the wedding(s)

Me walking my sister down the aisle
We’re back from the land of fish ‘n chips, and afternoon tea!
My sister’s wedding was gorgeous, and a blast—complete with a red-coated toast-master, a Rolls Royce, Zambian dancing, and my uncles in their kilts. There were almost 40 family members and people from more than 30 countries around the world. I had the privilege of giving the first speech which included a confession of murdering one of my sister’s favorite Barbie dolls. Annie and I danced our booties off till I could dance no more. The whole thing was fantastic. At first it was a little overwhelming for Annie meeting my crazy family but by the end she was just another part of the craziness and is in the circle. They absolutly love her!

My uncles (dad's brothers) in their Scottish kilts.
I used to live in the small costal town of Portsmouth before moving to the States. We spent a few days here with family. One evening, Annie and I went for a walk on top of the old fort wall that runs along the mouth of the harbor. We came to a spot that means a lot to me, where I used to sit and talk to the Lord about where I should go, what I should do with my life.
As we sat and watched the ferries slowly wade their way towards France, we spoke about our lives and our future together. It all made sense and I slipped down on one knee and asked the question. She smiled, and replied with a “yes.”

Our beautiful engagement at sunset.
Yes, we are engaged!!! We kept the secret for a few days, until the end of the wedding. We didn’t want to steal the thunder from my sister but in due time we were celebrating with bubbly and some good ol’ fish and chips.

At a Make Trade Fair fashion show the next week where my little nieces were modeling, we met Greg, the owner and founder of CRED jewelry. Which is so bizarre as I was reading about them in Shane Claiborne’s book and discussing with friends the awful dilemma surrounding rings and jewelry. (More on that later) We visited his shop the next day in Chichester and made plans for Annie’s ring.

So yeah, this is it. She is my Bella. We’re getting married!!!!!!!!!

In London across from Big Ben and Westminster Abbey

Outside CRED and the Chichester Cathedral

At the wedding reception in Hertfordshire

CCDA 2006

12hrs to Philly in a mini van, and straight into a 5hr workshop! Even if Shane Claiborne is a good public speaker, 5hrs of sitting was just insane... but we made it. The conference itself was good and not so good. The not so good part was the main sessions that kinda flopped with okay speakers with little substance. Tony Campolo was funny and we all needed to laugh but he gave 1 of 3 talks we've all heard before. I attended most of the so called "boring workshops". I went to "Cause Related Marketing", "Steps through a 501(c)(3)" …you get the idea... They were so great! I learned so much.

There were about 25 folks from my church and hanging with them, eating famous Philly cheese steaks "wit" onions "wit whiz" was great. Shane invited us over to the Simple Way which was pretty neat too. I do love Philly. The highlight though was being invited to share in a workshop by Josh Kaufman-Horner. He runs a ministry called "Freedom From Fear" . Promoting true peace on earth: The Freedom from Fear (FfF) initiative nonviolently seeks the abolition of war, tyranny, terrorism, uncaring consumerism, corporate exploitation, and passive pacifism.
The next day Josh invited me to a small lunch meeting with one of my personal hero’s; Ron Sider. Ron is the man! We had some really cool conversation. He’s such a legend. He has written a load of phenomenal books, the most well known being "Rich Christians in An Age of Hunger". This book is on my "most fav shelf". If you haven't read it, go get it right now…no seriously… now.
Fine.

Well I would love to keep chatting but I gotta pack. Annie and I are off to London tomorrow for my sisters wedding! It’s going to be so awesome. I get to walk her down the aisle and give a speech. Kinda nervous (not about the speech), my family is going to love Analisa… I’m not sure she will feel the same way about them. We will see what happens!