My dear friend, Michelle, who I first met in the summer of 1980, married Ken Canfield today in Portland, Oregon. Because they are under restrictions, only 25 could be in the sanctuary at a time which meant being creative so that some of their family could be inside to watch.
Three of their granddaughters walked down the aisle with the others in the wedding party, and stayed there during the first worship song, a Sarah Reeves song called, "Just Want You".
This song is such an anthem of truth for these two, with the chorus saying, "I don't want it if You're not in it, I just want You". If anyone lives this way, these two do!
Michelle also sang during their wedding, a song she wrote 25 years ago, and sang for the first time publicly today for Ken, as a surprise!
When she wrote it, she had no idea she would sing it for HER wedding!
One of Ken's daughters, and her husband, sang "The Blessing", a powerful worship song that came out this year, and has been sung around the globe during the pandemic. It was such a fitting song to pray over Ken and Michelle as they begin their life together.
Finally, Michelle's pastor of many years, pronounced them husband and wife, and the first kiss took place!
I love seeing Taylor's uplifted arms here! She is Michelle's "adopted" daughter who took my place as matron of honor when I wasn't able to fly to be there. She was just married this past November, with Michelle "mother of the bride" (Taylor's parents both passed away many years ago so God gave Michelle to Taylor, and Taylor to Michelle, to be mother-daughter), so it seemed perfect that she could serve her "mom" in this way!
Michelle has been one of those uniquely content single women, who wrestled it out with the Lord years ago and submitted her will to His (which was singleness for the past 60 years). But I remember her telling me that if EVER God changed his mind and had marriage for her, she wanted to walk down the aisle with her husband to the "Hallelujah Chorus".
And so she did!
I am crazy happy for Michelle and Ken, knowing that this a great blessing from the Lord that He has brought them together, and that they will be a powerful couple for His Kingdom; but also it's beautiful to see that they already love each other with what I've call a "thirty year love". Look at their faces here to see what I mean!
These two! I couldn't be more happy to have witnessed the coming together of their lives as husband and wife, and pray for a lifetime of rich love between them!
Michelle sent me this picture later on, when they'd gone out to take their photos overlooking the Willamette River and the city.
The Lord bless you
And keep you
Make His face shine upon you
And be gracious to you
The Lord turn His
Face toward you
And give you peace
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