Bao and Lauren Wedding

Rise for the bride’s entrance

Seat congregation

We gather together today in the presence of family and friends and in the presence of God himself to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony. 

Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

Seat audience

On behalf of Bao and Lauren and their families (Karen and Scott & Henriann and I especially) let me thank you for your presence here today.  Bao and Lauren truly believe that this marriage is God’s will for their lives and they are thankful for all of you and the special significance you have in their lives.  Today we also recognize our debt to those who cannot be here, those who have had a great impact in Bao and Lauren's life.  They are without a doubt with us in spirit.

Christian parents continually pray for their children with all sorts of requests.  Especially the one about if they will marry and who they will marry. Lauren and Bao I know that from the day we first set eyes on you we prayed for you and for this day. Lauren and Bao how blessed you are to have had us as parents (if I say so myself) and your families and these friends who have loved you so deeply, who have prayed for you so fervently, who have provided for you so generously.

Of course, there is someone else who deserves some credit as well.

How wise and wonderful God was when in the perfection of the Garden he created man and woman. How wise he was to institute this relationship we call marriage where one man and one woman would leave their mother and father and cling to one another.

And I don’t know how this God works and how he puts people in certain families and in certain places at certain times but thanks be to God for putting you in the families he put you in and arranging for you two to meet each other and find in each other a love that is rivaled only by God’s love for us.

Although I don’t know all the particulars of how God woks, I do know that he is the giver of every good and perfect gift and he deserves all the credit, all the praise, all the glory and all the thanks for the love you have found in one another.

Well, this is a big day but before we go any further let me ask you both a question:

Bao, in the presence of God and these witnesses, do you take Lauren to be your wedded wife in holy matrimony?

Do you promise to love her, comfort her, and honor and keep her, devoting yourself to her as long as you both shall live?

Lauren, in the presence of God and these witnesses, do you take Bao to be your wedded husband in holy matrimony?

Do you promise to love him, comfort him, and honor and keep him, devoting yourself to him as long as you both shall live?

So let’s bow our heads and give him thanks.

Prayer

Our loving Father, we thank you for this day and all the days before that have lead us to this moment in time as Bao and Lauren pledge their love to one another as husband and wife. Thank you for their families and friends, and all those who have invested in their lives. Thank you for your kindness and mercy and for the great gift of marital love. Thank you above all for the great hope we have through the gift of your son Jesus in whose name we offer this prayer. Amen

HOW THEY MET – Bao and Lauren met in Medical School at TTUHSC. In a way, it was predicted.

White Coat Ceremony – the initiation into the four years of grueling study. Dean made a speech – very moving – you have a great responsibility – you have been gifted – all the kinds of things you say to medical students – but he said something else – you may very well meet your spouse – perhaps there’s something about his shared experience that bonds people – I wish I could back in time to see Lauren accept her white coat – I would stand up and yell, “There’s the girl Bao!” – I suppose people would ask how I knew – were they engaged – are they dating – I would simply say, “No, I’ve just traveled back in time.” – No, I wouldn’t that – I am very discerning about who I share my time travel abilities with.

Of course, nothing happened then, but even before school started Bao the sports enthusiast (don’t know where he gets that from) and the consummate planner (I don’t know where he gets that from) organized a volleyball night among the first years.

Bao remembers it this way:

Lauren and I technically first met playing sand volleyball the week before medical school, but I truly got my first glimpse into the incredible woman she is during an hour-long conversation… while playing ping pong at the Texas Tech Rec Center. Despite just meeting, we had one of the deepest, most meaningful and easygoing talks I’d ever had, discussing family, medical interests, and, most memorably, our shared passion for missions. Her stories from Brazil and Wales, along with her faith, deeply resonated with me. That day, I thanked God for bringing a Christian friend into my life so early in my schooling—and now, I’m grateful every day that she became so much more.

Lauren remembers it this way: Bao had planned the volleyball game but was late and he had the ball so everyone was waiting until eventually they see two guys walking towards the group. She saw the two, noticed an Asian man and said, “That looks like a Bao!”

Not too long after volleyball, ping pong, game nights Bao was ready to ask her out. I hear that everyone knew they were interested in each other but Bao had to wait until the time was right.

I’ll always remember getting a text from Bao. He wanted to talk – to both of us. This was a little out of the ordinary because we had a standing phone call on Sunday nights and this was during the week. His text implied it was important. We tried not to worry, so we wondered what good news he could have for us. We knew he had applied for a scholarship and maybe he got it – maybe he got a full scholarship for Medical School.

He said he had met a girl that he is interested in and he thinks she is interested in him. Well, no scholarship but what he has found in you Lauren is worth far more than a full ride scholarship to medical school. And let me tell you, that’s a lot!!

BAO:

One thing I especially love about Lauren is her kind and steadfast heart. Through her unwavering support as a teammate, study partner, friend, and even healthcare provider, she brings out the best in people. The way she lights up when she talks about something she’s passionate about, like swimming or service, you can’t help but want to join her. Similarly, she will join others in their passions, as evidenced by trying new cuisines with friends or when she ran her first marathon with me last December. I admire how deeply she loves and cares for others—including me. Her presence brings me peace, and her love makes me feel at home no matter where I am.

Well, four years have passed since that White Coat Ceremony that began your journeys to becoming medical doctors. And just last week you were at another medical school ceremony – Match Day. The penultimate celebration before graduation in May. Match Day is the day when it is revealed where you will serve as residents. And lo and behold, they got their first choice – UT Southwestern in Dallas. Lauren will be in pediatrics, and Bao will be in anesthesiology.

We are all excited to see what the future holds, but unfortunately, I am not a time traveler. But it doesn’t take a fortuneteller to know that as you pursue God together there will be great joy even in trials:

BAO: Our shared faith has been the foundation of our love, shaping how we communicate, support each other, and navigate life’s uncertainties. Together, we have sought God’s guidance, prayed through decisions, endured hardships, and encouraged each other’s spiritual growth. I have seen His hand guiding me through challenges and opportunities. My experiences have shaped my understanding of faith—not just as belief, but as a daily reliance on God’s grace and wisdom.

So, as you set out to be healers of people always remember to heal one another – always have at your disposal love, mercy, grace, understanding, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, forgiveness, patience. For these are the healing remedies of the soul.

I know that you are not entering this marriage unadvisedly or lightly, but let me remind you that the promises you are making today are the kind of promises that are forever.  And these promises can be realized when you both embrace a selfless, sacrificial love. Paul describes this love in

1 Corinthians 13:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.

I mentioned that one of the first times Lauren saw Bao she said, he looks like a Bao. But I asked to tell me what this Bao looks like, and she said this:

One of the things that I love most about Bao is how he is steadfast in everything he does. He will always be there for you. He is steadfast in all of his commitments and endeavors, with a dedication and work ethic that is never less than 100%. He is steadfast in his relationships with others and is a trustworthy and dependable friend. He is steadfast in his love for me, always one of my biggest encouragers and supporters. Most importantly, he is steadfast in his relationship with the Lord and in his commitment to Him. There are so many things to love about Bao and I can’t wait to marry him! :)

We’ve waited long enough so would you please face each other as you exchange the vows of marriage:

EXCHANGE OF VOWS AND RINGS

I, Bao, take you, Lauren

            To be my wedded wife

            To have and to hold

            From this day forward

            For better or worse

            For richer or poorer

            In sickness and in health

            To love and to cherish

            According to God’s holy word

            So long as we both shall live

I, Lauren, take you, Bao

            To be my wedded husband

            To have and to hold

            From this day forward

            For better or worse

            For richer or poorer

            In sickness and in health

            To love and to cherish

            According to God’s holy word

            So long as we both shall live

And now for the exchange of rings:

Lauren, I give this ring to you as a symbol of my vow and expression of my constant faith and abiding love for you.

Bao, I give this ring to you as a symbol of my vow and expression of my constant faith and abiding love for you.

Today, Bao and Lauren will observe two acts. First, they will take communion together as a reminder of the great love God has for us in sending Jesus to earth to die on the cross securing our salvation.  May this also remind you that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of your relationship. May you continually find forgiveness in the grace of God and in turn offer that same grace to one another.

Secondly, Bao and Lauren will celebrate their new union by the tying of the unity knot.  Each of these ropes represent their own individual and separate lives before today. As the ropes become intertwined, the finished knot symbolizes their future, and how their love and marriage will continue to be strong throughout their lives. Let me note that as stress is added to the knot it becomes tighter and tighter. May your union be secure in both times of celebration and in times of unease.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV) — 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Communion and Unity Knot

PRAYER

Thank you for this celebration of love

Thank you for bringing them together

Protect them from anything which might drive them apart

Help their love to grow deeper and deeper as the years pass

Give them opportunities to serve you through their marriage

Bless their lives together

In Jesus Name Amen

Numbers 6:24–26

The LORD bless you and keep you;

the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;

the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.

By the authority granted me as a Minster of the gospel of Jesus Christ I now pronounce you husband and wife.  You may kiss the bride.

It is with great joy that I present to you for the very first time Mr. And Mrs. Bao Catteau

On behalf of Bao and Lauren and their families thank you again for sharing this ceremony with them.  You are all invited to a reception.