Category Archives: Prayer

Young Love (#131)

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November 29, 1969… 5:00 PM

Nate’s and my wedding was tantalizingly close – one hour away. As we headed into the sanctuary for group pictures, several early-bird guests had already arrived. Connie and Helen, the ones running the wedding, quickly closed the many doors and became our protectors as we tried to get organized at the front.

It took quite a while for the photographer to assemble the wedding party in one long line on the platform, 20 people in all, and he had trouble getting and holding everyone’s attention. He had to stop twice to ask early guests behind him not to take their own pictures with flash bulbs, which was messing up his lighting.

In the end, he got the photos he wanted, and we were glad those time-consuming pictures were out of the way. There would be other pictures to take after the ceremony, but we’d checked off the most difficult ones.

Wedding party

After the large group had adjourned back to the dressing rooms for punch and cookies, the photographer asked me to stay, wanting to take what seemed like a hundred pictures of just me. “Now,” he said, “look at the ceiling. Now the floor. Look behind you. Gaze to the right… now left. Look at your flowers without smiling. Now look at them and smile.”

PhotographerDuring this process he had to turn again to speak to guests who were taking their own pictures. And finally he released me. Mary, ever the vigilant maid of honor, had stayed with me, and we were grateful to move back into the ladies lounge… to wait for 6:00.

Since we hadn’t included a response card in our invitations, we didn’t know how many people would attend, so it was a delightful surprise when Helen and Connie appeared and told us the seats were filling up.

Pastor Sweeting came into the lounge and gathered us for a special prayer time. I was glad to see him, not only to know he’d arrived on time but that he intended to help us focus our attention on the ceremony as a worship service that was meant not to honor us but the One who brought us together and who would be uniting Nate and I in marriage.

“Remember,” he said, “marriage was God’s idea, and His Spirit will be very active during the ceremony.” It was a grand thought and filled me with expectation for what was about to happen.

And then he was off to pray with the men.

ExpertsI was impressed with how well everyone was holding up as we waited, especially the children. Marea and Paul, the candle-lighters, not only had to manage flames at the end of their yard-long tapers but had to reach high to light the 54 candles – down both long aisles and up in front.

They would be the first ones into the sanctuary and were aware that hundreds of people would be watching them as they worked, not an easy thing. I asked them to keep an eye on each other, moving together, watching that neither got ahead of the other – a big assignment for such young kids, but both were confident they could do it. I told them I was really proud of them.

And suddenly it was time. Helen arrived saying, “Ok, candle-lighters. Come with me.” Their mom (the team teacher who’d taught me everything I knew about teaching school) went with them, more nervous than they were. The kids were simply excited to get on with it.

And so was I !

“I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart.” (Psalm 138:1)

Young Love (#124)

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Friday, November 28, 1969

If we thought yesterday was busy, today was double that. Nate and I still had to secure our marriage license from City Hall. And the large room in the basement of the church still needed to be set up and decorated for the reception. The bridesmaids needed to practice their song together, since they had only been practicing as individuals till now.

Nate needed to chat with Pastor Sweeting, and I needed to touch base with the mothers of our child-participants to be sure they would be at the rehearsal tonight. Were their clothes in order? Did they understand their roles? Was there any reluctance among them?

And then there was my bridal gown.

Bridal gowns.I began pursuing that as soon as the store opened. It left me speechless to be told it was “on its way” rather than already hanging at the shop. “Just after lunch,” they said.

Nate and I needed to wrap our thank-you gifts for those participating in the wedding and reception (30 of them). A mountain of groom’s cake boxes had to be transported to the church, and someone had to make several more trips to the airport.

Marriage licenseBut first things first. Nate and I headed for Chicago’s Loop and the Office of Records to get our marriage license. Although it was a very nondescript office, being there was a highlight for us. We went right out and celebrated by making a 25-cent strip of photos to memorialize the moment.

The pictures would go into our “ENGAGEMENT TO WEDDING” scrapbook. Soon I would finish that one and switch to the one called “WEDDING THROUGH HONEYMOON.”

IMG_5374On our way back to Wilmette we stopped at the church to drop off a load of decorations and the boxes of wedding programs. We were excited to see that tables and chairs were already being put into place for the reception the next day.

 

FullSizeRender(5)When we walked in at home, we were greeted by the sweet sound of bridesmaids rehearsing their number. It was impressive how good they sounded, and I was so glad they were willing to sing during the ceremony. Their song, “Thanks Be to God,” was one of my very favorites. (l. to r. Glo, Jan, Mary)

From that point on, we began to divide and conquer. Mom, Aunt Joyce, and most of the others headed for the church to begin decorating, and Nate left to run groom-errands with his brother. When he kissed me goodbye he said, “I’ll see you at the church! Six o’clock!”

I headed for the bridal shop, silently praying my gown would be waiting for me. Traffic was horrendous, and it took me over an hour to make the 25 minute drive. When I walked in they must have recognized me by the anxiety on my face. After talking to them so often in the last few days, I didn’t even bother to give my name.

“I sure hope it’s ready!” I said, with a frantic urgency that was no act.

“Are you Miss Johnson?”

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“Anxiety in a [woman’s] heart weighs [her] down, but a good word makes [her] glad.” (Proverbs 12:25)

Young Love (#103)

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October 27 – 29, 1969

 

Although both Nate and I slipped quickly back into our work routines, we began the week knowing we’d be driving the 156 miles back to Wilmette on Friday. There was still a tall stack of wedding invitations to address and mail.

MusicSheet music needed to be sent to the 7 bridesmaids so they could memorize their singing parts, and we needed to figure out their headpieces. I hadn’t had the final fitting on my gown, and Nate had to work on the tuxes, getting the sizes from each of the men.

We needed to meet with the photographer and sit down with the pastor. Figuring out the order of service and writing up a program was on the long to-do list, too, as well as checking with the bridesmaids to see how they were doing sewing their gowns.

I needed to find hostesses for our reception supper in the church basement and chat again with the caterer. Mary and I wanted to shop together for wedding shoes and a few things to pack for the honeymoon. And coming from a family that loved to play jokes on people, we needed to find a getaway driver that could be trusted.

Through the week it was difficult to stay focused on teaching my first graders to read while my mind was on the wedding. My little girls quickly picked up on the excitement and peppered me with questions.

“What does your wedding dress look like, Miss Johnson? Will you have a veil? Is there a flower girl? What will she wear? Can we come?”

The brideDuring free time they drew pictures of brides and grooms, wanting me to take them all home – which I did. When I told them my groom was keenly interested in their artwork, they beamed and ran for the crayons. On the playground I found myself running around with the kids as if I was one of them, full of happy energy.

One thing the children didn’t like, though, was that I’d soon be changing my name. “But you’re Miss Johnson,” they said. I had them practice repeating “Mrs. Nyman,” insisting it would still be me, but most of them turned up their noses and said, “We’re gonna call you Miss Johnson anyway.”

PumpkinsNate and I bought pumpkins and carved them in our tiny kitchen, enjoying every minute together. The mailbox continued to bring fun messages from loved ones. My Uncle Edward from California (Aunt Joyce’s husband) wrote:

“My Magee – We sure look forward to the BIG event and a chance to meet Nate, with whom I must now share my love and affection. I do remember you both daily and am REAL happy for both of you. When you need me, call me collect!”

Uncle Edward.

When he said he “remembered us daily,” he meant in prayer – an awesome gift. Blessing was pouring toward us from all directions, and in our nightly prayer times we couldn’t help but be overwhelmed.

“Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:20)