Another day, and still amazed at what God has produced with this video. As I write this, our video has been played 305,000 times. We have been blessed to hear from so many kind people and it makes us look forward to heaven even more.
Thank you, all, for praying.
70 comments:
I found your beautiful story today through my friend's blog. I cried as I watched how God has brought you- and kept you together. I am so thankful to see your story at a time I have been so low and longing for hope. You both are the epitome of what hope is. May God bless you both. You will be in my thoughts and prayers! xoxo
So cool! Crazy couple of days for you guys, I'm sure; I've been glued to the twitter feed. :-) You're making Christ look infinitely valuable to the whole world -- keep it up!!
I saw a post on facebook. I read your story first, then watched the video. I was moved to tears. You are a beautiful couple. God is using your lives for His glory.
Hi I saw your story yesterday on John Piper's blog. A friend directed me to it from Facebook. I praise God for you guys and your marriage. You are both really beautiful and so is your marriage. God bless you!!! I When I got done watching I wanted to find out more about you but I didn't see your last name or any links for farther information but I googled "Ian and Larrisa" and found your blog instantly. You guys are really really important to me. I will probably try to contact you again and tell you a little about myself. I thank God for the amazing things He is doing in your lives and countless other lives through you.
I just watched your video for the third time in as many days. It is so sweet and so inspiring, it touches each of us in so many ways. Thank you so much for sharing with all of us, such a blessing as you and Ian.
I'm sharing this video like crazy, because I KNOW that it is amazingly encouraging to see such a Christ-centered marriage! I'll be praying for you both! Thank you for being willing to share this with us all! Soli deo Gloria!
Please know that the depth of your sorrow is not in vain. The Lord is so beautifully using your suffering to display the wondrous beauty of Christ! Ian's faith is prompting me to pray bold prayers for my son, who has disabilities. (Just wrote a blog post about how your story has made me so excited about my son's future.) Thank you for sharing your lives so humbly. Much love to you all...
Thank You for sharing God's love in your love for one another!
You guys are so inspiring. God's glory certainly shines through. I'm getting married in October, and you've challenged me to really think about what marriage really is.
I'll be praying for you, Ian!
you guys honor God with your love... the video is being widely spread here in Manila. Such story is rare and such love is awesome. You inspire me to love more.. thank you.
The time I was watching the video, I cant help pray for more blessing for you and Ian.
Your lives are touching people all over the globe- my husband and I in Asia, and so many of our friends on other continents. The words that come to mind are "a sweet aroma"... You precious children of God are the sweet aroma of Christ to all of us who are hearing of your story. Thank you.
Hi Ian & Larissa,
You continue to be such an inspiration! We pray for continued strength and endurance as you influence so many people toward God and His goodness.
Blessings!
I think I have watched your story 7 or 8 times now ... and I am overwhelmed. God is using you both to put the focus back in it's rightful place as we think on and contemplate what our marriages should look like.
We live in such a temporary state - so it's true these things will quickly pass away .. and YES all things WILL become new for us when Christ returns.
Loved this quote from your wedding:
"Marriage is about displaying covenant keeping love between Christ and His church"
Ian and Larissa - so many of us out here have fallen in love with you both ... in our weakness HE is strong and Ian - truly ... TRULY ... you are a STRONG man and your life is an example of a life laid down in order to exhault Christ .. He chose you for this purpose because He knew you would be trustworthy ... and Larissa ... Jesus Shines ... that's all I can say is that you allow Jesus to shine. Oh I know you guys aren't perfect and you have your moments and your days ... but we are all just so proud to call you brother and sister ... to call you friends ...
So thankful for your two today xxx Praying for those legs to walk ... just as you have asked Ian x
With love Shelley (a british girl living in Canada with her Canadian man) :D
My husband and I came across your story on the Desiring God blog. I honestly don't know that there are words to describe how I am feeling. I wept through the video, amazed at your sacrificial love for your husband and Jesus. My husband and I have been married for 2 1/2 years and I particularly had a difficult time adjusting to marriage. Please know that your story has provided me great encouragement. You are a truly amazing couple and I am praying that the Lord draws you nearer to each other and Him each day. God is so good and, like he promises, he has used this tragedy for good. And he has and will continue to be glorified through your marriage. I pray that people all around the world would come to know the Lord through your story. Thank you for having the courage to step into this marriage with faith.
So thankful to come across your story. My wife and I have just begun to read "This momentary marriage" together. We are so thankful to God and to both of you for instilling in our hearts that "God is awesome!"
Thank you for helping us to count our walk through adversity and suffering as joy. We will be praying for you both, and we long for the day we can stand side by side in the glorious presence of Jesus our Saviour - "he will rejoice over (us) will loud singing." SDG!
As we watched your video, my husband's comment was, "What radical dying to self these two have done." You are both such an encouragement. We will be praying for you.
You two are re-presenting Christ on this earth. Thank you for the blazing display of His love! We are praying for you!
HI! Thank you so much for your sharing your amazing inspiring story! I am a journalist from the UK and would love to interview you for a feature in a magazine - would you be interested? If so could you email me on jemimah@wrightfeatures.co.uk and I can give you more information! Blessings Jemimahx
I watched your movie yesterday and I can't get your story out of my head. What a testimony you both are to God's love for us. Your wedding was absolutely beautiful, the vintage details were wonderful. Praying for both of you!
I love this! I love you and Ian and your love. And I love our God! God bless you.
You both give new meaning to 1 Peter 5:7. Praying for you both!
You both give new meaning to 1 Peter 5:7 ! Praying for you both.
306,000.
I will watch it again and be forwarding to friends. Thank you THANK You for living your lives out loud and sharing. Praying for both of you:)
I found you through Ann Voskamp's blog, watched the video, and shared on fb...I do pray that not only will this video touch others - but in God's economy, that He will use it to bring *thousands* (millions?) alongside to pray for you....what might He do with that to glorify Himself and bless you?....for your selfless act to be used to extravagantly bless you and Ian, is my prayer.
Wow... a link to your video was posted by a friend of a friend of mine on Facebook and I just happened to see it and click it. Your story is truly an inspiration and a beautiful reminder of what love and marriage should look like and be about.
God is definitely using your relationship and story to show a broken world what love is about. Thank you for your willingness to share all of this with the world!
May God bless you both and your marriage as you continue to be faithful followers and instruments for the Lord.
i've sat here watching/reading about your story, in tears. there is so much beauty in your life, not because of your circumstances, but because you both have something we all LONG for that can only come from God. I find myself envious of the peace and the joy and the heavenly perspective that you have. and i know that doesn't come easily--but thank you for sharing your story, a glimpse of GOd's kingdom in a world that it is often lost. your strength is beautiful. your love is beautiful. your hope is beautiful. your pain is beautiful. Your God is beautiful and you reveal Him beautifully.
I came across your story because my sister posted it on her Facebook page. I shared it with my husband. Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for reminding us that God is Great and that is the foundation to a lasting marriage. Praying for you guys from Quebec City, Canada.
I so badly want to leave a comment but am having a hard time finding the words to tell you how blessed, encouraged and inspired I have been by your video. I have recently found myself in a position that was sacrificing my marriage. I had so quickly turned from a selfless role to a very selfish role. Satan so quickly and easily worked his way into my life and attacked my marriage. Thankfully, my God and my amazing Christian husband pulled me out of that pit and set my feet steady again. Coming pretty fresh off of that experience though and watching your video was like a breath of fresh air to me. The humility, the sacrifice, the service, the love...it is a true testiment to what God intended for marriage and a living story of Christ's love for me. If I could just address Larissa here: You may be an ordinary woman, living an ordinary life by the world's standards but you are a light that is shining so bright and rallying for marriages all around the world. Your story has inspired me and humbled me and really opened my eyes to my role in my marrige. You are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your story! Praying for you guys!
Larissa and Ian, your story was teaching me about the marriage covenant in God. My friend posted your video link on her facebook, and I watched it 3 times, and I am still crying. God used your story to teach me and to reveal me how selfish I am to my husband. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I prayed for you and Ian, and I will continue to pray for you guys. FYI, I posted your link on my facebook and on my husband's, too. I want other people to see and to know your story as well.
Thank you so much!
God bless,
just found your site through Liz @ Here Comes Baby - http://thencomesmarriagetheblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/beautiful.html
this is one of the most beautiful stories i have heard in a long time.
wow. I've been reading your blog for several years now. I am seeing the link for the video all over Facebook! Greetings from Lancaster, PA (which I know is where Ian did an internship!)
I've been a reader of this blog since Cameron Courtney highlighted your story years ago. I've checked this blogged daily and prayed for you all earnestly. I can't tell you how much of a blessed surprised it was to see friends on facebook and twitter posting your story!
I pray that you all continue to get the attention that such a God-honoring story deserves...
I echo the above statement. "Thank you for having the courage to step into this marriage with faith." You did it even before you knew it would be a sensational video...and I appreciate your honesty that life is hard.
Learning about you both, now, however, let's me know to pray for you and your testimonies. Beautiful. Your story helps me understand God's love for me more and so I thank God for giving you each other and the way you opened your window to us.
You two are AMAZING! :) Thanks for setting this example for the world!!! <3
I have had an undiagnosed and debilitating pain condition for the last six months that leaves me bedridden most days and unable to walk unassisted. When I became sick my boyfriend and I had only been dating for six months, but he has been such a faithful caretaker despite that even though it is difficult at times for both of us. During this time we have both grown so close to God and have really had the blessing to understand the wonder of Christ-like, self-sacrificing love. That being said, Tuesday morning I woke up very frustrated, overwhelmed, and angry that I woke up another day in excrutiating pain (not that I should have been surprised). Most days I rest in His peace and patiently trust that He has a perfect and redeeming plan, but Tuesday morning I just wanted my old life back. Why I went on the Desiring God blog that morning as I usually don't use the computer at all in the morning and hadn't been on the blog in some time was certainly God inspired because I watched the video of both of you and after many tears thanked God that He allowed me to see it. Everything about your story refocused my perspective and most importantly reassured me of God's soveriegnty once again. Thank you so much for living and trusting in God's love and thank you for sharing your story. Your testimony is one that cannot be easily dismissed and hearing it came at a time when I needed it most. I have been and will continue to pray for you both. I know you hear it often, but you are truly an inspirational couple that is magnifying Christ in a remarkable way.
I thank God for your testimony. Your strength that comes from above is an encouragement to me. You both have faith that can move mountains. We serve a good God. Praying for Ian, Larissa, family & friends.
O LORD, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
(Psalm 131:1-2 ESV)
I found y'all's story today from a friend who posted on FB. I was in tears watching the documentary. God is clearly exalted and shown through y'all's marriage. It is evident. His love flows from you guys. Praying for you and Ian and for the thousands who see the video.
Jess
P.S. Watched your wedding video! Y'all's wedding looked like a blast! :-)
It has been wonderful to see the video by Desiring God as well as to simiply be encouraged by your life together! My 3 year old daughter was diagonsed with type 1 diabetes 7 months ago and its been wonderful to see God's grace amid suffering and struggle. I was so encouraged today to read An Ordinary Day An Extraordinary God after a rough morning of figuring out diabetes. Desiring God has greatly influenced my husband and I's perspective on Marian's disease. Thank you for sharing your joys, your hope, and your struggles.
Thank you both for sharing your story of Jesus's greatness. My wife and I were both touched by your honesty and love - for Him and each other.
Murray
Larissa and Ian, may God bless you in abundance as you witness to His never ending faithfulness, love and the plans which He has for our lives. I saw your film and cried, I am to be married in July and pray that my husband to be and I will be able to approach our marriage in the same Christlike manner you both have. God bless.
Thank you for your openness in sharing your story and the God who redeems all. My husband and I were moved to tears watching the documentary.
I will be praying for Ian, for you and your marriage. I look around and see so much brokenness, struggling and sin... and it is enough to cause despair some days. Thankfully, I am continually pointed to a Father who will make everything right one day. He loves us!
love,
ebe
I wish my husband and i knew you guys personally!!! haha... my husband led me to your story yesterday. we love pastor Piper; therefore he found you guys on DG.
I know you may never read this, because i'm sure you're swamped in blessings right now, but I want you to know that God is using you and ian in the life of my husband and i... how beautiful.
my husband and i have been married for a little over a year. what a great time for us to learn from what God has done in your lives. you two do make Christ look more glorious! heaven is going to be AWESOME!
love your far-away sister (well VA isn't too far),
Hollie Womack
Thank you for sharing your story! It brought tears to my eyes! God bless both of you! I'll keep you and Ian in my prayers!
I just watched your story and began reading your blogs. I had recieved a link to it days ago. I do most of my reading on my cell phone but the video wouldn't play. So I have been saving the email until I could get on the computer. My internet was down, but finally, today, I had time to devote to not only savoring your story, but to pray as I come to know more and more about you both.
Thank you Gentle Reformation for posting this and I plan to do the same!
http://genref.wordpress.com/2012/05/08/a-picture-of-this-momentary-marriage/
You and Ian have been such an encouragement to me today. I saw your video on a friends fb page and then read many, many blog entries... I prayed today the Lord fills you both with grace and His sweet peace that surpasses our knowledge...and for you, Larissa, to be full of HIS strength, rest in Him and contentment.
What a sweet picture of Christ's love for sure in your lives...!
Your story reminds me a little of this Corrie T. Boom quote taped up on our kitchen bulletin board:
"You may never know that Jesus is all you need, until Jesus is all you have."
I hope you have a sweet day and a very joyful marriage!! (Ohhh and a sidenote, your home is cute and cozy looking!)
God bless you both.
Love in Christ,
Kallie
P.S. Also, if you need a little encouragement some days...I have an older, wiser friend who's daughter has angel syndrome and writes in a blog...
http://libertyinlimitations.blogspot.com/p/learning-from-anna.html
(forgot how to make a link!)
Hi,
My name is Larissa too, and I've never met another person with my name. It was very inspiring and challenging to watch your video and read about your life. Thank you so much for sharing your story and for being such a shining signpost for Christ.
love Larissa xx
Deeply moved by your story. Thankful you shared it with the world.
I can't get you guys out of my head! I found myself looking forward to checking your blog to see if there was anything new today. Not necessarily "news" just - "I wonder what kind of day they're having". Kind of like when you (Larissa) told Ian you wished there was something interesting to tell him about your day and he said something like, "It's all interesting to me".
God is doing a mighty work in you both - that is apparent, but He is also working through you to reach so many people with what I would refer to as somewhat of a revolution. You didn't explode on the marriage scene with new and exciting ideas, rather you both just put into practice God's definition of marriage.
Your marriage serves as a reminder to me of not only what marriage truly is, but all that it can be. I've been married for 17 years and you are teaching this "old dog" some new tricks! ;)
With love,
Nikki
Soon as we saw in Spanish all our friends got a link
DIOS TE BENDIGA A LOS DOS
JONA
I, too, found you through the Desiring God blog. As I read through your story, I wept as I imagined how hard your days must sometimes be, and how there must be times when you just want to lie down and cry. Yet through your sorrow and loss, there is this amazing, clear light - a light of contentment and peace. Only God can do that. Only He takes something so horrible, and using ordinary, flawed people, turns it into a crystal clear picture of His love. Only He makes beauty from ashes. Your relationship is a reflection of His love for us. In our relationship with Him we are disabled. We cannot live alone. We cannot do what lies before us in our own power. Yet Jesus comes alongside us and walks with us in covenant relationship. It's undeserved and it requires His sacrifice, yet He does it for love. You reflect that. I do not know you, but I adore you. You are my heroes. I will pray for God's blessing to overflow you until you cannot contain it.
I thank God for you. I would love to meet you - sadly I live in Australia so probably won't until heaven. But I hope to introduce myself to you there. You are both beautiful saints. Thank you for sharing your story.
Hi Ian and Larissa,
I love watching your video! What an amazing Lord we all serve, and I am just so encouraged by your story! I pray for you both and may God continues to be glorified in your marriage and my own marriage as well. Thank you and we are praying for you two!!
I found your video on Facebook and loved it. Your story is a real tear-jerker. Praise God for His grace in your lives and thanks for your beautiful picture of commitment and faithfulness! God bless!
I came across your video Tuesday...just when my heart needed to see it. When my husband (a pastor) got home I showed it to him and he, too, was touched beyond words. So last night he set it up in the gym where we were holding youth group & showed it to our group of teens. He said they paid complete attention to the whole video - girls and guys. Thank you for being willing to let your suffering be a light to us.
I just want to say that I loved your video...you are both such an encouragement. It is easy for me to lose sight of my purpose on earth, but you both are such great examples of living life for the Lord. You clearly have used your circumstances to praise God and give him all the glory!
I am praying for you both!
you guys set the standard.
Hi Ian and Larissa,
Also across the pond people are watching and being touched by your story. Truly amazing how you two, by God's grace, are pulling through! It's only grace!
You are in our prayers and thoughts.
Hannelies and Henk
The Netherlands
Hi Ian and Larissa,
Also across the pond people are watching and being touched by your story. Truly amazing how you two, by God's grace, are pulling through! It's only grace!
You are in our prayers and thoughts.
Hannelies and Henk
The Netherlands
Hi Ian and Larissa,
Even across the pond people are watching and being touched by your story. Truly amazing that you two, by God's grace, are pulling through!
You are in our prayers and thoughts!
Hannelies and Henk
The Netherlands
Hi I&L,
God bless you guys!
I'm Es from Kenya, been replaying your video since a friend sent to me yesterday. I guess i must have replayed it five times this morning! :)
Your story is very inspiring. It made me take a moment, step back and look at my relationship with God, understand what Faith and love is really about and also assess my relationship with the good man in my life. I also shared with him your story and sent him the video - his feedback on this has also made me realize what an impact your life's story has on other people.
I can only say that God truly loves you guys and He is looking out for you. You are a model couple to the millions of Christians worldwide; and what makes it even more profound is how young you both are to make such a wise, challenging and life changing decision.
I am humbled by you and we have had our eyes opened up to see the extent of Christ's love for us. He took it a step further, He not only accepted us in our sinful nature but He died for us so that we may be redeemed. And His resurrection is an assurance of life eternal.
Be encouraged by Paul's words in EPH 3:20-21
''Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.''
And, PHIL 1:6 I'm convinced that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it through to completion on the day of Christ Jesus.
I&L, may your love and the work of your hands be blessed.
Es.
HI Ian and Larissa! I was so moved and encouraged by your story. My husband and I lead a ministry for young married couples in our church at the Pittsburgh Mills. We have been reading "Don't Waste Your Life" and "The Meaning of Marriage" by Tim Keller. I have such a love and burden for these people and that they would come to understand God's true purpose for their marriage- a picture of Jesus and His bride, the church. We're always looking to do fun and meaningful activities. We'd Love for you guys (if you are close enough) to come and share your story and your hearts for God with our group. We are praying with you and for you! May God continue to bless you with "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places"
-Laura Van Luven
Thank you
Your story and the grace God has shown to you all and how he has used you has encouraged me to cry out for Jesus. I long to long for Him like you both do. Your wedding was gorgeous and your marriage is even more of a picture of the beautifulness of Christ and his compassion. I can't wait to meet both of you in Heaven someday. Until then, thank you.
-Just a girl who wants to love Jesus more than life
I saw your video yesterday on a friend's Facebook profile. Thank you so much for sharing your story! It has blessed me and my husband like crazy. We stand encouraged by the love you and Ian share! Your video is the topic of my blog post today. =)
Thank so very...I have truly witnessed the infinite grace of our God.
I was so moved by your video. I cried as I watched it. God IS Awesome! Oh, how good He is. That’s what I want to come out of my long journey. I want people to say, God didn’t give her children for a long time (or he might not ever) but she had joy and she praised him and I can see through her that He is good!
God bless you Ian and may many come to know Him through you!
Thank you for sharing your story. My husband just went home to be with our Lord and Savior after a 5 year battle with cancer. I treasure the times that were difficult for us just as much, if not more, than the easy times. I pray God's continual presence in your lives and that He will continue to use you to minister to others with your story.
What a beautiful illustration of God's love for us. Praying for you in Seattle.
Dear Ian and Larissa,
Thank you so much. I was so touched when I saw your video that I wept, as did my friend when I passed on the link to him. I think I saw Jesus' love for us more clearly through your marriage than I have seen in a long time. God be praised. He loves you, He is always with you, and He is working through you.
God bless,
Christopher
"... it makes us look forward to heaven even more."
...where it will take you a millenium to talk with 305,000+ whom you have inspired and encouraged.
Thank You, Lord for Ian and Larissa! Bless them richly!
Still Praying.
Mary Ann K.
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