My brother's wedding

From left to right:
Crystal (stepsister), Brandon (stepbrother), Cindy (my mother), Mike (brother),
Brandy (my new sister-in-law), Jon (the smiling groom), Dwight (father), me,
Woody (stepfather)

Last Friday night, I had the honor of attending my brother John's wedding. Jon is the oldest of my twin brothers (by five minutes), is a year and 20 days younger than me, and is the first child in our family to get married. I can't express how happy I was to see him get married and to see him so happy. It was also a joy to see ALL of my family, tired and stressed from the travel time and the wedding preparations as they were.
I myself spent about three whole days traveling (by buses, planes, and cars) and two blessed, crammed packed days with my family. I left Japan on Wednesday afternoon and got to Richmond, Virgina by Wednesday evening (crossing the International Date Line keeps you in a very long day) where I was reunited with my whole family - mother's and father's side - and I met the bride-to-be for the first time in a whirlwind of two hours. Thursday was full of hanging out with my mother and stepfather's side of the family while spending $133 at Wal-mart within an hour and gourging myself on Mexican food. Thursday night, I went to a bar (don't tell anybody) for the after-rehearsal dinner-party with all of my family and the bride's family, watched lots of people get drunk while I enjoyed alcohol-free water (I still have no idea the reasonings behind getting drunk), did some line dancing in my flip-flops, sang some karaoke for the first time in the U.S. (I do it all the time in Japan and it is quite different than the American way), and just had a good time getting to know my brother's fiance. Friday, I hung out with my dad and his family, going shopping in the mall, swimming, and eating Subway (I love Subway!).
Friday evening was the wedding. It was a beautiful wedding. The bride was gorgeous, my brother the groom was handsome in his white coat tux and a smile that went from one ear to the other, and my other brother was handsome also as he was the best man. So I watched my baby brother, who is the size of a professional football lineman and sometimes as tough as one, confess his love and life to the woman of his dreams in the softess, sweetest manner. That was the highlight of the trip. After the wedding, we partied hard at the reception, dancing until we could dance no more.
The next day, I hopped on a plane and landed back in Japan Sunday evening. Whoa! Those were the busiest five days I think I have ever experienced. But every moment was precious, and I can't help but praise God even more for my wonderful family, faults and all. He has given me so much through them, and He gave me so much love and strength through them this past week. Thank you God. I needed that!
One major thought I was left with while being in Richmond, Virginia with my family and far away from my "home" in Oklahoma: home is where your family is. When I was with them, I knew I was home. But that is not my only family. God has also given me a "family" in Japan full of wonderful brothers and sisters and some parents in Christ. I am home with them also.
Praise God for giving me a home wherever I go in this world. It gives me a wonderful, tiny glimpse of what my real home is going to be like after I leave this earth.
Prasie God for His blessings, for hope, for family, and for home.