California: Day Two

DAY TWO:

Most of the day we spent in Tim's Fullerton apartment, cleaning the place up for him and Rachel so it would be nice for them when they start living there. It is fun to clean house, when its not your own. Little blocks of time were spent trying to solve Tim's Rubicks Cube, ... it can be addicting! I also took the time to sketch a picture of the view from one of the windows there.

Then at four we left for the church, where the Rehearsal Dinner was to be. We got there and I was able to meet Tim Motte's family--- Debra, Terry, Joey, Anna, and John. I also met other people in the wedding party, like Isaac, Joi, Marcie, Kenji, L.D., Jane, ... if there is anyone I am forgetting I apologize. Aunt Beth was there too, with Torri and Micah.

Then at five we went to the sanctuary to rehearse. It was exciting. And Rachel wasn't even there yet! When she finally showed up, it became even MORE exciting. We ran out to meet her at the car, and applaused for a bit. Then we went back to the sanctuary to practise. And coming up the isle; first was L.D. the lamplighter, then Kenji and I, Doug and Joi, Joey and Anna, John and Marcie, Isaac ( Miriam wasn't there), Holly ( Eric wasn't there), Nathan with Jane and Torri, and eventually Dad and Rachel. It was pretty cool.

To prepare all of us for what to expect on the wedding day, the minister spoke fragments of what he would be speaking. He would say things like " DEARLY beloved friends, Etc." He used the "Etc.'s" to save time. Reading the whole document wasn't necessary if we were just practising. So I thought it was pretty cute when he asked Rachel to repeat him. She repeated him LITERALLY; including dramatically saying:" I, Rachel, take thee, Timothy, to my wedded Etc." Everyone chuckled. By the time that practise ceremony was almost over, Miriam showed up, and we all went through the whole practise again.

Then we went to the fellowship building for dinner. Gathering around the table, we visited. Then Isaac Pletcher, good friend of Tim, and kind of the main help of the event, spoke up, and said that we would then take time to share any thoughts/advice/memories we had with the couple. ( Otherwise known as a chance to share embarrassing childhood stories...) So Debra and Terry (Tim's Mom and Dad), shared some funny stories about when Timmy was little. And Dad shared his thankfulness for Rachel, speaking of the fears he had when Rachel was an infant having seizures, and how the Lord has been gracious to protect her. Isaac shared a poem, and also took the credit for being the matchmaker... the one who introduced Rachel to Tim. Rachel's roomate Joi shared memories of the medieval birthday party that they threw for Rachel. Tim's brother John shared about how Tim had inspired him to like to read books and study philosophy, even though at first he had no interest in those things. Doug talked about his experience of meeting Tim before Rachel started dating him. Laughing, Rachel was quick to explain that it had all been "planned".

And when it was my turn to talk, I publically confessed about a prank that I used to do to Rachel: When I was a child I was really annoyed with how Rachel liked to read all the time, cause I couldn't stand books! I would ask her if she wanted to play with me and she would say things like; " I'm busy reading right now," or... "I want to finish this chapter." So one day I got this brilliant idea: I would switch the bookmark when she wasn't looking! I tried it out, she didn't find out. So I did it lots of times growing up, sometimes moving the bookmark back a chapter, sometimes moving it forward a few pages. Everyone laughed.

That's it for Day Two of Californian Adventures.
Signing off for now,
Emily