So here we are, Colorado Springs Colorado. The Lord has taken us through an amazing journey of ups and downs with an open future off in the distance. We sit amongst the 14,000 foot mountains revering God for his Creation.
Our journey began with a radical 11 month journey around the world as friends and then through a 7 month amazing, challenging and life breathing engagement with a wedding set for the 5th of July. Normal temperatures in Indiana at that time were 98 degrees with nearly 100% humidity, with thunder storms a normal occurrence.
The day of the wedding was 77 degrees with nearly no humidity. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky; perfect. I was an emotional mess from the get go because this was the most important day of my life- covenant with the woman of my dreams.
My groomsman lined up behind me, as tears began to roll from my face. Erin’s song, “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring” played by the string quartet, as I saw a glitter of a white dress coming my way. My heart began to pound as I saw the vision that God had given me months prior, Erin walking through archways in her beautiful white dress.
Although Erin was about 50 yards away from me, our eyes connected as though this was the first time that I saw her. She walked closer and closer as I came down to meet her and assume headship as her father gave her to me. Tears rolled off my face knowing what a pearl of great price I was getting and what a life I was about to begin.
Andrew Shearman started by saying that by totaling the combined faithful, monogamous years of marriage from Erin’s parents, my parents, my grandmother who was in attendance, Andrew and Pastor Ron Johnson Sr., the blessing in covenantal marriage totaled over 250 years. My heart rejoiced as he said that because I gladly received that blessing over us and our children and our children’s children. It was a generational blessing.
The ceremony was amazing and filled with the love of the Holy Spirit. We partook in communion together, lit unity candles, worshiped our Lord and shared our vows to each other. It is a day that we will forever remember.
After the pronunciation of man and wife, the party began. We danced the night away, cried, laughed and rejoiced over the speeches and the dances.
The end of the reception was amazing. 120 people lined the exit of the castle as they lit 120 sparklers. Erin and I ran out into the amazement of lights with smiles from ear to ear. We heard laughter, and joy and shouting and celebration and at the end awaited our limo to take us to downtown Chicago. The sensation from going from 120 screaming people to complete silence with your new bride is something that I can’t explain.
We then headed off to our honeymoon in the Caribbean on the island of Saint Martin. My father and mother so generously provided us with their ten day time share in complete paradise. We enjoyed the sunny beaches, sunsets every night and a much needed rest before we started our new life.
So here we are, Colorado Springs, beginning our life together, not as two separate people but as one, willing and ready for anything the Father has for us.
Our new address is. 89 Paloma Heights #204 Colorado Springs, CO 80921.
