believed I might not make it several years ago. It was a blessed yes by my lead doctor and medical team who are fighting to save my life. And for me it was tears in the miracle of being at this point. In the midst of these tears I had the opportunity to share a little bit about Jesus and all that He has done. It humbled me to recount so many instances of grace over these difficult years. 

It was also humble tears for those who have graciously understand when I have had to miss their "one of a kind moments" over the years, for those that have cried and continue to cry with me when I have been at my end, for the encouragement to keep fighting, for all of y'all who have left precious messages celebrating this huge milestone, and most of all for your love and grace in the different seasons of this journey. 

"Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. The Lord has done spectacular things for us and we are filled with joy. Those who cry while they plant will joyfully sing while they harvest." 

(Psalm 126:2-3,6)

Nebraska was beautiful. Absolutely stunning. SO very different than my beautiful lakes and mountains that I call home, but so very beautiful. 

There was a beautiful peace that surrounded the quiet and I spent some time walking among the cornfields and having an opportunity to pray and just be with the Lord. 

Nebraska cornfields are abundant and I marveled at the unending rows of corn that were everywhere.

I arrived on a Wednesday afternoon and had the lovely opportunity to spend time with my dear friends, the Wissmann Family that evening. Having time to spend with them as they ministered at a nursing home singing and at their home was such a blessing. They are such dear friends and I am so grateful for their friendship and they way that they have truly touched my life. The next few days were filled with set up and time exploring different parts of Nebraska. Like with so many wonderful times I didn't get pictures of everything but for so many of you that were praying here is a smattering of pictures!

My sweet friend Hannah Wissmann did an amazing job with the reception site and all of the details. She had a most beautiful concept and there were so many helping hands that brought her vision to fruition. You did amazing Hannah!

All of the extra details that Hannah Wissmann incorporated were just stunning! Every single table had a unique center piece that fit the theme that was simply gorgeous.

A wonderful part of my trip to Nebraska was spending time with this sweet couple, Esther and Doug, whom I met on the last cruise. It was so lovely to get together for lunch and catch up on all that God is doing in our lives!

The day of the wedding dawned bright and clear with a few clouds (which was an answer to prayer!) and for all of us arriving at the beautiful church there was an air of excitement over celebrating all that God has done!

It was so good to be back with these dear friends again. The time flew by to fast and I look forward to the next time that the Lord brings us together again!

Ruth, my dear friend was a radiant bride and there were tears at all that God has done in Ruth's and Ryan's lives! Truly the Lord is faithful and loving in fulfilling the desires of our hearts!

After the wedding we headed out to the reception and it was a time of joy - celebrating the new marriage that God had brought together. One of the neatest and most special things was when one of Ruth's brother-in-law's asked how many people in the room had been praying for Ruth or Ryan and their future spouse. Almost every single hand was raised. It was humbling, beautiful and sacred to see the way the Lord answers prayers. 

It was so lovely to see you Kori and I can't wait to spend a day with you at Disney in two weeks!! She is so incredibly sweet and wonderful!

Meeting Courtney was absolutely delightful. 

I love the way that the Lord works and weaves our times in and out of people's lives. I had the opportunity to meet Anna briefly back in 2010 at a christian conference in Colorado. We reconnected again in 2014 on a cruise and then had the opportunity to see her again in Nebraska. It was wonderful to hear how the Lord is working in your life Anna and all that He is doing! I hope he brings us together again soon!

It was so fun to "meet" Bethany on this trip! We had connected years ago over the internet and meeting her in person (and her sweet family!) was such a blessing! You are so sweet Bethany!!

Alan had us all laughing with some fun bride and groom games!

Celebrating what the Lord has done in Ruth and Ryan's life was absolutely beautiful. This past year it has been such a blessing to hear how the Lord was orchestrating and bringing these two people together and their wedding was absolutely lovely. It was one of the most beautiful and God-honoring weddings I have ever attended. I welled up with tears many times over the joy of two people whose hearts desire to serve the Lord wholly and fully in their marriage and how it beautifully started with their wedding ceremony. (If you would like to read their love story which is absolutely beautiful you can do so HERE.) Congratulations again Ruth and Ryan! I can't wait to see what the Lord does in your marriage. 

Thank you to so many of you who had covered me in prayer for this trip, for your sweet encouragement, to the entire wissmann family for your dear friendship. It was wonderful to see y'all again. I may have left Nebraska but a part of my heart remained. God be with each of you "till we meet again".