Wow! It has been way too long since I have taken the time to write anything on this blog! Sorry about the lack of work here but we have been staying busy with many other things at this point in time! I will try to do better in the future.
On August 20, 2008 we celebrated our wedding anniversary. It was a special day not only for that but because we also were able to celebrate on the same day with Dino and Mara who were married this year on August 20th!! I was asked to be the driver for Mara, her mother and aunt from their house to the actual wedding ceremony. This is actually a big thing as I learned. The Bride gets completely ready at home and it is an event in and of itself when she leaves the house. There are flowers at the door to the apartment and there are many people watching from other apartments. When the bride leaves, many of these people cheer and clap as she enters the car. It was really kind of cool to experience.
Generally things in Italy run late, but on this day we were running a little ahead of schedule. it felt strange! We were in a nice car with lots of power and we were the slowest car on the road in order to use up the time that we were ahead! Even my slow driving was not enough though and so we decided to take a detour on the way to the wedding. We stopped in order to get a drink and while we all sat in the car waiting for Mara's aunt to return with the water, there were numerous people that walked by the car and noticed Mara. Each of them wished her well and many stared (mostly children) at the beautiful bride.
The ceremony itself was beautiful and simple. Willard officiated and for many there, it was their first experience with an evangelical (non-Catholic) service in their lives. It was wonderful to hear the message of Christ expressed in this most beautiful of settings.
After the service there was the meal, and what a meal it was!! This was the traditional Italian meal that came with multiple first second and third courses and each one tasted great. Between the plates there was dancing (Yes, Italian Mennonites dance!) and singing, visiting and talking. It was a great evening that went well into the night. The meal itself ended around midnight and that is when we began eating around the dessert table!
With the food, friends, family and music, it was a beautiful night. It was again a wonderful way to show that God was in the planning that brought these two beautiful people, Dino and Mara, together. Keep them and hold them in your prayers when you get the opportunity.
