Wedding Reception--Jeff and Lesa Albertson

Last Saturday we attended a wedding reception for the son of our friends the Albertsons,

Jeff and Lesa Albertson.

They had gotten married in her home state, Iowa, but had a reception in Colorado for those back here who couldn't make it to the wedding.

Emily took pictures of everyone who came, so while our family was posed for a photo, 

I got her to snap one on my camera, too!

It's one of my last chances for a family photo before Crystal leaves for college.

We enjoyed chatting with Jeff and Lesa and watching pictures of the wedding on the computer they had set up.

Our dear friends, Katherine and Alvin Gafford, drove all the way up for the reception, too.

He is over ninety years old now and still making his way around!

Emily in her lovely bridesmaid gown. 

At the wedding, the groomsmen and bridesmaids were the siblings in each family.

Lesa's siblings stood on one side, and Jeff's on the other.

Unique. 

Lesa's train is hooked up for the day at the reception.

Janet cutting the cake

I liked these doves at the corners of the cake.

And the homemade mint chocolate bride'n'grooms and hearts.

They had brought some of the wedding decorations to use for the reception.

The next day after church with Albertsons, we drove to a park for a picnic together. 

Emily dared to ride with our family in our motor home.
It was probably the first time we'd had a chance to visit with just their family without any other people or distractions, and it was fun talking heart to heart.
They are in the process of selling their home and moving back near God's Bible School where two of their children are attending this year. 

I thought later of what it says in Malachi 3:16-17,
"Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them;
So a book of remembrance was written before Him
for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name.
'They shall be Mine,' says the Lord of hosts, 'on the day that I make them my jewels.
And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.'"

I asked Emily to take another family picture on this bridge at the park,

and she took lots, including when we were just looking at whatever was in the water!

So here's our family, like a bridge right now,

spanning between young children and young adults.

And Lord, we have a never-ending prayer for wisdom and guidance,

for Your help, protection, mercy and provision for our growing family.

May we be some of those who point others to that Bridge that spans the gulf

between God and sinners,

between heaven and earth--

 the cross of Jesus Christ.