Hitched, Honeymoon, and Hawaii

Well, how in the world do you write about an event that completely changes one's life. An event thought about since childhood and brought into fruition at 22. An event planned out maticulously over five months. An event that is simply over in one night.
A wedding. Yes, a wedding. And not just any wedding, but my wedding.
It took place over three weeks ago, but I haven't had the time or stamina to write about it. I'm not sure I have it now, I'm just typing without any real plan in my head (despite the misgivings of my previous post). My husband is visiting with a friend this evening, and I have the apartment to myself for a couple hours. So here goes...

It was everything I dreamed it would be and more. The guests, the dress, the decorations, the dancing, the ceremony, the pictures... everything was simply lovely. And I embraced it all. I really did. I've been warned plenty of times and have observed myself the danger of letting the day fly by without ever absorbing the moment; so, I soaked it all in and loved every minute of it. I even remember RO's sermon and the four pursuits: pursue God, pursue love, pursue community, pursue glory. My favorite part of the day? The moment JD and I shared when we first saw each other. We met in the empty sanctuary with only photographers in the balcony above us. I walked down the aisle toward him, while he waited for me with his back turned. I tapped him on the shoulder and he turned to me with a big gorgeous smile... my groom. We previously decided to exchange gifts at that time, so I handed him the homemade journal I worked on for weeks (in it are all the journal entries I wrote about him during the nine months I prayed that God would make him mine - some of my best and most vulnerable writing). He sat my down and sung/played a song he had written for me on the guitar - his best written yet ;). After prayer and a few seconds in the Word, we set out together to enjoy the rest of our day.... which was by far the best day of my life.

The day after our wedding we were supposed to head to Hawaii on a 1:30pm flight. However, due to some miscommunication about transportation, we arrived at the airport in a panic at 12:55pm. Too late. No, the plane hadn't left, but baggage check was closed and, despite the brilliant attempts of my superstar roommates (who graciously drove us to the airport), there was no grace. We were stuck in LA until 8:00am the next day. After a cry (on my part), JD and I set out to begin our honeymoon by quitting our jobs at Starbucks. Now, before you get any crazy ideas about us being irresponsible - I will just say that JD and I planned to live in LA, but, seeing as though our income consisted of a few days a week at Starbuucks, housing could not be afforded and we were offered an incredible opportunity to stay in an upstairs apartment of a friend's house in Bako. Thus, our plans changed and we needed to quit. SO we did, and were thrilled about it. We made up for missing out on the Hawaiin sunset for a day by going out to a nice dinner at the Stinking Rose and splurging on a hotel room at the Westin.

Once in Hawaii, we were exhausted and slept for four days. No really, we literally barely left the condo for four days and slept nearly the entire day. We joined the living only for food and then retreated back to the condo with our rented DVDs in hand. I might mention here that on day 2 we had the chance to visit a church in Kailua, HI - which was incredible and will be discussed further in this blog. Aside from resting in the condo, JD and I managed to venture out for 2 snorkling extravaganzas (which consisted of two terrified and inexperienced people out in the choppy sea by their lonesome), a couple of trips to Maui's finest beaches, a drive to Hana (which ended abruptly just 4 miles before the 7 Sacred Pools, due to the earthquake), and some of the most incredible dining experiences either of us have ever had. One restaurant even changed out our water to provide us with fresh, sweatfree water glasses! Our honeymoon was completely incredible... it really was. We relaxed, we enjoyed each other, saw beauty like we've never seen before, and made precious first memories as husband and wife.

Now for the Hawaii part. You thought the honeymoon was the Hawaii part didn't you? Well, actually, I mentioned Hawaii in the title because JD and I will be moving there mid-January. We will be apprentices at a church in Hawaii, leading the junior high group at Faith Baptist and partnering in the high school ministry with the Student Ministries Director, Sean. The apprenticeships require a two-year commitment so come visit the Groves in Hawaii sometime in the next two years! JD and I are both super excited about this opportunity to serve Jesus by loving kids. God has so faithfully answered all of our prayers and given us more than we knew to even ask for. We know that God has some incredible things for His children in Hawaii, and we are excited to be a part of it. I suppose more will have to be written on this subject, but for now, just know that we are most likely moving to Hawaii in two months.

As for now, I am filling in for an employee at my dad's office until she returns from maternity leave, and JD is working odd jobs everyday - sometimes a ranch hand, sometimes a Multi Business Systems employee, sometimes mover... whatever works! If you need labor done, let us know! We are happily living in a gorgeos one bedroom apartment in Bakersfield, enjoying every bit of the fall weather and proximity of the Burdette family. Well.... here is the update - as much as I can give of it anyway... from now on, I'll write from the present without playing catch up. Thanks for your faithfulness my dear readers.