Celebrating the gift of marriage

Last Sunday, Jody and I celebrated six years of marriage. I can't believe it. On the one hand, it has been the greatest gift and joy ever. On the other hand, it has been a tough six years.

I am so grateful for my husband. Jody is a gift from God, and I truly do love him more and more every day. He serves, sacrifices sleep and comfort and works so hard. But most importantly, he strives to obey the Lord in everything.

I could not ask for more.

Our wedding date six years ago was Saturday, August 25, 2007. And unlike anyone we had heard of at the time, we decided that we would wash each other's feet during the wedding ceremony. We felt - and still do feel - that marriage is best described with one word: servant, and Jesus best explained that Kingdom principle to His disciples in John, chapter 13, by washing their feet.

And while we had mentally prepared ourselves for the actual process, we didn't realize how cumbersome it would be during the wedding ceremony. Untying shoe laces. Taking off socks. Wetting and then drying the feet. Then trying to put the socks back on after you wet and dried the feet. Then we had to switch places! It took a lot more time than we thought. I felt so clumsy in my huge dress.

And everybody was watching.

Six years later, I realize now more than I did then that the footwashing during our ceremony truly is a perfect metaphor for marriage. :)

Life with Jody is wonderful, and I am truly blessed. But marriage can be hard and messy... and with social media and life in ministry, I am realizing how people are watching Jody and me to see how we will handle the stresses of life.
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Jody decided we should celebrate our anniversary with a wonderful surprise trip to Snooze, a breakfast joint in downtown Denver. It was so much fun to get out of our little bubble and to make the trip downtown. We never go into the city, it feels like, so I really enjoyed the novelty of a new area and, of course, the good food!

Then, Jody surprised me even more with such a great gift - the first three seasons of my current favorite show, Downton Abbey. The package was waiting at our door when we got back from Denver. I was so excited that I squealed and squealed and jumped up and down with excitement. It truly was not on my radar; I had no idea what he had up his sleeve.

Jody's response to my response was: "You didn't get this excited when I proposed." Hahaha!

And now, as I look to Year #7 of marriage to Jody, I am reminded of my calling as his wife - to submit to him, as I submit to the Lord and to pray for him.

I praise God for you, Jody Been!

Chris + Rebekah

May 18, 2013

A very special occasion in the life of my whole family happened just 6 weeks ago. 

My older brother Chris got married. 

I confess everyone in our family wondered if this day would ever come, because Chris - perhaps more than anyone I have ever met - aspires to perfection. He is one of the hardest working individuals I have ever known, and he refuses to settle for anything less than the best. Naturally, that attribute affected his decision-making in pursuing a spouse. We all knew that Chris could never settle for anyone less than someone he respected. Someone who could challenge him to be better.

Bryan, my brother-in-law nailed it on the head at the rehearsal dinner. He said that the four Clementson sisters were forever trying to set Chris up with girls we liked. And that is so true. Girl after girl came and went (college roommates, church friends...), and Chris never did anything. It was so frustrating!

But then, a few years ago my sister Anna brought home a mentor and friend from church, Rebekah Milian, and Chris met her.

And it happened. :) They started dating a few years ago, and this past January they got engaged - while I was in Panama, in fact. And we couldn't be happier for Chris. Rebekah is perfect for him. She loves the Lord, she challenges him to be better, and she truly does bring out the best in him.

In May, Jody and I flew back to Richmond, Virginia for this incredible occasion. My brother-in-law Justin captured several of these pictures (the good ones - ha!!). You can find more of them here.

The rehearsal dinner was held close to my parents' house in Brandermill, and it was wonderful.

Justin - the photographer brother-in-law extraordinaire!

The boys. Trouble.

Snapshots

(L-R) My sister Anna, me, my sister-in-law Courtney, my sister Sarah

The parents' table   :)

Beloved family. I am so blessed!

My aunt Conway and my wonderful Grammie, my Mom's mom 

My mom and Aunt Lynn chatting

I love the picture above. It shows my (L-R) my parents, my mom's brother Pete and his wife Lynn, and my mom's sister Kathy and her husband Frank. Great shot of all of 'em! Love you guys!!

My precious grandfather, Grandy and my uncle Steve

I so love my mom's family. This is the core Sampson family. Grammie and Grandy, with their three children: Kathy, my mom Mary, and her brother Pete. Such a great shot!

And this picture of all of 'em - Sampson family and spouses. LOVE THIS. So very grateful for families with marriages that last. Decades and decades of faithful marriages right here. Grateful for the heritage, and grateful for a memorable rehearsal dinner spent with dear family. God is indeed so good to me.

And then, the day of the wedding arrived. The wedding was held at a lovely little church close to downtown Richmond. A small, lovely chapel with just enough room for everyone. And - of course - Justin got some amazing shots of the day.

Jody with my cousin Scott

My daddy!

Daniel, about to walk Grammie to her seat

Luke, about to walk Rebekah's mom down

Rebekah made such a beautiful bride!

When Chris first saw her :)

We are gathered here, in the sight of God....

You may kiss the bride!

Mr. & Mrs. Chris Clementson

The happy couple!

It was a simple, lovely ceremony. Christ-centered and peaceful. Josh did an incredible job as the best man. We are all so proud of him! And I just love this picture of him below - smiling like nobody's business!

The bridal party

Justin got some great family shots, too. I'm thrilled that Jody could be present for this wedding, since he wasn't able to make Sarah and Justin's wedding last September. Yay for the whole Clementson family. I'm so happy we've got these pictures forever. :)

The Clementson Family

The extended Clementson family

I am so grateful that our extended family came. Love, love them. And we missed everyone who couldn't make it!

The Sampson Family (my mom's side of the family)

Everybody!

All the Clementson girls - in-laws, too!

The 4 Clementson girls

I'd like to mention that the only reason I look so tall is because I'm wearing 3-4in heels that I borrowed from Courtney, who wears them like a champ. INCREDIBLE. After four hours of wearing them, I was almost hobbling. Ha! But I was going to look good, by golly! ;)

I am so truly happy for Chris and Rebekah. They didn't settle. They waited for God's best in marriage, and I pray God blesses their marriage. 

We love you guys! Congratulations!

Sarah's Wedding

[late, forgive me!]

September 29, 2012

My younger sister Sarah got married this past September, and I am beyond thrilled. The special young man is Mr. Justin Ferry, whom she met at CNU her sophomore year in college. I did not meet Justin until her junior year (when they had been dating for a few months), and I came home and told Jody, "He's perfect for her." And it's true. Sarah and Justin complement each other very well. They truly make a good team, drawing each other closer to the Lord. Plus, Justin comes from a fantastic family that knows how to love well. 

Their day (or weekend, rather) was perfect. 

There was Thursday fun for the bridesmaids. Dinner. Pedicures. Bridal shower desserts and gifts. A special time to get to know each other... which mattered, because I missed out on connecting with many of Sarah's college friends. I truly enjoyed getting to know the young ladies who Sarah treasures so much. These relationships matter over the years!

Then, Friday was a big day for preparations. Last-minute details. The rehearsal & rehearsal dinner. 

We even got a great shot with the Sampson side of the family (my mom's side).

And all 8 of the Clementson kids! (L-R) Luke, Daniel, Chris, Josh, Rebekah, Ruth, Sarah, Anna 

And then, the wedding day. 

Sarah made a beautiful bride, and the wedding was just perfect. It was held at Winterham Plantation in Amelia, Virginia just 30 minutes away from my parents' home. A beautiful home. A beautiful location. A perfect wedding day!

Congratulations, Sarah & Justin! 

We love you both and pray God's blessings on your marriage and lives! 

P.S. Here's a video, as well, of Sarah coming down the aisle.