Answered Prayer and Invitation

[D. Allan]

And welcome back too. By the way, I saw those fantastic Russian, early 20th century paintings you posted. Paintings like those would be ideal for illustrating the stories and novels of Leo Tolstoi and Turgenev. Thanks very much for sharing them.

Thanks, John. Glad you like them. I put up a wonderful Scottish one today. More Russian ones to come, you can be sure.

[John317]

Do you also like the German impressionists? Can you post any here?

I studied at the California Art Center/College of Design. My forte was photography, but I have an affinity for all the visual arts.

Check out these photographs by a very good friend, who exhibits at a salon in Denver:

http://homepage.mac.com/ronaldrobertgrantham/PhotoAlbum1.html

[D. Allan]

Do you also like the German impressionists? Can you post any here?

Check out these photographs by a very good friend, who exhibits at a salon in Denver:

http://homepage.mac.com/ronaldrobertgrantham/PhotoAlbum1.html

I'm more acquainted with the German Expressionists. I'll check out the impressionists. I like the American impressionsts very much.

Your friend's photos of Avila, Spain and of Water Flowers are beautiful.

[cricket]

Bringing this thread back to it's original intent (and away from impressions--intended or otherwise--and impressionists--German or otherwise)..

May God bless you, David and all July newlyweds.

[David Koot]

I wish to thank each one for the kind expressions and well-wishes. We got back from the honeymoon earlier this week. Today is the first time I have checked this thread since before we left. I must say, it all is simply marvelous. What a blessing this marriage is! I feel like if ever there were a match made in heaven, this is it! So much prayer went into this whole thing, and total submission to God's will. I feel blessed, and that God has led us both to this relationship. Things are off to a splendid beginning. Thanks again to all for your prayers and words of encouragement. God is faithful! I do think it would have been interesting to do the Havah Nagilah at the reception. We had a Jewish couple there. But, oh well, it didn't happen. Of course, we had a very proper reception. No booze, no dancing. And then, as we left the church, I stomped on the accelerator and left a lasting impression there in the church parking lot lol.

Dave

[David Koot]

I just want to give an update here. It has been almost two months. I am absolutely amazed. I had no idea marriage could be this good. Without a doubt, this is a match made in heaven. What a positive difference this marriage has made in my life! I am very thankful to God. I also wish to express appreciation for the prayers and good wishes which have been expressed on this thread. All such a blessing.

Dave

[Amelia]

Thanks for the update David. It's good to hear that things are still greener over the septic tank. Dare we hope for at least a once a month visit? teehe

[David Koot]

lol I promise to get more active on C/A again. Much has been happening. It is so absolutely thrilling to see God working! As for the septic tank . . . that has been one bone of contention . . . I have been urged not to use so much TP! But I have drawn a line in the sand--or whatever, on that point.

Dave

[David Koot]

I continue to be amazed as I see evidence of God's leading in this marriage. I am now seeing the fulfillment of something I dreamed of doing, over twenty years ago. Doors are wide open to do what I had long hoped to do, and because of Patricia, and the providential leading of God, great things are happening. I can only, once again, thank the Lord!

I also, upon reflection, wish to take this opportunity to clarify some confusion which may have arisen from a previous post I made on this thread. Shortly before the wedding, I commented on how I had observed God's leading, as well as how I had seen evidence of satan attempting to disrupt things. I understand that some had wondered what this was referring to. One issue had to do with resolving what to do about my first marriage, and my first wife, long-since divorced. The confusion for me arose out of claims of a particular individual to be receiving impressions about my first wife, and the possibility or desirability of reconciliation. That threw me for a loop. Turned out the impressions were bogus. And, other events occurred. Incidents and developments had a common thread, a common bottom line: turning my head this way and that, drawing me first one direction, then another--all in the greatest sincerity. For the longest time, I was noncommittal, across the board. Over the years, as different ones had expressed interest in me, I had given each one a similar response--that I was in a holding pattern, and needed to wait for a 'green light' from God. I have had a tendency, in various applications, to run ahead of God. In something this important, I felt that, particularly because of my rather impulsive nature, I needed that green light, that clear sense of God's leading and His blessing. As I shared this concern with those who had expressed interest, they were understanding, but became tired of waiting. I could not go forward until I had that green light. While i was waiting, these others ended up going a different direction, or simply 'wrote off' any future relationship. So, I got my answer, each time. In a number of cases, what initially I had thought was from God, as time progressed, turned out not to be.

I told Patricia, too,that I had to wait for that green light. The time came, quite recently, when I sat down and took a careful look at all the evidence I had to work with. Things seemed to add up, and point in a specific direction. It also appeared that satan didn't want me to marry Patricia. Well, if he didn't, then clearly God did. As that became clear to me, as I carefully reviewed all the evidence, that green light finally came on. Once it did, I acted promptly to follow through--popped the question within a few days. She told me later that she had given up hope. I'm glad she didnt' walk away! She had every right to. I would like to point out that, in my situation, I didn't hear a 'voice' telling me, 'this is the one.' It seems like God wanted me to sift through things, and reach a studied conclusion. After I had done that, THEN I got that sense of God's leading.

No doubt, I am a bit slow to figure things out. But I am thankful that God is patient, and that Patricia was patient!

Dave

[Woody]

Praise God David that you are listening to His promptings and that HE is blessing you because of it. I am sure that God will use you greatly. Blessings on your wife and your marriage.

[Taylor]

It is great to hear from you Dave!! I am so happy that you have found such fullment and joy in this marriage! May God continue to lead you!!

[Nan]

Thanks for the update Dave and I can relate to your joy - having the same sense for myself! May you continue to feel and to follow the leading of God.

[Jasmine]

This is music to my ears David. I'm truly happy for you both. May God's continued blessings be poured out on your marriage.