Reception & Honeymoon

We had our reception the day after the wedding for family members and a few friends at Camp Shalom.  

Some of the youth from the ministry helped with the decorating, cooking and serving the food and cleaning everything up afterwards.  Not sure what we would have done without their help!!

Joselo's family also helped with the chicken and the cake. 

We spent the afternoon relaxing -- some visiting, others went swimming in the pool. 

We had some challenges pulling it all together, and after a hard week of planning and preparing for the wedding, we were exhausted.  It was good to be in a relaxing place with good friends and family.  It took a while longer than we planned to prepare the food, but when it was ready we found it to be delicious!

After we ate, Pastor Erickson, led us in a short reception.  We had a powerpoint.  Some friends from Guerra sang a song and family members had an opportunity to offer advice or blessings to Joselo and I.  It was really special to have Joselo's family and mine altogether in one place.  Who knows when that will happen again?!

Mid-afternoon my family, Joselo and I left to enjoy a few nights in a hotel together. 

We had been working really hard, running around all week preparing for the wedding.  It was so good to have some time to relax and play and just be together at the hotel. 

It was an extra special blessing to have my grandfather, Harlan Mensink, there to celebrate with us. 

I love you Grandpa, and am so glad you came!

My niece Kiley was a delight as well.  Both Kiley and Joselo had been waiting what seemed like forever to meet.  They had exchanged drawings a few times and had talked on the phone.  It was great that they could finally see eachother face-to-face. 

After a night or two in the hotel, my family had to return to MN.  Joselo and I stayed at another hotel for our honeymoon.  Joselo's brother-in-law works for the director of this all-inclusive hotel and got us an excellent deal.  We were even in the VIP section!!  They treated us like King and Queen.  It was there that for the first time, we were referred to as Mr. and Mrs. Santana.  This made us giggle! 

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One night the director arranged for us to have a special meal at the fanciest restaurant.  The food was like nothing I've ever tasted -- it melted in your mouth!  Wow!

Joselo joked with the waiter, asking him where were the rice and beans. 

Though Joselo enjoyed the experience...to him a meal without rice and beans just isn't complete.

We had tons of fun.  We enjoyed the pool so much!

We also went parasailing.

Though we didn't play a round of golf, we went to the driving range. 

It's been several years now since I've played, and this was Joselo's first time swinging a club. 

He did pretty well!  It was fun.

Over all, we had an abosultely wonderful time.  Praise God!  What an unexpected blessing.