one layer deeper

i had the priviledge of getting to know a dynamic gal named Sarine...who just so happened to be getting married this June. we only met in march, but we had an instant connection and have gone deep into each other's hearts. let's just say i love her. i get her. i think she is incredible with an incredible destiny. she is a risk taker, a leader, a dreamer, and wants to go into the most dangerous places. ahem. a kindred soul. if you will.

  and she invited me into her world and her ministry and her friendships. and it has been so amazing. to be able to meet with nurses and lab technicians and doctors and medical students who are wanting to bring Jesus here in Lebanon is so amazing.

  i love that my first wedding to attend in the Middle East was one that was really significant. That Layla was the flower girl...and then turned around and became the ring bearer. =) i loved getting to celebrate this bride and her story of faithfulness and how love came to her...

  and i particularly loved getting to be a part of the bachelorette party. the gals are fun loving, hilarious, silly, and so so easy to be around.

  i also love that the more free i am, the more i let "mary" come out..the more embraced i feel. the more loved i feel. what a wonderful feeling.

  there was dancing. there was shouting, there was games and laughter and party food. everyone was in amazing heels but me. the day leading up to the party was so hectic, i felt so proud of myself to have made dinner, taken claire to the rehearsal, breastfed sophia, and i jumped in the car without realizing i was wearing my comfy sandals. my sister would have slapped me. ha! but i just had to embrace it. and laugh. i pointed it out and they all laughed with me.

a great new friend - christine

the dancing...

Amiir came to the party around 11:30pm

the shoe sitch:

  and then getting ready for the wedding i was so nervous. this ex-camp-counselor does not know how to snazz it up to the level these women expect. i went to a near salon and asked them for the simplest hair and make-up that i could have. i did not want to be turned into something un-recognizable.

  the pictures are forgiving. it you could have seen me up close and personal you would have been more shocked. it was fun and i felt like a movie star...but i was definitely in the top tier of diva at the wedding. ha!


 layla LOVED getting to drop the flowers and go down the aisle before Sarine.






and of course there was so much flare at the wedding...this was the cake cutting..


  ( yes they are holding a sword!)

drew and i had such a fabulous evening out...eating, dancing, talking and getting to celebrate this awesome couple!