Have you ever woken up with a tingle of excitement, the feeling of being blessed beyond the norm filling your heart, mind and soul? I woke up with that feeling this morning, and know that this is what it feels like to LOVE something that you do. I always feel blessed to have my children in my life and know that we are close beyond my wildest dreams. I always feel blessed to be married to the amazing man that I am married to, and know that his strong arms are around me holding me close. This feeling though, this tingle of excitement that puts a smile on my face this morning is something different. This is because I am blessed to be a part of one of the most special days in anyone's life. I am blessed to be able to officiate at the weddings of couples starting their lives together, to witness the beauty of their happiness, the glow in their smiles, the softness of their tears of emotion.
I received a call last night from a young bride who was nearing panic. The minister she'd booked months before backed out on her two days ago. I can see where that would lead to something nearing meltdown! Same thing happened to R and I when we got married nearly three years ago. I gladly took the opportunity to share in her wedding day, but the icing on this beautiful wedding cake is WHERE the wedding will be held! The wedding is going to be at St. John's church in Port Gamble, WA. I have been wanting to perform a wedding at this church since the very first time I laid eyes on it, and the excitement I'm feeling at this ceremony has me nearly dancing in my chair as I write this! Let me describe this little jewel of a town to you so you can perhaps picture in your mind's eye the surreal beauty of this amazing place.
Imagine with me, if you will, stepping back in time just a little bit, to one of the oldest active mill towns on the west coast. Regal Victorian homes stand proudly around a sloping town green, the streets graced with the majestic towering branches of maple trees on fire with the glorious raiment of autumn, and demure white picket fences around each postage stamp yard in front of each home. As you take a stroll through the town admiring the beauty, the peace and the quiet you amble past the post office and the general store, to stand under a grandfather of a tree, with the sound of our nation's flag rustling in the wind overhead on a flagpole taller than any building or tree in town, and you gaze over the inlet, the dark blue water sparkling with diamond studded waves as the tides ebb and flow, the scent of fresh clean air filling your lungs. No matter where you look the incredible peace and beauty of this place fill your heart and make you feel like you've come home. Near the edge of town stands St. John's Episcopal Church, used now solely for beautiful wedding ceremonies, but whose sanctuary has seen generations of services, weddings, funerals and celebrations, the ghosts of worshipers from yesteryear grace the pews that have seen this church from its first day to the wedding ceremonies that will be held here for many more years.
Mere words cannot adequately describe the beauty of this little town, kept alive now through tourism rather than the mill activity that started it up so many years ago. However the natural beauty of this place, sitting like a sparkling jewel overlooking the water, remains simple, pure and fills the soul with calm.
God Bless this young couple beginning their lives together, and help me to be a blessing in their lives. And thank you for this opportunity to do something so wonderful in a place You created with a paintbrush straight from heaven. Amen.
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