who can really say this?
who has lived this....
kathy and i just got back from our second trip to northern great britain for my best friend's wedding.
at the beginning of january, i flew to manchester, barely landing, missing my train and having to spend the night at the airport waiting for the next train headed to the lake district.
after being calmed by God that we would land, the solution to the missed train, i admit, frustrated me. it is now no wonder why i was easily stressed. but for that moment, i realized the adventure in this and found a bench to sleep on.
i found out later that the whole family was under stress due to the unknowing of whether or not sam would make it for the wedding just a few days later.
we found out a day later that it would not happen this time around because he was not granted the visa for marriage nor received his passport back from the embassy. the trip, however, was not wasted. not at all!
kathy flew the next day and we were able to bring a little humor and fresh air in the light of the misery.
some weeks later, sam got his visa.
oh what a sweet sweet song.
we re-booked flights and i got there, this time, just nearly making the train. (i had 5 minutes to reach the train from the terminal.)
sam had apparently been facing a flu bug that was to keep him from all that is good.
with prayer, forced-fasting (ha ha) and lots of rest, the bug was gone and his stomach was feeling much better. good enough for a wedding celebration!
kathy got there again on thursday night, complication-free.
and on saturday, we celebrated the most beautiful wedding in england ever!
sam and i wore penguin suits (i was honored to be the best-man.)
it was sooo good to see sam and beth come together. to be joined to which they will never be separated again. because what God unites, no man can split!
i encourage all who read this to give a thanks to God for this amazing thing He did... and to ask God to bless and use these two for His will forever more.
thank You Jesus for this blessing. this true love. may You always be with them. may they continue down Your path, choosing to live for the Kingdom of Heaven and not these bodies or this world we now live in. please protect them, and unite them ever so nearer. we Praise You!!!!
in other news...
i have started the english course. i am now on unit 3 of 20 and hope to get it done in a couple weeks. i hope to get it done before starting to work again. that hangs on the weather.
there has been a couple of unexpected expenses in the last weeks which leaves us with minimal money. please pray that we would not be stressed but at peace instead. that we would come to that place of knowing, He is our God. that all we need, He will provide.
i do believe this, for i have experienced it again and again... but somehow, it is always difficult at first glance. may we see past our own expectancies and look to Him first!
kathy and i are really looking forward to what is coming up.
we don't really know what is to come.... there is prayers about what is happening after the loans are paid off... and that the loans are soon paid off. i think that when i start working again, that i can put much more money towards them and claim that freedom from debt! thank You Jesus!
kathy still desires to finish the bible school that she had started and ran out of money for. we are also considering where and how we will work further with ywam.
but, first things first.
thank you all for the prayers and keeping in touch.
things are still slow before work picks up. but i will do my best to keep updating even when i am working a lot.
He really has only given us the best.
congrats sam and beth!
much love, israel
