Speaking of Pam, look what I found today! (click to enlarge)
I was working out in the garage cleaning and organizing to create room to work on Ilsa and came across a box of misc. stuff. This was in the box.
The info in the article came off a form and ain't necessarily all that accurate. I wasn't an assoc. pastor, I was doing my internship at that church for the summer. I left Spokane and drove over to Seattle, and from there to Vegas (Pam's hometown), arriving two or three days before our wedding. After getting hitched we drove across country to Grand Rapids so I could finish school.
We drove a '61 Plymouth with a slant six, not a classic Aston Martin convertible, broke down in Kansas and took up residence in a married housing apartment, not a palace. Oh well.
I took a set of "before" pics and then put Ilsa up on jack stands. I want a record of the journey's beginning. I'll take a LOT more of each step along the way, most of those for the purpose of helping me with the reassembly. "Where did that go?? Oh yeah, I have a pic."
Here's a shot I took of the interior. Those are the seat bottoms and backs over there. The base frames are missing. And what you see at the bottom in the foreground is the muffler. I don't think that's the proper location, but I ordered a copy of the original shop manual today so I'll check.
For the last couple of months I've moved my self imposed "Due by" sermon outline deadline to noon Wednesday. So far I like the change. This morning I made the slides I'll use as I preach, which had the effect of another time through. Before I'd finish the outline and then make the slides immediately thereafter. Spreading out the steps (more yet to do) helps me refine and solidify my plan.
The 30 mph. winds today filled my pond with airborne detritus. Cf. an oil bath air filter, like on a 1950 DeSoto or a '62 VW. (another of the missing items)
We're making progress
No, I didn't watch the wedding. I was up early enough but decided it was more critical to get analysis of the NBA playoffs and the NFL draft from Mike & Mike In the Morning. I did, however, jump over to NBC's coverage during ESPN commercials and enjoyed what I saw. I like the pomp, the beauty of both the buildings and the costumes, etc. Not afraid to say I thought her dress was beautiful (she's nothing to shake a stick at, either). I especially liked the understated veil.
I also admit to getting a lump in my throat, both when watching it live and taped coverage on this evening's news. But not as you might think.
Over my years in the ministry I've done lots of weddings, probably 200 of them, maybe more. Many of the couples were strangers to me before they came and asked me to perform their ceremony. Especially in California - my first 15 years in ministry - young adults don't attend church and seek out a nondenominational pastor when they want to get married. But because one of my requirements is a minimum of three premarital sessions together I got to know them reasonably well before the big day. Of course I also did weddings for couples in my churches and for more than a few couples at the college where I taught.
A couple making those promises to each other is one of the most powerful and poignant moments in their lives. Because we stand there in a tight circle I get to share in their intimacy. And because we've spent hours together in my office talking about the real stuff of life and marriage I am not just the guy reading the script; I feel a real and deep connection with them.
It is a tremendous honor to share that time with them. I love it!
As I watched the Archbishop of Canterbury lead them in their vows I wondered if he was as touched by the tenderness of that moment as I was watching it and recalling the couples I've been privileged to lead through that powerful transition to husband and wife.
2 comments:
Pam looks so pretty - I love her long, thick hair! I also enjoyed the info about cleaning records and the new flashcubes for cameras!
That's Josh in a wig! (sorry mom)
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