a tiny glimpse
The below video is a little glimpse into our lives, by Desiring God, a ministry led by John Piper that has had an enormous impact on the way we view suffering. Here also is a link to the video and a letter as well.
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The Heitlands
May 8, 2012 at 1:32 pm
Hi Ian and Larissa. I have never commented before on your blog, but I have been faithfully reading and praying for years now. I attend the SG church in Lancaster. I love this video snapshot of your life. I just watched it with 4 of my children. Thank you for being an example to me and to them about what it means to love. Your story has convicted me, challenged me, and brought me to tears many times over the years as I have learned to love in my own marriage.
In the words of my 11 year old, "That is the sweetest thing I have ever seen."
Blessings to you,
Lori
J & J
May 8, 2012 at 3:30 pm
Thank you for sharing this. Marriage should be more about holiness than our happiness. It is an example of Christ's sacrificial love. Thank you for living this example. Thank you for loving one another tenderly, faithfully and gently. May God fill your marriage with the joy that can only come from Him!
anonymous
May 8, 2012 at 4:17 pm
HI YOU GUYS HAVE INSPIRED ME IN SO MANY WAYS THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU BOTH
Megan
May 8, 2012 at 4:21 pm
I loved this. Thank you for sharing your story, for the glory of God.
Tom
May 8, 2012 at 4:47 pm
I was encouraged from a very true friend Tim Mckelvy to visit Your Blog and view the recent video post. It is Sharon and My 30th anniversary today. Watching your video strikes deep in my Heart. As I get older and watch aging have its way both mentally and physically, I am reminded daily that the only things that matter are Christ and a very best friend to share this life with. I am jealous of the many years you guys have in front of you. Your dad is very proud of you Ian. Gladiator is a name given to a Champion who is unwavering of heart towards that which means most to him. God calls you "Gladiator", because you pursue and protect that which means most to Him. Larissa calls you Gladiator because she sees you for who you are and what you mean to her. She can't lose.
Sorry Larissa it wouldn't fit on a posted note.
Tom S.
anonymous
May 8, 2012 at 5:28 pm
thank you for sharing this. Again, I have to say, that I admire your life and relationship
you show real love. go on like this! you are the most amazing people I know of!
Tina , from Germany
Mystic_Mom
May 8, 2012 at 5:49 pm
My 6 year old son and I were watching your video and we just got done praying for you both and for your love. Thank you for being so brave in sharing, and we just wanted to send our love.
Julie Jarnagin
May 8, 2012 at 7:02 pm
What a beautiful story and a beautiful couple. Truly inspiring. God bless.
anonymous
May 8, 2012 at 8:13 pm
I saw the video on facebook and had to come tell you that I just said a prayer for both of you. Larissa, what you are doing is such a wonderful and difficult thing. How many of us would show the same unconditional love? Bless you for living it. Also, remember to take care of yourself too. You can't take care of Ian if you don't also take care of yourself.
Holly Jessen, North Dakota
jen crane
May 8, 2012 at 9:01 pm
sweet mercy, what a blessing you two have been to me today. (and who says Facebook is a complete waste of time? lol) saw your video via a link from John Piper's page and had to watch it twice, i was so blown away. what a glorious inspiration you are – a real life representation of Christ's unconditional love for us. praying for you both, that He would hold you close and speak joy and hope into your hearts on a daily basis.
anonymous
May 8, 2012 at 9:08 pm
Thank you for sharing this, it's so inspiring and sweet. Your lives so clearly show the work and glory of God. Thank you for being a testimony of The Perfect Marriage between Jesus and his church.
Praying from Budapest, Hungary
anonymous
May 8, 2012 at 9:37 pm
The beauty and challenge and glory of God in this snapshot of your lives is making my eyes water and my heart sing… THANK YOU THANK YOU.. even way down here in NZ you are being thought of and prayed for xx You are welcome at our home anytime!
Jenny
anonymous
May 9, 2012 at 3:58 am
My husband recently pulled up an email I sent to him then, when we were still just friends…asking him to pray for Ian when the accident happened. I have continued to follow and have prayed for strength…especially for you Larissa as you show me daily what it means to serve God and be a great wife. I even have a picture of Ian and the gang from when we had pizza at Maria + Tony's. I have continued praying. God is soo good and yes, so awesome.
Elaine (once in the US now in Canada)
Sarah
May 9, 2012 at 10:28 am
I've followed your story for a little while now and was surprised to see a friend of mine in Australia post the link to the video on Facebook. Like Jenny P I'm from New Zealand and am so thankful to you both for sharing your story in such a real way. Your faith and commitment to Christ and to one another is an encouragement to me. God Bless,
Sarah
anonymous
May 9, 2012 at 2:25 pm
This video has popped up so many times on facebook today and yesterday 🙂
All I can think after watching this is, GOD IS SO GOOD. Wow. He is really glorified in both of your lives. Praying for you two.
Earthlywaterrunsdry
May 9, 2012 at 4:03 pm
Thank you for this video. This especially touched home for me. My mother had a traumatic brain injury 28 years ago at the age of 23, 5 years after she and my father got married. God's grace has used her recovery for His glory. As her child, I am awed by His grace as He allowed her to have children, after an accident which could have killed her.
Her life verse has always been "God's power is made perfect in our weakness."
Thank you for sharing your story, blessing and challenging our hearts!
anonymous
May 9, 2012 at 4:10 pm
I have seen your video being shared through several friends on my facebook feed, so I won't be surprised when it eventually hits a million views! Your video brought tears to my eyes. You are both in my prayers, and thank you for your incredible testimony. As a sister in Christ, I want to encourage you on this journey, God bless you both.
Toronto, ON
Dana Brown Ritter
May 9, 2012 at 11:34 pm
I get that this is a "tiny" glimpse, because there is so much to life. But THANK YOU for sharing your story and allowing us this little look in your love, your marriage, and your faith. It has already helped me get through one day!
Jenny
May 10, 2012 at 1:53 am
Ian and Larissa, I just watched your video and found your blog! It is so inspiring and powerful! God is so good!
The Dunns
May 10, 2012 at 3:13 am
I watched your video earlier and just cannot stop thinking about you two. I have so many questions and wish you lived down the street from me and could come to our Bible study and share more. I have never witnessed a woman's devotion to The Lord and her husband in this way.
The Dunns
May 10, 2012 at 3:14 am
I am amazed and really at a loss for words. I want to meet you and ask a million questions because your devotion to The Lord is like nothing I've ever seen! Praise The Lord!
Mark and Maki
May 10, 2012 at 9:07 am
I praise God for you, and for what you have shown me first-hand about how truly amazing God is. My wife and I are praying for you.
M&M in Kyoto, Japan
Nicole
May 10, 2012 at 1:30 pm
I just found this and love it to bits! I have a daughter with a physical disability and a friend whose wife suffered a brain injury after they were married. Will be a new follower of your blog 🙂
Rachel
May 10, 2012 at 2:19 pm
I found your blog through a link on Desiring God and was incredibly blessed by your story. Thank you for sharing with us and for bringing glory to His name with your steadfast faithfulness. Praying for you!
Grace & peace,
Rachel
Kell-o
May 10, 2012 at 4:40 pm
My mom forwarded me the link to your video yesterday. You are an inspiration! An inspiration to lean more on God. And inspiration to love more selflessly and an inspiration to just take joy in the love God showers on us through others.
I've spent a lot of time on some introspection since watching that. And…I've prayed for you guys. Because you have the potential to be a life long inspiration due to your faith in God and the love that springs from it.
It is truly awesome to see God working.
anonymous
May 10, 2012 at 10:50 pm
Ian and Larissa, you are such an inspiration and awesome disciples of God. I just saw your video today through a blog and I pray God will give you both the strength and grace to continue on together for the next 50 years!! I will put Ian and you both in my prayers. I too live in PA – about 150 miles from you. Your love story is inspiring beyond words.
anonymous
May 12, 2012 at 1:31 pm
Oh, Ian and Larissa. How beautiful. I have been a faithful reader of your blog and praying for you and your husband. It was so wonderful to see both you and Ian and hear your voices for the first time! Thank you for sharing. My husband and I are leaving today for a trip to commemorate our 25th wedding anniversary and are taking "This Momentary Marriage" with us to read. Love to you both.
Leisa Tremblay
Round Rock, TX
Leslie Dawn
May 20, 2012 at 2:47 am
Ian is right "JESUS IS AWESOME)))"
Kathie
May 20, 2012 at 4:55 pm
So very beautiful – thank you. I am praying for you both.