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Saturday, December 3

10:00 am

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There is quite a story behind this wedding.

Jonathan is our nephew – the second son of Cerwin’s sister Doris and her husband Bob. It was about this time two years ago that we learned that Jon’s wife Jen had pancreatic cancer and would probably have only a few months to live. She was in her early 40s when she died in early 2021 – leaving behind a bereaved Jon and four young children (ages 10-15).

We are beyond thrilled that Jon and Janet found each other – with many states between them. Janet is from our area of Pennsylvania and Jon lives in northern Minnesota. Janet spent much of her early adulthood in mission work in a variety of countries. Someone told Jon that he thought Janet would be a good match for his family and he obviously proceeded to contact her. 🙂

I took this and the next few pictures from our seat in the sanctuary.

This was an emotional time as all three sets of parents (Jon’s, Jen’s and Janet’s) parents prayed a blessing on the marriage (each of the fathers is a minister) and Janet read a “love” letter to her new children.

Janet reading the letter.

Prayer

Introducing the new Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan and Janet Stauffer

Greeting the new bride and groom.

Janet’s parents – Edward and Jane Meyers

I learned that Janet’s mother Jane follows my blog and thought she might enjoy this picture. 🙂

Two of the appetizer attendants. There were also two on the other side of the entrance to the fellowship hall. I did not think to take a photo of them.

A table setting with a salad was at our assigned table when we arrived.

These two were sitting at a nearby table so I snapped a picture. Loraine is Japheth (Jon’s brother) and Aimee’s oldest daughter with her fiancé Joshua Dehn.

The bridal party was seated at this square table which was situated in the middle of the room.

Janet and Jon entering the reception.

You can see Jon’s four children in this photo – Alisha (standing on the left), Dietrich (standing with back to the camera), David (with a big smile) and Andre behind David.

Food line. The three men at the buffet table above are brothers to Jon’s father and our brother-in-law Bob.

The parents and grandparents’ table. Clockwise from top: Edward and Jane Meyers (Janet’s parents), Doris and Bob Stauffer (Jon’s parents), Arlene Stauffer (Bob’s step-mother), Joyce and Walter Kolb (Jen’s parents) and Janet’s Grandpa Meyers.

I learned of a neat connection to Grandpa Meyers when we tried to connect our church and families. He made a decision to follow Jesus in a church service when my Grandpa Hershey was preaching.

Bridal table

Janet and her siblings singing after pie and ice cream was served.

Janet’s family and Jon and his children singing a song.

Jon shared a bit of his journey in finding Janet. He must have been sharing something serious at this point.

Of course, he shared some funny moments. This may have been about his first call to Janet.

We wish God’s richest blessings on this newly formed family. They went on a short honeymoon, then packed up her things and traveled to Minnesota.