by Jamie Lash
The God of Israel determined to bless our son’s marriage from the time he was born. One of our friends (we’re not sure who it is) sent us a five page colorful “Life long Blessing for Jonathan Isaac Lash” when Jonathan was born. We would like to quote from a small section: “Jonathan will seek the wisdom of God and find it and understand the fear of the Lord (Prov.2:5-6). At the right time, the Lord will lead Jonathan to choose the right wife (Prov. 19:14). He will rejoice with her ( Prov.5:18), love her and live joyfully with her all the days of his life (Ecc.9:9). Jonathan will love and honor his parents (Eph.6:1-3). His wife, a virtuous woman (Ruth 3:11), will love them too (Ruth 4:15) .She will be fruitful like Rachel and Leah (Ruth 4:11). Jonathan will command his children to keep the way of the Lord (Gen. 18:19). They will receive Yeshua and be saved (Acts 16:31). Jonathan will see his grandchildren and peace upon Israel (Ps. 128:6) .Goodness and mercy will follow him all the days of his life and he will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Ps. 23:6).
The Lord did indeed lead Jonathan to the wife He had chosen for him, and they entered into Holy Matrimony on July 3, 2011 at 5:30 P.M. in Gainesville, Florida. The blessing of the Lord was evident on that special summer day. The weatherman had predicted afternoon thunderstorms, but the prayers of intercessors around the country, as well as the prayers of the bride and groom and their families were heard, and God blessed with a beautiful, sunny day. Guests at the outdoor ceremony were seated under the shade of huge, old trees. A perfect setting. Comfortable. No oppressive heat.
Miracle number two was a miracle of protection. When we arrived for the ceremony, Jamie saw Jesse for the first time in a couple of days and noticed a red mark underneath his eye. It was then that she found out that the groomsmen had been celebrating with some fireworks, and one of Jesse’s experiments had back-fired and flames singed his eyelashes and almost hit his eye. Just missed, in fact! God protected the “best man” and saved his eye. Thanks for your prayers for the brother of the groom!
Once Jamie caught her breath ,we were able to focus on how lovely everything was…for example, the chuppah. That was another miracle. Jon and Nancy had planned on borrowing one from Jewish Jewels, but the day before we left for the wedding, Jamie found a talit bag in Jonathan’s closet. Inside the velvet bag was a huge solid white prayer shawl – a big one- that a woman in Texas had given to Jonathan when he became a Bar Mitzvah at age 13. He never wore the talit since it was so big. A note included with the talit said that “Ruth Miriam” had prayed under the talit, especially for Jonathan and his future. God had provided the marriage canopy for our son 12 years before he needed it – and we did not even know it! Now Jon and Nancy have the talit they were married under as a special keepsake.
The friends who created the marriage canopy for Jon and Nancy used actual rough tree trunks to hold the four corners of the chuppah. They were tastefully decorated with flowers and were very unique.
The ketubah, or marriage contract, was another big blessing. Jonathan and Nancy really love the art of Messianic Jewish artist Amy Sheetreet, Amy lives in Israel and has joined us for many of our Mercy Missions in the Land. She designed an original ketubah for Jon and Nancy with pomegranates, doves, deer, menorahs and other traditional symbols. It is done in her beautiful mosaic style, and even has Jamie’s life verse on it: “Love Never Fails”. (Jon and Nancy just happened to select that one…) This gorgeous ketubah will be made available to others shortly through Amy or Jewish Jewels, so that other couples can be blessed by this amazing work of art.
The budget did not allow for a videographer, but somehow on the day of the wedding, there were TWO of them. We are still not sure where one of them came from.
The musician who played guitar and sang was very anointed, and we were so surprised when he asked us if we knew his uncle in Israel: Roy Kendall. Yes, We not only know him, we have been to his praise and worship school on one of our Mercy Missions and his photo, along with his wife Mary, happens to be on our kitchen bulletin board . It is a small world in the Lord! Who knew that one of Jon’s friends in Gainesville was related to our friends in Israel? God.
The ceremony was short but very touching. Pastor Mike Patz, Jon and Nancy’s pastor and friend from Gainesville officiated. Neil explained the Jewish traditions: chuppah, talit, ketubah, and covenant. The Hebrew word for groom, chatan, means…one who enters into covenant. At one point in the ceremony, Jon and Nancy signed the ketubah. They exchanged rings…the very rings that we exchanged 40 years ago (perfect fit for both of them). Jon and Nancy took the Lord’s seder together, after Nancy’s father spoke about the meaning of the bread and the wine. Jon ministered to his bride for quite a while during the communion. It was very sweet and tender watching him. Nancy had tears in her eyes.
The ceremony ended with the breaking of the glass, and Jon and Nancy receiving prayer as Neil’s talit was placed over both their shoulders. Then the KISS, and the introduction of Mr. and Mrs. Jon and Nancy Lash.
Cake and punch in the Thomas Center followed…and photos…Then the bride and groom left for the reception, breaking through a paper banner proclaiming their new status as husband and wife, with a happy crowd with streamers waving them on.
One problem: They were both starving, and had not really eaten that day. So, Jonathan decided to stop at Taco Bell on the way to the reception. When they arrived at the drive-through window, Jon realized that he had no money with him. BUT GOD was there: The young lady at the window said, “Mr. Lash, you got married!!! It was one of Jon’s students from his student teaching days at Eastside High. No problem with the lack of moneyJ
High-energy reception. Jon, Nancy and friends know how to party! They left at 11:00 P.M. in a white convertible, flanked on both sides with guests having lit sparklers in hand. As they exited the parking lot, fireworks lit up the sky. Who could possibly have done that? You guessed: The “best man”: Jesse Lash. He wanted his big brother to have a dynamic send-off for his honeymoon. So off they went…to St. Augustine for two nights. ..then to the beach in Punta Cana (D.R.) for a week.
Thanks to everyone for your prayers, generous gifts, and well wishes for Jonathan and Nancy…for their wedding, honeymoon and new life together.
We love and appreciate you, Neil and Jamie
P.S. For wedding photos, see Jon Lash on Facebook
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