Capturing our renewal of Wedding Vows in Israel

It has been almost a month since we returned from the Holyland. We had 11 wonderful days in Israel and Jordan from 12 - 23/2/2018. This was my second time there and Michael's first. We flew to Amman and met up with the rest of the tour group from Malaysia. The tour was organised by World Discovery Travel, Kuala Lumpur. Our first stop was Jesus' baptismal site on the river Jordan and we then headed for Mount Nebo and Petra. Nothing can ever adequately describe the immense and intricate beauty of the Nabatean sandstone Treasury before us in Petra. 

Crossing the Allenby bridge we headed to Israel. We visited Tel Dan, Banias, Haifa, Bethany, the Kidron Valley, Caesarea, Megiddo, Joppa, the Jezreel Valley, Jericho, Qumran, the Dead Sea, Mt.Carmel, Nazareth, Galilee, Bethlehem and finally Jerusalem.

One of the highlights of the trip for us was the renewal of our wedding vows which was held on 16/2/2018. It was also the first day of Chinese New Year. It was a wonderful opportunity and all the more special when it was held in the church in Cana - the very place where Jesus attended a wedding and performed His first miracle - turning water into wine. (John 2: 1- 10)

Prior to the trip, I had made a small handheld bouquet and a floral head wreath for myself and a corsage for Michael because I knew it would be difficult to buy fresh flowers when we were travelling in a foreign land. Packing them neatly together with my dress, they were in pristine condition when we unpacked the suitcase.

We have been married for 8 years and so the symbol for 8 years of marriage is Linen. I brought along linen Irish tea towels to give to all our guests. Everyone was surprised and happy.

Pastor John Gurusamy who was one of our tour group members officiated the ceremony. He and his wife Jean lead the youth group in a church in Sydney, Australia. It was amazing to exchange our wedding rings again. (the rings still fit)

Our friends sang our favourite song STILL by Hillsong to celebrate the occasion. This was the very first song that I used in a birthday montage CD that I sent to Michael in 2008 when we first reconnected.

Hide me now, under your wings

Cover me, within your mighty Hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar

I will soar with you above the storm

Father, You are King over the flood

I will be still and know You are God

Find rest my soul, in Christ alone

Know His power, In quietness and trust

When the oceans rise and thunders roar

I will soar with you above the storm

Father, You are King over the flood

I will be still and know You are God

                              Helena our tour guide managed to capture the kiss of the moment.

and the 'official' renewal of wedding vows shot.

In the church courtyard

Our guests were members of the tour group and they were all from Kuala Lumpur. We hit off immediately because they were such a lovely crowd.

                    We had a very scrumptious kosher lunch and we nicknamed it our 'wedding banquet.'

 On the way out of the church we saw a stall by the roadside selling fresh pomegranate juice. So we treated the wedding guests to a glass of juice each. They all shouted: Le-ḥayyim tovim u-le-shalom (Good life and peace) Mazel u’Bracha  (Blessings and Congratulations)

The whole event was simply beautiful and meaningful beyond words. 

God in His abundant love and grace gave us a second chance in life. Our meeting again in 2008 and our marriage in 2010 is a miracle. He sealed the union one more time in the very land where He walked. We were so privileged to be able to share the joy with a group of perfect strangers who later became our friends.