Joseph and Elissa Maxwell: Wedding Pictures Part 1

This was posted on September 26, 2014 by Sarah Maxwell.

Saturday, September 6th was finally here. It was a day my brother and almost-sister-in-law had been counting down to. Yes, it was wedding day! It was a day that promised to bring much excitement.

By 8:45 am, most of the bridal party was at the church. As we arrived, the flower lady stopped in, and wow, did the flowers look gorgeous. We girls went to our getting-ready room and unloaded our dresses, bags, and hair stuff. Our hair stylist was there and ready to begin Elissa’s hair. Meanwhile, Mary and Elissa’s sisters started on their own hair. Anna and I, while waiting for our hair to be styled, enjoyed talking and observing the fun.

Our girls’ room became busier as all the nieces and nephews joined us and sisters-in-law too.

The flower girls arrive and set up shop!

Joseph and Elissa had figured out a wedding day schedule, and that really helped things flow smoothly. Here you see Joshua, who had just opened his ring-bearer gift. It looks like Ruthie’s entertaining herself there.

My brother looked so handsome–what an awesome groom!

After groom formals, they did the guys’ formals. The farm next door gave permission for pictures there, which was perfect.

JandE-8 — Here you have, left to right, Jesse, Joseph, John, Elissa’s brother, and Nathan. Christopher was technically a groomsman, but he took pictures that day.

“This is the day which the LORD hath made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalms 118:24

New Hampshire

This was posted on September 25, 2014 by Sarah Maxwell.

Friday morning dawned a beautiful, fall day. We had lots of help unloading and setting up, which made things go very quickly. We were grateful for the help, especially since we our learning our new setup process with fewer family members. Thank you, Tyler and Carter.

Friday evening, we had a special time of sharing through music, short talks, and Dad’s message. It’s been a good challenge for the musicians in our family to learn things we thought previously we weren’t capable of doing without our music leader and main player, Joseph.

Saturday was another great day. Dad does such an amazing job in all the sessions. Many shared with us that they were challenged and encouraged. We had a neat time reconnecting with families we’ve met from other conferences—even a couple of families from Canada came! It’s always an incredible highlight to be with our amazing friends the S family!

Mary

“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
my God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”
Psalms 18:2

The Atlantic Ocean

This was posted on September 24, 2014 by Sarah Maxwell.

This morning, we had the privilege of spending some time exercising on the beach at Sullivan’s Island before we headed out. There is something awe-inspiring to me about the wide expanse of water, the sound of the surf, the sandpipers scurrying out of the way of each wave–it’s all so pretty. Our Creator is amazing!

We’re now in the Savannah area and will catch up on some things before our conference Thursday evening.

Sarah

"Welcome, Maxwells!" — “Welcome, Maxwells!”

Glad this guy wasn't alive. — Glad this guy wasn’t alive.

“But I am the LORD thy God,
that divided the sea, whose waves roared:
The LORD of hosts is his name.”
Isaiah 51:15

The Day Before: Part 4

This was posted on September 24, 2014 by Sarah Maxwell.

Even with our crazy-busy summer, my mom and sisters managed to plan and prepare for the rehearsal dinner, with help from our friends. They chose the colors of turquoise and yellow as their theme, along with sunflowers that were fresh picked. Yes, you read that right. Tuesday afternoon, the day before we left for the wedding, John took Mary and a friend to a sunflower field. The owner allows people to cut sunflowers for a donation. From there, Mary diligently took care of them, got them in buckets (with help from Anna), and successfully transported them all the way to the wedding. They added a cheerful touch to the evening!

After dinner, we had a time of prayer for Joseph and Elissa. What a joy! Then, John shared some great stories from the past, along with a bit of advice to Elissa. Joseph finished with a special song he’d written for Elissa. They are such a sweet couple!

We are so grateful to our friends who helped prepare dinner and serve it. They blessed us!

Now we’re done with the day before, and we’ll be on to wedding pictures and finishing out “the story.”

Sarah

The “You are My Sunshine” board above is something Joseph made as a countdown board for the last month. Every day, Elissa clipped a little note up that Joseph wrote to her.

“The preparations of the heart in man,
and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.”
Proverbs 16:1

On the Road Again

This was posted on September 23, 2014 by Sarah Maxwell.

We are continuing to head south, and today’s stop will be Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina (Charleston area). We are grateful for our conference in Boone last night. More on that and last weekend’s later.

Sarah

Sunday night, it was dark when we made it to Boone, so we missed the scenery. It was great seeing it this morning.

The girls have taken on cleaning the windshield at stops. Jesse used to, but he fuels now, since Joseph is gone.

“The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock;
and let the God of my salvation be exalted.”
Psalms 18:46

Pennsylvania’s Conference

This was posted on September 22, 2014 by Sarah Maxwell.

Last Tuesday was a beautiful day for our next stop. The countryside in Pennsylvania is very picturesque: rolling hills, farms, pastures, etc.

We hurried through set up, as time was a little short, but we made it.

We had an awesome group. People were so grateful we had come and we were blessed to see old friends and meet new ones as well. It is exciting to see people catch a vision and be truly energized for the potential their family has for Jesus!

Love,
Sarah