Ashley and Riad Mikhail
Hope is not simply a word, but a lifeline—a thread that weaves through every part of life, especially during its most uncertain times. For Ashley and Riad, hope is deeply connected to their faith in God. It is not just a vague, abstract feeling, but a firm assurance rooted in God’s promises. Throughout their journey, they’ve learned that hope isn’t passive; it’s an active trust in God’s provision, His faithfulness, and His presence.
For the past three years, Ashley and Riad have been a part of our church family, actively serving on Sunday’s tear-down team. Their story is one of resilience, faith, and, most importantly, hope. Hope in God’s promises has been an anchor in their lives and guided them through pivotal moments.
As Ashley and Riad were preparing to start their lives together as a married couple in 2020, the world began shutting down. Originally planning to get married in late June, the couple's wedding had to be quickly moved up as the pandemic started to change everything. Other engaged friends of the couple were marrying earlier to ensure their celebrations could take place, and Ashley and Riad were faced with a tough decision. After some reflection and prayer, they decided to move the wedding up—not just because the world was shifting, but also to ensure they could be together during uncertain times.
They married in Ashley's parents' backyard, a tiny, intimate ceremony with just a few close friends and family. It wasn’t the celebration they had originally planned, but in many ways, it turned out to be more meaningful than they could have imagined. With the world around them in chaos, their wedding took on a quiet, profound significance. There was no big party, no large gathering of family and friends, but the simplicity of the moment brought clarity to what truly mattered–making a covenant between them and God, and beginning their lives together.
The pandemic not only shifted their wedding plans but also brought unexpected challenges. After the wedding, Ashley and Riad quickly realized that their apartment was no longer suitable for their new life together. They began searching for a new home, but the housing market was in chaos. The price of renting was nearly the same as a mortgage, but the idea of buying a house felt overwhelming. They had never planned on homeownership so early in their marriage, and finances were tight. Yet, despite their doubts, they saw God's provision in unexpected ways.
They found a house they loved and took a leap of faith to make an offer. It felt like a gift, a clear answer to their prayers, even as they worried about how they would manage the finances.
It wasn’t easy—there were moments of panic, wondering if they had made the right choice. But through it all, Riad recalls feeling a deep peace as he prayed and reviewed the numbers. Despite the financial strain, they saw God provide time and again. This step in their marriage, buying a home together, set the tone for the years to come—teaching them the importance of trusting God even in moments of fear and uncertainty.
The biggest test of their hope came when their baby girl, Naomi, was born. What they had envisioned as a straightforward birth turned into a 30-hour journey that would forever shape their understanding of God's presence. Ashley’s labor wasn’t progressing as expected, and there were numerous setbacks they hadn’t planned for. Yet through it all, she felt a sense of peace that can only be from God.
Even as things shifted to a C-section, there was a steady presence of peace that covered them both. They both agreed it was the kind of peace that comes from knowing that God is in control, even when circumstances seem out of control.
When Naomi finally made her grand entrance, it was not just a moment of joy—it was a testament to the faithfulness and peace God had provided during the most trying of times. They felt His presence in the midst of the chaos, from the unexpected complications to the overwhelming emotions that followed. It was a true reminder that, even in moments of struggle, God’s hope always prevails.
Looking back on their journey, Ashley and Riad are filled with gratitude for the hope that carried them through some of the most challenging moments of their lives. From their wedding during a global pandemic to the leap of faith they took in buying a home and the trials they faced during Naomi's birth, their story is marked by God's unwavering presence.
Hope has been a constant theme in their lives. They’ve seen it time and again, especially in these past few years. In a world where so many struggle to find hope, God has been their steadfast anchor. For Ashley, hope isn't merely an emotion; it's a deep conviction that God is with them through every season, guiding and providing. This belief is so central to their journey that they chose to give their daughter, Naomi, the middle name “Hope.” For them, it serves as a powerful reminder that, no matter what comes their way, God’s faithfulness remains constant.
Their journey is a powerful reminder that, even in the hardest of times, hope is not just something we wait for—it’s something we carry with us, in faith and in action. Ashley and Riad have learned that hope is not just a concept—it’s the living, breathing reality of who God is and what He can do that guides us through every twist and turn.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” ~Isaiah 41v10