Monday, May 23, 2011

New Beginning




Kevin and Angie will celebrate their 10th anniversary on September 1. They have been physically together for about 5 of those 10 anniversaries. It will be a great day. I was reminiscing about their wedding day as I drove down the street one day this past week. It was the culmination of several months of wrestling with the INS to get her fiance visa. When it was finally granted, they had 90 days to get married so that she could legally remain in the US.

Their wedding was special - we tried to do as many things as possible to make it what she wanted it to be. They spoke their vows in Swahili, and even my brother, who performed the ceremony, learned a few words so that he could make the final proclamation in that African language. Since her parents could not be here, we had some special words from her dad read to the audience.

But one of my favorite things was when they turned to the congregation and we all sang "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" together. Little did any of us know how much we would have to depend upon that faithfulness as the years unfolded. And He has never failed to be faithful.


Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Refrain

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

(Lyrics by Thomas Obediah Chisholm)


Kevin flew home last Wednesday to begin the arduous process of closing down Angie's life here in Colorado and moving her to Maine. A friend is flying in Sunday and they will drive a truck and their car back, beginning next Tuesday, the 31st. What a lot of change has been Angie's to deal with over the 10 years. She has been faithful and true to her vows and commitment she made on that wedding day. It has not been easy. But she has kept things going and will now be starting over again. We are excited for them, at the same time as we will miss having her around here.




Last night we had one more opportunity to hear Kevin speak at our church. It was such a blessing. Once again, a song spoke truth, as we sang together before he spoke.





I don't know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from it's sunshine,
For its skies may turn to gray.
I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said,
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

I don't know about tomorrow,
It may bring me poverty;
But the One Who feeds the sparrow,
Is the One Who stands by me.
And the path that be my portion,
May be through the flame or flood,
But His presence goes before me,
And I'm covered with His blood.

Refrain
Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.

(Words by Ira Stanphill)

If you think of them, please pray - this is a huge step of faith. Angie has had one personal interview and 2 phone interviews. All of them have been very positive, but she needs to be residing in Maine before she can land one of these jobs. Kevin's position with Teen Challenge involves just a small stipend. But they are confident that God will not leave them nor forsake them at this point in their lives.

If you don't know Kevin's story and would like to, please let me know and I'll be glad to send you the document by e-mail attachment. We plan to write the sequel soon.

16 comments:

Linds said...

I will be praying for them both as they set out on this new chapter in their lives, Dawn. It has been a long and tough road for them, but I am sure they will get there. I am just glad they are walking it together.

Amy said...

Best wishes to both of them!

Hootin Anni said...

You are a treasure Dawn. As is your family. Wow...she's beautiful. I can see why your son fell in love. And by what you've posted, the two are striving to make their marriage work, no matter the pitfalls. That in itself is a blessing.

Safe trip for her, and hope their life is joyous.


PS...no, I've never had an art lesson in my life. I took art in High School, but it had nothing to do with painting. More a craft class.

Beth said...

This post just made me cry. Both songs are songs I cling to many times in my life. Over the years I have sat in wonder at Angie's dedication to her marriage vows and prayed for both of them. Such a strong woman. Such an amazing story of recovery. May God continue to guide and bless them on this new journey together.

Linda said...

They have come so far Dawn. It is such a joy to see them together and to see Kev speaking. I am confident the Father has something very special planned for them.
I will continue praying.

Unknown said...

I hope their new beginning in Maine gets off to a great start! I am praying for them. I know that God is mindful of them and will watch over them. :-)

Glenda said...

What a touching post, Dawn! The songs are two of my favorites, and the truth in them has stood the test of time . . . such fitting words for Kevin and Angie - and all of us in these chaotic days! I wish for them God's very best, and I'll pray for them as God brings them to my mind.

Have a good week!

nancygrayce said...

I guess she knows why they put the "for better or for WORSE" in wedding vows! I'll pray for a good job! And of course, for their continued leaning on the Lord for their marriage!

Sam said...

Ooh, I can't wait for the sequel! That will be a really great thing for you to do together.

I think it's really nice that their wedding incorporated words and traditions from both of their cultures. My husband and I did the same thing for our wedding and it really spoke to the joining together of our families, cultures, and races.

I wish Angie all the best. Kevin too. They are such a strong, courageous couple and together they can get through whatever comes their way. Just look at all they're been through. They are so lucky to have each other and they are absolutely in my prayers.

By the way, I sure wish I could hear you sing sometime!

grammy said...

There life is a great ongoing story of faith...
Praying for the Maine move (o:
the songs were both great and spoke to the situations.
Will you have the girls a lot this summer? I mostly have mine at my choosing. I will try to have each one separate like i did last summer (o:

Ms. Kathleen said...

Beautiful, beautiful - What a wonderful life! I recently read that you can't climb a mountain if the rock is smooth!

Sharon Lynne said...

Such exciting times. I will pray. Yes...God is faithful.

Carole Burant said...

Such a beautiful bride she made and Kevin is blessed to have her in his life. Not everyone would have stayed in a marriage where half the time has been spent apart. It couldn't have been easy at all but it says a lot about her character that she stayed on and stood by him. She's also very blessed to have Kevin in her life and although he's had a lot of problems to overcome, there's no denying the love he has for her. I wish them all the very best as they start a new life in Maine together and fingers crossed that she will find the job she wants there!! xoxo

Laurie in Ca. said...

I have been praying for Angie and Kevin and will continue to do so Dawn. I am thankful they are together and for His faithfulness in their marriage. I have to say that Angie is just beautiful and her spirit shines through. I love you Dawn and am praying for you too.

Love and Hugs, Laurie

Mary said...

Dawn, Happy Anniversary to Kevin and Angie. I wish them well in all of their endeavors.

Love the photo of your Grandma in the previous post.

Come by and visit the Writing Nook when you can.

Blessings,
Mary

Robin in New Jersey said...

Hi Dawn! This is wonderful news. I love that your daughter-in-law is faithful. What a tremendous testimony!