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a shower

By admin,

two years ago today was our jack and jill shower at my parent’s house. it was a beautiful day, filled with family and sitting under trees and opening gifts and eating delicious food.

today we’re thankful for that day.

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One big step

By admin,

At the end of the summer, we will be taking our first step toward what we hope will be the start of a new life mission for us. We will be leaving our comfy little rental house and moving into the room that was built for Ian six years ago at his parents house.

While it sometimes feels like a big cost to leave the perfect front porch and all of our memories, we’re trusting that God will grow us and glorify Himself through this.

Our goal in moving is somewhat simple – to finally truly focus on writing a book. Ian will be so well cared for being back with his family while I write. And I will have more time for him when I’m not writing since many life responsibilities will be on hold.

Please pray for us as we seek wisdom on the book, publishing options and for God to give us the words to write. Most importantly, that our marriage would grow sweeter each day.

Always,
I and L

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A farewell post, of sorts

By admin,

A few months ago, a sweet girl needed a place to stay for a little while. We were lucky enough that she accepted our offer and now, though she is leaving us far too soon, she has become a very dear sister to us both.

Here are a few of her thoughts on life at the Murphy’s.

“I moved into Ian and Larissa’s house about 4 months ago. It’s hilarious to think back to that day because I barely knew this couple who have since become family to me. Getting to know them and see how they live and love has absolutely changed my life. So today, 2 weeks before I move out of their house (no, they aren’t kicking me out, thanks for wondering), I find myself once again thinking about some of the things I want to remember as I move away.

We love because Christ first loved us. It’s only with Jesus’ love that we are able to love other people the way that we should and were made to. Without His love, our love ends really quickly and selfishly- mine definitely does. God is the one sustaining Ian and Larissa every day. He is the one allowing them to praise Him. He enables them to love each other and so many others in the midst of great sorrow.

Ian is probably the most patient man I know. He is quick to focus on other people and he does not complain. I see his patience with his brother Caleb as Caleb helps him eat breakfast every morning and can’t always understand what he is saying and so Ian often has to repeat himself a few times. I see his patience with his caregiver who picks Ian up every morning- it takes time to pull the van out and get the wheelchair loaded but never a word from Ian.

Every afternoon Ian hangs out at Vinegar Hill, the office where I work and the company he started with his best friend David. Ian’s love for David is apparent and has me laughing most of the afternoon because they are always teasing each other about music and movies and just about everything. One of my favorites is when David helps Ian stand up and stretch. “You doing okay, Ian?” “I’d be a lot better if you weren’t standing so close to me.” You need to meet Ian to get the full effect of his humor- it’s very dry and usually shows itself most when I least expect it.

Ian is a different guy when he is home with Larissa. It’s fun to watch him when she is around. He is never totally at ease until she is with him and when she is there he has everything he needs, unless he’s hungry which is an easy problem to fix. In his home and by his bride, Ian’s sense of humor lets loose. Of the probably 20 times we’ve talked about what we are most thankful for Ian has answered “my wifey” every time. My favorite memories over the last 4 months are nights sitting around the dinner table when Ian is feeling well because he usually has us all laughing.

Not that long ago we were in the car driving home from a night at a friends house. Ian prayed for me because I wasn’t feeling well. I don’t remember much of the prayer but this part has stayed in my mind- ‘God you know what’s happening in her body. Help her to trust you.’

Ian trusts that God knows what He is doing with his life and his body. I think that’s why Ian can laugh and love the way he does- the way that God created Ian to love. “

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full

By admin,

the best type of weekend is one filled with family. tonight as we go to bed, all of the rooms in our house are full. my parents, siblings and their babies are all sleeping quietly. 
our little ranch is overflowing with life and we love it.
good night, world.
laris

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community

By admin,

one of our readers asked us to post about community, and the role that it plays in our lives, especially with ian’s disability.
the next day after that email was sent, our lawn mower stopped working while devon was mowing for us. i sent an email that evening to a man in our church, and by the next morning he wrote back to say he would be by that afternoon. by 2:00, i received another email that it was fixed.
that’s what community has been to us. being involved in a church that is dedicated to serving others with gratefulness.
even though it can seem that we are always on the “asking” end, which we are, God has helped us to have humility. it can also seem that we don’t have much of a role in the church – we can’t serve in children’s ministry, or lead a care group, or play on the worship team. but as believers, we do have a role in the community of the church and our community at large.
we’re surrounded by our biological family and our church family who are always willing to give and help us. like any marriage, ours is not just two people. our marriage is a whole church.
even now as i write this, ian is with his brother caleb and i get a whole day to myself. caleb said that sounds lonely, but it sounds perfect to me. and without community, this wouldn’t happen.
grateful for a quiet saturday morning.
thank you, for praying
larissa

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it’s active

By admin,

“ian, we’re being given a car for free. should we sell ours or give it away too?”

“we have to give it away.”

he’s a profoundly solid and simple leader. because of that, it’s usually a joy to follow his direction. especially when it came to the car. he knew that because we were being blessed with a car for free, that we could in turn bless someone else just as much. i might not have made that decision on my own. or, i could have just not told him, and made the decision myself.

that’s where being married to a husband with a brain injury relies solely on the work of the Holy Spirit in my heart. it is tempting to just make decisions, spend money, or do things without telling ian. i could get away with a lot. he’s not paying attention to the details, simply because he can’t. unless i, being his helper, bring those things to him, and allow him to lead me.

“wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” – Ephesians 5:22.

submission for me is so clearly an action. i need to bring things to ian. he has given me the trust and confidence that i need to make some decisions on my own, like good husbands do. i don’t have to take everything to him. however, when i asked ian for an example of what that looks like, he gave me about 14 fake and sarcastic examples. so, he’s not allowed to get a quote on the blog tonight. 🙂 but truly, for example, ian doesn’t care what i make for dinner, because he says that what i make is always good.

what does matter though is that i try to cultivate a heart of submission, even though it doesn’t look like submission in a lot of other marriages from the outside. but i think the heart issue is probably still the same. and i am so thankful that the Holy Spirit dwells in me, because without, i would make a terrible mess of our marriage and we would probably be broke.

so tonight i’m thankful that i have a God who lives in me and in our marriage.

thank you, always, for praying.
larissa

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weekend

By admin,

This weekend was for great memories. Working at a bank isn’t so bad when it means being closed on national holidays.

Summer has made it to our little town so we are taking it in at the local pool.

This weekend also meant new life, as we met our newest niece, Scarlett Murphy. Watching Ian hold her is just the best.

Now it’s back to reality! Looking forward to getting some new posts u throughout the week.

Thank you always for praying.

I&L

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blessed

By admin,

“blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test of time he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” james 1:12
ian said that it’s hard to see now that “blessed is the man,” because this suffering doesn’t always feel like blessing. but of the following words in the verse, ian said “it makes me anxious for heaven, because i have a hope. and that’s a really good thing. The same desire might not be there if I didn’t have a brain injury.”
on sunday our pastor shared a word on how many in the body of Christ are fighting to bless God through tears and sickness and suffering, and what magnificent glory that brings to Him. in my heart this week at church was sin churning, unbelief, discouragement. my mind is filled with the “what ifs,”the “if onlys,” the “i can’t write on this blog, i’m a mess!” and the “please, God, just do this one thing.” but if i choose to not bless the Lord nor trust in His goodness, then my only other option is to curse Him. and how could i, when i see all that He has done, through the cross alone. the rest of this, along with our salvation, is grace. and we want to choose to bless, no matter how impossible it feels. and through those battles, the Holy Spirit comforts us and shows us peace and helps us to say, ‘bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” 
we are so excited for heaven. we may be crawling by the time we get there, but it will be so very worth it.
love
i&l

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Wow

By admin,

Another day, and still amazed at what God has produced with this video. As I write this, our video has been played 305,000 times. We have been blessed to hear from so many kind people and it makes us look forward to heaven even more.

Thank you, all, for praying.

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