Langs in Love - Part 2

    So, let's be honest...this is a continuation of my previous post about marriage life, but I haven't gotten through telling you about the wedding day...so I'm gonna keep talking about that perfect day until I'm done and then I'll really catch you up to speed on how our marriage is going since. 

    Those flutters in my chest that I was telling you about? Yeah. They didn't go away. The girls and I got to the church behind our wedding gazebo and I was so nervous that Adam would catch a glimpse of me across the park. I was so anxious to see him. I was so excited to be his wife. We took pictures together, being goofy and having some light hearted moments together before the ceremony. 

    The moments drew closer to the time when I would get to see my soon-to-be husband. We did some last minute hair fixes, make-up touch ups, and (let's be real here) a bathroom break (nobody wants to be at the altar thinking about how they should have gone before they got up there). 

     My aunts were in the room with us and my two Beautiful flower girls taking pictures and reminiscing about old times. Maybe even a few tears were shed. These are women who grew up babysitting me, after all, and here I am getting married and having their babies in MY wedding. I have never been more unexplainably excited in my entire life. There are not words enough to explain how I felt in those few moments before meeting my husband at the altar. 

     Whew. Honestly, just thinking about all of this is getting my heart going again. 

     Pictures before the wedding were done. Decorations were in place. Guests had arrived and were being seated. My heart was racing. Breathing became weirdly difficult. It was slightly cool outside which was perfect because the flurry of emotions that I was feeling (all good) were likely to make me pass out before I could even walk down the aisle. 

     Seriously though. If I keep re-living this, I'm bound to pass out because my heart is racing and my breathing is becoming more short just thinking about that climactic moment. 

     I was hidden from the view of everyone. I could hear people. Even see them around the corner when I peeked. My Uncle Landon rounded the corner (much to my surprise!) and I was overjoyed that he was able to come to this incredible day! I knew he should not have been able to make it, but he was here! Oh, my heart! It was like a piece of my Dad was with me, even though he couldn't be. 

     Riley Welch rounded the corner next with a love letter from my splendid man. 

     "Trying to make me cry before the wedding, eh? Well, you got me. Darn, you perfect husband, knowing how to sweet talk me and make me tear up. You know I don't wear make-up, how do I keep this from smearing?!"

     My girls were with me, and then suddenly, so was my Dad. Mark came around the corner and I got to tell him how nervous I was getting. How thankful I was that I didn't have to walk down that aisle all by myself. Begging him to keep me upright and not let me fall down or slip up and embarrass myself. His words of comfort will always be a treasure to me. 

     "I'm getting so nervous!"

     "Why? Haha, This is the moment you have been waiting for, for years, Jenna."

     "I know!"

     *Breathe. Just breathe. Just one breath at a time. Oh. My. Gosh. Is it starting?! Are people walking down the aisle yet? It's just been Mark and I for a while now...oh my gosh, is it our turn to walk down now? Woah. That came so fast!! Did you know it was going so fast?! You did! And you didn't tell me?! Whew. That was probably the best choice, I am so nervous! I am so excited!!!! Everyone is going to be looking at me! Thank God, you're walking with me. Whew. I think I might pass out. I'm not going to pass out. I'm going to marry Adam Lang if it's the last thing I do. Oh! We're walking now? Like right now? Oh my goodness. I'm going to throw up I'm so excited. What? That's disgusting. I'm not going to do that. But my body feels so weird and unlike it's ever felt before. Get it together, Reynolds. (Soon to be Lang). Oh yeah! I'm gonna be Jenna Lang in like 5 minutes. Oh yeah, Breathe!*

     Oh. My. Goodness. What is life that Jenna Reynolds is getting married? I know, I thought the same thing. I'm only like 10 right? I'm not adult enough to be married. Right?! Oh. Yes, I am! :) 

     The walk from where I was to where he stood was so long, but if I'm being perfectly honest...I remember almost none of it. I told Adam not to look until Pastor Tom gave him the go ahead when we were close enough to each other that I could see him too. 

     I got to end of those chairs and saw my best friend turn and look at me. 

     What a moment. 

     All the nervousness. 

     All the fear. 

     All the heart palpitations. 

     All the shortness of breath.

     All the stress of the day. 

     All the desiring to look and be perfect for him. 

     They were gone in an instant. 

     I saw Adam Lang standing at the end of that aisle, and I knew. 

     I knew this was the man God created for me. 

     I knew that this was the man that I wanted by my side as long as we both shall live. 

     I knew that this man was more capable than any other person on this planet to grow me, shape     me, and sharpen me into the woman of God that God has created me to be. 

     I knew that there was no other man on this planet who I could submit to. 

     I knew that there was no one I would rather have as the father of my children. 

     As the leader of our home. 

     As the one who will give an account to God on behalf of our family. 

     As my best friend. 

     As my husband. 

     Any worry or fear or anxious thought disappeared. 

     And I walked to him. 

     Arm in arm with the man who raised me. 

     I walked to him. 

     With the biggest, goofiest grin on my face as he smiled lovingly back at me. 

     I walked to him.

     I didn't even see the many people who had come to support us. 

     I walked to him. 

     And it was like no one in the world existed, but him. 

     My heart was overflowing with peace, joy, and sheer bliss. 

     My Dad blessed my marriage. Something I so deeply longed for. He gave me away to a man that he believed would take care of me and protect me like he had. He did it with tears in his eyes. And when I saw him give me away. When he put my hands in Adam's, I'm surprised I didn't lose it myself. 

     The tears came. God must love me because they came, but in the most feminine and Beautiful way that they could. I didn't ugly cry...thank you, Jesus. But I could not get those tears to stop. One by one, they made their way down my face as I looked into the eyes of my best friend. Seeing Joshua in the background was a great encouragement to me as well. Few saw my tears that day, but those who did are ones that I deeply respect and treasure and they are ones who encouraged me without words and strengthened me in that moment. 

     The tears had to stop when I started getting a runny nose. 

     No sirrie. 

     Not today. 

     But I gotta tell you, it wasn't easy to stop those tears. Tears of joy don't come to me often. But the time that I can point to with certainty was the day Adam asked me to be his. And the day he fulfilled that promise by making a covenant with me to love me forever. Those are days that are more filled with joy than any others that I can imagine. 

     I know that many say that your wedding day moves ever so quickly, so I was sure to slow down and be totally present. I remember everything like it was yesterday (pretty near it, just 4 months) but it is Beautiful in my mind and there is nothing I would change about that day (after arriving at the park at least, I would change my attitude and weird lashing out at my closest family before the ceremony)

 

     Before we locked in our decision to say our vows as the church typically does, I wanted to make our own vows. I wanted ours to be special. Unique. But after taking Church History class as a senior, it was brought to my attention that tradition is in place for a reason. The stereotypical vows should not be dismissed because they are boring and old. They should be examined,  understood, and if then found wanting updated or replaced if we so choose. However, when I looked at what those vows of covenant said, I realized that those words carry so much weight. 

     "I take you." 

     And only you. Jenna Reynolds. Adam Lang. For all of my days. This phrase, "I take you," is not one to be taken lightly. It is a symbol of your commitment to that individual. You CHOOSE that person. And not just for that one, magical day either. 

     I take you, Adam Lang. Today. 

     I take you, Adam Lang. Tomorrow. 

     I take you, Adam Lang. Everyday. 

     "To be my lawfully wedded husband (wife)." 

     In the eyes of the government. In the eyes of God. We are lawfully one. We will spend our days together. We will be married to no other. This is a blessed and holy matrimony. My one. My only. My supporter. My protector. My counselor. My best friend. The one who I will become one with. 

     "To have and to hold." 

     This means that I will only find my comfort in you. I won't go running to my parents for their wisdom and comfort before I come to you. I won't put our children in the place that is sacred and holy and meant only for you. I take you to be the one who I have as my own. I take you as the one that I will hold all through my life. I take you as the one who I will share the ultimate level of intimacy with. No one else can or will ever be as close to me as you. And no one else can or ever will be as close to you as I. 

     "From this day forward." 

     No matter what past we have come from. Be it brokenness. Adultery. Fornication. Fear. Anger. Joy. Peace. Faithfulness. Trustworthiness. No matter where you come from, from here on out, you go with him. The past is the past. We move forward together. We move forward as one. And, as the wife, I will trust and follow the leading of my husband. He is the one accountable to God for himself, for me, and for our family, and I will be happy to submit to him because I know the depths of his being and I know that he can be trusted to lead us well. 

     "For better or for worse." 

     That means, like you dreamed for as long as you can remember, when you ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after being ever bettered by your new spouse. But it also means that if everything goes to pot, he wasn't quite the gem you'd hoped he was after 3 years of dating, he's lazy and unhelpful, selfish, rude, ugly, and mean, you're sticking with him. 

     "For richer AND for poorer." 

     That means when you have all that you need, a nice house, nice clothes, and good food for every meal. But it also means that if you get robbed blind, have your identity stolen, lose your job and cannot find another, and never financially recover or "make it," you are sticking with them.

     "In sickness AND in health."

     That means when times are good and we have all the health in the world. But it also means that if, 3 minutes after you say "I do" and sign that marriage license, your spouse discovers that they have an incurable cancer, they go into a coma for the next 30 years, or they have an accident on the way to the reception and are mentally handicapped for the rest of their life, you are sticking with them. 

     "Til death do us part." Or "As long as we both shall live." 

     This is a life long commitment one is entering into. This means I won't run away when things get scary. When old fears enter in. I'm sticking with you. When anger takes hold. I'm sticking with you. When the money runs out. When sickness strikes. When death takes it toll. I'm sticking with you. When I don't feel like sticking with you. I'm sticking with you. When I feel like giving up. I'm sticking with you. Nothing. NOTHING. Can tear me apart from you. I won't let it. I'm sticking with you, Adam Lang. Period. You weren't getting rid of me when I was a ridiculous and broken 17 year old, even though they all said high school sweethearts never last. You weren't getting rid of me when I went off to college, even though everyone said long distance never works. You weren't getting rid of me when you went to a college 7 hours from me, even when all the high school sweetheart, long distance relationships were falling down around us. You weren't getting rid of me when you spent a summer in New York church planting. You weren't getting rid of me when I spent 2 months in Jamaica loving on orphans. And you sure as heck aren't getting rid of me now. No matter what we've been through, what we are going through, and where our future leads. I'm sticking with you, Adam Lang. And I know you're sticking with me. Even when I told you again and again that we would never be a thing, you remained faithful to me. How much more can I trust your words now, after 7 years? 

     This marriage that we (and maybe you) are entering into is not a simple thing. You are entering into a covenant relationship with someone else for the rest of your days. With divorce rates being incredibly high, I know there are some of you who are waiting for the other foot to drop in my marriage and probably in every marriage that you see around you. 

     Adam and I don't think we are perfect. Well...I think He's perfect. And he think's I'm perfect. But we don't have any false perceptions of who we are personally. 

     I am a wretched human being. On my own, without Christ, I am nasty. Ugly. Unloveable. Irredeemable. Selfish. Mean. Hurt. Angry. Bitter. Resentful. Judgmental. Vain. Rude. Sarcastic. Impatient. Fearful. Wicked. 

     Without Christ, my marriage with Adam would be destined to fail. A relationship, a life, not centered on Christ is one that is bound to let you down. 

     Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying becoming a Christian makes your life a cake-walk. Christ calls His people to come and die. He calls us to carry the cross that He carried. He doesn't tell us that life would be easy. But with Him, I promise you, it's worth it. 

     Living a life as THE Mrs. Adam Lang has been Beautiful. More Beautiful than anything I could ever have imagined. Being THE Mrs. Adam Lang has been incredibly fulfilling, satisfying, wonderful, and greater than my wildest dreams. And trust me, I imagined it would be perfect. It's better than that. It's messy. It's emotional. It's fantastic. It's up's and down's. Perfect communication. Miscommunication. Walking closer to Christ together. Deepening our own faith and the faith of the other. It's Beautiful. And it's a Beautiful life. All of the little imperfections simply add to the joy and Beauty of it all, as we see Christ made more perfect in one another and in ourselves. I couldn't have asked for a better love story. And you know what the crazy thing is? Christ loves us more than we could ever fathom loving one another. I don't get it. I love Adam more than I ever imagined one person could love another. And he loves me more than he ever imagined one person could love another. And it's just a grain of sand compared to the love of the Father. Praise God for that. I know the love of God more perfectly because of my husband. I know the love of God more deeply because of Adam. And I pray that Adam and I can be a light for Christ all the days of our life. 

Langs in Love - Part 1

Hey all, 

     

     It has been a little over four months being Mrs. Jenna Lang and I'm sure some of you have been wondering how we are doing. I meant to write updates like this one sooner and I did write one but then never posted it because we do not have wifi at the Lang home. So, let me begin. Adam and I got married (finally) on May 22, 2015. Yes! Oh my goodness, I cannot explain to you the rollercoaster of emotions that went on that day. 

     - Joy, lots of joy. 

     - But also frustration (having all the attention on you is surprisingly stressful and undesired for an introvert like me)

     - And repentance (to your sister for that unexpected outburst you had with her and to your mom for being a bit of a frazzled bridezilla at points during those last couple of hours when you were tired of not being married and ready to just elope already because what is the point of all this stress that we've been going through the past 5 months?!). 

     - There's also the nervousness of not knowing how your hair will look (it's usually always just down straight...oh my goodness if it's not down straight I won't even look like myself in the pictures! An updo? Are you serious? What if it makes me look like I have too skinny of a head...No. My hair must be down.) 

     - Or how your makeup will look (but...I don't wear makeup. I should wear makeup. Right? Maybe I shouldn't. Oh gosh. He won't recognize me if I wear it! But if I don't then I won't be fancy enough for the wedding. Okay...but only a little bit of makeup. Seriously Fallon. Don't toy with me on this one. You can do my makeup. But only a little bit. Natural. Make it look like I'm not wearing makeup. I shouldn't have done this. Yes, I should have. Everything is fine. Stop panicking.)

     - Annoyance with the fact that you've spent all day girling yourself up when you just want to be married already. (Why did we choose 5 pm again? Oh because the pictures would be good for lighting? Psh. Who even cares about lighting? Or pictures? Or weddings for that matter? Can I be married now? Please??)

     - Feeling like a jerk (because, oh crap...I forgot to invite so and so...and I'm being kind of a brat right now because the fact that I'm getting married is now so close that it is unbearable. And where were you? We were supposed to be taking pictures right now, but I'm all grouchy and stuff.)

     - But mostly joy. People talk about cold feet and if my feet were cold at all it was not because I had any hesitations about marrying this man that I now call my husband. It was because the day was a little bit cloudy (perfect for pictures might I add) and I had open toed shoes. My heart was fluttering inside of my chest more and more as the time drew near to my marrying Adam. I have never experienced that feeling before this moment. My heart and soul longed after Adam. I was in anguish over not being able to be his wife right in that moment. The day of our wedding was one of the longest days of my life. It seemed to drag on for eternity. I have never been more ready for anything in all of my days. Saying "I do" could not come fast enough. 

     For those who don't know, Adam and I had the Beautiful gift of seeing one another before the wedding ceremony. Some traditions frown upon that, but it was one of the highlights of my day. Getting picked up by my fancy fiancé after getting my nails done and grabbing a coffee with him did wonders for my soul. As I sat across from this handsome and wonderful man (who I am happily sitting in front of this very moment) my heart leapt for joy. God has blessed me overmuch. There is no one with whom I can imagine spending my life with outside of Adam Lang. We sat and talked and prayed together in that coffee shop, exchanged gifts and hugs, and parted ways until we would meet again at the altar in a few short hours. That coffee date with my husband was a Beautiful moment that I will treasure in my heart forever. 

     I got to go home to a house full of women who love me and who dedicated an incredible amount of time into making this day Beautiful and as stress free as possible. We did last minute wedding things. I wrote letters to my Mom and to Adam. We figured out how to do my hair (having never tried it or deciding n a style for sure until that moment which was slightly terrifying for the girl who only knows how to put her hair in a ponytail). We got lots of lovely pictures from the photographer even though many in that house that day felt run ragged and more ready for a nap than for a wedding. The day was full of excitement, rushing about to get those last minute things done, emotion (good and bad), and we even had some redemption thrown in (when I apologized for my craziness and was able to begin anew with my maid of honor and best friend who so graciously loved me through my weak moment and proceeded to love me through doing my makeup for me).

     I got to have one last sleepover as a Reynolds with my baby sister, confidant, shoulder to cry on, best friend, and maid of honor. I got to fall asleep talking to her like old times, keeping each other up late as we caught up on the other's life, listening to the venting that comes with being best friends with sisters, and laughing our heads off about anything and everything. I got to spend so much time with her and reminisce and fill our hearts with inside jokes and promises to love each other forever and always be there for one another. 

     I got to have so many moments with my Mom as we caught up, finished wedding planning, and soaked up the moments we had that week. I saw how much she did for me and how much she sacrificed and how much she loved even when I was not the most gracious recipient. 

     I got to have one of my dearest friends come in nearly a week early and stay with me, filling me up, having deep conversations, sharing her story with me, and displaying through her gentleness and humility how I ought to act and love the people around me through this Beautiful time of preparation. 

     I got to walk in on one of my best friends on her face before God fervently praying for me and my marriage with Adam. I was edified and uplifted by her gracious words and affirming love and belief in me. 

     I got to see the servant heart of one of my best friends as she sought to love my mother in every way that she could by taking care of little things (that are actually very big things) like washing glasses so she didn't have to and having an ever joyful heart as she poured out herself to all those she met. 

     I got to see the gentleness of one of my best friends as she drove me to the wedding venue, comforting me and offering exhortation as I struggled with the turmoil going on within me that one feels as she comes near to her wedding ceremony. 

     I got to see Jesus all around me through the people I was with. I got to see people sacrificing time, money, and energy to be there with me. I got to snuggle my baby cousin who has always been one of my best friends from the day she was born. I got to laugh with my aunt who grew up babysitting me. I got to dress more Beautifully than I ever have before to present myself as a pure and spotless bride, because of Christ in me, to my groom. I got to take silly pictures and sassy pictures and sentimental pictures. 

     Even in the stressful moments, that day was Beautiful. 

     Even when my sister lost her way when she tried to get back to us and could not for the life of her figure out how to get back to the church directly behind the gazebo she was just at, that day was Beautiful.

 

     Even when I got short with people and regretted my actions wishing I had had better self-control, that day was Beautiful. 

     It wasn't Beautiful because of anything I did, because honestly that day would have been messed up if I had been in charge. It was Beautiful because of Christ. It was Beautiful because this marriage is not centered on Adam and I being good enough for one another. It is not centered on us being perfect examples of Christ's love to one another. The foundation and surety of this marriage does not lay in our hands. It lay in Christ's hands. We dedicate this marriage to Him daily. When we said, "I do," we did not do it in our own power. 

     We are weak.

     We will fail one another. 

     We will let each other down more times than we would ever like. 

     But Christ is faithful  in spite of our shortcomings. He orchestrated this. And I am ever so thankful. 

     I could not have picked a better love story. 

     I could not have chosen a better husband. 

     I could never imagine a love as glorious as this. 

     And yet. 

     This marriage pales in comparison with Christ's love and dedication and marriage to the church. If Adam loves me as much as he says he does, then Christ's love must be enormous. The only reason I can even begin to fathom the love that the Father has for us is because of my marriage relationship to Adam. He has shown me more of who Christ is than all the people on this planet past, present, and future combined. 

     This one man has taught me what love is. 

     He has taught me what faithfulness is.

 

     He has taught me who Christ is.

 

     He has poured his life into me. 

     He has changed me for the good.