It's About Time

And then they were married.

Have you ever wondered why certain things happen when they do? I know I have. People often try to control their lives and future, but despite all the efforts there is still very little we can’t control. We can control our attitudes and behavior, but not the future--that's in God’s hand. The Bible says. “Many are the plans in the mind of man, but it is the Lord’s purpose that will prevail.” (Psalms 19:21)

In the past few months I have gotten to know Felipe (not Philippi) a little better. He 44 years old and he had a problem in the distant past with drug additions, but now he is free of that. It seems that wherever I go we run into each other, whether its the beach or some place downtown. I began to realize that God must have a reason for this. Although he speaks very little English, we are still able to communicate pretty well, and have become very good friends. I have sown into his life and God has been changing his heart and his family’s, and they were all baptized a couple months ago, at their church. Then about a month ago he invited me to come to his wedding. Felipe and his wife have lived together for many years and have two older daughters with children, plus two younger boys, ages 8 and 12, But now he wanted to make their marriage official.

Felipe had told me they would be married on September 14^th at the city courthouse, and I could meet them first at their house. But then about a week before the wedding, I met him again, while driving through Guaymas, and he told me the date had been changed to the 11^th at 8am. I said, “Eight in the morning,” and he said yes. And I said, Okay? But I did not understand the reason why so early, yet I told him that I would make every effort to be there, God willing. So the night before the wedding, I wanted to get a good night sleep, but it didn’t happen. I woke up at 3am and laid awake for over an hour talking to God and then I woke up at 6am. So I started to get ready and told God again, that I would trust Him with everything that happens, and I receive it as a gift and with thanksgiving. I had only been to Felipe’s house one time and it had been a couple months since then. As a result, I had trouble finding it, so I prayed, and God helped me to find it again. 

When I arrived at his house, I was greeted by his children and grandchild at my van. When I went in the house, I met Felipe (he always gives me a hug) and he thanked me for coming. However, he told me the time had been changed to 12noon. So I got to have a delicious breakfast with them, and then I waited while everyone got ready, including his daughter, Vanessa. She has an adorable little five year old girl. Then her older sister, Lidia came with two of her five children. I told her, she was very blessed. However, not one of them were able to speak English. Yet I could see from the appreciation on their faces that I was welcomed there and to share in this special event. 

Then Felipe told me the time had changed again to 10am, which I was grateful, because it was getting much hotter outside. I was also asked to be an official witness, and asked if I had my ID with me, because they needed four adult witnesses. I had ID, and I agreed to be a witness, believing this was also God’s will. They all made me feel a part of their family and I enjoyed watching them get ready, especially the women doing their hair and putting on eye makeup while holding a large mirror, as I sat nearby. The women all have big beautiful brown eyes and long eyelashes; the kind that other women have to buy. 

Then two more friends came, they were elders from their Mormon church, wearing suits and ties with their name tags on. One of them was 20 years old and his name was Byron Ricardo, he was very friendly and could speak English every well, thank God. We got to know each other better later that day.

Vanessa's cute daughter, Valeria, who really likes me

As we all gathered to leave the house, I prayed a blessing on their marriage, family and friend and to know the Heavenly Father better. Then we all crammed into my van. (Another reason why I thought God might want me there, because they did not have a car.) Felipe and his wife, Angelica sat in the front passenger seat, and her two daughters and the five children, one still in disposable diapers, all sat in back on my bed or on someones lap. The two elders decided to walk the two miles to the courthouse. 

Thank God the building was air conditioned, because we waited for over an hour. But it was still fun watching the children play as we talked and other friends came to visit during this special occasion. A court official took copies of our ID that Vanessa and I had made, and filled out some forms. Then a little later we went into the judge’s room as witnesses with Philippi and his wife.

Felipe and his wife, Angelica, me and Vanessa and Byron are sitting to the right

Felipe and Angelica talked with the judge first, who was dress in a nice gray suit and sat behind a large brown desk, as we all took turns signing five copies of paperwork. (We took picture of this event and also out in the waiting room, plus outside.) Then we all got in the van again and drove to Soriana, a large grocery store. 

All of these people were in my van with me, except the one women in the red and white blouse.

There we spent more time together as we sat and ate a beautiful decorated cake, that was purchased from that store, and drank coke in the deli section where there were tables for all of us to sit. This was such a wonderful time also, as we got to know one another even better. That’s when I got the talk to Bryon for over an hour. In the beginning he helped me communicate some things with Vanessa who came and sat with us for a short time, and I really appreciated her interest. Then I talked more to him about the Kingdom of God and His desires for the Mexican people. I talk about the movie, States of Grace, which was a favorite of his too. Then about religion and I could see he was not offended by the things I shared and he agreed with me. He told me he had a hunger for God, and wanted to know Him better too. I told him this was a Divine appointment, and that he would see God change his life and others.

A beautiful family

Then it came time to go back to Felipe's house, we all got in the van again, plus three elders. I would have loved to have taken a picture of that. But they were cramped and very hot, and I didn’t want them to be uncomfortable any longer than necessary. When we got back to the house, we visited a little more.  Then I felt it was time for me to leave. However, I was asked when I would come back again, so I told them next week, and then I offer to take the elders back to their house so they would not have to walk again. Before we left they wanted to pray. And so we all knelt down in the living room and one of the elders prayed. Wow! Then we said our good byes. After dropping the men off, I heading back to San Carlos wondering what would become of all this. Wow! God is truly full of surprises and His timing and ways are always perfect.

What an awesome day it turned out to be, disputed the time changes. We each demonstrated love and kindness for one another, during a simple wedding. Makes me wonder, why so many people spend so much time and money to do otherwise. When love and God's will is the only thing that really counts. What a privilege and honor it was for me to be a part of this loving family.

* A special thanks to Vanessa for helping me learn more about her family by using my computer and a translator site. I thought I would stop writing in September, but a lot has happened. God is full of surprises and this was one of them. In the process I’m still meeting more and more people and touching lives for the Kingdom of Heaven. I have also been in Mexico one year on October 1st, and it has been awesome experience, but not as I had hoped. However, God says that will change and the promises are being fulfilled. All to the glory of God.