Other wedding music

Lynne is working with five other people to put together a musical selection for our wedding.

Christian was a freshman in high school when Jennifer was a senior, but they were assigned seats next to each other in a class. Their close friendship was unlikely in some ways, but they enjoyed rich conversations. Even when they have lived in different places geographically, they always seem to be able to pick up where they left off. Christian taught Jennifer how to go "tower hunting" for radio towers, and they have done other crazy things like driving up to Pine Mountain to watch the sunrise on a random morning. Christian cooks well, plays the piano with excellence, and knows more about radio than he can tell you in one sitting. He is currently working in Washington, D.C.

Patrick has a maturity about him that exceeds his age. His grandparents went to church at St John while Alan and Jennifer worked together there, and Patrick and Jennifer met just a few days before Patrick started school at Mercer. Patrick was Jennifer's "right hand man" in logisitics work for a ministry team they worked with in college. Patrick started his work on that team with unclear eagerness, and he finished his work a few years later with mature understandings about getting the job done in a way that makes it look easy while he cares for people. Jennifer and Patrick have cooked many meals for 30+ teenagers, and they have orchestrated weekend events with the help of several other college students. They joke that there is no project they cannot pull off together, and Jennifer is grateful that Patrick is on board for the details of April 4th. Not only will Patrick work with Lynne and others in music, but he'll be the brains behind the sound system as well. Jennifer said to Patrick, "I don't know about sound systems, and I don't want to know about sound systems. I just need it to work on April 4th. Can you do that for us?" For Patrick, it's a no-brainer! Patrick holds bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering from Mercer University, and he currently is using those degree in his work on Robins Air Force Base.

Ginger and Jennifer were set up to be close friends. Nikki and John told them both that they should meet each other. When Ginger was a college freshman and Jennifer was a senior, they were introduced one night at BSU, and they were together most days for the rest of that year. They knew and understood each other like few others could, and they were faithful friends during some difficult situations that year. Ginger majored in Music Education, and she focused her musical studies on the saxophone. Ginger can keep a room laughing, but she also works hard at her tasks. Ginger is now living in Macon where she teaches middle school band.

William is also part of this crowd of musicians. Jennifer first saw William in an introductory Christianity class, and William's questions for the professor, Rick, included words that Jennifer had never heard before! William is an organist, and he has worked for several Catholic churches in Macon in recent years. He is an avid reader and writer as well as a relentless thinker. He and Jennifer have spent many hours attempting to solve the problems of the world and those of our friends. In the end, they have learned one thing best: be faithful to those you love because family matters more than we ever imagined it could. William is living in Macon these days.

Justin started college as an engineering major, and he graduated four years later with a degree in Christianity. Sound familiar?! Justin is always eager to see this group of folks get together whether it means doing a project or eating dinner before a concert. He is another member of this team who is valuable when there is a project or event to pull off together. Justin is close to his brothers, including his identical twin. He is currently living in Peachtree City, Georgia. Justin's wit and insight keep us all on our toes!

This group of people has worked together in different combinations for several years. They've served each other well--much like families do--and they've done good work to help others.

There are two people who would be listed here, too, if the circumstances were slightly different.

John and Casey are certainly part of this group of friends that is more like family. They cannot be at the wedding on April 4 because they currently live in Southeast Asia where they are working to make clean water available to people who live in villages along the river. John and Casey are an integral part of this group, so we'll call them "honorary members of the musical team."

What a treat it is to know all seven of these remarkable people! They are all younger than us, but they challenge us in their love for each other, their work together, and their love for other people. Thanks, y'all, for being with us on April 4th!