THE WEDDING PARTY

If you remember John 2, Jesus was the Life of the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee.  When the wine ran out, He created an abundance of the best wine any of them had ever tasted. 

Jesus went to another wedding party yesterday!  It was in celebration of Troy Haire and Melissa Noel's marriage!  Two hundred of us marvelled as we watched God tie a tight knot between their lives as we worshipped!

Then it was time to PARTY!

Church friends practiced line-dancing for two weeks to prepare for this celebration!  Plans were made by both the Noel and Haire families!  Four thousand cookies were baked and carefully prepared!  Toasts were thought through by Leah (Missy's sister) and Travis (Troy's brother). 

The Best Man (Travis) delivered their luggage to the hotel room earlier in the day.  He also arranged for a cheese tray, chocolate-covered strawberries, and other treats!  He set up candles to create the right ambiance!

Then came the celebration!  The beautiful bride and her handsome groom personally greeted every guest (along with their parents).  We feasted at luxurious tables of food!  And then there were THE COOKIES!  Then cake!

Then the dancing began!  It didn't end till 10:00 PM when the DJ played, "I've Had The Time Of My Life!" 

Two family systems joyfully celebrated!

Family friends came from near and far to participate in the party!

A church family joined the joy!

Why so much hoopla?  Why so much joy?

1. Because these two families have gained the respect of others - largely through their faith!
2. Because Troy and Missy have been open and clear about their commitment to establishing a Christian home!
3. Because we all have seen evidence of God's redeeming grace in Troy's and Missy's lives!
4. Because Troy and Missy deliberately chose to honor God and reserve their physical love for last night - after the wedding!

TROY AND MISSY

True story:  On my first Sunday at New Middletown (July, 2003) we were overwhelmed with a LONG LINE of people who waited to greet us after worship!  So many new names to learn! 

In the line was a mother and her teenaged daughter.  The mom was Helen Noel and the daughter was Melissa Noel.  We spoke to them briefly as they introduced themselves to us.

As they turned to walk away, I whispered to Debbie:  "I'm going to have to tell Troy about that one!"  I did tell him about Melissa, but the timing wasn't ripe yet.

True story:  Most years, after Christmas, our friend Rhoda Swartz has a get-together at her home.  She and others pitch in all the Christmas left-overs and we just have a wonderful time of fellowship and fun!  It's a delight.

Our sons, Travis and Troy, were home for Christmas that year and were staying through New Year's;  so we were planning to attend Rhoda's party. 

The night of the party, Helen Noel asked Melissa if she'd like to go to Rhoda's with her and Mark.  She quickly replied:  "No!  I know what you're up to, Mom.  You're just trying to fix me up with one of those Haire boys!"

True story:  Troy and Melissa had a few friendly interactions over the years.  They had apparently caught each other's eye.

Two years ago at Family Camp, it gradually became apparent that they were migrating toward one another.

At the end of camp, Troy asked Melissa if she would be interested in dating long-distance?  She said "Yes."

That began a series of trips back-and-forth from New Middletown to Savannah.  Most frequently, Missy went to Savannah.  They had some incredibly beautiful dates and special times.  Eventually they announced that they were a couple on Facebook!

Last fall, they found reasons to get together many times - including a Haire Family Gathering at Travis' in Annapolis for the Navy Homecoming!  No doubt about it by this time - this relationship was heading somewhere! 

According to Missy, Troy first told her that he loved her a month before Thanksgiving - when he gave her a ring!  He wanted to get married at Christmas!  She made him wait until today!

ENGAGEMENT II

[For continuity, read "ENGAGEMENT" first]

There has always been some joking in our family about Debbie's engagement ring.  Our three T's have deliberated over which of them should get it someday.  Awhile back one of them suggested that since my mom had given it to her youngest son, Debbie should do the same.

I don't know if that influenced her or not, but several months ago - without discussion - Debbie gave her engagement ring to Troy.  He and Missy Noel have been dating since Family Camp, 2010.  We both suspected that Troy was getting ready to 'pop' the question!

We had a family Thanksgiving/Christmas in Connecticut at Tracie's last week.  After returning to Travis' in Annapolis to retrieve his car, Troy made a stealth trip to New Middletown.  He arrived Monday afternoon shortly after Missy had left for a 12-hour shift at the hospital.

He had to disable her ability to track him on her iPhone.  He had to deceive her about where he was on his long journey back to Savannah.  At one point he told her, "I've been driving all day and I'm almost home."  He also ignored calls and texts from her.

Then he went about setting up his surprise!

Missy's words:

I worked until 2:00 AM.  Imagine my surprise when I drove down my street and saw Troy's car in my driveway!  When I walked into my kitchen, he had Christmas music playing, a beautiful bouquet of flowers, rose petals scattered on the table, candles, and cheese fondue.

We enjoyed an assortment of bread, fruit, and vegetables;  then Troy started to cook the chocolate fondue.  I decided to take a picture to send to my sister (since she had weaved a web of lies to get me to rearrange my work schedule so that I would be home the following day with Troy).

While I was distracted and trying to take a picture with my phone, Troy got down on one knee and proposed!  I was so excited!!!   We ate chocolate fondue and then I called my sister!

And so, the ring that once belonged to Hazel Haire, and Debbie Haire, now graces the hand of Missy Noel!