Very Merry

This afternoon was very merry as we had the great privilege of attending the Marriage Vow Renewal of Charlie and Toni Petersen.

Toni walked up the aisle, accompanied by her children and grandson.

And if you know anything about the Petersen’s you know the ceremony looked a lot like this:

Though you may never know it by what you see on the outside, both Charlie and Toni have been through more than their share of challenges, many of them happening this past year. I’ve shared Toni’s story here before, but she has battled two different cancers, her most recent being Leukemia. She had a successful marrow transplant and is doing beautifully. Charlie has had a past brain surgery for epilepsy and is currently battling his own cancer. He’ll head back to Sloan Kettering Cancer Hospital tomorrow for treatment, but today was doing wonderfully, happily renewing his vows to his beautiful bride.

Many of their friends and family were there to witness their special day.

We are all so thankful for this wonderful couple. Through their trials, they have stayed strong in their faith in God and it has been so apparent that He has walked with both of them through their ups and downs.

And at the end of their renewal ceremony, they celebrated, but in a way that I’d never seen before.

They worshiped and praised God

Along with family

And friends

To the song, “Days of Elijah.”

It was so powerful and such a statement of their love for each other, but more importantly, their love for God.

Congratulations to Toni and Charlie! We pray that God will richly bless you both. That He would strengthen and heal you. And that you would continue to live each day in His love.