David & Annalisa

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."  Genesis 2:24

 

Yesterday was the wedding of Annalisa C. and David B.  Theirs is an incredible story of God's faithfulness.

 

Annalisa has been a wonderful example of an older daughter serving at home before marriage, and of waiting patiently for God to bring the right man into her life.  Even though at times the wait must have seemed endless - she's in her thirties - she trusted God, and kept her heart faithfully, knowing that in His perfect timing, He would bring her a husband.

 

In the summer of 2007, she traveled from her home in Spokane, Washington, to Jamestown, Virginia, to attend the Jamestown Quadricentennial celebration.  While she was there, she met David.  I don't know all of the details, but I find it so miraculous how God brought them together.  Two people, who normally would have never had an opportunity to meet.   Like I said, I don't know all the details, but I know that David contacted Annalisa's father, they talked, and then went ahead with a courtship.  After it became clear that God had chosen them for each other, they were engaged, and, yesterday, they were married.

 

The wedding was wonderful.  It was the most beautiful wedding I have ever had the privilege to attend.  I'm not just talking about the decorations, or the dresses, although they were lovely.  It was a Christ centered wedding.  It was absolutely beautiful. 

 

At one point during the ceremony, David sang a song to Annalisa that he had written just for her.  I thought that was so sweet:)

 

Two people, brought together by the providential hand of God.  Two people, who have saved their hearts, and remained pure, for the one person that God had picked out for them.

It was an incredible example to every young lady and young man there, that doing it God's way, allowing Him to direct our paths, is the best way.  If we save our hearts for our future husband/wife, God will richly bless us, and we will never regret it.

 

I'm so thankful that I have an example like Annalise.  She has inspired me to wait patiently, even if it takes 15 years, for the husband God has chosen for me.

 

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life."

Proverbs 31:10-12

 

I'm so sorry, but this is the only picture we got of them.  Our poor little flash wouldn't reach that far:)  Thank goodness for Photoshop!=)

 

 

You can view a video recording of their wedding at DavidandAnnalisa.com

It's a bit lengthy, but well worth it, in my opinion:)  They also have a more pictures on their site, although none of the wedding as far as I know.

Project Gutenberg

Reading a book on your computer?!  That's...that's practically sacrilegious!!!   Half the fun, no! more than half the fun of reading a good books is the feel of the book, the rustle of the pages turning, the smell.   A book on the computer?  That's ridiculous!  Unheard of!  Absurd!  And silly!  And ridiculous!  Wait.  I said that already...  Anyway, you get the picture=)

But...it would be rather handy not to have to go to the library and borrow a book (Especially after losing some for about a month.  I'm in no hurry to go back to that library!  I'm probably on a wanted poster down there, "Wanted, dead or alive, for outrageously overdue books, Natasha Marie Henkoski, $500,000,000 reward".  I might even have to leave the country!...;), or, go to a bookstore and buy it...wait?  What am I thinking?!  A book on the computer? 

Hmm, well, it can't kill me to try it...or can it?  As I saw it, I had three options:

1) I can disguise myself, and go to the library, at the risk of being discovered and facing a life sentence in debtors prison for overdue fines,

or,

2) I can get myself to the nearest bookstore as fast as I can before I die from not having a new book to read, and hope that I make it in time,

or,

3) I can download a FREE ebook without having to go through the extra hassle of even leaving the house, or my chair, for that matter.

Hmm, the choice is obvious...risk prison, and go to the library!=)  No, no, no, bad idea!  What else can I do?  I'm desperately in NEED of a book.  Right now.  Period. 

Ok, alright.  I'll download an ebook...

I first heard about Project Gutenberg on a friend's blog, and then on my cousin's blog, so I thought I'd check it out.  I liked what I saw (and I trust my friend and my cousin's good judgement:), so I decided to take the plunge, and download *drum roll please*...an ebook.   Jane Austen's, Sense & Sensibility, to be precise...as well as Emma, a Henty book (In the Heart of the Rockies), a Jules Verne (Robur the Conqueror), and a James Fenimore Cooper (The Spy).  So, yes, I downloaded not one, but five ebooks:)  The last two I got on a whim, only because I'd heard about them somewhere.

This is just a test, mind you.  I don't know if I'll like this, reading a book on a screen, instead of feeling the solid bulk of the book in my hand.  But, I was desperate...I NEEDED a book to read.  You understand, right?:)

Here's a link, in case you would also like to take the plunge and download an ebook:)

Project Gutenberg