Amazing Grace

I guess this is an Easter weekend update of sorts…although probably not what you might expect. Remember our good friend Leigh, who took a year off from graduate school to work for our family when Gage was first diagnosed and Wesley was born? Well, this Easter weekend, Leigh got married!

And, for us, it was a family affair. Gage was a ring bearer, Avery & Ellie were flower girls, I was a bridesmaid and Blake officiated the service.

As I told Leigh at her rehearsal dinner, our friendship was a sweet gift from the Lord during a season when few things were sweet. And, as I told her husband-to-be that night, I know when she says the words “for better or for worse” to you tomorrow, she has what it takes to make good on that promise. And, that’s because of her incredible faith in the Lord and her dependence on Him. She walked with our family through a year so dark that it pains me to even remember it…and she did it with grace, humility, compassion, selflessness, faithfulness, courage and perseverance.

And, out of that year came a great friendship not only between Leigh and our kids…but between Leigh and me as well. Now, her husband Adam is also part of the mix, and when Leigh walks in our house, the first words she usually hears are, “Miss Leigh? Is Mr. Adam coming too??”

So, it was a wonderful weekend to celebrate all that Leigh and Adam have done right in their pursuit of the Lord and of each other…and the gift of an incredible wedding day.

I was the last bridesmaid to walk down the aisle and join the others as we waited for Leigh to appear. And, as her mom rose and the congregation followed her, the music changed to Amazing Grace. At the rehearsal, there was no music while we practiced, so I was caught off guard by the song.

As the musicians played Amazing Grace, I watched sweet Gage walk down the aisle…and then Avery & Ellie hand in hand…and then beautiful, beaming Leigh…and the last few years flashed before my eyes. Gage sick, so sick at Children’s…the girls missing us as we were always with him…Leigh practically living with us…so many days we all could barely keep our heads above water…Leigh’s great longing to be married and our many conversations and prayers about it…

Then, I saw my sweet husband on the stage near me…Gage, so handsome and healthy, all smiles…Avery & Ellie, happily with us and each other…Leigh, a great friend…walking down the aisle to Adam, the love of her life.

Amazing grace, indeed.

I’m so thankful for the Lord’s love for us that He would send His one & only son to live a perfect life on earth and then willingly die in our place as payment for our sins…all to bring us into a relationship with Him. And, standing on that stage was an incredible reminder of His grace that abounds in our lives even in difficult times.

Enjoy the great pictures…compliments of my friend Suzanne!

Ellie, Leigh and Avery…

Sweet Avery praying for Leigh before she walks down the aisle…

Leigh and Adam!

Thanks for checking in, and please pray for us as Gage goes to clinic Monday to start another steroid week (and the first at his new school).

(And for those of you who noticed that I never mentioned Wesley, she played happily at home all weekend…Leigh and I agreed she was too young to take part in all the festivities…and it was much more fun for me to enjoy the festivities without chasing a two-year-old!)

RH