The Beauty of Family

 Y'all. The reason I relaunched Longing To Be A Raye and then immediately went MIA for a few days was this, my family and Brandon's family all stayed at our house and met each other for the FIRST TIME! 

Now I know you're probably wide eying me and holding your breath to hear how it went, well let me tell you this, it went beautifully. Everyone was so in tune and on the same page with each other, our mothers got along so well, our dads were always around the grille, the RV, or the fire and usually holding a drink in their hand, and my sister was the perfect balance. 

We didn't get to have our whole family together, there were some siblings who couldn't make it, and we can't wait till we can have them over too! But overall, it was a beautiful first encounter. 

And yes, just to confirm, our families weren't at our wedding. We eloped in our kitchen with a friend who married us and our neighbors to witness, 6 people total at our wedding. 

We couldn't have gone this simple stress-free way without the support of our wonderful families. 

One of my favorite moments from the time they were here was the first night around the fire; we were all so eager just to spend time together and be in the same place. So many stories were exchanged and similarities were confirmed. It was a true testament to how gracious our Father is, and to see the heart of family unfold. 

I know this is not the case for most families, especially with a quick elopement and out-of-state move like what we did, but I'm here to encourage you that the Father loves you and your family. Whether that family is one like mine, one like my father's (very disconnected and rough), just you and your spouse, or you and your roommates. We can make family where we are, but let us never forget where we came from.

There is a beautiful thing in family and in the comfort of loved ones being around you. God loves family and invites us into His family. As believers, we get to be a part of a family that is bigger than we can imagine, a family of believers in Christ.

Go forth, brother.

Shine on sister. 

We have a beloved Father who loves us!

John 1:12

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, 

he gave the right to become children of God,