It happened on an evening where a surprise snow shower covered the Chicago area. They said it'd been 73 degrees over the week-end, but that was hard to imagine as we made our way through snow covered streets.
Despite snowy conditions, dear friends gathered here for a beautiful bridal shower.
For our lovely bride-to-be, Haley!
It's been many years since I've been to a bridal shower here in the States. I'd forgotten the sweetness of an evening with the bride-to-be, celebrating and honoring her, and how meaningful it is to gather with women for such an event. Oh how tender of a time it was to share in that last night with women from our church here, who generously and kindly gathered around Haley to celebrate her upcoming marriage to Caleb.
Sarah, a long time friend who serves our JV family from the office here in Wheaton, gave Haley godly wisdom and beautiful thoughts on marriage during the devotional time, and read a letter and prayer from Amy, Haley's mom who lives in Slovakia (the Chase family serves with JV there). It really could not have been a sweeter time.
Another long time friend, Judi, asked questions of Haley that brought out much laughter and joy as she delightfully shared from her heart, the story of she and Caleb.
Claire, Lara and Allyson, Haley's sister, were able to come join in the evening as well. How I loved having them there to share in such sweetness.
And Caleb was invited too! So delightful to watch these two open gifts together, as a couple, just weeks away from their wedding day.
Precious. Just precious. I'm all out of words to express how much it means to me to see the Lord's goodness displayed in an evening such as this.
As the evening came to a close, my heart was full to the brim, running over with joy, love, and gratitude. How very good is the Lord, to let me taste this glimpse of Him on a snowy night in the suburbs of Chicago!
One last picture (they took a nice one but this one is so much cuter!), and then it was time to say goodbye so they could head back into the city.
I'm glad it won't be long before we'll be back together celebrating a wedding in Colorado!
I'm so happy to see pictures from the shower. It's the next best thing to being there! LOVE!
ReplyDeleteAh! Lovely photos, Mom! :) First bridal shower - a fantastic one!!
ReplyDeleteSo SO glad you got to be there to share in such a special time! So tender is the heart of God that He blesses His children with kind and good gifts like this!
ReplyDeleteYay! I was hoping you would have a blog post about the bridal shower! So thankful you got to be there!!! It means so much to get a glimpse into the evening-and what a blessing to see how loved and celebrated our kids were from those dear ladies, some meeting Haley for the very first time! I also love that Caleb has now gotten to take part in two out of the three bridal showers!:) New tradition!:)
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