"Do you? Do you? You're married! Get outta here!"

So Reverend Randy has finally, after about 9 years into his servitude under the Lord®, performed a wedding ceremony! The couple was a set of celebrities with a very exclusive guest list.

Mr. Robert Ramm, and Mrs. Tammy Ramm (Speer formerly.)

Laguna Beach was in prime readiness for our arrival; all sixteen of us including the lookie loos that thought there was a free wedding they could crash... (public beach, what're ya gonna do?)

To keep those in the loop that weren't able to attend... (Graham and Guy) I've included my sermon so you could get a taste of what it was like. I'm sure pictures will follow. While planning what to say I realized that I needed to talk for about fifteen minutes, and that wasn't gonna happen off the top of my head. (These blogs, even, are re-read and re-typed several times over before posting.) So I wrote the whole thing out as a script (even the prayer) so I wouldn't miss any point. When I performed the ceremony, I'm sure it was nowhere near this thorough, as this was the most nerve-racking thing I've ever done! I've been the lead in plays and musicals, drama competitions, I've performed my own music, I've played in front of 1000 people at a time in church... this takes the cake* (see below) There was a lot of pressure to please those in attendance, the bride and groom, and make sure I say everything right so they are actually married at the end of it... Anywho:

Dearly beloved,

We are gathered here this evening to celebrate the unity between our friends Tammy and Robert. I am certainly honored to be a part of this event. I have the responsibility of conducting this ceremony as a legally ordained minister. When I received my ordinance, it was all in jest. I did it online, and it only took me three minutes! When I did this, I was not a Christian, and simply thought it would be funny to tell people that I could marry them for free if they wanted. Little did I know, I would later discover the Lord for myself, and I'd take Him VERY seriously! He led me down a path I'd never consider for myself. He took me away from a girl who would have kept me FAR away from church. He introduced me to a passion for children; discipling them as authentic followers of Christ. Then when Rob called me and asked if I could still legally perform marriages, (for free) I realized God led me here. I believe that God is going to lead Tammy and Robert towards something big! If we stand back for this moment we may see God's glory unravel far into their years ahead. And for that, I'm honored to be a part of joining them together!

Now, if you know Robert like I know Robert, you know that he is prone to make wild predictions and rash decisions. When we all heard that he was getting remarried, we all thought, "Well, here we go..." but I knew it was the right thing for Rob to do because Robert is a man of FAITH! Of what faith, I'm not totally certain, but faith none the less! I've known Rob closely for about 8 years, and aquatinted with him and his family for who knows how long now. We used to work together at Ameriquest mortgage company. It was your typical office job that is spoofed by movies and television. We'd fill out TPS reports and meet with the Bob's all day long! Sometimes we'd un-expectantly run into each other in the men's room and he'd compliment my shoes from the next stall, usually with a disguised voice. And everyday at noon we'd retreat to our sanctuary, the Block of Orange; to share our lunchtime and hit up Spencer's gifts. It was almost a renaissance for us discussing life, religion, politics, office politics, movies music, girls, inventions... Robert would make the most wild predictions! "Just you wait and see." He'd say. And sure enough; he was right about everything! So I know that if Rob says, I met the woman of my dreams, we're getting married, and everything is gonna be great, "just you wait and see..." I believe him! If there's one thing I've learned from my friendship with Rob, it is to have faith in the unexpected!

When preparing for this ceremony I began to get nervous! Consider my dilemma. I'm about to join two people in Holy matrimony. I'm twenty six years old, and single. They are ten years older, have both been married, and Tammy's father is a pastor. And the only people I formally speak in front of are sixth graders at sunday school, and they're always half asleep! What was I possibly going to say? What wisdom could I bestow? Tammy told me she wanted "wham bam thank you ma'am"; While Sherry told me Bruce needed ample time for pictures. How was I going to tie the proverbial knot for these two? The only thing I know well is the Bible so I opened it up. I was reading and reading but kept falling back towards Genesis 22 for some reason. This is the story of Abraham offering his son Isaac as a sacrifice to God. I know what you're thinking, "Randy, why would you choose such a morbid topic to discuss at a wedding? Its almost offensive!" Many people don't know this, but this chapter is the first instance the word "LOVE" is used in the Bible. This story is, in fact, a fantastic prophecy of love!

God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, his only son Isaac, whom he loved. Later, God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son as a sacrifice for us. Mount Mariah, the place where Isaac was to be sacrificed, later fell within the boundaries of David. When it was no longer useful as a threshing field, its name became Golgotha; This is where the Judeans crucified their criminals, and its the exact same spot Jesus was hung on the cross! When Abraham said, "C'mon Son, we're going make an atonement sacrifice up to the mountain" He must have already been in the mindset that his son was a dead man! Their journey to the mountain lasted three long days. Abraham followed in faith to the point of binding his only son on an alter, but just before the blade fell, "God provided for Himself another sacrifice" And Isaac is all of a sudden resurrected in the eyes of his father! Just like Jesus was a dead man for three days, before His resurrection! God truly provided Himself as the sacrifice! ... Then we don't hear from Isaac until two chapters later when he is united with his bride Rebekah. Just like were not gonna hear from Jesus until He is united with His bride... US! Genesis 22 is one of the many instances where God makes this wild prediction and says, "Just you wait and see." I think we all can relate to both Abraham and Isaac at least on some level! We all are on a journey, and at some point we are gonna be met by hardship, stumbles, obstacles, and maybe even beasts that discourage us from the path, but God's word tells us, "have faith," "Just you wait and see." A Jewish sage of the Mishnah once was quoted as saying, "May you be covered by the dust of your rabbi." Which means if you are a disciple on the road following your teacher, you ought to follow him so closely that you are covered by the dust he kicks up.

Just as Abraham and Isaac had faith that God would provide, and unite him with his bride, I am awestruck by this leap of faith Tammy and Robert are taking! Pray with me as we witness the union between them!

Prayer - Heavenly Father, we come before you today in celebration! Indeed we have nothing but praises for You! We are so excited that You have brought Tammy and Robert together. We thank You for their love, and ask that your Spirit watch over this ceremony. We understand, Lord, that you have a perfect plan for each and every one of us. Help us to seek your face in all circumstance in order for our personal plan to match up with Yours. We can't always get what we want, but we can always get what You want! Strengthen our faith that we may be bold in Your name! Strengthen Tammy and Robert's faith that they may be bold in their love for You and each other! I pray that not a tear is shed without the other to dry it. You've guided both of their pathways thus far. The roads may have been long, bumpy and sometimes even treacherous, but you have paved their roads to meet this day! Widen their road and make clear their path, as they follow you. May they follow so closely, that they be covered by the dust you kick up. We thank you so much for Your guiding light, Your love, and for Your son Jesus in who's name we pray these things: AMEN

Sand Ceremony - Just as God has lead me down a crooked pathway, He's lead Tammy and Robert down path's of their own. They have lived over 1000 miles apart for most of their lives. Tammy in Texas, Robert in California. From this day forward their paths will no longer be separated. As an outward expression of their love, they each have brought something to symbolize their journey. Tammy has brought sand from her childhood home in Gary Texas, and Robert has brought sand from the Wedge in Newport where he spent so much of his childhood. The idea is to mix the sand together, showing how two very separate lives will henceforth become one.

PROMISES - Robert, do you take Tammy to be your lawfully wedded wife, to walk the same road, as long as you both shall live, no matter what hardship, stumble, obstacle or beast may stand in your way? "I DO."

Tammy, do you take Robert to be your lawfully wedded husband, to walk the same road, as long as you both shall live, no matter what hardship, stumble, obstacle or beast may stand in your way? "I DO."

Then from this moment, may your journey be one road. May if be fruitful. May you be covered in dust. And may it be downhill for most of the way. [Pour sand into vase.]

RINGS - Tammy and Robert have prepared their own vows. To seal those vows, they have rings they both will wear to remind themselves why they love one another.

VOWS - Robert to Tammy

God brought us together he had a plan it just took a little longer for ours to start

when we meet I thought I was meeting a new friend but I new there was more there and next I couldn't wait to talk and see you again. Meeting you was like a have always known you. your are the girl in my dreams.

You are supportive that you always say how proud you are of me.

Family we are not only getting married to each other we are bringing two families together. We have great support on both ends of our families which is half the battle in making a marriage work and grow.

You are an answered prayer and can't forget who gave us our gift and together we will grow spiritually which will bring us closer together.

Tammy to Robert

The way your eyes glow when you look at me tells me how you are proud of me, how much you love me and that God made you especially for me.

I have always dreamed of finding someone that loved me for everything that I am, including my flaws and my dream has come true....you love me for all that I am.

I am so glad I accepted the offering from God for patience to wait for the man he made for me, that is You.

You fit me so perfectly in happy times, struggling times, insecure times, exciting times, relaxing times ..just any time that comes along.

It is because of these reasons that I love you now, and will forever love you.

...Beautifully done. I can't think of another way we can express to everyone here how much you both love one another but by saying,

By the power vested in me by the state of California, I proudly pronounce you Husband and Wife! You may kiss the bride!

If you follow in faith, then God will provide, even to the extent of sacrificing His own son! When God says, "Just you wait and see." you'd better believe Him cause something big is coming! Robert is just such a man of faith! I was so happy when he called me from Texas and told me that he wanted to get right with God again. He's going to follow God, and Tammy is just the kind of woman to encourage that! She's a female version of Rob. But here's the best part: For so many years we had known Rob to be high strung, stressed out, and way too tense for his own good. But it's all erased with you, Tammy. I was asking advice from Bruce and Sherry about what to say today. They were absolutely no help, except for this. Robert, they have not seen you this happy since you were a kid; You seem so "relieved." We all love Robert, but now, we love who he is through Jesus, and through you Tammy. He's a whole new person. And from here on, so are you Tammy. I think introductions are in order.

Ladies and gentlemen friends and family, I'd like to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ramm!

The bride's father [James] is a Jr. High paster at a baptist church in Texas. We hit it off almost immediately! The conversation went something like this:

J: What kind of church do you go to

R: Uh... Quaker I suppose. (We don't think about it too much)

J: Is it a "Friends" church?

R: Yeah! You guessed it!

J: Hm... I'm okay with the quakers. Let's get this show on the road!

He's already offered me a summer job speaking at his summer camp! His wife said, after the ceremony, that it was nice, "a little unusual, but nice."

Which brings me to my next blog... why I'm unusual... (I think I should probably turn comment moderation on for this one.)

*Pome-gRandy Cheese Cake... oh damn... is it good. I made a cheese cake... with sauce on top... mmmmm!

-Randy