Lori J. Bishop

PROCESSIONAL

Please be seated!

INVOCATION

We are here on this beautiful day to witness the union of Adam and Kelly as they proclaim their love and commitment to the each other. There are many reasons people have for taking the step of marriage, and Adam and Kelley have made it known that this is a sacred time to them.

As the years of my life have gone by, I’ve come to realize that life is just a series of moments – some seem ordinary – like brushing your teeth and putting on your socks; but some are without question extraordinary – like today. These extraordinary moments are life changers. Decisions made and honored by the commitments we make. These moments influence the course of each day that follows.

In light of this – for just a moment – please close your eyes and bow your heads. Take a deep breath. Feel this moment. There is love in each of you … there is love all around you today. The people who are here today – and those who have passed to another realm – hold you both as true treasure. We all, along with your Creator, have looked forward to this day. And together with you we celebrate your shared life as you embark on this journey together.

Take a deep breath. Listen to my words: Adam. Kelley. You are loved!

As you open your eyes please look around you. Look at your family and friends … these people desire only the very best for you and they are committed to your success.

Adam and Kelley. I will gladly tell you that marriage brings great challenges and great blessings. It isn’t always as easy or romantic as putting on a beautiful gown or nice suit. It isn’t about having a big party – although I am certainly looking forward to that tonight! All those things are what a wedding is about, but marriage … marriage is about the ongoing process of learning to not just live together as a couple with two separate lives, but to live your lives as one complete life.

It means continually moving forward as a couple and working toward the success of the new family you are making today. Many people and opportunities and things will try to crowd out your marriage. But, don’t let anything stand in the way or your marriage. Honor each other. Love each other. Support each other’s ambitions. And continue to nurture each other.

I would encourage you to remember a saying of an ancient king, King Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 4. Solomon was, according to some, “the wisest man in the world”. In Ecclesiastes he shares the story of his attempts to discover the meaning and purpose of life. With all the wealth available to him and with creativity and curiosity he brought to the problem he did uncover some truths along the way. He said, for example,

“Two are better than one because a they have a good return for their work. If one of them falls, the other can help him up. But who will help the pitiful person who falls down alone? In the same way, if two lie down together, they can keep each other warm. But how will the one who sleeps alone stay warm against the night? As the saying goes, “A rope made of three strands is NOT quickly broken.”

So, what is he saying… talking about 2 people and a cord of 3 strands? I believe what this teacher is saying, is that “As any two people when they unite their lives together, they multiply their strengths.” And, most importantly, if you braid your strengths together with your Creator’s, you will build a marriage – a family – that cannot be quickly broken.

So take the time in your lives to uncover the meaning and truth in what is around you. Remember that the little things are sometimes the most important. Live together with curiosity and humility. It is easy to see the flaws in your partner but instead of criticizing seek to understand. And continue to be silly and laugh together. And above all, remember to express your love to each other every day. I would say you both are well-suited for this journey!

For those of you who don’t know I am one of Adam’s aunts. From early on I have watched with amazement Adam’s seemingly unquenchable curiosity and courage. He has a talent for language and the pluck to go meet all peoples where they are… so whether he was teaching English in Japan, Turkey or Dubai … or teaching Spanish to teenagers in America (which honestly might be more scary!) - he went with an open, serving heart and learned about other cultures and ages and ideas. There is a desire in him to learn and share – and this is what he does.

The first time I met Kelley – we shared a cabin at Adam’s cousin’s wedding. To my knowledge, this was the first time she was meeting most of Adam’s family. If you know Kelley, she was game for the challenge. They traveled several hours from home, to share a weekend with people she didn’t know and share a cabin with a “crazy Aunt and Uncle” she had never met. With perfect grace and strength she met us with a smile and her wonderful laugh and embraced the opportunity. I knew right then she was a keeper! She had since proven this over and over – what a gracious and hard-working woman you are!

You two are creative, curious, reliable, serving, family oriented and faithful people. You both impress me. You give me hope that we can have hope the days ahead! To make your relationship succeed it does take unending love, even on the days when you might not like each other very much! It will take trust, to know in your hearts that you truly want what is best for one another and to learn and grow together. It will take faith, to go forward together without knowing what the future holds.

When reflecting on the meaning of marriage, I came across an excerpt by Daphne Rose Kingma that I'd like to share with you.

'In marriage, we say not only I love you today, but also I promise to love you tomorrow, the next day and always. In promising always, we promise each other time. We promise to exercise our love, to stretch it large enough to embrace the unforeseen realities of our future. We promise to learn to love beyond the level of our instincts and inclinations, to love in foul weather as well as good, to love in hard times as well as when we are exhilarated by the pleasures of romance. We change because of these promises, We shape ourselves according to them; we live in their midst and live differently because of them. We feel protected because of them. Our souls are protected; our hearts have come home.'

I asked your Gramma Lu yesterday what wisdom she would give to you both today? She said, “You’ve chosen well – now choose to be happy – give each other the benefit of the doubt and enjoy the life you’ve chosen.

Now is the time to make your choice complete ...

DECLARATION OF INTENT

Adam and Kelley, please join hands, look at one another now (naught -sue-caw-she-e) and remember fondly this moment in time:

Will you Adam, keep Kelley as your favorite person – to laugh with her, go on adventures with her, support her through life’s tough moments, be proud of her, grow old with her, and find new reasons to love her every day?

Adam: I will!

Will you Kelley, keep Adam as your favorite person – to laugh with him, go on adventures with him, support him through life’s tough moments, be proud of him, grow old with him, and find new reasons to love him every day?

Kelley: I will!

VOWS EXCHANGE

Kelley and Adam, have chosen to write their vows. It is with these words that you express your binding promises to love, honor and cherish one another. If you are ready to make these promises to each other I invite you now to read your vows.

RING EXCHANGE

Are there rings you wish to exchange? - Rings are made of precious metal, but those same rings are also made precious by wearing them. Your wedding rings are special because they enhance who you are. They mark the beginning of your long journey together. Your wedding ring is a circle, a symbol of love never ending. It is the seal of the vows you have just taken to love each other without end.

Adam – if you will place the ring on Kelley’s finger and repeat after me – I give to you this ring …. As an everlasting symbol of my love …. and the bond we share…. With this ring … we start our new journey together!

Kelley – please place the ring on Adam’s finger and repeat after me – I give to you this ring …. As an everlasting symbol of my love …. and the bond we share…. With this ring … we start our new journey together!

PRONOUNCEMENT

To make your relationship work will take love.

It will take trust, to know, that in your hearts, you truly want what is best for each other.

It will take dedication, to stay open to one another - and to learn and grow together. It will take faith, to go forward together, without knowing what the future holds.

And it will take commitment, to remain true to the journey you both have pledged to begin today.

Before this great group of witnesses, you both have stated your intent, you have declared commitment to one another, and have exchanged rings. There is now only one thing left to do...

By the power vested in me by the State of Washington and American Marriage Ministries, I now pronounce you officially husband and wife.

Adam, you may now kiss your bride.

Ladies and Gentlemen. It is my honor and privilege to introduce to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Adam and Kelley Anderson!