Merry Christmas!

I had a wonderful Christmas. Hope everyone else did too!


The House.

The Tree.

The stockings hung by the chimney with care.....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Sacrifice

Just thought I'd share this story with you. A guy that I work with has a daughter who sacrificed her wedding in order for a church to be built. It's an awesome story of sacrifice, faith and love for Christ. I can only ask myself, what would I give up in my life that would be of such worth...for Him?

Here is the story, written by the girl's sister:

"This is the story of my little sister's wedding. . . My brother-in-law, Scott, proposed to Adrian with a knock-out ring in 2005. Of course, as wedding photographers, we get excited at the opportunity to work for a family member or very close friend. We love shooting weddings but it's very special when it is your own flesh and blood in the dress. We were all working on a June 3, 2006, wedding at my parents house. It would be a small family ceremony followed by dinner on a summer evening, A.J. would be the only one standing up with them as the ringbearer. We were tracking when the sun would set and considering rain plans; grandma was getting started on dress alterations. She had chosen her flowers and cake and the small details were in order - we were excited! Then Adrian shocked us all. I will never forget when she called. I was washing dishes on a Sunday night after fixing food for our small group meeting which was to start in 30 minutes. As soon as I heard her voice I knew something serious was up. She very quietly explained to me that their church congregation, First Assembly of God, in North Little Rock, had set a huge goal to meet by their 100th anniversary. The pastor unveiled the vision of planting 100 churches in some of the toughest to reach areas of the world. It was clear that Adrian was touched by the vision. The congregation had been challenged to consider what they could sacrifice to help out with this goal. For Adrian that sacrifice was her wedding. She told me that nothing else seemed to be much of a sacrifice but that giving up her wedding would truly be a sacrifice for her and Scott. I've been in the dressing room with many a bride on her wedding day. It's a powerful site to see a young woman look in the mirror at herself in that gown for the first time with her hair done, her makeup on, and jewelry knowing her dream is waiting a short walk and a very few moments away. Every little girl dreams of her wedding day until it comes and I knew Adrian was no exception. I asked her a dozen times during that conversation, "Are You Sure?" In tears she assured me that it was the right thing to do. She was willing to give up that moment in her gown and that day as a queen so that others could hear the gospel that makes us all the ultimate bride of Christ, His Church. They began contacting family to let them know of their plans. Instead of sending wedding invitations, everyone received a letter about the church's mission and how Adrian and Scott planned to give up their wedding in response to the challenge. On February 12, 2006, they drove to Eureka Springs and were married at a bed and breakfast. But their mission had only begun, they felt that they could raise enough to plant one church on their own with the money they had saved and the contributions of their intended wedding guests. It happened, on the Sunday after the wedding was to be held, Adrian and Scott put their gift, their sacrifice in the offering plate as it passed by. And today, in Rwanda, a church building stands as a testimony to their sacrifice. . . . But it wasn't over. Last month my mom received a phone call from Scott's mom. Adrian & Scott's church family was giving them the wedding that they sacrificed and we all needed to be in North Little Rock on December 17th for the early service. Each year at Christmas, the church has a special Sunday in which they give incredible gifts to the church family - Adrian and Scott were one of the recipients. Wow! And it was a surprise to Adrian and Scott - they had no idea what was going to happen. The church had taken care of all of the details so we would be going not as photographers but just as family. So on Saturday the 16th after we watched our bride and groom, Jason and Angela, drive away to their honeymoon, we drove down to North Little Rock to meet my parents who had A.J., my grandparents, my aunt and uncle and cousin, and all of Scott's family at a hotel down the road from the church. We would all be sneaking over to the administration wing of the church the next morning at 8am. The church had asked Scott and Adrian to take pictures during the service so that they would be sure to be occupied. Everyone who was to attend the original wedding was there, even Adrian's best friend since grade school, Adrien, and her husband and baby would be there. There were nearly 30 of us waiting to run in and surprise them on our cue. Everything was so organized. We were in the foyer observing the service from a TV outside. Over 1600 people were in attendance that morning at this service. Pastor Rod Loy began the gift giving portion of the service by beginning the Christmas story. One of the other pastors began reading the story of Mary and Joseph - "Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph" - then Pastor Rod interrupted and explained how Mary & Joseph had sacrificed their wedding to do God's will. Then he brought my shaking little sister and Scott up on stage and read the letter they had sent out instead of their wedding invitation. We watched outside as Adrian and Scott sat wondering what was coming. They presented them with a picture of the building their sacrifice had made possible and then he told them they were getting their wedding with everything - the original dress, flowers, hair, makeup, photography, and all of your family is here too. At that point we all went rushing in and it was chaos. Adrian burst into tears in total shock at what was happening. It was awesome. "

I'm not sure why I'm sharing this. I guess I am just in awe of this girl - that she could give up something so precious as her own wedding. And, beyond that, this couple put themselves out to be judged by others. I cannot imagine what my friends and family would say if I told them I wasn't going to have a wedding and that I was going to give that money so that a church could be built. People would think I was crazy!!! Beautiful story.

http://strattonphotography.smugmug.com/gallery/2259619