VALENTINE'S DAY

Wedding Day - 1973

I asked my friend, Sue, to share how she met her future husband, Ken.

Looking back in retrospect-it's amazing how God takes care of His own. Both Ken and I were "outreach" kids from non-Christian homes with catholic backgrounds. My parents moved around a lot when I was growing up- I went to five different schools before high school, but they finally settled in Leichhardt - where they had both grown up and met, just in time for me to start high school.

Through outreach contacts to my father, I was picked up every Sunday and taken to Hebron Hall and learned about the love of God and His son Jesus - something that was a bit lacking at times at home.

By the time I was about 14,  there was a young married couple from Campsie Assembly who came with one of their "outreach" boys, and like all newly married couples, they felt a responsibility to find a suitable interest for their young, serious, Ken. After settling in and sussing out the prospects, they made their choice and tried to encourage him to take an interest.
One thing about Ken - he likes to steer his own ship - and this was not the direction he was going.
We were in youth group together with a mutual friend base, and our beliefs were the same. But even though I thought he was gorgeous and had an enormous crush on him - he refused to be moved.

Twice I asked him to my Y12 formal - and each time he fobbed me off - preferring to go to the movies with his mates. I remember woefully moaning to my nan about his lack of interest - and she laughed, giving her words of wisdom that there were plenty of other fish in the sea. But I told her, 'I intend to marry him.' She laughed even harder then. Ah, the flightiness of youth.

Once I finished school I had just about given up - then - out of the blue- he asked me out to dinner! He's such a romantic at times - never forgets birthday or anniversaries - I even get flowers for Valentines Day.

I asked him many years later why he finally asked me out - and he replied - "I finally gave in to the inevitable". Fortunately for him he elaborated. He said he knew in his heart that God had said this is the one - but as I said before - he likes to steer his own course- got to love the man - warts and all.

We've had our ups and downs- but our vows before God are what are most important to us - never to be taken lightly. This year we celebrate 42 years of marriage - but really its a lifetime of growing up together. All praise to God!

In SICKNESS and In HEALTH

Two dear friends of min, Ken and Lyn Overton have walked this road with Jesus during their marriage.They both honoured those marriage vows they made way back in 1975.

They have both struggled with unforeseen health issues and both were at the brink of death, but they were each aware that Jesus walked through those waters with them. And held the towering waves of devastation at bay.

Paul O'Rourke captured their amazing story and named it appropriately: Where There's Life, There's Hope. 
I have read this book a couple of times and  never cease to be moved and encouraged by the devotion of this couple to each other and to the Lord Jesus, their Saviour.

2004. To quote from the book:  "The doctor who treated Lyn, DR Craig Bowker, said she was the first person he had seen to have survived such serious complications from a blood clot causing heart failure and a stroke. Lyn's recovery has been to my mind miraculous of that I have no doubt."

2009. And surgeon Dr James Roberts-Thomson said Ken's recovery was miraculous. "Ken had only a 10% chance of survival when he was diagnosed, and his chances of recovery halved as a result of the many complications he encountered."

But survive they did, even if after such suffering and testing of their faith. Both said their experiences had drawn them closer to each other and most of all to God. Ken says, "Life is fragile and we are very aware that we are guaranteed only this moment. Despite our remarkable healing, one day we are still going to die, but it's God who holds our breath and still does."