Thursday, August 21, 2008

"A New Beginning" (UPDATED)

Ajit and Elizabeth


Every little girl grows up dreaming about their picture perfect wedding. Details are planned out and perfected as years go by, from the invitations to the isle runner; nothing is left untouched. The wedding gown might go from white to ivory, from Princess cut, to A-line. Color schemes might change a million times before the perfect pair, or triple are chosen. Yet, the idea of being a bride remains joyful, and exciting throughout a lifetime.

Miss Elizabeth Varghese, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania had the opportunity of finally fulfilling every image she had of a wedding on Saturday May 3rd 2008. She married Ajit David, from Chicago, Illinois on a cloudy Saturday morning, which burst into sunlight by the early afternoon.

Holy Trinity Church on Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, hosted the wedding of the two joining families. Guests slowly started to arrive by 9:30A.M. Quick conversations of “congratulations,” and “it’s been a while,” covered the ambience of the church, while ushers diligently worked to get arriving guest seated in time to start the ceremony.

The church was dome like in structure, and beautiful paintings, similar to the renaissance encompassed the ceiling taking guests back to a more romantic era. Taking in all the beauty was calming enough, but just to ease the tired soul, a worship team of five family friends were singing Christian worship songs.

“We just want to usher in the presence of the Lord,” says Bessie Abraham Mathew. “Elizabeth wanted this day to belong to God, and so we’re singing a few praise and worship songs.”

As the songs were finishing up, it was just about time for the wedding procession to begin. The bridesmaids came down donning a beautiful bold orange skirt with a gold mesh top with hints of green. The color was very warm and inviting, as seemed to be the theme for the entire wedding.

While Pachelbel's canon in D Major begins its soothing melody, guests accordingly rise to catch a glimpse of the beautiful bride to be. As Elizabeth cheerfully glides down the isle with her father at her side, her smile could not have even been hidden by her pure white veil.

The ceremony continued in an Indian MarThoma wedding order, which consisted of traditional chants, and hymns. To modernize the ceremony, contemporary Christian songs were sung by friends, family and loved ones in between the worship order.

Once the priest had finished with the thirty-five minute ceremony, he announced the new Mr. And Mrs. Ajit David, while guest clapped and cheered for the new union. Immediately after the wedding ceremony was concluded, guests were packed into three shuttle buses, which took them to the Crystal Tea Ballroom at the Wanamaker building. There, the reception continued where guest munched on crackers, and small portions of pasta as appetizers. A lot of mingling, and surprised “hello’s” took place as guests moved around the lobby area.

Once the Reception hall was ready, guests slowly started to find their way into the hall, and began to find their seats for the program to begin. Toward the beginning of the reception were the typical...speeches...speeches...and more speeches. However, by mid-afternoon the reception took a turn for the better as the hilarious MC’s made their way onto the floor. “Corny” but welcoming jokes were thrown around in Indian accents, which resulted into a burst of laughter from their audience. The dance floor opened up as the evening began to unravel. Ironically, it was not only the youths or the singles that stepped out to dance, but instead it was their parents and elderly that completely began to “tear up” the dance floor. I guess you can call the dancing part of the entertainment also, because it was definitely amusing to watch, and a great way to end a new beginning.

MUSIC REVIEW - - -"I Will Wait for you There"

"I WILL WAIT FOR YOU THERE"
Phil Wickham



I think when a person can finally close their eyes and dream without falling asleep, is the result of inspiring music. Such is the case with Phil Wickham’s “I Will Wait for You There,” which can be heard on his 2007 second album Cannon's. Even though eyes shut can bring about a shade of darkness, there is a small glow of light that can’t be seen, but can only be felt when giving a listen to Phil Wichkam.

Wickham takes it easy on the lyrics and plays the “simple card” while he brings, “I Will Wait for You There” back to a more familiar place. He sings about a place that is a home away from home, a world apart from this word…a place called “there.”

“…It’s about finding that secret place, that quiet place that we can meet with God in the midst of a crazy, loud, and violent world,” says Wickham on a youtube clip.

Like a soft lullaby, the unique voice of Wickham lures in listeners to share in lyrics sung with true emotion. The song’s chorus, in a time line goes from a plea to an anthem by the time it hits the third chorus. Wickham is passionate and makes a voiced statement about waiting on God.


Well, wherever “there” is…it is definitely far from this world. I would love to be “there also…


GIVE AN EAR AND TAKE A LISTEN?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc4603p8bIE