Summer Project 2008

The Bulgarian Christian Student Union organized a language and culture exchange from July 12-26 in Kazanluk (the geographical center of the country). During these two weeks we had English language lessons, discussions in small groups, excursions to some of the major historical sites around Kazanluk, and many entertaining evenings - put on by the students. The summer project was a great success - everyone said that they had a great time, made friendships, had fun, and had significant conversations. Here are just some of the pictures from our time together...

My Big Fat Bulgarian Wedding (Part 5 - Honeymoon in Italy)

Tanya and I had the chance to go to Naples, Italy for one week. We had a great honeymoon - and saw some remarkable sights. Besides Naples, we also took day trips to Rome, Pompeii, and Casserta. We are so thankful that we had this chance to get away and be together. I am going to include just a few pictures here of our honeymoon.... I suggest going to Tanya's blogspot, as she has 1000's of pictures from our time in Italy on her sight.

My Big Fat Bulgarian Wedding (Part 4 - the wedding reception)

After our wedding ceremonies, we went to hotel Bolyarski which overlooks the beautiful Yantra river.  We had a great reception with many of our close friends.  The food was excellent, the dancing was fun, and the cake to my surprise had fireworks!  Here are some of the pictures of our reception...

At the beginning of the reception, my parents welcomed Tanya into our family.  My mother offered us bread dipped in both salt and honey - to remind us that our life together will be filled with sweet moments and bitter moments.  My father offered us wine.  Each of them shared with us how happy they were for us and how happy they were to welcome Tanya and her family into our family.

After this Tanya and I ripped the bread in half to see who would "rule" the family.  The person who ended up with the bigger half of the bread would be the "ruler".  Tanya got the bigger piece.  I think she cheated :)

Then we ate and danced!!!

Then the cake!!

My Big Fat Bulgarian Wedding (Part 3 - the wedding ceremony)

Tanya and I got married on May 4th! It was a beautiful day and a great celebration. Here are some pictures from our day and some of the highlights...

here I am getting ready...

then together with my family, and some close friends we went to the house of our kumove, where Tanya was waiting for us.

Then we made our way to the city hall for the wedding ceremony...

Then we entered the city hall and had the ceremony.  It went really well.  I got a little nervous... and since it was in Bulgarian, when they asked me if I wanted to get married I said "yes" right away, without waiting for them to say who I was going to be marrying.  

Right after the state wedding we had a little bit of time to take a few wedding pictures before going to the church ceremony...

Then we went to the church to celebrate with them.  Everyone loved the church service and many commented that this was their favorite part of the day.  Some of the highlights were a video of Tanya and me (see my big fat bulgarian wedding part 2), giving of our vows that we each wrote, the lighting of the unity candles, our adorable ring bearer, flower girl and scripture reader (the children of our good friends), a beautiful song written and performed by our kumove, and a prayer time led by the man who led Tanya to faith.

After the wedding ceremony we had a time to take pictures with many of the guests and family members before walking on the old streets of Veliko Turnovo to the reception.

to be continued....

My Big Fat Bulgarian Wedding (Part 2 - our wedding clip)

On the wedding day we showed this clip at the church, sharing a little bit of our story...