May 16, 2007

First Date

Ian and I had our first date tonight in seven months. I remember that the last one we went on was to Cozumel, a Mexican restaurant, two days before the accident. I was looking forward to it all day and throughout the day when Mary asked Ian about it, he communicated that he remembered too that we had a date planned. We drove around town and went to some of the places that we used to go to. Steve came to our rescue after a slight mishap with Ian's head rest falling off but after that we were good. Ian was awake the whole time just looking out the window. We drove around IUP and to my old apartment building. I tried to find the Murphy's old house on Grandview Ave and then we went to St. Bernard's church, which is up on a big hill and has a great view of town. We stopped by Jen and Stephen's and the four of us hung out in the van for awhile. It was nice to just do normal things with Ian, even if we have to do them a little bit differently and it was nice to just have a special time with him like our dates before.

"As to myself, if I had been told what I was to learn through these protracted sufferings, I am afraid I should have shrunk back in terror and so have lost all the sweet lessons God propsed to teach me. As it is, he has led me on, step by step, answering my prayers in his own way and I cannot bear to have a single human being doubt that it has been a perfect way. I love and adore it just as it is."
-Elizabeth Prentiss


Thank you for praying for Ian. Please pray that God restores him completely and that on our next date, he'll be the one driving:)



Larissa

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your moments with us. I check the blog at least once a day, if not more, so that we know how to pray. I must admit that I check it for selfish reasons also - to be encouraged by the God honoring words that are written by you - Larissa, and by Steve and all the others. I am sure many are blessed by the way you all point us to Christ. I pray that if I ever have to go through a trial such as yours, I will have the faith and peace that is exhibited by you and Ian's family. Many of the things I read can be applied to my life although my trials are no where near as difficult. I am often moved to tears just imagining what you must be going through.

We will continue to stand with you in prayer lifting up Ian's healing and your continued reliance on the Lord as you wait.

Gina Plain for my family

Anonymous said...

Larissa when I think of you, this is what comes to mind...

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
1 John 3:16

Thank you for showing us the love of Christ in action. I am praying for you.

Vicki G.

Anonymous said...

Hi Larissa!
Thanks for sharing your date with us...uh-mm, but don't you know that "Three's (you, Ian and us) a crowd?"
:-)
Sounds like that was an inexpensive date, except that the price of gas is so high!
:-)
I'll bet it was great for you guys to get out and about.
Thank you for that quote, also. It is really awesome!
You all continue to be in my prayers. I so look forward to reading the blog everyday.

Still praying!

Mary Ann K.

Anonymous said...

I am glad you could go on a date with Ian. I pray that the Lord will restore Ian to full health and that he will comfort you all and be with you as you anxiously wait for Ian to wake up. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

love,
Moriah Freeman

Anonymous said...

Larissa, My words can't adequately express how much your words bless me. What you write so encourages me to continue praying for Ian (and you and his family). SDG! -tim

Anonymous said...

Dear Larissa,
your heart for God is precious. As I was reading the blog I heard this song 'we won't be denied the right to testify that Jesus is real, God is real, the Holy Spirit is real,you are real oh Lord, more real than the air we breathe,' Thank-you Larissa for testifying of His realness in your life.
Joyce

The Smith Family said...

Larissa, I am a girl from Sovereign Grace Church in Chesapeake, Va. I want you to know that I have been praying for Ian and you, and his whole family! I have been very provoked and inspired by your trust in the Lord and dependence upon Him during this extremely hard time, it has made a huge impact on me! Thank you for your example!!! I don't know if you will ever read this but I had to thank you and tell you that I pray for you all often!
J'Nelle Korday ( soon to be J'Nelle Smith)