New Beginings

Our Wedding Day

 

We got Married at the end of August last year.

My nerves flowed through my body as I prepared to walk down the aisle.

Mum and Dad linked arms with me 'it's time'

 

Heart so full of love and beating strong in my chest, limbs shaking, and absolutely certain.

As soon as I saw my husband and my hands were in his, I calmed, as he held my hands and he had to stop my launching myself to embrace him and kiss him there and then.

 

Looking into his eyes I felt so safe and full of joy, bubbling up with laughter and overflowing with gratitude, for making it to this day together. 

Standing there with our friends and family around us and me in the dress my Mum had lovingly made, with jewellery from each matriarch of my family (me being the 3rd women of Mum's side to wear the pendant bracelet). I had eaten Weetabix and banana that morning, remembering my morning breakfasts with my Auntie Anne, often before a bush walk, and how pleased she would have been to meet the man holding my hands.

 

And as we sang 'How Great Thou Art' together with our friends and family I felt that I could not have picked a better one for this beautiful day with the gum trees around us, all in bright colours and native flowers around us. 

 

Vows exchanged, lips connected, and it felt so good to hold my husband that I didn't want to stop and told him so, he replied 'we have to stop sometime!' with a big grin on his face.

His whole demeaner showing me just how deeply he loved me right back. 

 

We sat with our bridal party and one of my bridesmaids held my bouquet (apparently she wanted to give it back to me as it was heavy), I didn't focus that well on what our minister was saying, as I clasped the hands of, and lent against my strong, gentle and kind husband, and appreciated the brief talk on our bible passages we'd chosen. 

 

Proverbs 18:22 'The man who finds himself a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favour from the Lord' NLT chosen by my husband

 

Colossians 3:12-17 'Since God chose you to be a holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body, you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.'

 

We signed the paperwork with my Auntie Sue and His Uncle Alex, as my brother and his wife sang and Andy played the guitar, for the hymn 'Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing'.

 

Then we were officially Mr and Mrs Lampa! 

When we re-entered after the bridal party there was cheering, delicious food, speeches of thankfulness, laughter and storytelling, dancing, cutting of the cake (made wonderfully by Elijah's cousin Hazel).

Then we drove out as everyone blew bubbles and shared in our joy.

 

It was over in 6hrs. The first day of what I hope and pray will be a glorious and blessed marriage.

 

Our Honeymoon

We went to Hamilton Island.

Sea, sand, mountains, animals, and artwork.

Snorkelling, visiting animals, and the art gallery, and eating by the sea.

We walked around the Island and took the time to bereave out together.

 

At the end I climbed the mountain.

I looked out at the islands and the sea and sang praises and thankfulness to God my Father.

For our wonderful friends and family that had helped us in the lead up, and on our wedding day.

Most especially for being blessed to have such a wonderfully husband who knows how to calm me down and make me laugh every day. And for our new expanded family.

 

Everyone is so deer to us and I will always remember those who came to my kitchen tea and being sung the Lewis Bridal song by members of my Gaelic choir, and all the wise words, hugs and thoughtful notes with the recipe book in my bookshelf.

 

I was a good honeymoon. Time well spent.

 

Our Big Friendly Giant 

When we got home, we pre-pared to bring home a new member of our family.

He had been chosen for us by Greyhound rescue.

We took a photo of Toe Beans space once we had shopped for him (bed, toys, and blankets).

The day after we went to meet him.

He warmed up to us quickly and was wagging his tail as he picked out a toy, after we signed the paperwork, and got him some bowls, treats, and a Hound Tee.

We had a borrow and send back his harness because the ones in the little shop didn't fit him.

The lovely kennel manager helped us bring him to the car and showed us how to secure him using his lead. Everyone wanted to say their goodbyes to our sweet boy, who they had all helped to heal from racing and get ready for his family (us!).

After his first roach, (when he lay on his back with his legs in the air), I took him for his first walk.

 

Seven months in, he snuggles on the couch with us, is very vocal and wags his tail even in his sleep, and rubs his head against us when we come home from works. He roaches a LOT! 

It's so wonderful to know that when he received neglect of his health and wellbeing, by the racing industry, for the first 5 and a half years of his life, he has been saved to be loved and cherished, safe with his new family,

Greyhound rescue matched him with us and saved him.

We could be more grateful for the fact that they, and others like them, (those that recued and cared for my parents abused greyhound Bree - a beautiful black and white girl), give these dogs a new life.

 

Where they are free from abuse and are loved and appreciated.

 

The way they always should have been 

 

Proverbs 31:8

 

'Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. 

ensure justice for those being crushed'

 

My prayer is as we continue to share in our life together we will keep looking out and caring for others, and that God may continue to bless us with the opportunity to change lives for the better.