He and I have been close from the very beginning. We have depended on each other through
difficult circumstances, laughed our way through countless seasons and have
encouraged one another to achieve our goals.
We have sought one another’s advice pertaining to vocational ministry
work and have been the other’s sounding board for new ideas.
He gets me. He’s been
one of my best support systems, one of my loudest cheerleaders and best
friends. He’s made me laugh when
circumstances made me want to cry. He’s
held my hand through tough stuff and let me cry on his shoulder.
He’s been the best brother anyone could hope for.
But it’s the end of an era for me. He’ll no longer call me first to get advice
about something. He will not ask my
opinion first regarding ministering to a girl in the youth group. And I won’t be his second favorite female
(second to mom, of course).
You have taken on these roles. He will esteem your opinion as most valuable,
as he should. He will seek your input on
every situation, especially ministry.
You are now his favorite person on earth. And that’s how it should be!
Stephanie, sixty-seven days ago you were introduced to the
family. But even before then, as I
listened to Christopher speak of you, I knew you’d be the one he chose to
become his wife. In just sixty-seven
days you have encouraged my family and me as we have made the transition from
one child to two. You have chosen to use
your free time to help with family matters revolving around our grandmother’s
failing health. And you have assisted in
cleaning and reorganizing with mom as she works hard to care for our
grandmother.
You have revealed, yet again, how faithful the Lord is in
answering our prayers.
Stephanie, you have been prayed for… for a long time! As his older sister, I have witnessed him get
hurt, but I don’t have to worry about that with you. I have seen you both keep one another’s
interest in mind. I have watched you
care for one another. I have seen the
sweet sparkle in both of your eyes when the other enters a room.
You have become his greatest encourager, his best friend,
and his support system. I have prayed
intentionally that the Lord would bring you to him quickly. I asked that his future wife would support
his call to ministry and would be willing to help in any capacity
possible. I have prayed that his bride
would appreciate his humor and love him even more for it. I have prayed that he would marry someone who
meshed well into our family, and would support our close relationships with one
another.
Yesterday you said “Yes” to becoming Mrs. Christopher
Cunningham, and I couldn’t be more thrilled!
You are the answer to so many prayers.
Though it’s the end of an era for me, it means you and my
precious brother are getting to begin a wonderful era in your own lives.
Marriage is such a wonderful gift. Joseph and I are honored to walk along side
of you and cheer you both on.
Welcome to the family, Stephanie! You are so loved.
