{a wedding, African-style}

my friend lyndee got married this weekend

to the love of her life, cam, 

and i had the tremendous honor of being a bridesmaid.

i don't think i could be any happier for them.

they are so clearly meant to be together.

they are both incredible --

some of the most giving, loving, encouraging, selfless, 
(insert positive attribute here) people i know.

{doesn't she make a gorgeous bride??}

{photo credit}

their love for Jesus is tremendous. it is so inspiring.

there is no doubt in my mind that they are going to do 
incredible things for His Kingdom.

they have already impacted so many lives individually,

i can't even imagine how huge their impact will be as a married couple.

their wedding was beautiful and seamless, 

despite the fact that there were over 650 people in attendance.

the ceremony was a tear-jerker. cam's written vows were the most 

poignant and poetic i've ever heard.

and steve's message was such a beautiful reminder of 

God's intention for marriage.

{don't you love the variety of colors? 

the bride let us pick out our own so we wouldn't have to spend a fortune.}

{i don't think they could have possibly been any happier.}

the reception was very atypical of a traditional american wedding.

during college, lyndee lived in burkina faso (a country in africa) for a semester. 

during her time there, she went to a number of weddings,

because the whole community is invited to weddings there. they are a massive celebration.

lyndee's host sister, josieanne (pictured above in the pink dress), 

was able to get her visa just in time to be a part of the wedding!

she told me that in her sister's wedding in africa, there were over 2,000 guests!!

and in another wedding, she was one of 40 bridesmaids!

of course, this would not be possible 

if you were paying for each guest's meal. but this is not what they do in africa.

in lieu of bringing a gift, each guest brings a dish to pass.

and this is just what lyndee and cam decided to do for their wedding.

they were able to have everyone they love be part of their beautiful day

without going thousands of dollars in debt.

it was like a giant picnic! such a beautiful celebration.

 {i got to see my beautiful sister! :)}

{and they're off on their road trip out west in their newly acquired camper!!}

{ecclisiastes 4:9-12}

⁹ two are better than one, 
because they have a good return for their work: 
¹⁰ if one falls down, his friend can help him up. 
but pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 
¹¹ also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. 
but how can one keep warm alone?
¹² though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. 

a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.