I just am not sure where to post this on C/A! But I first want to mention a real answer to prayer. Six years ago, my wife divorced me. Since that time, I have wondered what would be in God's plans for the rest of my life--to go it alone, or to remarry. In consultation with a number of Adventist ministers and others, it appeared that I have Scriptural grounds to remarry. Different options were available, and opportunities presented themselves over the intervening years. As this happened, I would take it to God in prayer, asking God to intervene to accomplish His will. Each time, something came up, and the relationship ended, or things became clear in other ways.

At this time, however, I feel blessed with an answer to thos prayers. God has sent someone into my life who is very special, and after much prayer and careful reflection, and what appears to be clear evidence of God's leading, we have decided to get married.

We would like to let those on C/A know about the event, and welcome anyone who would be able to attend. The wedding will take place this coming Sunday, July 29, at 2:00 p.m. The location is the Petaluma Seventh-day Adventist church, 2695 N. Petaluma Blvd., Petaluma, CA 94952. A reception follows in the church's multi-purpose room.

Also, please do remember us in your prayers. Thanks!

Dave

David, I am so excited for you! God is good!! I wish you the best! I hope your life is filled with happiness and contentment in the spouse God has sent your way!

God bless!

Thank-you, Taylor! And the circumstances of this answer to prayer have proved so interesting and helpful. For some time, I had been prayerfully seeking to know God's will. God worked through Stan to help make it clear. One day as we were talking on the phone, Stan asked me how I was doing, we chatted for awhile, and then he said, 'Dave, you need to get married.' Well, that was very helpful! Then, the Conference ministerial director gave His blessing, as well as both pastors at the church I was attending, and people in the Christian community. As I matched that up with the circumstances, I saw a good match--someone who shares my values, who appreciates the ministry to which God called me, who has a personal interest in ministry and in working with people, who is a great communicator and likes to work things out, who is very talented, someone I felt comfortable with, and who likes/loves me for who I am. To say nothing of the fact that she likes to cook! (okay, rotten tomatoes coming my way, I know) Etc., etc. It all seemed to fit together. Then, I saw the handiwork of satan trying to disrupt the relationship, and I guess that really clinched it. So, I am thankful to God, and also appreciative of the solid affirmation which has come from a variety of sources. This woman is a blessing, and I am thankful to God for her.

Dave

I do wish you well, my friend.


Ger

That is great Dave! I am so very happy for you! God´s blessing on your marriage!

Congrats to you and your new wife Dave. Here's some counsel that I followed when Denise and I were married. Pray to see if the Lord would have you follow that.

Deu 24:5 When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken.

Norman

Congratulations, Dave. I can do no more for you than to pray for God's blessing on your marriage and wish you to be as happy as Sammy and I are. I hope the 29th goes well and is the beginning of a wonderful relationship where you will both feel you are fulfilling the will of God.

Congratulation David on your marriage!!!

My husband and I wish you and your bride all the best!

Dave, on your wedding day....

Congratulations, David! I'm thrilled about your news.

And chalk up another one for good old Stan. He knows everybody here, and he is such a supportive guy. You were lucky [or blessed] to be talking with him on the phone and to get his enthusiastic advice.

And Charis -- that e-card is just beautiful!

So many good things happen, sometimes when we least expect them.

Blessings on you and your bride, David, as you establish your new home together.

Thank-you, charis, for that beautiful card. That is so sweet of you!

Dave

Thanks for your kind wishes, Jeannie! Things are frenetic!!! right now. But that will pass. Thanks again!

Dave

Thank-you, Nan, for your kind words and for your good wishes in our behalf! I'm sure I'm not everything that your Sammy is, but I will try my level best!

Dave

Thank-you, Puddles, for your kind wishes! That is a very nice smiley. Wow!

Dave

Thanks, Norman, for your thoughts. I am, indeed, not going out to warfare. Although the Mrs-to-be is active with me in ministry. Full speed ahead, I say! But with private time too.

Dave

Dave, your job is to be yourself! I was only wishing that your marriage is as happy as ours

Awwww, thank-you Denise. That is a nice smiley! The big day approaches. I think we both will be totally worn out by the time the wedding is over!

Well David tomorrow is the big day. I was going to say good luck, But luck has nothing to do with it. Because as you have stated above that God brought the both of you together. And that than makes it a blessed event. So God be with both of you and keep you both faithful to him and each other.

pkrause

Best wishes and God bless.

Gerry

Hey Dave,

Congratulations! I'm glad for you for sure but I suppose this means we will see you much less on CA from now on.

It would be great if you could post a wedding pic, maybe on PM if you feel that is best.

Hope tomorrow is the first day of the happiest years of your life.

May God bless both of you. John317

Hope your day was a good one Dave.

The same hope from here but I guess it might be a few days before we see him back.

I think with a second marriage you have the opportunity to bring more maturity and hopefully more tolerance and understanding to the relationship - and that should help make things very good. (Well that is what I have found anyway - and I hope the same for Mr and Mrs Dave.)

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.

Monsieur, Le duc de la Koot, je vous en felicite!

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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?

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

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

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.

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!!

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.

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.