Wedding Video Clips

I made video during the wedding (no flashes or sounds to interfere) and here are some clips I have put up on Youtube and Godtube.

The first part of the wedding ceremony and a sleepy ring-bearer:


The Unity Candle Lighting:




The Wedding Vows:




Pronouncement as Husband and Wife and the Kiss:

The Relationship between Sarah Pender and our Jaden

We have known Sarah's family for some 10 years. Her folks are dear friends and so the family is precious to us. Sarah came here for college and spent 5 years as our campus daughter. During those years, we had our campus daughter overs once a month for dinners, parties, etc. so I figure that Sarah was in our home 9 times a year for 5 years for a total of 45 times. Of course, there was once or twice when we had to cancel an activity and another once of twice that Sarah wasn't able to come over with her campus sisters, so I know she was still in our home no less than 35 times in 5 years.

Our daughter and her family live next door to us. Sarah is GREAT with kids and loved on our three grandkids whenever she would see them. And then in November 2004, our daughter gave birth to Jaden. Sarah LOVES babies and enjoyed watching him grow from a newborn to a 2-1/2 year old by the time she graduated in May 2007. She kept Jaden in the nursery at church and also babysat for Brian and Amy on occasion.

So, when Sarah got engaged in February of this year, she called Amy and asked if Jaden could be her ring bearer. Of course, Amy said "YES" and we all had a wonderful time at Sarah's and Josh's wedding yesterday.

Here are a few pics of Sarah meeting newborn Jaden, of Sarah and Jaden in our car when we were taking her to the airport after her graduation, and then of her and Jaden at the wedding. There's a lot of history!!

Jaden-the-Ring-Bearer Video!

Jaden in the Processional:




Jaden in the Recessional:

Jaden The Ring-Bearer in Sarah Pender's Wedding

Jaden did it!!! He did a real nice job of being the ring-bearer in Sarah's and Josh's wedding today. It is was lovely wedding with a beautiful bride, handsome groom, and darling ring-bearer. (Grandma is prejudiced, okay???!!!)

I will post a few pics I made (didn't make any DURING the ceremony) and have some precious video (made DURING the wedding) to share as time allows. Amy made a lot of pics when it was allowed during the formal pre-wedding picture-making session. If she shares with me, I will post some of them.

These pics:
#1) Sarah and Jaden
#2) Sarah with her precious parents, Larry and Teri
#3) Our four original campus daughters: L-R: Kim, Sarah, Becky, and Teresa
#4) Us with Josh, Sarah and Isabella

The Goings-Ons.......pictures and wedding trip

I have been working a lot this week making Kodak Gallery albums of our big trip to Alaska, Vancouver, and Washington State. I am now working on the last album ~~ #16!!!!! It's been fun to look back at the pics and to relive the great time we had, but I am ready to be done with the project. Once I have the last album made, I am going to go in the Alaska Trip Blog and change all of the dates of the posts so that the blog reads in order from start of trip to finish. I will post each album under the journal of that day's events. It will make it nicer for us to go back and "re-visit" the trip or for any guests who find their way to the blog. The URL for that blog is shown in the right hand top corner of this blog in case you want to check it out.

We are about to take off for Alabama!! Our long-time friend, Sarah Pender, is getting married on Saturday. We have known Sarah since she was 12 or 13 years old and then she was our "campus daughter" during her four years of college. We are so happy for her and Josh and know they will be an awesome Christian couple who will labor together to advance the Kingdom of Christ. We wish them well and so much look forward to their wedding day. And of course, an added excitement for us is that Jaden is the ring-bearer in the wedding. He and Amy will attend the rehearsal at 6:00 this evening. I hope he does well with this new "activity."

I'm hoping I will have some precious pics of Jaden and hopefully of Josh and Sarah, too, to post upon our return.

Have a good weekend, everyone!

Twenty-Second Anniversary of My Dad's Departure for Heaven

Philippians 1:3 ¶ I thank my God upon every remembrance of you...

June 26, 1986: I was thankful for JESUS CHRIST, my solid rock, on that day. Dad had been very ill for just three weeks with his just-diagnosed with Acute myelogenous leukemia: (AML) a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. In AML, the bone marrow makes many unformed cells called blasts. Blasts normally develop into white blood cells that fight infection. However, the blasts are abnormal in AML. They do not develop and cannot fight infections. The bone marrow may also make abnormal red blood cells and platelets. The number of abnormal cells (or leukemia cells) grows quickly. They crowd out the normal red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets the body needs.

Daddy thought he had the flu and fought it for a few days before going to the doctor when he wasn't getting any better. What a shock to learn that day that he had leukemia. He fought it valiantly at UAB in Birmingham, but it wasn't God's plan for him to be healed. Of course, he realized the ULTIMATE HEALING when he arrived in Heaven on June 26!!

As the two photos portray, I always looked up to my dad (that's Nonie and me with Dad and Mom and I am looking up at him); and I loved him dearly. It hurt so much to lose my beloved Daddy but the Lord was gracious and saw us all through each difficult day. I still miss you, Daddy, and love you so much. I can't wait to see you and Mom when the Lord calls me home one of these days. I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Relaxin' by the Pool

There is nothing I enjoy more than a warm evening out at Brian's and Amy's pool watching the grandkids have fun!!! Jaden is loving the water this year. With the life vest on, he is jumping in off the side, goes under and bobs right back up, and is kicking those legs for all he is worth. Of course, Jarrett, Isabella, and Josh are all three fish. Well, Belle is a beautiful mermaid. :)

I made some pics and videos of them swimming and playing on Tuesday night as we relaxed. You will note that Jarrett wasn't in the pics because we wasn't out at the pool when I made pics, but I did get a bit of video of him.

Guestbook.... please sign and post YOUR Picture ~~ but not your last name!

(Blog articles appear just below the guestbook)

ON THE BACKSIDE OF THE COLONOSCOPY!

It's done and we're back home after a nice lunch of salad and baked potato at Steak and Ale. The colonoscopy went great. Everyone there was so nice and I found it all to be quite interesting. I remember telling the doc something and then waking up when it was over with someone called my name. It's pretty incredible they can do all of that to you and you never know a thing. (IF I could choose for when my time comes, I would like to take off from Heaven while I am under. It would be neat to wake up in Heaven instead of in the hospital.) I got an "all-clear" report and he said to come back in 10 years unless I had a problem to crop up. Works for me!! Thank You, Lord!!

P.S. I would blog my colon pics but will spare you!! :)

Mr. Tuxedo

I deleted the first video but it still appears on the page, so look for the 2nd video of Jaden in the tux ~~ it is at the the bottom of the article. Be sure to double-click on pics to see that cute face better!




Our 3-1/2-year-old grandson Jaden is going to be the ring-bearer in a wedding on Saturday. The bride is very dear to us as she was our campus daughter for all of her college years. But we go back with Sarah much further than that. Her family moved to our town and to our church (back home) when she about 12 years old. I got to watch Sarah grow up in T-Town until such time as we moved down here. It was a thrill for us when she attended college here and we watched her bloom from teen girl into a lovely young woman.

As a college student, Sarah enjoyed seeing our grandkids during her visits to our home. As well, Brian and Amy had her over to babysit from time to time. She loved our grands and they loved her.

It was a special joy when we learned of Sarah's engagement in February and a special surprise when she asked Jaden to be the ring-bearer. What an honor for Jaden, and we are thrilled that he will represent our ties to Sarah and her family.

Amy ordered Jaden's tux. It arrived today and she brought him over to show us her little man. He was cute as pie in it so I made a couple of pics and a video as well. Since I did that, I might as well share. :)

Happy Wedding Day to Josh and Sarah. I know her parents (Larry and Teri) are just as blessed and proud as they can be. We look forward to Saturday. I hope Jaden does a fine job as the ring-bearer.

MEDICAL STUFF WEEK

At my annual physical on May 1, my doctor said, "You've never had a Dexi-Scan to check for osteoporosis." I said, "No, I haven't and neither have I ever had a colonoscopy." That was that and he had his nurse schedule both tests for me ~~ scheduling them for when we were back from all of our trips. The time has arrived!!

I am about to leave to have this morning's Dexi-Scan. Then, at 1:00 p.m. this afternoon, I begin the prep for tomorrow morning's colonoscopy. During some of that time this afternoon, my four grandkids will be with me, but I figure they can entertain themselves while I do my "run" every few minutes. I'll let you know how it goes. (Not really!) :)

Report Of Our "Chip Trip"

(More pics follow the article)

We had a fun trip and week at Chip's with our 9-year-old grandson Josh in tow. We left from here at 9:15 on the 14th and got to Chip's at 4:15 (with a stop at Wal-Mart to pick up a few food items being accomplished just before we went to Chip's house.)

Chip is doing GREAT. The church is growing and his student group of high schoolers is awesome. We were in his Sunday School class last Sunday morning and got to hear him teach his teens.

Then in the morning worship service, it started with Chip baptizing 8 new Christians. I hadn't seen Chip perform a baptism before, so it was very touching and very moving. The church does everything "first class" and had video-taped each new Christian giving a short testimony about how they came to Christ. I shed tears during each of those vignettes. Pastor Zach preached a great message. It was just a real good day!

On Sunday night, we went with Chip over to the Smith home. We had not met George and his three kids but were blessed to meet them and get to know them. Sandi (wife/mother) passed away on Mother's Day weekend last month so what could have been a difficult situation for us as strangers was truly a precious time of fellowship.

On Monday through Friday In Vacation Bible School, Chip taught the 5th and 6th graders. We got to hear him teach those kids every day. Richard ran the audio and graphics for the big screen for Chip's class. I served the refreshments to them. He had 50 kids in there!!

After the busy morning from 8-12 with VBS each day, we would go with Chip to catch a bite of lunch and then he would return to work for the afternoon and we had our afternoons free at his house. A time or two, Chip had a lunch appointment with someone but otherwise, we had lunch together.

Most afternoons when we came in, I took a 2-hour nap!!! The big trip had caught up with us!! Also, I had developed a bladder infection while on the cruise and didn't get to the doctor until we got home which was on Friday before we went to Chip's on Saturday. So, I was still ailing somewhat with the infection and was on the antibiotic for that. I think the medication was sort of dragging me down too.

On Tuesday evening, we were invited to the Peck home. Their daughter, Amy, is a senior in Chip's youth group. We had wonderful fellowship and a great steak dinner with them. They had a real cute white fuzzy dog named Arlie. Josh and Arlie had lots of fun together. It is so much fun to get to know many of the fine people in Chip's church.

After VBS on Wednesday, the three of us went to Cheeburger Cheeburger with Chip and were also in the company of Chip's friend who is also his intern at church and his girlfriend. (Andrew and Angela). After lunch, Chip returned to work and Grandpa Richard and I took Josh to visit Huntsville's Space and Rocket Center. He loved it!!

Capshaw didn't have church on Wednesday night because so many adults and all of the kids were involved in Bible School, BUT Chip still had his Student Ministry Worship Service. We went and enjoyed the service. We got to hear the student praise band, and then Chip preached. It was a wonderful service with their student auditorium packed out.

On Thursday after VBS, Chip had a lunch (ministry) appointment so we went back to his house and had lunch there. We met back up with Chip at the church at 6:00 for the "Family Night" at VBS which was held in their Student Life Center. Again, it was a good time to meet and get to know some folks.

Friday was the last day of VBS. We were tired, but it was a "good" tired as it was a great week of ministry. Preparation~~Dedication~~Decoration~~Presentation~~ the VBS was the best I had ever seen and we thoroughly enjoyed being a part of it.

We left Huntsville after lunch with Chip at Friday (went to a Japanese Hibachi Restaurant and always enjoy their meals) and got home at 8:30 p.m. Brian and Amy had us over for a piece of apple pie. It was so good to see the family!! Belle and Jarrett were away at camp when we left to go to Huntsville so we hadn't seen them since that Sunday on May 25 when the family took us to the airport to fly up to Anchorage. Boy, it was good to see those kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After missing 4 weeks at our church, it was a blessing to be back today to see our brothers-and-sisters-in-Christ and to hear our dear Pastor Jackson.

Here are a few pics from last week:

Chip's group of 5th/6th graders on Monday at VBS. The number grew during the week:

The "yellow" team (one of four groups) in Chip's class competing in a relay race:

Having lunch with Chip, Andrew and Angela at Cheeburger Cheeburger:

Josh at the Space and Rocket Center listening to our tour guide as Grandpa listens, too:

Josh on the last day of VBS with Phillip, one of his VBS teachers. The boy in the green shirt is Michael, Josh's new Capshaw friend and the little boy who lost his mother on Mother's Day weekend.

Our "farewell lunch" with Chip on Friday before we returned home:

HAIRCUT BUDS!!

Josh went with Grandpa and me to spend the week at Uncle Chip's house and to attend VBS there. One day after VBS and after lunch, Chip decided he needed a haircut., Josh decided he wanted a haircut like his Uncle Chip's. I called Amy and asked if that would be okay and received her permission for Josh to get his hair cut.

Josh was one proud kid and loved looking a bit like his Uncle Chip:

We're Home.............

We have spent all but 2 days of the past month on the road celebrating Richard's retirement. We had a fabulous time with John and Jeanette on our 2-week Princess Land Tour and Cruise in Alaska. At the conclusion of the cruise, we spent another day and evening in Vancouver, BC and took in the sights. Richard and I then rented a car and drove down to Bellingham, WA ~~ the town where my mother was born, grew up, and lived until a handsome sailor whisked her away after a brief courtship. Richard and I met six of my mom's first cousins ~~ all girls ~~ and people that my mom never knew. We saw the high school from which she graduated in 1939, the cemetery where my grandparents are buried, and just enjoyed our visit immensely. At the end of our trip, we spent a day in Seattle (froze to death!) before flying home and arriving the evening of the 12th. On the 14th, we took off for Huntsville to spend a week with our son, Chip, and to work in the VBS at Capshaw this week. What a fabulous time we had!!! I think we heard Chip speak some 7 times and watched some young people's lives transformed during the week of VBS as he taught the kids who had just completed the 5th and 6th grades. We returned home from Huntsville last night.

It was so good to see Brian, Amy, and the kids upon our return. We had had Josh with us all week so I know it was grand for their family to be reunited. We enjoy Josh immensely and he had a wonderful time at VBS.

We had to re-enter the real world this morning with a trip to the grocery store to get some things for our empty refrigerator!!!

We are excited to now be able to get into a good "retirement routine" as we find our new rhythm of life. We want to enter into more ministry and finish strong in this life.

As Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz: "There's no place like home!!"

Back on This Blog But Still Out of Town

Good Morning from Capshaw, Alabama , which is located in the greater Huntsville area. We had one day at home after our 2-1/2 week trip to Alaska and then took off to come up here to visit Chip and help in their Vacation Bible School this week. Our 9-year-old grandson, Josh, is with us as he is our only elementary-age grandchild and therefore able to attend VBS.

We arrived on Saturday at 4:00 and that evening went to dinner with Chip at PF Chang ~~ a fabulous restaurant. On Sunday (Father's Day), we had a wonderful church service which began with Chip baptizing 8 new converts. We had never witnessed Chip performing a baptism so that was a huge blessing for his dad and me. We had a lovely Father's Day lunch and a nice relaxing afternoon. Capshaw didn't have church on Sunday night but we were invited over to the Smith home. When we were last here on what was Mother's Day weekend, a dear lady in the church passed away. Pastor Zach and Chip were there in the home with the family when Sandy passed. The Smiths have 2 teenagers and Chip has been a real help and encouragement to them during this month since their mother's passing. Anyway, we were invited over and went to watch some of the NBA game with George and his family. What a dear Godly man and 3 precious kids who miss their wife and mama. The little Smith guy is Josh's age. It was great that Josh could make a friend and know a friendly face on Monday morning at VBS. And that's exactly what happened~~~ Michael and Josh hooked up and enjoy the Monday VBS session.

After Bible School and then lunch at "Dip and Dog," which is a new deli and ice-cream shop very near Chip's house, the 3 of us returned to Chip's house. He had a noon to 7:00 p.m. outing with his teenagers. On his way back home on Monday evening, he brought pizza home for our dinner. We enjoyed some fellowship with him and then all went to bed.

Tuesday morning....... we came to the church an hour before VBS to start so that I could get online (first time since last Saturday morning!). I hope to have time today to upload some more of our Alaskan Trip pics. I have been posting them here as well as on my www.northtoalaskaandbackagain.com/ blog. I do hope to have time to work on those today if we can hang out here at Chip's church after VBS.

Gotta get ready for VBS. Richard is doing the audio/visuals for Chip's class of 5th and 6th graders and today I am serving their refreshments. FUN!!!!!!!!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

HOME FROM OUR TRIP!

We had never been gone from home for 2-1/2 weeks before, and it is good to be home tonight! I will be back to writing some "Susan's Stuff" ~~ enjoying God's blessing of Richard's retirement, our family, and our friends. We look forward to seeing what God has in store for this season of our lives. Feel free to take a peek every now and again to see what is going on from my perspective.

Blessings,
Susan