but this is no goodbye.

the time since my last entry has flown by with a speed which still seems to stand still.

It has been a couple months since then..

Kathy arrived safely..

our wedding happened with a boom of joy..

i started work again..

and now in three days we leave again for germany.

the details that are not written above are only due to the forgetfulness that time brings in it's basket of surprises.

the biggest event is of course the wedding.

a marriage...

i know i will not be able to comprehend the intensity of this relationship, and the steps we have taken until my heart truly opens and i die to myself..

as these days get shorter and shorter.. the reality of moving back to germany is seeping into my heart.

i came back to the states with friends of course, but the relationships that have been built over the last months have truly blessed me and my life.. and now leaving once again dear ones for another land takes it's wrath on my heart.

as i have written before... the curse of loving is saying goodbye. a goodbye that is worth it's anguish.

to all here in rapid city, neb. and even the other locations i have been since being back..

i will miss you. but this no goodbye.

but, until He crosses our paths again.

thank you all for the prayers, for the support, for being by our sides as we agreed to come together as a team in front of our friends and family..

thank you for your friendships, your words of truth, your kind undeserved gestures...

and thank you for your love in it's many faces and styles.

a new adventure awaits... new relationships, new opportunities for sharing His love..

a choice... of courage, of joy, of hope and of life.

and i am thankful that we are not setting sail alone.

much love, israel

this is it... this is it!

the day is finally here.

through struggle, through worry.. through hardships, God has carried us to this new season and we enter joyfully stronger than when we entered that last with expectations of growth for the next.

thank you all for the prayers, for the encouragement, for the love.

Kathy steps on a plane soon to head this way.

here health stuff has come from a bacteria she got in india and her body will continue to fight it. the process is slow but sure.

please pray for a good flight, easy transfers and smooth entry here.

we are so blessed for the grace He has shown us continually through thick and thin.

He is building us for His work more and more.

may His will be done with us.

ein Ehe um Seines Names willen.

much love, israel

inspired time well spend

it has been so hard to write lately..

with time swimming through the hour glass that feels more like a second glass...

and things happening in all six lefts and rights, inspiration has finally caught my attention and with john mark mcmillan singing about His love, letters around me, and a beautiful sunset in middle earth, i need to sing out thoughts and praises of how He loves us!

in less than two weeks, we pray, the most wonderful and beautiful princess (and we are not just talking about outside here...) will may once again eye contact with he who loves her.

these last months.. about a million to be exact, have trickled by and some how have cheated friction through the tree tops to these last days.

i truly can hardly believe that time is finally traveling up to our reality.

we only know that we can trust Him.

as for border control, housing situations, a job, debt, fear, lies of our identity and family stuff, we leave it all to He who told us to follow Him.

we stand together for truth, for love and for good!

prayers:

the flight here is better than good!

kathys health situation (enquire more if desired).

housing here.

our families.

the details with moving, getting married and what-nots.

the guests.

the marriage!

thank you. really, thank you.

much love, israel

denn es gibt Hoffnung

also manchmal gibts etwas was man nicht erklären kann.

so ist es bei mir grad.

kanns nicht voll begreifen weder beschreiben.

wie ich mir sicher bin dass morgen die Sonne aufgeht.

oder wie ich halt weiß drin in meinem Herz, wir sind nicht allein.

es gibt darum was größeres zum Leben und es gibt Hoffnung für jede.

in der Dunkelheit oder sonst was, nix kann uns davon trennen, eine Liebe, die in uns wirkt.

ich hoffe.

when it rains, it pours.. and things grow.

yet a step of grace and faith early this morning.

katharina and i skyped early this morning, and after searching flights again and again, we found one we liked and felt to purchase. it costed a pretty penny but we know that God is with us and will continue to provide what we need now, and forever.

the invitations are also printed for the wedding here stateside. we still need to word it right with the best directions. we still some addresses. thank God progress is being made with it.

please keep praying for us..

it blows us away at how many are lifting us through this time, and it is much needed. God hears your prayers and is quick to help us through all things.. well.. quick to help focus us on Him through the tough spots. He is for sure with us!

join us in prayer:

-that everything works out right with kathy flight. when she flies, for protection, good connections and no problems at the border. (first time flying alone...)

-my flight. that i can get the same returning flight and the money for it. (first time flying together and married!)

-wisdom, regarding planning, jobs, paying off debt..

-health and continual protection from all the enemies plans.

-a deeper relationship with Him and each other.. walking on His paths together.

thank you all so so so much for the prayers and support and encouragement.

only 5 weeks now. because of God, we will get through this!

much love to all of you, and please continue to keep in touch.

israel (and katharina)

Wenn es regnet, es gießt... und es führt zum Wachsen.

Noch ein Stück der Gnade und des Glaubens ist heute morgen passiert.

Nach den lange Suche, fanden wir ein Flug was uns gefällt, und es möglich macht, zusammen zurück zu fliegen. Also, heute morgen skypten wir und kauften es. Zwar doch teuer, freuen jedoch wir uns und wissen dass Gott sich um uns sorgt jetzt und für immer.

Gedruckt sind jetzt die Einladungen unserer Hochzeit. Noch muss ich die Worten aufschreiben und die Anleitung richtig erklären oder malen. Wir brauchen auch noch Adressen. Dank sei Gott um den Fortschritt damit.

Bitte bete doch weiter um uns..

was für einen eindrück zu lesen wie viele beten um uns in dieser Zeit. Gott erhört jeder euer Gebet und helft uns gleich nach was passiert.. also.. begleitet unsern Anblick wieder auf Ihn. Er ist bestimmt bei uns.

Fürbitte:

-dass alles gut funktioniert wegen des Flug Katharinas. Als sie fliegt, um Schutz, ein gute Umsteigen und kein Problem an der Landesgrenze. (ihr erstesmal allein fliegen.)

-mein Flug noch. dass ich das gleiche Flugbindung nach Deutschland bekomme und das Geld dafür. (unser erstesmal zusammen fliegen und als ehepaar.. schön!)

-Weisheit wegen dem Planen, Arbeitsstellen und Schulden abzahlen..

-Gesundheit und anständig Schutz von jedem Plan des Teufels.

-Eine tiefere Beziehung mit Gott und einander.. auf Seine Wege zusammen.

Danke euch alle ganz sehr um die Gebete, Unterstützungen und Ermutigungen.

Nur noch 5 Wochen. Wegen Gott, schaffen wir das!

viel Liebe euch alle und bitte halte doch Kontakt mit uns.

israel (and katharina)

1 year, still 2 months

so,

fast unglaublich dass schon ein Jahr vorbei ist als wir zusammen in einer Beziehung kamen.

natürlich schwierig so weit von einander zu sein ist es, und mehr und mehr müssen wir von Gott unsere Stärke bekommen. Dank sei Gott, dass wir es nicht allein machen müssen. Danke auch euch, um eure Gebete und Unterstützung.

*so... it's so unbelievable that we have been together in a relationship for a year already. it is hard being so far away from each other and it is from God whom we get our strength. Thank God we don't have to do this alone. thank you all for your prayers and support.

Also, eingentlich zwei monate von heute ist unser Hochzeittermin. Vollkrass!

*so, in two months from today is our wedding date. Whoa!

Von letztmal ich schrieb, haben wir schon ein paar Dinge erfahren.

*since last time i wrote, we have experienced a couple things.

-Gott schenkte uns einer Hütte für unser Flitterwochen umsonst.

*God gave us a cabin for our honeymoon here in the near.

-Ich zog mich um zur Familie eines Freundes.

*I moved in with the family of a friend.

-Katharina und ich könnten oft skypen zum planen und halt genießen mit einander zu reden.

*Katharina and I have been able to skype often and plan.. and just enjoy time to chat.

-Mir ist geschreiben dass mein Freund, mit dem ich in indien gereist bin, kann nicht bei unsere Hochzeit kommen (er sollte auch der Pfarrer dafür).

*I was written that my friend I was in India with cannot come and do our wedding.

-Ein Freund von mir wird Hochzeitbilder machen.

*A friend will take our wedding pictures.

-Wir fanden billiger Flüge für Katharina.. noch nicht gekauft.

*We have found cheaper flights for Katharina.. but have not bought one yet.

Natürlich gibts noch viele was wir noch erfahren müssen, und jeder Schritt zeigt sich als Fortschritt aber kommt nicht immer einfach zu.

*We still need see a lot happen yet, but every step is progress and not always come easily.

Da bitten wir euch um Gebete wegen:

*Please pray with us about these:

-die richtige Datum zum Fliegen für Katharina und ich und auch Geld dafür.

*the right date for the flights and also money for them.

-Weisheit und Zeit zum Planen um die Hochzeit, Einladungen machen, und einen Pfarrer rausfinden.

*wisdom and time to plan for the wedding and invitation stuff and for a pastor to do our wedding.

-Transport zur Flitterwochenhütte.

*Transportation for our honeymoon.

-weiter Gnade und Stärke um die Trennung. auch Schütz gegen Angriffen und Wahrheit in jedem Situation.

*continual grace and strength for the time apart and protection against the enemy, and truth in every situation.

-halt Weisheit und Hilfe um die Hochzeit in Amerika und die Zeit bis und nach den Termin.

*simply wisdom and help for the wedding in america and the time before and after.

Schön euch zu schreiben und ich hoffe wirklich wir können alle besser Kontakt halten.

Gott macht jetzt so viel bei uns. Z.B. Wir lernen die 1. Stelle immer Gott zu geben. Niemand kann es sonst füllen.

*it's really good to write all of you and i really hope we can keep better contact. God is doing so much right now with us.. i.e. we are learning to give Him the first place in our lives. No one else can do it like Him.

Dass ihr wirklich mit Frieden erfüllt seid und vollerliebe zu jeden seid bete ich.

Danke unendlich um eure Gebete für uns. Wir haben bis um jetzt gekämpft und werden nicht aufgeben, denn Er ist an unsrer Seite. Amen!

*I pray that you are filled with peace and full of love to everyone. Thank you so much for your prayers for us. We have battled thus far and will not give up because He is on our side. amen!

Ganz viel Liebe, israel

season change

wow. i am back from the visit to katharina in germany. as i would greatly enjoy telling all about it in such a blog, i still need to process then entire thing and it would be best shared over a cup of coffee and a visit. give me a call or shoot me an email for more on that.

as for news!

the hardest part is now behind us, next is the praying, planning and seeing what He brings to be.

the wedding is set for 14th July in the states, rapid city (not rabbit city), S.D..

Katharina will come at the beginning of july, and until then we work, pay on debt, and pray for His grace with all the finances and planning.

after the wedding here, we will stay until the end of august, then move back to germany(memmingen) for about 2 years to work, and grow together and with the people there. the wedding there is set for the 15th October, in memmingen.

being involved with us in prayer:

-first off, for strength for both of us in this time of being apart again. for protection, opportunities to skype and email, and a deeper trust and faith in God as well as a deeper understanding of ourselves and each other.

-financial provision i.e. flight tickets for katharina and myself, funds for the wedding stateside as well as in germany (oct, 15, 2011) and the honeymoon.

-other provision and guidance i.e. a place to live while here in america as well as again in germany, a car for the honeymoon or some sort of transportation...

-and healing. katharina has had some issues with her teeth, and we both need other healing too.

thank you all so much... seriously!!!! for the prayers.

as david prays in ps 17, he does so with confidence.. i pray because i know you hear me!

i know this too!

so i also pray for you, for strength, provision, healing and blessings. i pray too for His peace and rest for all who are stressed or tired. for joy for those who are depressed or sad, and for freedom to all who are captive whether by ideas, thoughts or addictions, or hopelessness! we have all we need in Jesus, and Him alone can save us from all things!

much love, and please keep in contact.... though i understand if you are super busy. we are sailing similar boats.

israel