We married at the Baptist Church in North London where we first met 18 months earlier, at a Thursday evening Bible study. I had returned to London to take up my first occupational therapy position at the hospital where I had completed most of my clinical practice. I had chosen this hospital because a year prior, I had met some wonderful young people from this very Baptist church at a 'Operation Mobilization' conference.
I did not realize that God was sending me here to meet my future husband and may I add, a man of integrity who loves his family and shares with me, the same vision for multigenerational faithfulness (I have already written a tribute post entitled 'My Father's Hands' to him this year, which you can read at my archives) Just four months after our wedding day, I would leave the city life behind and move to a much greener land down under! See that gray sky, I never knew what blue sky was until I moved to New Zealand!
Brett and I were introduced at that Bible study -love at first sight? Maybe - I saw him turn to the guy sitting next to him and whisper 'Who is that?' Brett had been in London for almost a year attending the Baptist church that I had attended during my clinical placement - my friends were his friends too! Of course, all those friends attended our wedding which took place on a very chilly December day, just six months after he proposed to me during a trip to Scotland.
As it was a Christmas wedding it was so exciting for me to add seasonal details. The bridesmaids wore burgundy satin gowns, I designed the headdresses and bouquets and took the drawings to a florist. I carried a bouquet of winter white roses, holly and ivy! I wore a designer wedding gown - the only time I have ever paid full price for designer! I still have my dress which, yes, I can still fit into and I hope that, at least one of my daughters will wear it one day for their wedding! We were able to afford this extravagance with the budget we had been allocated by my dear, generous father (who now lives in Heaven) because we were careful with how we spent money on other wedding day expenses such as the reception venue, catering and flowers.
God provided wonderfully, an exquisite cake was a gift from my auntie Joan, a most talented cake decorator. Our best man hired us a Rolls Royce as a wedding car and Brett's cousin who worked in the tourist sector, booked us a 17Th century cottage in the country, for our honeymoon!
The most romantic moment of my life was when a guy from our church with a soulful, Heaven sent voice, who could sing like Lionel Ritchie sang 'Truly' at the close of our vows. I felt so honoured; he had sung to his own wife as she walked down the aisle 'You're Once, Twice, Three Times a Lady'! A few years later in the early 1990s, I heard that he had captured the hearts of the English public on a TV talent show called 'Opportunity Knocks' making it to the finals. My mum was so excited - this guy had been my wedding singer! I wish I knew where he was today.
And so, last evening we celebrated as a family. I added a few romantic touches to the table and begged my daughter to make chocolate eclairs for dessert!
After, she produced this dessert the evening before, her first ever attempt at making choux pastry. It was melt in the mouth perfection! I will show you the book next year which is inspiring such delectable culinary creations. She is now ready to take on that profiterole tower as seen on 'Masterchef Australia'!
Next year is tomorrow! A new day, a fresh start, another year to walk with God, to seek His face and see His promises fulfilled. He has been so good to me this year. One of the answers to my prayers was friends - I was in need of friends, especially as I am a mum who stays close to home. Those friends came as a result of starting this blog in March 2009 and I am so glad I did! I have met some wonderful people in both this country and the USA through blogging and I want to take this opportunity to thank each of you who leave the kindest of comments, who offer me encouragement and allow me glimpses into your everyday life. You all cherish family as I do and that speaks to me of hope - hope for our churches, our communities and our nations! Keep holding on, keep loving those husbands and raising those precious children - they are our future! God is with you on this journey and the best is yet to come!
Happy New Year!
With Love and Joy,
Ann
Next year is tomorrow! A new day, a fresh start, another year to walk with God, to seek His face and see His promises fulfilled. He has been so good to me this year. One of the answers to my prayers was friends - I was in need of friends, especially as I am a mum who stays close to home. Those friends came as a result of starting this blog in March 2009 and I am so glad I did! I have met some wonderful people in both this country and the USA through blogging and I want to take this opportunity to thank each of you who leave the kindest of comments, who offer me encouragement and allow me glimpses into your everyday life. You all cherish family as I do and that speaks to me of hope - hope for our churches, our communities and our nations! Keep holding on, keep loving those husbands and raising those precious children - they are our future! God is with you on this journey and the best is yet to come!
Happy New Year!
With Love and Joy,
Ann