A Good Thing! (Really, really good!)

A week ago we had the great joy of witnessing the marriage vows of our oldest son Andrew to his beloved bride, Esther. 

The wedding took place in east Texas, which is absolutely lovely at this time of the year! Arriving in Texas a few days before the wedding, we were able to take in a bit of Nacogdoches, including the beautiful arboretum and magnolia gardens at Esther's alma mater, Stephen F. Austin State University.

Eliza, Jenny, Laurel, and Annie (granddaughters)
Amanda, Ben, Faith, Peter, and Paul

Our trip was a whirlwind, but one filled with continual reasons to overflow with gratitude to God for His many blessings. We were so thankful to be able to meet Esther's family and her church family, and to spend those days surrounded by all our children and granddaughters.

Jonathan and Peter were two of Andrew's groomsmen

But the sweetest of all, of course, was the beautiful wedding. For his sermon text, Esther's pastor choose Proverbs 18:22 which says, "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord." Tears began to flow because this is the verse I've been praying for years for Andrew. Andrew and Esther have waited many years for each other, and I can't begin to describe the joy it is to watch both of them delight in each other, thankful to the Lord for bringing them together. I don't think either one ever stopped smiling! 

Except when they were kissing...

Oh no! Don't look!

My very dear friends, Mary Lee, Rachel, and Beth braved the 14 hour drive to be at the wedding!

As Andrew and Esther left the church, we formed a double line to toss colored confetti. My children took advantage of this to send them off in style. 

Amanda and Paul were ready!

Andrew's groomsman and oldest friend, Nathan, made this priceless video of the send-off. He aptly calls it "Revenge of the Siblings." Kristen (in the blue dress at the end) will be getting married in two months, so we'll see if her exuberance in dousing the bridal couple was wise or not. ;)