Bride in Burkina: August 2014

May the peace of Christ dwell in you richly! I am creating this blog to communicate with you while I am geographically far away. I want to carry out my good intentions to stay connected with the people I care about, and hopefully, to share - through stories and pictures - bits of the culture I am going to Burkina Faso to learn.
I feel abundantly blessed to have such an adventure before me. I have supportive and prayerful family and friends - from church, from school, in my sisters and parents, in my extended family, and in family I have yet to meet in Burkina.
Most importantly, I am blessed to make this adventure with love by my side: the love of God and the love of the man with whom God has united me.
The rest of this post will be a picture book of wedding photos for those of you who could not come to our wedding on August 9. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers throughout that time.

Marriage Celebration of Adama Abdelaziz Millogo and Annette Grace Conrad, August 9, 2014, at 6:00 in the evening.

Preparations began long before August ninth; I would like to thank my family for all their hard work in beautifying the farm.

We also thank God that threats of rain vanished and a gentle summer day took their place. Nothing could have been a clearer blessing, and I am sure it was a result of prayer.

Stella carefully arranged flowers to grace the reception tables, and made the bridal bouquet of deep pink Sweet Williams (many of the flowers were cut from a market friend's flower garden.) And I must mention Aunt Mary, who spent hours with a hot iron over the white tablecloths. Sesame-honey almonds on the tables - papa's suggestion for the reception...

Beautiful photography by Aunt Trealn and Stephanie Schlabach....

Belinda, the dedicated hairdresser....

Mama and Annette...

Grandma Ann Conrad helped with dress design...
Grandma Anna Mary Hoover embroidered the guest cloth...

...and lots and lots of help...

Rehearsal
Pictures:

"go that way"

Ceremony

Thanks to David Schubert for leading the gathering in HWB #46 "I Sing the Mighty Power of God," and HWB #67 "Praise, I will Praise you Lord."

Singing pictures

Walking down the aisle... Mother of the Bride and Greta, carrying our Bible (rather than rings.)

The groom and our minister. Sincerest thanks to Ann Nofziger for officiating.

It's happening...Thanks, Papa!

Grandparents: Herbert Hoover (far right), Anna Mary Hoover, Paul Conrad, Ann Conrad.

Katie and Belinda played "Our Father, Which Art in Heaven" during a time of meditation and prayer.
I wish I could hear it every day.

Giving and signing the Bible to signify that we pray for our marriage to be based on the Word of God and Jesus Christ.

almost married...

Amen!

After the ceremony... "Well I guess now... it's time to eat!"

The food prepared by loving hands of friends and family and under the capable direction of Mama was a huge hit and really couldn't have been better. I wish we had been able to eat more!

The menu featured cucumber sandwiches and six incredible salads freshly made the day before:

Sweet Corn and Black Bean

Four Bean Salad

Feta-Craisin Roamaine

Potato (mama's best!)

Curried Turkey

Pasta Salad

Almond cakes and fresh fruit graced the dessert table.