Dependence Day

        As we all know, it's been some time since this blog has been updated last but we are quite determined to keep up with it this time. Our prayer letters were sent out last week and we promised our dear friends and family that we will leave frequent updates on this blog. The consistency of keeping up with blog-writing is something God is going to use to teach us discipline, I'm sure.

        Tomorrow is the 11th of July and we will be celebrating 11 months of marital bliss. To be honest, for the most part it has been just that. The general consensus about the first year of marriage is: it's hard. You have to get used to living together and other such tribulations. If that's true for most people, then God has given us a special dispensation of grace because the first almost-11 months have been awesome. Not without its moments, though. For example, the last major catastrophe we went through in our marriage involved Paul going camping/hiking/shooting stuff with his buddies over the Fourth of July while Kate watched a lame fireworks display with a few friends (something she shall never do without Paul again). If by now you couldn't tell who is writing this, then perhaps the previous statement gave it away.

        From the first moment that Paul told me about this trip, I was categorically against it. End of conversation. Now that is not a very helpful attitude to have in marriage. Only sin is worthy of that kind of rigid opposition. That is, if sin was worthy of something. I ended up using logic and reasoning (and some tears) to convince Paul that him going would be detrimental to our family, when, in reality, he was just getting in the way of what I wanted. And what I wanted was to not have to spend time apart from him, especially around a holiday, especially when I had time off from work, especially not in the first year of marriage and so on. But Paul, the gem that he is, patiently took all this into account and decided not to go, even though the friend that invited him was leaving the country for an internship soon after the trip. I was happy about that and Paul... well he was joyfully and sacrificially serving me. I had not even given this decision another thought, until I mentioned it to a friend, which was both the biggest mistake and the best thing I've ever done. After hearing all of my justified reasons, she, in turn, used logic and reasoning to convince me that he needed to go and that I should let him. So I did. And the time apart was good. Hard, but good. The hardest part was not even being apart but rather trusting God. We both had to lean on God in a way that we didn't really feel necessary when around each other. I learned a great deal about trusting God for Paul's safety and survival. I mean he was living on dried fruit all week.

        Maybe we're wimps who can't spend a few days apart, but whatever. We are certain that God wanted to use this time to answer our longstanding prayer about being closer to him. If this is the way God wanted to do it, then we rejoice because we are so excited about the end result: being perfected into the likeness of Christ. Whatever means You want to use, God, no matter how hard it will be, do it. We know You are good. Thank You for the good gift of marriage.
 

      

(A view from Paul's backpacking trip)

"Vessels" is plural.

When I asked a friend to design a logo for my blog, she inquired about what colors I had in mind, what sort of airplane to replicate, and what kind of feel I wanted the picture to have. She soon came back with a draft for me to inspect, but then asked me for the reason I had made "Vessels" plural instead of singular, since I am but one man. I could not give an adequate reason but for the fact that it seemed less prideful or that it would include my airplane (lame, I know).  
I am pleased to announce that I now have a delightfully exciting and sufficient answer to this question. I am engaged to be married! My fiancé's name is Kate Kiforishin (her full first name is Yekaterina, but she prefers the abbreviation). I would like to spend a few moments introducing her to the reader. The most prominent characteristic of Kate is that she loves her Lord, Jesus. Her other characteristics largely flow from this first and most important trait; we will speak of these others soon.

Allow me to explain how this seemingly abrupt development came about. Kate and I met at the beginning of our first year here at Moody - Spokane, and have hung out in the same group for much of the time between then and now. Over the course of this past year and a half, Kate and I had some of the most philosophical discussions I have ever been a part of (something we have both greatly valued). Regardless of the many experiences we shared, I had no idea that she was the woman I would one day hope to marry. "But Paul, how could things have ever changed if you didn't initially consider her for marriage or at least dating? Once two people are in the 'friend zone', isn't there no escape?" I'm glad you asked, reader. 


For the past six months, God has been growing my understanding of how a quality man or woman should act; in conjunction with this, He has also been greatly developing my understanding of the purpose of marriage. Let me be more specific. My understanding of beauty and dating has, for much of my life, been limited to "Hmm. She looks good. I guess I'll pursue her. I hope she can make me happy." To be honest, this is wildly misguided. One of the purposes of marriage is to bring out the beauty that a woman or man can have by helping one another look more like our good and pure God. We are not supposed to find something beautiful and sit on it (we all know how entropy works; that game won't work). 


Anyway, after a week of prayer and some serious discussions, I began to see how beautiful Kate has been the entire time! Her humble heart of service had been in operation long before I entered the scene; her concern for people who are lost in the world was already showing people at work what God is like; and her cooking was...well, I won't make the reader TOO envious, now. :-) Needless to say, the things I desire in a wife were all present and abundant in Kate. I decided to pursue her, not knowing how she would respond. I didn't want to damage our friendship if she didn't have any interest in me. 


The last week of January, I asked Kate if she would permit me to pursue her. To my great relief and joy, she wanted me to! In the subsequent conversations, we discussed our relationship, how to define it, what our perceptions of dating were, and where to go next. We had both previously held that dating was a step to be made only when seriously considering marriage and were relieved to be on the same page in that regard. Finally, we decided to not announce our relationship very widely because we wanted our relationship to naturally develop without the strain provided by the ever-pestering...Facebook. :-) 


Kate is currently in Israel. She has been given the great opportunity to study a semester abroad and has been loving it! Every day has been mind-blowing for her. Before she left, she had a fund-raiser back at home in Seattle to help with the finances (yes, she is still wondering where the money for a return flight will come from), and some of her housemates and I decided to surprise her by coming to see her once more before she left. During that time, on February 11th, I asked Kate to officially be my girlfriend. Again, she said yes! 


As I drove home from that visit, I was thinking about dating and about the state of my heart and mind, and I determined that if I had walked away from that weekend engaged, I would not have minded in the least. In fact, that commitment had already been made in my heart. There was just no ring on her finger. Well, I had already decided that I wanted to marry this girl, but the only question was one of timing. She was going to Israel soon; should I propose before she leaves? After? In the middle, on skype? NO WAY! I prayed about it, talked with my pastor, my parents, Kate's brother, and some other godly influences and I decided to propose before she left. All factors considered, this was the best option and I am confident that it was what God wanted. 


One week after Kate and I officially began dating, February 17th, I made another trip to Seattle. As soon as I got there, I asked for Kate's parents' permission and blessing to marry Kate. They emphatically gave it and greatly pleased me with the way they accepted me into their family despite a significant language barrier (They speak limited English, and I speak one word of Russian - "Hello"). Next, I made my way to Kate's favorite spot in her hometown, an old, beautiful lighthouse. The details will remain between Kate and I, but I'll just say that the proposal involved joy, a kerosene lantern, an heirloom ring, a perfect window in the clouds to the brilliant stars, and one VERY beautiful young woman - my fiancé.


I am blessed to look forward to a life of ministry, difficulties, sadness, and joy alongside this beautiful woman. Please pray that we would be given wisdom and grace in the coming times; we are two flawed vessels who want to be like Jesus. Only God can make that happen. 


- May His Radiance Fill the Earth








P.S. She was very pleased to receive my great-grandfather's class ring as an engagement ring instead of the traditional ring. She considers this to be a more significant gesture than a stack of cash and a tiny rock could muster. (Wow. My kind of girl!) :-)

It's not quite a game, but we are waiting.

Currently, my classmates and I eagerly await the arrival of our spring semester here at Moody Bible Institute - Spokane. "Eagerly?" you might ask. But yes, in only a month (on January 30), we begin a three-week theology class which is closely followed by a semester full of aircraft mechanics (26 credits total)! We are teetering on the brink of the most intense time of our lives. Quite literally, the most difficult missionary aviation program just became harder.

Regardless of this difficulty, the aviation students in my house are chomping at the bit to begin working with tools and engines. In the meantime, we must actually acquire those tools we anticipate using. I am using this month before the program begins to both work at Bed, Bath, and Beyond in an attempt to save more money and to purchase the necessary tools. I am already aware that I will not make the amount necessary, but I am grateful for the ways God provides.

I wish to point out the fact that God is in control. This is an undeniable reality, yet I often act as though I am the one in control of my life - were it the case, manipulation of my circumstances would be the easiest route to success. My methods for self-fulfillment are the antitheses of God's methods. Recently, I heard a particular quote which has struck my thoughts and influenced the way I operate.

"Pray as if it all depended on God, work as if it all depended on you."

Everything depends on God. He has asked us to trust and obey. I will pray, trust, and work. Relying on God does not mean that I shut myself up in my room for months then emerge expecting everything to be better; it means that I ask God to do what He does best, then present myself as a willing vessel for participation in what He will do. Given these distinctions, please pray with me for the following things.

Please pray for:
- Diligence in completing necessary tasks during this time called "a break"
- Purity in thought, word, and deed
- Provision of tools, funds, and food

P.S. Praise God! Numerous opportunities have opened up for me to be able to speak with coworkers about God, life, etc! I was not fully confident that my choice to stay in Spokane for winter break was worthwhile, but this has clearly proven that God is blessing the decision.

Image Credit

Meaning of "Vessels of Unearthly Radiance"

I have decided to write this blog in order to inform friends, family, acquaintances, and the like, what God has been doing in, around, and through me.

However, while trying to think of a blog name which adequately describes my life goals, I could not help but be overwhelmed. I have surrendered my life to my God who has brought me out of despair and death, so many of my thoughts were centered on the following idea: God gives life. As one who has been made alive, I have been given the privilege to carry this hope to those who are still languishing, lost, and blind.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke of this concept in his poem "Joy and Sorrow". He states that as sorrow becomes slowly revealed and its features are more clearly seen, most onlookers gaze for a moment then turn away, hard-hearted. Bonhoeffer continues to explain that this moment when sorrow in its brutality is unveiled, is the moment in which the compassionate, the mothers, the friends and brothers swiftly act.

"Loyal hearts can change the face of sorrow, softly encircle it with love's most gentle unearthly radiance." 

May it never be that I turn away from sorrow, but that I face it with defiance, knowing that the Almighty God is the One who fights for me.
As one who desires to carry Love's radiance to the far reaches of the earth through the means of aircraft, I thought it would be appropriate to consider myself (and my piloting) a mere vessel by which the grace of God will travel.

I pray that you, the reader, will clearly perceive this vision and join me on this journey.

- May Love's radiance fill the Earth

Image Credit

How to Give

If you feel led to give towards my training and do not require a tax deductible receipt, please write my name and student ID# 4035977 on your check and mail it directly to:

                                                Moody Bible Institute

                                                Dept #1018

                                                PO Box 6500

                                                Chicago, IL 60680-6500

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation toward a scholarship fund that will help prepare me for missionary service, you may do so through Moody’s partner organization, Proclaim Aviation Ministries.

Please make your check payable to “Proclaim Aviation Ministries”.  Attach a separate note that includes the following: “Next Generation Fund.  My interest is in Moody Aviation Student (Name of Student).” and mail to:

                                                Next Generation Fund

                                                Proclaim Aviation Ministries

                                                PO Box 356

                                                Worthington, MN  56187

Or, give online at www.proclaimaviation.org and select “Next Generation” under Categories & Fund and enter the amount.  In the comments field, please type “My interest is in Moody Aviation Student, Paul Wood.”  Scholarship Funds awarded to Moody Aviation are reviewed by a committee that determines the financial needs of each student and gifts are awarded through this fund.

Thank you for your partnership in what God is doing! 

   Gratefully, 

         - Paul Wood