Such is Isaac’s lot in life, to be the “baby” of our family….I am sure that for him it is sometimes the cause of frustration, to more than likely be treated always as “the younger one”.  But, for the rest of the family, having a baby such as Isaac to enjoy and be proud of has been a source of joy and gladness.  I was almost 12 when he was born, and oh how big sister doted on her baby brother.  I had begged mom to “have another baby!” and the Lord had answered the desire of my young heart.  I have three other younger siblings, but they arrived during my even-younger years, so that there is a hazy mist covering over much of those memories.  But with Isaac, I can remember clearly many parts of his babyhood, and childhood.

All this to say, as his big sister, I delighted in his wedding.  I felt proud and cheerful, as I witnessed his joy in his beloved bride, Cassandra.  The two of them are a lovely couple.  She looks at him, and he looks at her, with love, friendship, and peace.  As they are both Christians, their relationship is full of the Holy Spirit, and His fruit.  I was talking to a friend at church the day after the wedding and he spoke from his heart when he said he looks forward to seeing great things from Isaac and Cassandra’s marriage.  Not that they are any more special than any other Christian couple, but it is what Christ himself does for all relationships in this world that makes life, and living in Him, and because of Him, beautiful.  To follow His ways, the Scriptures, and to let those truths grow in us, is the way to LIFE abundant.

My dear friend Joanna was the master of this woodland photo shoot, her pictures will be the perfect ones, I almost feel guilty in sharing my own because they are a poor reflection of the magic she can do with her camera.  If and when she posts her final product online, I will be sure to share the link, or to share them here, with her permission, on my blog.  I think she was up on a ladder during this portion of the shoot.  I was holding it with one hand, and my camera in the other.  We opened the shoot with a prayer of God’s blessing on these images, that Isaac and Cassandra would look back on this day and see in the pictures exactly what they were feeling in their hearts.

Even though Joanna and I kept our camera’s eye on them the entire time, and we four all had fun together, the two of them truly had eyes only for each other, which I noticed and found so dear.  They talked to each other, but it was mostly Isaac keeping up the banter, helping his Cassandra to feel relaxed, with an honest smile on her face (it can be awkward to keep smiling for pictures!)

Which is why I especially love this next picture, because they are in their own little world…….talking a little bit, leaning in close, and she looks a little puzzled, all in good fun.

Then, to face the camera with their smiles::

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  This is how God showed his love among us:  He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.  We know that we live in him and he in us, because of his Spirit.  And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.  If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.  And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.  There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  We love because he first loved us.”  1 John 11-19

Looking at these photos, and meditating on love this morning, has refreshed my heart to do good for my own family.  I hope and pray that my friends who visit this blog here today will also feel those same emotions, and make this day a beautiful one for the ones you love.  Light the candles, cook the food, share a hug, snuggle up to a child, read good books, enjoy God’s creation…..a phone call, an email, ANYTHING to show that particular loved one that YOU CARE, can be done at anytime, and the amazing part is, it does good for your own soul, as well.  “It is more blessed TO GIVE…….”

This world can truly be a lonely land, and one good word, or even a smile, is sometimes all it takes to put an extra bounce in someone’s step.   To be an encourager is to spread God’s love in this dark place……….

YOU ARE LOVED.

TOMORROW I WILL SHARE THE REST OF THE PICTURES FROM ISAAC and CASSANDRA’S beautiful day.