Happy Monthaversary!

July 7th 10:30 p.m.
Exactly a month ago I was sitting at a table with: Dr. Federico and family; John and Shirley Wind, a really neat missionary couple; and Dr. Bob Simmons. We had just witnessed a double wedding ceremony and were enjoying the fellowship, eating botanas (crackers and cheeses) and waiting for the main course. Everything was running late in typical Mexican laid-back fashion.
The civil ceremony came first, the jueza officiating--very complete with vows, promises, and a message from the government addressing the expectations of matrimony and offering strong exhortations to fulfill them. It was a great sermon, without quoting Scripture.
Then came the traditional "church" wedding, held in a salón however, which I was told is a modern trend. In this case, the large crowd would not have fit in their church building.
Paulina re-entered, veil down, escorted by her father, preceded by many little ones--pajes and pajecitas, and damas. The youngest was only 18 months old and toddled up in a little black suit. The many little girls and young women followed either strewing feathers or blowing bubbles, the older ones carrying the rings. They wore deep purple dresses ALL of them sewn by doña Rosi, Paulina's mom, an accomplished seamstress. She also made the bridal gown, complete with 56 buttons in back!
Femia's favorite part was during the congregational praise and worship songs, watching her soon-to-be daughter-in-law raise her hands and sing to the Lord while the little girls joined in song and dance.
Two more sermons by current and mentoring pastors prolonged the ceremony so that by the time Ulises, father of the groom, finally took the pulpit to officiate his very first wedding as an ordained minister, he was rather nervous felt that many words were unnecessary--just the usual vows, rings, prayer and "kiss your wife for the first time!".
The final act was so beautiful and heart felt--Jenna Potts (FSANF*) singing "Oh, tu fidelidad" (Great is your faithfulness) and without a gringa accent!
After the recessional, we carried our chairs to the tables set and waiting, each complete with a cake. And there we fellowshipped till past midnight. The happy couple came to us for hugs and photos. There was a variety of beautiful live music playing throughout and the little girls danced and frolicked in their lovely dresses.
The newly weds had a very late start to their honeymoon but enjoyed every moment of their wedding. And so did we!

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*Former Student And Now Friend