A Wedding, Part 1

September has arrived. Along with it has come the first wave of family and friends to celebrate the wedding of Matthias and Kimberly next weekend. We've had a summer of rest and preparation, and yesterday, finally, Ernst, Gisela, Helmut, Daniela, Michael, Soren, Thomas, and Steffi arrived at the Cincinnati airport from Germany. We greeted each other with hugs and kisses and big smiles. We've had a little over 24 hours together and we've shared much laughter and many bilingual conversations, with someone translating either into German or English so all can understand. We share a love of Christ, and a love for Matthias and Kimberly, so we already love and respect each other dearly. It was wonderful to hear the house filled with the music of voices raised in praise to God this morning ... in German but easily understood as they were love songs to Jesus. And this evening as our friends were leaving to go see some sites in Cincinnati, a fresh cool breeze kicked in ... it feels like the beginning of autumn, the beginning of many things new. New friends, new family, new love. This week more family and friends will gather, coming from Germany, Texas, Michigan, Georgia, Tennessee, Arizona ... the convent is full of warmth and laughter and will continue to fill, perhaps to overflowing, with joy and love. I fear I may burst with joy and excitement!