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Help for today. Hope for tomorrow

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For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer. 29:11

...watching God work

It was Sunday afternoon, the getaway had just ended and I was working with our local team collecting evaluations and starting the long pack-up process that would keep me busy until dinnertime. I looked up and Matt asked if I could talk. With apprehension, I said yes! You see, I met Matt and his wife Alysia on Saturday morning. I have the privilege of working at our Weekend to Remember Marriage getaways a few times each year. Last month I was in Bellevue, Washington, assisting with onsite registrations when this young couple had shown up late... like 13 hours after the Friday night opening session. Their unusually late arrival wasnt the only irregularity. As they checked-in that morning, I gave them their pre-registration materials, but Matt said they were not registered! I was confused. As Alysia silently stood by, Matt explained that as as a result of some emergency counseling, she had registered them for the getaway a couple of weeks ago. Then in the past week, Alysia changed her mind and had called FamilyLife and cancelled their registration. (Their name-tags and workbooks had already been shipped to Bellevue.) Clearly things were a little tense in their relationship. My thoughts: God, what are you up to here? Can you do ANYTHING to help these two? Pressing on, Matt said that in spite of their tardiness, they now wanted to attend the rest of the weekend. I said, Great, I can help you with that! I silently thanked God that they wanted to stay! I made small talk with them as I completed their registration paperwork. When we nished, I looked at the two of them, congratulated them for making the decision to come and briey shared how attending my rst FamilyLife Marriage weekend 24 years ago had completely changed my relationship with Jeanne, putting our relationship on the right path for the rst time. As I walked them to the ballroom, I asked Matt to nd me when the getaway ended to let me know how things had gone. I said a prayer for them as I walked away. I did not see them again until they both walked up to me during pack-up. I looked back & forth at their faces for some clue as to how things were. Matt explained that during his recent time in military service he had walked away from his faith. As a result of their counseling sessions, he had recommitted his life and marriage to Christ. Problem was, Alysia could not make the same statement. Then he said the most amazing thing... All that had changed this weekend, because Alysia had made the personal decision to give Jesus Christ control of her life!

Family News
Jeanne heads out soon on two mission trips: the rst with a medical team to Honduras and the second is a teen trip to New Orleans While the school year has ended, God continues to stretch Dempsey in his relationship with his mentee, Desmond. Rusty is now a Sophomore! He paused for about 48 hours after nals and is now working at Kanakuk (K-Seven) for the next 8 weeks. Karis is a SENIOR! (yikes) She will spend the entire summer working at K-Seven as a counselor and ofce staffer. Jeanne & Karis had a great girls only trip to Colorado Springs where Karis explored possible opportunities after graduation.

I turned back to Alysia, who had a smile on her face and tears streaming down her cheeks. I celebrated with them (hugs all around). More than anything else, I could sense they had joy and hope in their lives for the rst time in a long time! Wisely, they both had good questions about next steps not only in their marriage but in their personal relationship with Jesus. I directed them to the volunteer team to advise them on local discipleship and growth opportunities. Interestingly, many on this local team had actually been praying for them by name during the weekend AND during the two weeks leading up to the getaway. Thank God there were people in their lives who rmly believe that effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Ja 5:16

Colorado Springs, Colorado The weekend has saved our marriage. God has never been a part of our life and a very small part of my family life. We have both committed to God and recommitted to each other to become one.

Life change can begin in one weekend

Grapevine, Texas Coming into this weekend I wanted God to speak profoundly to my husband, but instead God told me to sit down and listen. We had a few things we needed to get straight rst and it had nothing to do with my husband! Wow - not what I was expecting. Newport, Rhode Island A week ago we were ready to divorce. Now we are ready to love like we mean it.

Fargo, North Dakota It was a miracle to get here, as the odds were against. We almost didn't come, but at the last minute decided, What could we lose? Our marriage was at the breaking point and ready to be ended due to my actions. After the rst day, I felt God change something inside of me and after the last day I can say there's hope and we will make it. The conference saved our marriage and saved my life. Thank You Weekend to Remember. Wichita, Kansas Our marriage has been through the ringer since day one. We have struggled with previous relationships, a blended family, a child with terminal illness, indelity and being on the brink of divorce. I wasnt sure what to expect by coming here, but knew God would use this weekend to change us, and He did! We are walking away from here with some essential tools and rekindled love for each other.

For Gods continued blessing in the lives of our getaway attendees as represented in these stories For our children - that they would reect Christ to the campers they lead this summer. Safe travel to Honduras for Jeanne & team. That they would meet the physical & spiritual needs of the people they treat.

Prayer Requests

Life change at the events Dempsey worked...

Little Rock, Arkansas It has made us realize how precious our time together is. We have wasted too much time. I pray God will restore what Satan has stolen from us. Reston, Virginia I thought our marriage was over during the whole past year. I even began an emotional and physical affair at work. Saturday morning of the conference, I confessed everything and we decided to start over. Forgiveness is an amazing thing. Prior to coming, I had spent the last year unable to move forward in our marriage after his confession of sexual sin. The speakers connected with us exactly as we neededI grieved this weekend because we needed to bury our old marriage to start again and move ahead with hope. This weekend gave us tools and encouragement to do this. Minneapolis, Minnesota My ance and I have struggled to communicate. This weekend not only gave us new perspective but also practical tools to work with. I simply loved being able to spend a weekend with my future husband learning how to build a solid foundation for marriage. We realized we are both on the same page in a lot of places, plus we are both committed to the Lord and toward oneness. Bellevue, Washington This getaway saved our marriage. We were on the brink of divorce! Now we are working hard at our new life together! Wife, married 6 years (spouse of the following comment) I have failed my charge as a husband according to Eph 5:25. My wife was driven to leave our family Friday afternoon. God got both of our attention and led us to this seminar Saturday morning. We are focusing on Gods will and beginning healing/recovery. Husband, married 6 years [Can you guess which couple this is?]

For the successful completion of this college year for Karis, Rusty and our Rwandan students Theophile & Narcisse For reconciliations at our FamilyLife events

Praises

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