Sep 28, 2008

Good to See







Ian has been in an awful lot of pain this weekend but he has also smiled more times this weekend than I've seen in a long, long time. He's amazing. Here are some photos from our "big girl" party that we had for Lydia. Can you tell she wants to be a princess?

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love that smile! Keep up the good fight.
Love you
Brenda - Larissa's Mom

Anonymous said...

Wow, those are true Ian smiles! Sooo refreshing to see, they seriously made me laugh out loud :) Can't wait to come visit again. Praying for everyone daily. Love you Larissa! ~Maelys

Anonymous said...

What beautiful smiles on all faces.
Continuing to pray...
Bernadine

Sharon said...

Definitely good to see the smiles. Will be praying for his pain to be reduced...

Anonymous said...

"Faith is not without WORRY or CARE,
But Faith is Fear that has said a PRAYER" ..(unknown) Thank you for the encouraging reports on Ian. I continue to lift you all up in prayer.
Barb J. from Horsham, Pa.

Anonymous said...

Those are wonderful pictures - thanks, so much for sharing them!

Anonymous said...

Oh, these pictures brought HAPPY tears to my eyes. It is so good to see him smile and look at his little sister. May God continue to bring him back. Love and prayers, Rene (Latrobe)

Unknown said...

Our short-term mission team was getting the runaround by authorities in Africa this past week when the text 2Cor 4:17-18 came to mind. I began to quote the text and one of my team mates and I broke out into the song from the scripture memory CD. After a few lines I said "Ian sings that song". Indeed he does. And I remembered to pray for Ian and you all there in Indiana. Because whether in PA or CA or Africa our afflictions are preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. Let's continue to look to the One who is unseen.

Praying for Ian,
-tim
Dublin, CA (but this time last week in Mozambique)

Anonymous said...

Ian looks great! SO good to see that smile. Our prayers are being answered... maybe not as soon as we would like, but oh, they are really being answered.
Vicki

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the updated pics and I certainly agree with the other comments - so good to see Ian smile and look so focused! Continue to persevere and trust! Blessings and prayers!

Anonymous said...

It's so good to see that smile!

Anonymous said...

what great smiles..from 3 of my favorite people, no less. i hope the pain goes away...gigi

Anonymous said...

I used to work @ CI and took care of Ian a few times, although I havent worked there in over a year, he has always been on my mind. One of those people who just stuck with you. I've checked this website a few times, but it seems he has progessed significantly and thats amazing. It brought a tear to my eye reading and looking at these photos.

God bless

Stephanie said...

Praying!

Anonymous said...

I'll be praying for the Lord to deliver Ian from his pain. This must be so painful for all of you as well.

I love the pictures. I'm so happy to see him smile again!

love you,
kristi

Anonymous said...

Ahhh...great smiles!
In the picture with you, Larissa, Ian looks really happy. In the picture with Lydia, it looks like the photographer said, "Say CHEESE!" and they both did!
Praying for pain-free days...starting NOW!

Still Praying!

Mary Ann K.

Anonymous said...

i was sure by now
god, you would have reached down
and wiped our tears away
stepped in and saved the day
but once again, i say amen
and it's still raining

but as the thunder rolls
i barely hear you whisper through the rain,
"i am with you"
and as your mercy falls
i raise my hands
and praise the god who gives
and takes away

i will praise you in this storm
and i will lift my hands
you are who you are
no matter where i am
and every tear i've cried
you hold in your hands
you've never left my side
and though my heart is torn
i will praise you in this storm

i remember when
i stumbled in the wind
you heard my cry to you
and raised me up again
now my strength is almost gone
how can i carry on
if i can't find you?

as the thunder rolls
i barely hear you whisper through the rain,
"i am with you"
and as your mercy falls
i'll raise my hands
and praise the god who gives
and takes away

i will praise you in this storm
and i will lift my hands
you are who you are
no matter where i am
and every tear i've cried
you hold in your hands
you've never left my side
and though my heart is torn
i will praise you in this storm

i lift my eyes up to the hills
where does my help come from?
my help comes from the lord,
maker of heaven and earth
i lift my eyes up to the hills
where does my help come from?
my help comes from the lord,
maker of heaven and earth

-casting crowns





"in hope he believed against hope...he did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead...no distrust made him waver concerning the promise of god, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to god, fully convinced that god was able to do what he had promised."

-romans 4:18-21




still praying, ian...keep your eyes on your savior, and keep up the hard work to get well. we're hoping to hear your voice and your laughter again soon. and most of all, your sarcastic wit. we miss you.

Anonymous said...

Hey Larissa and Ian's family,

I have been following his progress since, well, since you started the blog. It's the first time that I've seen a smile like that on Ian, it's so amazing. I could write hundreds of things right now but I think the only thing I can say is thank you.

Being hundreds of miles away and still having someone touch your life is amazing. Your story has turned me onto a new chapter of my life, one that includes God. I am praying for your family.

Again, thank you.

Anonymous said...

I regularly read this blog and pray for all of you. I gotta say just from the pictures you've posted over the past couple years, that is a great smile, Ian's expression in his eyes seems different too.

Anonymous said...

Oh Ian and Larissa and family..
Surely we are encouraged seeing this pic!
And Ian and his pain is certainly not forgotten. He is sustained by a loving patient Creator, who knows that "hope doesn't disappoint"! And how timely are those little signs that kindle hope!

Looking forwards to all that God does in/for/through Ian, even more than we can ever imagine!

Praying still in Australia
Summer :)

Anonymous said...

thank you for showing us how to wait on the Lord with real hope and joy. surely we will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. and it seems like you have, bit by bit. :)

waiting and praying with you,
j

Anonymous said...

Saw you in church this morning and remembered the two year mark... praying for you, and always thinking of that future day in Heaven when the "weight of glory" will open our eyes to all that God has done through Ian and you all. He cares for you more than you can imagine.
Sara B.

Anonymous said...

it's so so amazing to see that smile:)