Finally: "Our Wedding!!"

Our wedding was a beautiful, beautiful day. It was a lovely sunny summer's day - but not too hot. It was officiated by two very dear friends of ours: the Reverend Ian Brown and the Reverend Jillian Stewart and took place at Toorak Uniting church.

Brendan and I put a lot of time into planning the service with Ian and Jillian and were really pleased with it. It was a sacred and moving time for us both, and for many others in the church. Many said to us later how touched they were by Ian's beautiful sermon: it really spoke about how significant marriage is for all of us. The finishing touch was the simply divine music provided by my school's choir joined by a number of our ex-students, including Katie Radcliffe who sang the Ave Maria in the most hauntingly beautiful voice. It was such a wonderful gift! We were really moved by the beauty of the service, and are really grateful to Jillian and Ian, and our attendants, Larissa, Nadine and Claire, and Brendan's brother Andrew and nephew Scott for taking part in it.

After we'd had coffee at the church after the service and taken LOTS of pics (Thanks Bev!) and video (thanks Linden!) we then headed off to mum's house for the "bbq and drinks" in lieu of a 'serious' reception. I've remarked to many people that the fact that the groom made his speech barefoot and in jeans says something about the kind of function it was. It was really laid back and relaxed, and many of our friends took the opportunity to talk to get to know others they'd never met. I was also rapt that a number of my students from school volunteered to serve the food and drinks - it was brilliant to be able to share the day with you guys. All in all, it was a great night!!

For my overseas friends: When you look at the pictures of the wedding at mum's you'll see how very dry it was. We're in the middle of a terrible drought. It's a little more dry now - but we're still desperately in need of rain. It's pretty bleak here at the moment!

Anyway, finally some photos to show you all what a wonderful wonderful day it was! My apologies for taking so long! Thanks very much for all the prayers, love and support which got me, and us to this day!

If you want to see pics of the honeymoon - Brendan has produced a beautiful account of it on his blog: http://comfycouchconfessions.blogspot.com/2007/02/sacred-spaces.html

And he also has produced a beautiful testimony to our wonderful, beautiful dog Connor who departed this life earlier in the year aged 10. How we miss you beautiful face Connor-T-dog ! http://comfycouchconfessions.blogspot.com/2007/01/vale-connor.html

Love to you all - Here's to making a more concerted attempt to staying in touch!

Hugs
Sandy XXX

A reflection on the story of Elisabeth and Mary in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 1.

How must Mary have felt finding out that she had "found favour with God" and was going to give birth? She an unmarried woman! Given the social mores of the time, when she heard from the Angel Gabriel that she was with child, she must have been terrified. The repercussions for her once her pregnancy became known were enormous. In favour with God or not, in real terms, she was in serious trouble. Her response is one of incredible faith in the face of very real danger.

Mary made a long journey to see her see her cousin Elisabeth. The danger to a young woman making such a journey alone is palpable. When she arrives she discovers that her cousin Elisabeth, an older woman, who has until now been barren, was also with child. Elisabeth, we are told is a descendant of Aaron, and so part of the holy line. Her husband Zechariah had also heard from the Angel Gabriel that their child would be special - it would pave the way for the son of God. Zechariah, who did not immediately believe the words of the angel, questioning him how his barren wife could become pregnant, has his mouth stopped until the birth of his child. Despite being a priest, he did not understand as the women did.

And so when Elisabeth saw her kinswoman Mary, she responded with great joy. Not, as an older, wiser relative berating a younger one who has fallen into error, but as one blessed by God to have the "mother of my lord" visiting her. Elisabeth too does not fear the social consequence of harbouring her young unmarried relative who ought to be punished for her crime; she exalts her as the mother of her savior. Even the "child in my womb leaped for joy." Elisabeth's courageous faith in God allowed her to understand and accept the word of the Angel Gabriel, no matter how 'unreal' it may have seemed.

What follows this story is Mary's "Song of Praise" to God; her Magnificat. One of the most beautiful passages of the gospel, made more so with the realization that Mary, who ought to have been terrified by her pregnancy, is able to embrace this gift from God. More than that, she sees herself as a lowly servant of God, one who does the work of God, who from that time on would be seen as blessed. Her faith enabled her to accept a pregnancy which put her in perilous danger and gave her strength for the journey which was to follow.

This Christmas, let's meditate on the God given faith of Elisabeth and Mary, these two great women of faith. May God bless us all with a modicum of such faith in the face of the trials and tribulations of our lives.

Merry Christmas!

Hugs
SB

Back in Black - back to my "roots"!

Following the conversation about theme songs and BB's theme "Back in Black" below, as well as a visit from a Kenyan group at church this morning I've been reflecting on some genealogical discoveries I've made lately....

My aunt was very excited with the prospect that we might have african blood in us. So now that I can in fact confirm that my 6X great grandmother was and African slave in Antigua, named Joanna she'll be chuffed!! I must confess to being rather excited by the news myself. I've always felt a calling to Africa and things african, and a desire to do what I can to aid the situation there. I wonder if I can find out what part of Africa Joanna was taken from? I'm certainly going to try to find out as much as I can about it. I'll go further into this in another post some time I'm sure.

This photo is of Joanna's great grandson Adolphus Trott, his son George Henry Stevens Trott (the famous cricketer and captain of the Australian XI in 1896 and his son Francis Henry Trott - my great grandfather.)All three were known as Harry. It was printed in the Australasian in 1918 - under the heading: 3 generations of Trotts. Adolphus arrived in Australia in the 1850s with his uncle's family, half brother and his grandmother (Joanna's daughter Betsy) Theirs is a fascinating story, and one which I am learning more and more about.

If there's one thing genealogy has taught me it is this: We are much, much more closely linked to each other than we think. We cannot be indifferent to the suffering and agony of Africa - for they truly are our family - one way or the other. The family of man is a much tighter knit family than we think.
Talk to you soon
SB