she came to visit us, our life photographer, on a warm summer day to take photos to be on the inside flap of a book that was being scripted each evening after dinner.
that day was the first time he could do this,
stand next to me, with just my hand helping him, not with my arm around him, like we needed to in all of the photos from this day
where my arm was hidden around his back, helping him, balancing him, and we couldn't stand and simply hold hands.
this summer came to ian in strength, upgrading to a walker, and then a cane and committing to walking by year 30. he left the house without a wheelchair for the first time and he walked out the front doors of his mom's house for the first time.
2013 was a big year.
yet, on a day that becomes reflective for so many of us, that's not what i most see.
what i most see is a hard-fought year, with fears and exposure and costs and crying and days sitting in front of a blank computer screen wondering why we signed a contract- that were all swallowed up by what was following us. by what was behind us and before us.
it was a year swallowed up in God.
it was a year that He swallowed us up, taking our inadequacies that were asked to put our story into 75,000 words, our legs that were asked to learn to walk again, our hearts that at times wanted out.
He followed us with mercy, and made our hopeless mornings and our sweet, quiet date nights and our laughter at his inappropriate jokes into beautiful life canvases.
He followed us with His goodness, keeping us, with his white-knuckle grip.
He blessed us, with two new nieces and nephews, bring number seven and eight into our hearts that four years ago didn't know that type of love.
He kept us, in each other, faithful and honorable to our covenant.
And all that we were given in Him will continue to be, so that this coming year that looms with exposure as our feebly written pages will be carried home in shopping bags and delivered with the mailman won't be faced apart from mercy. Or Himself. Or joy, in the most unexpected places.
He will follow us, and someday, someday hopefully soon, we will dwell in His house, forever.
With love,
I&L
19 comments:
Thanks once again for sharing.
Happy New Year
Wendy in MD
I find comfort, solace and inspiration in your blogs, pics and marriage story. Keep writing with all your brutal honesty and the simplicity of your love.
Your year was one of progress, as was mine. We both grew in the Lord. We will keep growing in this new year - with God at our sides. With much love and prayers, your friend in Christ, Rene
You put this so well. We are blessed even in the trials and even when we feel our whole lives are hard-fought,there's always blessings.
This is beautiful.
God is good.
Thank you. God's greatness shines so brightly when I read your words(and perhaps just at the times when you think it might least be so). I continue to pray for you both.
After years (I'm 65) of quoting Psalm 23, I just recently noticed the beauty of knowing that He leads us beside the still waters and follows us daily with His goodness and mercy. We're surrounded and embraced - how precious! I'm with you on eagerly anticipating being with Him forever. God bless you both in this new year.
Thank you so much for continuing to share your story and the way that the Lord is working in your lives. It is such an amazing testimony to His love and grace. I have been incredibly encouraged by reading your posts. Blessings in this New Year as you continue to follow Christ!
You are loved, by God, by your family in Christ.
Great pics! Great couple! Great God!
Happy 2014
Praying and praising
Rachel (bcn-spain)
Thank you for your eloquent honesty Rissa.
All of us need his goodness & mercy to follow us all the days of our lives and in each moment of 2014. no matter what it looks like on the outside. if our legs work & if our brains can remember stuff. We ALL are desperate for His goodness & mercy.
Love you. Praying for BIG steps in 2014 for Ian.
I can relate. Perspective on the past year has been a choice for us: focus on the battle it has been or focus on the gradual victories we saw along the way. In spite of many difficulties, we are choosing to focus on progress and anticipate greater blessing and moves forward this year. I absolutely cannot wait to read your book. I hope it gives you an opportunity to see another way God is redeeming your sorrow and loss for significant good. Thank you for sharing.
It has been an incredible journey..ian standing...you both worked so hard..i know it didn'/t come easily. in the end, your heart is still soft toward Him and Ian. Another miracle....He is working in you....as you are climbing the figurative Mt. Everest of this life....
praying for you. thanks for sharing so openly about your struggles and triumphs. you are a blessing to many.
Its amazing to see how events of 2013 have pointed you to Christ. I am encouraged. I thank God for you
Such beautiful words coming from a beautiful spirit!
Thank you so much for sharing!
Still praying.
Mary Ann K.
Rejoicing on your behalf in the wonder of simply holding hands for support. What a milestone! Our God heals!
Denise
Delighting in Him leading you two ..step by step. "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord."-Psalm 27:14 "Wait" is my word for 2014♥
Love you both Larissa & Ian! Leslie Dawn
Thanks for your sharing. Told my friends who is a non believer to watch the video you posted, hoping that they will come to know God as their only source of hope and savior. Larissa will be my daughter's name (if we have). Keeping you in prayers.
Larissa, just want to say I am thankful for God's work in your lives and the talent/ability He has given to you to write! Blessings to you both.
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