Stephanie Lyn Lurz

Our lives are made of the consequences of one little decision after another. Some of these consequences are positive, some are negative, and some seem as though they will break us but turn out to take us down a path that we should be on. We choose to wake up and go to work. The consequence is we have money to pay our bills. We make a choice to be involved with people that turn out to be the wrong ones. This turns out to be one of those consequences that feel like they could break us; but the consequences can also be the beautiful children we end up with and our lives change and instantly we find ourselves on the exact path we should be on. Then one day we make a decision to take a chance on an acquaintance becoming a friend. And the consequence is we find someone who makes us feel like we are not alone in the world. Then we make a decision to take a chance on that friendship developing into something even greater. And the next thing you know a love develops that becomes so deep and strong that it leads us to today…. Eric and Maria’s wedding day. Today is the compilation of all the little decisions you have each made separately and together. It is that scary moment when you decided let Eric meet your daughters for the first time. It is the trust that comes when Maria comes home and says…”hey give me money and get in the car”. And Eric blindly follows because he trusts you completely. And you end up with a dog that is more than a pet but becomes a member of the family. And mostly today is the day you both decided to say “I do” . And the consequence is that you will forever be joined as one in the sanctity of marriage.

VOWS

One of the most important parts of the ceremony is the exchange of vows. But what makes a vow different from just a pledge or oath. A pledge is a serious promise or agreement, an oath is a formal and serious promise to tell the truth, but a vow adds something more…. A vow is a serious promise to DO something or behave in a certain way. It is more than mere words or a promise of something abstract. It is the promise of the things you will actually do. Maria and Eric have decided to share their own vows with each other at this time.

The bride and groom share their vows

Ring Exchange

Your rings are a public symbol of the commitment you two share. Every time you look upon your rings may you be reminded of the vows you have made today for not only the two of you, but for your family as well. Eric place the ring on Maria’s finger and repeat after me “I place this ring on your finger as a symbol of the commitment we have made to share our lives from this day forth. Every time you look at this ring may you smile as it remind you of the vows we have made.” Maria place the ring on Eric’s finger and repeat after me “I place this ring on your finger as a symbol of the commitment we have made to share our lives from this day forth. Every time you look at this ring may it remind you of the vows we have made.”

Closing

Maria and Eric, today is not the first day of your lives together. All of the decisions you have made up to this point have given you the foundation of a life and family that is combined as one. You already have hopes and dreams for the future of your family. Today is merely the day that you have decided to announce to the world that you will live your lives as stated in Eclesiastes 9:9 “Enjoy your life with your beloved wife/ husband all the days of your futile life, which He has given you under the sun.”.

Pronouncement

Eric and Maria, today you have come in front of your friends and family and proclaimed your love for one another. You have made vows of the things you will do for one another and of how you will treat each other as husband and wife. You have exchanged rings as a public symbol of these vows and commitment. So it is with great pleasure that by the power that has been vested in me by the State of Nebraska and the American Marriage Ministries that I get to pronounce you husband and wife! Eric you may kiss your bride! It is my honor to be the first to introduce to all of you Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez!