Praise

My new life <3
Guys, just wanted to fill in the gaps that have happened in my life since I last appeared on DAB. Calico and I have had a long friendship and both felt the pain of separation from our spouses.

I went through a very painful separation from my wife. She has been very hard toward me and despite trying to restore our relationship, she consistently attacked me and denied me any goodness. She went out of her way to do the nasty thing rather than let things run along in the disjointed fashion that is known as separation. It has taken me 3 solicitors to finally split our assets. Because of the solicitors advice, my spouse walked away with 65% of our assets. Fortunately, I have been able to hand all of this up to God. He has promised to restore to me the years that have been taken away. I have had countless instances of God's caring touch in my life over this time. With the finalization of the finances separation, the relationship feels much more distant. My ex lives in a house that I paid off and gave her 1000 miles from me, so I don't see her now.
Last year, I gave a first fruits offering to my church and with it I gave a list of things that I really wanted to achieve and receive for the year. One of the requests for the year was "a new love". Anyway, within a few weeks of this I felt God speaking to me about my Harley Davidson motorcycle. Taht maybe it was taking too much of my time up and not taking me to places that were appropriate. I had felt it growing inside my heart, so I sold it and at a loss. Just one of those decisions to get it out of my life. WIthin a week or two, I was phoned by a friend. She said that she knew a christian girl who was perfect for me. Anyway, I thought "what the heck" and we all met at church. Then we went to dinner got on really well. This girl was beautiful and the following day I visited her workplace. We agreed to go to the annual JAZZ festival onthe riverbank and that outing got our photos into the local paper (on our first date). Well, we have been getting closer and closer since then. Both of us escaping painful pasts and recovering our lives to where God wants them.
Sonya has 3 daughter and a son to a failed marriage. That is over, but I get on really well with all her kids. We are planning to wed on 30 Dec 2011 and honeymooning in Africa and Israel. I want to visit Israel as my mum volunteered there for 18 months. Id love to meet some people that she knew. While mum was alive, I wasn't a christian,but she always believed that all her kids would be saved. 3 are now Christians and two are still traveling their own road. God has blessed me with Sonya and we are going to have the most wonderful lives. We are putting God first and asking His direction in our lives.
Sonya tells the story that she was given a vision of me and a promise that she would be sent to support my work. She stood on that and when she first saw me, recognized me from the start. So awesome to have a relationship that is put together by God.
Guys, don't let these events harden you to life. I lost a huge amount of finances to my wife, was treated very poorly by my own solicitors and ex, but I asked God to help in the circumtances that looked hopeless. The circumstances didn't change much, but the results did.
One story: I went holidaying in the Caribean last year. All the while I rang my gf to catch up. When I got home, I had a $7000 phone bill. I prayed about it and still maintained my donations to a mission work that I support in Fiji. After a lot of discussion over many weeks, the phone bill got chopped down to $700. That is just how awesome God is in my life. Very abbreviated version of the story, but that is it in a nutshell.
Last week I went with Sonya to a park to have lunch. I noticed aguy in a banged up old car with 3 dogs. I noticed a gas burner beside the car for cooking. ANyway, I figured he was homeless. My meal was eaten, but I did have some stuff left over and asked this guy if his dogs wanted something to eat. He asked if He could eat it, coz he was in a bad way. I said "For sure". Gave it ot him and left. I felt God talking to me about this guy. I did some running around and when I was finished went to a take away and bought this guy some dinner. I went and dropped it to him. I told him I was a Christian, and he said that he was too. He'd been sitting in the car with no food praying and reading his Bible all day. Praying for somebody to help him. He lost all his posessions in a recent cyclone. I asked him where he was going. He replied Brisbane, but he had to raise fuel money. I gave him sufficient money to cover fuel to Brisbane and told him that I wanted to look after him in this one. He was in tears and we had a hug. Such an awesome thing to be able to help a fellow brother who is out of luck. God really does move in unexpected ways. Never, never, never give up on God. He is my Saviour and friend.
God bless
Andrew
jackoslife 07/23/2011 10:20

Replies:
Calico 07/23/2011 11:30
Andrew, brother,

This is inspiring indeed, my friend. Amen to the things you are experiencing in the ongoing walk with God. Surely even through the suffering you've experienced, and the trials of refining your faith, the Lord has much counsel to bring out of it: "House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD." (Prov. 19:14; NAS). This too comes to mind: "An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels." (Prov. 31:10; NAS).

That the two of you can build this forthcoming marriage upon the foundational relationship that you each ALREADY have with Christ, this is a strong start! And with continued faith and continually growing hearts, I believe so much good will come from this; I believe that "we will know Andrew and Sonya by their love."

Maybe you've lost much, Andrew, but through "the losing" (even "death to self" in surrendering your life to Him), you've GAINED much that has NOTHING to do with "wealth" or "having stuff." And that's likely the healthier place to be in life, with Him. :-)

Amen, Andrew, so good to have read this today...

Praying with you,

Tom
Ray 10/09/2011 14:53
Matthew 6:19-21
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Great story, Andrew.
ali Sager 10/09/2011 16:28
The Lord Jesus always loves everyone
God bless you always
Helga 10/09/2011 22:02
Lord you are worthy to be praised. Thank you Andrew for sharing.
Leslie 10/29/2011 06:25
Andrew, I remember when you first came to DAB. I remember reading your posts and how you came to America too. I am so happy for you Andrew and encouraged by your testimony and your walk in Faith. Thank you for taking the time to post here so we can see God working in your life in ways only He can. We need each other to be encouraged. We can't do this alone. You are very loved Andrew.
Blessings, Leslie

susanst53 10/30/2011 05:11
..." recovering our lives to where God wants them."
Sometimes not an easy task to do it God's way. God wants the best for his people. But God also has a design that we do not see nor do we understand. Walking through life as though you were walking with Christ is truly the best way to live. It is refreshing to leave the materialism of the culture of the time, and realize that we are here to choose to want to be with God in his heaven. To that end, with me, everything else becomes less and less important. Praise God for all he is doing in your life and with your life Andrew.