Twenty-nine Years Ago: An Arranged Marriage


This weekend MyHoney Larry and I celebrate 29 years of Marriage. This is how our story began…

Scan 113000094

Larry & Kathleen 1984

The Initial Meeting

I met Larry when I was fifteen. Our family had moved beyond the edge of any reason, to Nebraska. My Mother never forgave my father for moving us to “the Wasteland”. I was firmly convinced that I was locked in a birdcage and that my Father had completely lost his mind. The town was built into a perfect square, twelve blocks north and south and about the same number east and west. North and south the blocks were numbered, east and west the majority were named after trees and presidents. The fact that I could walk twelve blocks in a matter of minutes and leave town was horrifying to me.

My newly acquired residence in 1972, had a teen hangout called the Lil’ Duffer. It was a burger joint on the corner of Main and 7th Street, about the center of this small farming community with its one claim to fame, a small state college where my father would be gainfully employed for the next 25 years. All the cool kids or kids who thought they were cool or wanted to be cool hung out there. It was obvious by all the cars, the girls sitting on cars, a few guys with their heads under their hoods and grease on their hands, trying to fix their newly acquired $300.00 gas burner or just trying show it off, that this was the place to be. I kept expecting James Dean to walk over and say hello.

Scan 102130002The burger place reminded me of a very ugly barn. On this fine late summer day I was walking around town, a habit that seem to help me maintain some sort of sanity. It was fairly warm so I thought I’d buy a root beer, still my favorite form of carbonated beverage, and then I saw him, Larry that is, all decked out in his Army uniform. He was gorgeous, scathingly so. He was surrounded by a lot of young people, mostly teenage girls and a few guys a bit younger than him.

Everthing seemed fairly peaceful when all of a sudden two guys started giving Larry a lot of crap about serving in Viet Nam. You know, “baby killer” types of things and Larry didn’t seem to be taking it very well and soon left. I don’t think my eyes left him at all. It was love at first sight and I was just fifteen and jail bait as far as he was concerned. But, he wasn’t concerned at all because he didn’t know I even existed, but I didn’t care.

Several days later I was again, walking in circles or rather squares around town. Some of the trees looked like they were already beginning to change color and the air seemed a bit brisk for August although it was only eight in the morning. I couldn’t sleep, which was very unusual for me being the night owl that I am. We had been living in the college apartments but my parents had recently bought a house on 8th and Lincoln, near the center of town and near the city park. I was very happy with the house they had chosen. It was about 100 years old, had amazing woodwork, a nice stairway and fireplace. It had character and personality.

Scan 102130005I was walking slowly and thought I would stop in the park before heading toward my new home. My Mother wanted me to meet her there to help paint and decorate before the new furniture arrived. In the park, which was really nice and large for the size of the community, I headed for the swings. I loved to swing. There was something calming and soothing about it. I had on a heavy cream colored sweater, jean shorts and a stocking hat or beanie as they are called today. Also, in the park was a pavilion or stage area for concerts and plays, although it was rarely used for such events. As I jumped out of the swing I walked toward the pavilion and saw someone who looked familiar. As I got closer I realized it was the same guy that I saw at the burger joint. My heart stopped beating for a full minute – I was positive I was dreaming. He smiled at me and said, “Hi”. I said hello back to him and he asked where I was from.

“Missoura”.
“Missouri, you mean?” he replied.
“Yea. Missoura,” I stated with a blush.
“Love your accent. What’s your name?”
“Kathleen but my friends call me Maggie”
“Hi, I’m Larry. What are you doing here this early in the morning?”

91490073_5f9e6be6fd_o-1I explained that we just moved to the area. We talked a little more about I don’t know what because I just kept staring at him. He must have thought that I had something wrong with me but I think I responded to whatever he was saying. At one point he pulled out a harmonica and started playing a little. At some point I found myself sitting next to him, very close to him. He smelled earthy. I was hoping he would kiss me but by that time he knew I was jailbait.

Then it all came out. I told him for some strange, bazaar reason,
“I’m gonna marry you when I grow up.”

The fateful words of a young teen infatuated by a 20 year old man, on leave from Viet Nam.

He chuckled but didn’t laugh or make fun of me. He was kind and said, “Oh, really, you think so?”

Scan 112900031_2“Yes” I replied without a doubt in my mind. Then I explained that it just had to be, other wise there was no reason why we should meet like this, in a strange park, in a strange town, in the middle of nowhere, early in the morning. His reply was what I needed to hear. He said with an extremely cute smile, “Well, Maggie or Kathleen, I really prefer Kathleen, it could happen.”

I smiled in agreement and then he said he had to leave and I knew my Mother was waiting for me. I think I must have floated toward my new home.

Larry was everything I had dreamed of in a man, as far as a fifteen year old can dream of marriage and romance – and as far as looks were concerned. He was about six feet tall with very dark brown hair, a dark complexion and with deep blue eyes. He had cute dimples and a strong jaw line and chin. Broad shoulders and strong arms filled out his tee shirt. His cigarette pack was rolled up in his t-shirt sleeve, reminiscent of the early 1960’s, kind of the James Dean chiseled look. In fact, he had that look down perfectly.

I didn’t see Larry again until I was eighteen years old and then only briefly.

January 1975: The Second meeting. 

I saw Larry at a party in Lincoln. He was getting divorced, I was getting married. He thought I was cute and I thought he was scary, but for some reason I could not get him out of my mind. In fact, I dreamt about him. I don’t mean errotic dreams or romantic dreams but I would have dreams about him from time to time and in the dreams he was always walking towards me but I could not reach him. It was very strange and unnerving at times.

Summer 1982: The Third meeting.

Scan 113050045I had just moved back to Nebraska from Sacramento and saw him at a birthday party at a tiny bar in a tiny town called Pilger. I was getting divorced. He was living in Washington state. We talked all night about I dont’ know what and yes, marriage came up – we were both frightened by the thought.

The evening was very platonic except that he would hold my hand and we would entertwine our fingers together. I loved his huge hands with long fingers. We said we would write but didn’t. Well, actually I did write him, I just never mailed it.

April 1984: The Fourth and Final Meeting.

A week after Easter my life changed forever for the better. I just didn’t know it yet.

I was in school, the single Mom of a three year old daughter and majorly confused. I had dated around but had not met “Mr. Right”. I was spending too much time in the local bars with my girlfriends and not enough time studying. My life was going nowhere. The only thing that kept me somewhat grounded was my daughter Timoni. She was my everything.

My sister Shannon was a very strong Christian and constantly prayed for me and was also a good listener, although I admit her “religiousness” would get on my nerves. Plus she did things that really angered me. For example, she threw away all my witchcraft books (I was heavily into things of the occult), threw away many of my hard rock albums and at times lectured me but she was always there if I needed to talk.

One night I told her that I really wanted to be married, but that marriage and me – we didn’t seem to mesh. She said to pray for the kind of man you want because God knows the desires of our hearts. Well, I wasn’t much into praying during that time of my life but I did anyway. She also suggested I write down what kind of husband and father I wanted, so I did and I prayed over that list every night. I also snuck in a nightly prayer asking God to help me be a good person. I really felt like I was a horrid person and I just wanted to be “good”. And I really wanted to be a good Mother.

Scan 113000095I had also been having some strange encounters. For example, I was driving to another town with some friends and hit black ice and spun and ended up in a snowy ditch. There was no one in sight. I just sat there and said a tiny, tiny prayer of thanks and then a tiny, tiny prayer calling for help. All of a sudden a man in a red pickup truck comes driving by, stops and says, “do you need some help, mam?” or some such thing, I think. I said yes and he proceeded to pull my car out. Now, this will sound bizarre but he left no tracks, no foot prints, no tire tracks. I tried to tell the other people in the car but it was like they couldn’t hear me. I was shaking so bad when we got to the dance club that I told them I had to go home and I just left them, drove home and called my sister. Shannon very non-chalantly informed me that it was “an Angel”. An Angel? Anyway, things like this continued and on Easter Sunday I gave my life to the Lord.

Larry also gave his life to the Lord on Easter Sunday in a church on Whidbey Island, Washington. Larry was a hippie-biker-treeplanter… After he got out of the Army he headed west. He had been married for a year but she divorced him for some Hell’s Angel. Larry lived in a cabin he built on the back of a ’49 flatbed truck. It was actually rather cute, chimney and all. He also lived in a teepee and in a commune. He built houses, planted trees, picked apples, salmon fished, etc. whenever he needed money, then he would head back up to the mountains to hide out for awhile.

Scan 113050150In the spring of 1984, Larry ended up back on Whidbey Island and went to a house where some Hell’s Angel friends lived but instead met some “Hippie-Jesus Freaks”, who led him to the Lord. They are friends to this day. The next day he got a phone call that his Grandmother was dying. He had no money but they told him the Lord would provide. The following day he got a tax refund check, bought a plane ticket and flew to Nebraska. He got to speak with his Grandmother before she died.

Since I was a brand new Christian I didn’t know how to act but I was drinking water in a local bar when some guy walked up and said that some guy was looking for me. I said, “Oh”. Then this hippie guy walked up and said, “Do you remember me?” I said that I did but I must admit he looked awful. He had on bell bottom pants. I mean, no one in 1982 wore bell bottoms. He looked like he just walked out of a 1968 Anti Vietnam War demonstration. You know, straight out of a Kent State line up… Can’t you hear Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young singing, “Four dead in O-hi-o…”.

But, there was something about his eyes. He was just so darn sweet with his beard almost down to his naval, his hair braided almost down to his waist and there I was looking so cute and 1980′s, you know, kind of disco-ee.

He asked me to dinner for the following night and I said yes. We drove to his parents farm so he could clean up and when I realized we were alone I immediately called my sister and told her that if I wasn’t home by midnight to call the house or police or national guard. He cleaned up and came into the living room and I decided to be very, very bold.

Scan 113000044I told him that under no condition what-so-ever was he going to get me into the sack (I actually said something else) and that I was a “born again Christian”, (not that I really understood what that meant). All of a sudden he started jumping up and down and was so excited. I really became a bit alarmed but then he stated that he had just given his life to the Lord on Easter as well. We talked until 2 a.m., never ate dinner (and yes my sister did call to check up on me). He even played the guitar and sang me a song and I thought it was so super romantic. I was hooked but extremely puzzled. We were inseparable after that although I felt like I was living on pins and needles. A few days later his Dad told him he was retiring and moving to town and that Larry could move to the  the farm.

My parents thought I had completely lost my mind. They were right. I think only my sister Shannon truly understood that Holy Spirit was running this show. This was an arranged marriage and Larry and I had little say so.

DSC_0371_4We just knew we were getting married. Everything just fell into place but he did propose formally, sort of. He bought a bottle of champagne, got two plastic champagne glasses and proposed. The ring at the top of the bottle was my engagement ring. I still have it. We did go and buy matching gold bands the next day.

We married June 16, 1984, at 7 p.m., (approximately five weeks later) under a triple rainbow in the backyard of his parents new home.

Our Family - Photo from our daughter Tara’s wedding October 2010. Today we have four grown children, Timoni, Tara & son-in-law Cody, Luke and Joseph and two precious grandchildren Alexys and Bentley. We have been mightily blessed :)


This post was originally written in 2006 and has been revised – Have a wonderful day :)  

 

 


<

Sunday Praise: Hallelujah by Heather Williams

images

Hallelujah, performed and written by Heather Williams (nee Holden) is a powerful song that you will find yourself listening to over and over again. Heather Lynn Williams is an American Christian Contemporary-Rock-Soul-Worship singer-songwriter born and raised in Dearborn, Michigan. Williams is married to Timothy Blair Williams (1995) and they have two children, a daughter and son.

“My value is in who I belong … My security is in who I worship. Apart from God I am nothing and have nothing.”

Williams life before her conversion and her testimony of the Lord’s grace are both heartbreaking and encouraging. Having experienced poverty, substance abuse, and the loss of a son, Williams’ powerful testimony will touch your heart. You can also listen to the story of the song Hallelujah.

Singer/songwriter Heather Williams didn’t just come from the type of “everyday” existence that most of us look back on as “normal” and maybe even slightly boring. No, Heather grew up in extreme poverty and abuse was her only constant. When she was only 11 years old, her mother gave her away. She found herself living first with her grandfather and then with an aunt and uncle who eventually adopted her. The love came too late and Heather turned to drugs and alcohol to deaden her feelings.

At age 18, on the verge of suicide, Williams decided to try the one thing she hadn’t tried yet … Jesus. Things turned around and the storms of life were calm for a bit. She got married and had a baby boy. However, when her son was only six months old, tragedy struck her life again. What the doctors thought was treatable pneumonia turned out to be Cardiomyopathy and it took her little boy’s life. Rather than getting angry at God or turning to things that would dull the pain, she poured her heart into her music and gave her anguish to her Savior.

Jesus, please come
please come today
hear me
heal me
be near me I pray

I have fallen so far
flat on my face
I’m in need of your grace today
I stumble and fall
but in spite of it all
your love always stays the same
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Jesus, please come
please come today
break me
mold me
use me I pray

but don’t give up on me now
I’m so close to you now
I’m in need of your grace today
wipe the dirt off my face

hold me in your embrace
your love always saves the day
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

I have fallen so far
flat on my face
I’m in need of your grace today
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Sing Hallelujah
Sing Hallelujah
Sing Hallelujah amen

On my knees here I fall
in spite of it all
Hallelujah
And though it seems hard
I’m still trusting you Lord

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Jesus, please come
please come today

Have a wonderful, God-filled week :)


<

Say to the Mountain, MOVE!


DSC_0001

What a week and it just started! God has been working on me in so many areas, which is a really good thing. Some of it is bloodline, others a matter of faith, my weak will and so forth and I’m also praying for friends and family. God is good all the time so SAY TO THE MOUNTAIN MOVE – Be Cast into the Sea – Bring Victory to Zion!  I know that is a song but I can’t seem to find the lyrics online. Oh well… :) His Glory will rain down… ! Amen! 

Let’s start at the beginning, with LOVELove is not a feeling it’s an act of your will. We must choose so many times in our life to love. It’s not all fuzzy warm feelings, often it is a daily choice.

And it’s the same with FORGIVENESS. We often don’t feel like forgiving or we may even think, “why do I have to forgive?” Even when we say the words out load, “I forgive…” we often don’t “feel it”. Forgiveness, often times is like love, it is not a feeling - it is a choice you make, an act of your free will. I choose to love, I choose to forgive. Those are commands from our heavenly Father. “Love your neighbor…”, “Forgive as I have forgiven you…” Repent for your unforgiving, unloving heart. Let the Glory of God reign inside that heart!

And now, Vengeance. How often do we want to hit back, to hurt, to cause pain to those who’ve hurt us? “Vengeance is mine says the Lord,…” So, lately I choose to pray, “Lord, take this vengeance out on the devil, on satan!” I want my vengeance, but not on the person who hurt me, I want vengeance on the one that caused all the trouble in the first place, Satan, Lucifer, the Devil… The EVIL ONE!

And I want the EVIL ONE to RESTORE to me that which he has stolen and not just from me, but for my entire family! SEVEN- Fold (Prov 6:30)!

Pray for and forgive – don’t seek vengeance on, those who hurt you. That is God’s job.  <—- tweet this

Has life been too hard lately? Do you feel overwhelmed? SAY TO THE MOUNTAIN MOVE!

Say it in faith.

Jesus replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20

Take back what the devil steals – kills – and destroys! IT IS YOUR RIGHT AS A CHILD OF THE MOST HIGH KING! If joy, peace, love, property, money, friendships, etc…. was stolen from you, the Evil One must return what he has stolen.

Do not LOOK BACK and look for gold and silver to solve your problems. Do not look back and expect family or friends to return to you that which was stolen. Don’t panic and become depressed. LOOK to the Author and Finisher of our Faith – Look to the Restorer – Put Your Eyes Upon Jesus! Vengeance is mine says the Lord. He’ll work for you! Just trust in Him.

Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake’—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it’s as good as done. That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it’s not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins.” Mark 11: 22-25 The Message Bible

God wants to do miracles – He wants to be your Savior so don’t look to worldly things to solve your problems. Don’t live in fear for your needs – Look Heavenbound! We need to repent and take responsibility for anything we might have done that led us to this place and FORGIVE those who have hurt us and sometimes that includes forgiving ourselves.

…because of your father’s God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the skies above, blessings of the deep springs below, blessings of the breast and womb. Your father’s blessings are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains, than the bounty of the age-old hills… Genesis 49:25-26 

God will RESTORE all the devil has stolen but FIRST we need to TRUST in the Lord, to have faith, to believe – to know – to accept His grace and let Him do the work! We need to put on the full Armor of God (Eph 6:11) and DEMAND from Satan that he return seven-fold what he has stolen. This is SPIRITUAL WARFARE! It’s time to fight! Put on that praise music, get on your knees and pray… ! Let the Glory of the Lord rain down upon your situation!

If it is joy that was stolen, plan to have seven-times more joy than you’ve ever experienced before! God is a restorer. He doesn’t like it when satan messes with his children! Bring down the Glory!

Our God is Johovah Jireh = GOD IS MY PROVIDER! He is the Lord who will see to it that our every need is met. He is the One Who knows our needs because He sees our needs.

He will provide all my needs! He will provide all your needs…!

Just Say to the Mountain, MOVE….! 

 

Photo by Me : Mount Hood; Grace LinkupMercy Ink, Things I Can’t SayMama MomentsThe Alabaster Jar: Marital Oneness, On Your Heart Tuesday, Wisdom Wed., Only A Breath (One Word)Word Filled Wed., Thankful ThursdayFaith-filled Friday


<

Sunday Praise: Let the Fire Fall by Carman

I have been to several of Carman Licciardello’s amazing concerts over the years. The anointing is always strong and the message is always clear – Jesus is Lord of All! On Facebook Carman is very open about his battle with Multiple Myeloma Cancer. He is also planning a concert tour – Kickstarter Tour – that will cover 60 cities this fall – His first tour in 13 years!

Carmelo Domenic Licciardello (born January 19, 1956) known by his stage name, Carman, is a contemporary Christian music artist and evangelist. At the age of 20 he gave his life to Christ. Success came with his first album, the Champion in the mid 1980′s. After settling in Tulsa, Oklahoma Carman established the non-profit organization Carman Ministries.

I know many are praying he is completely healed from this cancer and that his tour is a huge success.  I chose this song because it is about healing and we all need healing of one kind or another – physical, spiritual, emotional… Lord, let the fire fall!

Let the Fire Fall – Words and Music by Carman

Lord, we are the ones called by your name
We humble ourselves now as we pray
Renouncing every sin and wicked way
Lift our voice, seek Your face and say.

Chorus:
Lord, send the rain
Pour out Your Spirit
Let the fire fall
Heal us one and all
Fall fresh on me

Holy, Holy Spirit
Let the fire fall
Heal us one and all
Fall fresh on me

Have a God-filled Week :)


<