The Adventures of Mr. and Mrs. Walker

Blind Leading the Blind

2011-08-25T11:55:00.000-07:00

*Open my eyes, that I may see

Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;

Place in my hands the wonderful key

That shall unclasp and set me free.

Silently now I wait for thee,

Ready my God, Thy will to see,

Open my eyes, illumine me,

Spirit Divine!

Today, my eyes have been opened.

I didn't actually know I was blind. Usually that kind of infirmity is pretty obvious; but alas, it was not obvious to me. God is bringing me through a trial right now, and it seems to be harder than it should be. If someone were describing to me this trial, I know exactly what I would be thinking. I would give sympathetic words, and bestow upon that person my vast knowledge coming from two whole years in ministry....yikes. I will explain further.

God has given my husband and me an opportunity to show love to someone, and we have experienced great blessings and joy thus far. The person we have been ministering to, by acts of service and telling her The Good News, has no means to give back. Now, anyone would look at that and say that is the best situation to be in. What a way to show the love of Jesus Christ! Those were my exact thoughts. But, it is in these moments when I sadly feel my flesh so cunningly warring against my spirit. In my efforts to serve, my focus was diverted, ever so slightly, from Jesus to myself, from bringing glory to God through the Spirit to bringing glory to God by my own strength...fail. It really is pretty amazing that there are so many ways to serve yourself, and only one way to serve God.

As I look back, I can see that I was growing more confident in the ways I could serve, ignoring the fact that I was and am completely dependent on the Holy Spirit for ability and strength and faith and everything. Two days ago, God started opening my eyes to the error of my ways. Our friend called me and said she needed a big favor. She had to be out of her apartment the next day and needed to rent a Uhaul for her stuff, but she didn't have any money. Now don't get me wrong, I was eager to help her for the right reasons. I just get off track easily.

Anyways, I got some money to take to her. I was not aware she wanted me to take her to get it that moment. I also was not aware that I would be using my license to rent the vehicle. My husband and I are missionaries and technically, by human standards anyways, we are not fully supported. I had a certain amount of cash to use, but the deposit had to be on a credit card, so now we are pushing it. She was supposed to only need the vehicle for one day. But, after repeatedly calling her throughout the day with no answer, my nerves were frayed. Thoughts were running through my head and my stomach was in knots. What if, what if, what if...and the what ifs became "now what?" She needed the truck for one more day. We could not afford one more day.

I knew in my head that God could and would provide, but I couldn't seem to make my heart believe it. I felt myself under such spiritual warfare. My flesh wanted to cry out, "foul! I'm being taken advantage of, how can she just take us for granted like that?" But then my husband said something to me that just kept bouncing around in my head. We would do the same thing she is doing if we didn't have Jesus...wow. It also reminded me of the passage Todd spoke on recently in Hosea2.

How many times have I looked at the love, such perfect and pure love, shown to me, and shrugged it off? How many times have I taken Jesus for granted? How many times have I slapped away the hand that has been given to me to help me up when I fall? Countless times. And yet He still loves me with an everlasting love.

That is when I realized, the true test of love comes when you love the unlovely, when you give till you can't give anymore. And when you come to the end of your strength, simply ask for more. God will not let you down, He is faithful.

The situation isn't resolved and I doubt the lady will fall down in a pile of gratitude, but it doesn't matter. God will provide, and He WILL get the glory. Amen and Amen.

But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
I will sing to the Lord,
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Psalm 13:5,6

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,

for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23

*Open My Eyes, That I May See by Clara H. Scott

Grace in the Most Grave of Circumstances

2011-07-08T09:02:00.000-07:00

Lately, I have been so humbled by God's grace, His faithfulness, and the way He answers prayer. I think on my past and I shudder. I sometimes struggle with regret and guilt, but I know God forgives. He gives such amazing forgiveness.

I can hardly conjure up words to explain how I feel. He forgives me. He stays faithful to me, in spite of my gross unfaithfulness. He answers my prayers, a desperate sinner's prayers. I HAVE to go everyday to the throne and admit my utter feebleness, my inability to do anything without His work in my life. But the crazy thing is that He delights in it! My finite, human mind cannot grasp that. Any person would become so annoyed and frustrated with someone so pitiful and inept in their employ; but that is not so with my Lord.

I see and feel the Holy Spirit change my cold heart of stone into warm, pliable clay for God's hands to mold. What a comfort it is to know I have such power and love at my disposal always. I continually see that I am in great need of it; for without it, I perish.

Satan is so very deceitful. I can see his hands grasping at more and more of this world, this world that was created by and for my Jesus. That is why it takes the extraordinary, life-altering power of God to keep those evil hands off my own life.

What a battle we are in! I am so disheartened by what America calls Christianity. On one end of the spectrum we have bold, brash people proclaiming judgment on sins that they themselves are guilty of committing. On the other end, we have timid, fearful people leading themselves into sin that is more hidden than their faith. Oh how my heart aches, Lord deliver us and bring revival!

I know I am far from perfect, I cannot cast judgment. But amazingly, through this, I can see such amazing grace in my life. It is ONLY the abundant love and grace of Jesus that rescues me from such travesty. I have a perfect righteousness in Christ that will lead to a perfect holiness. Satan cannot and will not get his claws in me.

“I have the right to do anything, you say—but not everything is beneficial. I have the right to do anything—but I will not be mastered by anything." 1 Corinthians 6:12

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1Corinthians 15:56-58

Plentiful Providence

2011-01-24T08:09:00.000-08:00

The other day, Todd was listening/watching a video of Paul Washer reading a journal about the beginnings of his missions agency. [(heartcrymissionary.com) - you should check it out] The journal was about how they had been supported. The group had a certain way of gaining support for the several people they had on the field all over the world. They did not go to any churches or speak to any individuals about the needs they had. They only prayed, and watched God provide. Mr. Washer read entry after entry about how God miraculously sent the money they needed time after time. The people working in the missions agency sometimes went without a paycheck, but they often had more food and supplies than they would have had if they had been paid. It was an awesome testimony of God's providence and His love for His children.

I wanted to record some very recent instances of God's sovereign love in our lives. December is an especially expensive month for us. Lots of family to buy gifts for, friends, and three birthdays around that time keep us pretty strapped financially. But as time progressed, I was able to buy several of the gifts we needed to buy with money that had been given to me by random people and even family.

One of the biggest blessings we received in December was because of some of our dear brothers and sisters in Christ in Kalamazoo. There is a college group at Northeastern Baptist that has taken us on as missionaries. The leader of that group, Chuck Black, met with Todd one morning for coffee along with some of the kids in his group. When Todd came home, he told me that they were dropping by because they wanted to say hi to me too. I thought it was nice, but kind of odd. Well, when they came in, they were carrying boxes upon boxes of groceries for us, along with more than enough gas money for our trip to Pennsylvania. I had a hard time keeping my composure, and finally gave up the fight and just tried to thank them somewhat coherently.

Now as the new year of 2011 has come, God has shown himself loving and powerful yet again. Todd and I are both in a wedding come July. Renting tuxedos and buying bridesmaids dresses is not exactly cheap. Well, my friend called me and said she found out that the dresses needed to be ordered earlier than she thought and I needed to do it that week. Yikes. It just so happened (: that a woman in our church needed someone to watch her kids on Thursday. I was paid the exact amount I needed for the dress. Coincidence?Yeah right. This past weekend, Todd and I went to go get him fitted for his tux, which was going to cost more than my dress. Well, when we were there at the store, we were informed that someone had paid for his... blessings abound and abound and abound.

I have been needing an eye appointment for quite a while, and I was going to get one when we got our tax refund. Well, when I sat down next to Todd in church on Sunday, he placed a folded check on my lap. It was for $1000. A couple in the church has now done this a few times, every time unexpected. They said they want to do it three times a year. Now I can get an eye appointment this week!

I am completely overwhelmed by God's manifold grace. How can I ever doubt?

Matthew 6:25-34

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

My Favorite Things

2011-01-09T19:08:00.000-08:00

There is a song called "My favorite Things" sung by Julie Andrews. She sings about simple things that make her happy when she is down; things such as raindrops on noses and whiskers on kittens. Yes, this does all sound rather whimsical and silly, and no, I'm not feeling down.

But, one of my favorite things is wildlife. I love animals, some I would not venture to keep or touch; but I do enjoy looking at them.

Todd and I were on our way home from Pennsylvania and as usual, I stared at the scenery while my mind wandered. The trip from PA to MI is beautiful when there's a fresh layer of snow blanketing the trees and mountains. While I was looking at the scenery, I couldn't help but recognize the glory and majesty of my Lord.

Now this is when the frivolous and whimsical Janine kicks in. The drive from PA to MI is also very long. So I started looking for deer. I was also praying on and off, praising God for the glory shown in His creation. While I was praying, I asked God, knowing it was silly, if I could see some deer. I know, of all the things to pray for...

Anyways, about a half hour down the road I was talking to Todd and looked over to my right, and what do ya know. I saw deer, not one, but probably 10-15 deer. It absolutely made my day.

Now I know God loves me, and I don't need any other evidence than my salvation through Jesus Christ. But when I see such a shallow prayer answered for someone as silly as me, I can't help but feel completely humbled by God's love. That definitely is my favorite thing.

Honesty is the Best Policy

2010-11-03T08:05:00.000-07:00

Sometimes a person just needs to let go, and right now I need to do that. I want to be completely transparent and honest right now. I feel a little alone, heavy hearted, and...I don't really know. I can't exactly explain how I feel. Starting in this ministry, I quickly went from college student to college leader. All of a sudden, I was supposed to be a leader of my peers. These were all people I had been very close to and had hung out with a few times a week, every week for years. Then I started to see an ever-widening gap between me and my friends. Don't get me wrong, it's a good thing. This gap is a result of me growing spiritually and maturing. I have moved to a different demographic. But from my human, emotional point of view, it's hard and not all together fun. I feel guilty even typing these things. I know as Christ followers, we are going to encounter suffering. But I feel this is coming from my own weaknesses.

Lately I have come to see my shortcomings more and more and more. I feel so utterly inadequate and not worthy of what I have. My salvation, my Savior, and my position in ministry are all things I do not deserve.

I was actually in the middle of my personal studies just now. I couldn't concentrate or focus myself enough to give the passage I was studying it's due.

For heaven's sake! I'm supposed to be leading students, first and foremost by example, and yet I can't seem to focus.

Last night at our EMU Bible study, we studied Romans 7:7-25. The part I can't get out of my head is Paul exclaiming, "Oh wretched man that I am, who will set me free from this body of death?" That's how I feel right now. I cannot escape my own inadequacies, my own sinful, human nature. I come close to tears just thinking about it (although, that usually comes pretty easily for me anyways).

I know I am going through a process of being molded. I have been praying that God gives me humility and uses me how he wants to. Not exactly an easy thing to pray, but I feel blessed to be in this position. I don't know if I did a good job of articulating my feelings but it's nice to get it out of my system. I just know that I have a long long long long long way to go.

The Ripple Effect

2010-10-27T13:27:00.000-07:00

Todd and I have been so blessed to be involved in college ministry. God really is growing it in his perfect way. Last night at our Bible study I really got to see how amazing and wonderfully sovereign our Lord is.

Before we leave our home to go to the student center, Todd and I take some time to pray for our study. We pray that God would really move in the student's and our hearts, that the Spirit would move, and that students would come. Last week our numbers were down so we decided to take a break from the norm and just talk about what's been happening in our lives spiritually. So this week, I was expecting a pretty good turnout at our study. Well, when we got there, we found out that several students had work or studies that got in the way. That sadly, is becoming a more common story.

Anyways, I kept thinking and wishing that we had more students coming. God doesn't really want us to do all this work just for a few students. But, later that night, my thinking was changed.

Luke Maggard is our VFY student org. president. He started coming to our group after our tailgate last year. Luke is a great student leader and is the main person who gets students to our Bible study. A few weeks ago a student named Rob came to our Bible study, Luke had invited him. During part of our study, we have discussion. When we were talking about the passages we went over (Romans 7:1-6; Colossians 2:6-3:4), Rob spoke. He just wanted to say thank you to Luke for how much he had helped him at school. Rob said he hadn't been really living his Christianity out for a while, but the steps he is taking are helping.

The first thing I thought was, Todd should start meeting with this kid too. Luke can't be the only one helping him.

That's when I remembered what our mission statement is..."to train and encourage students to reach other students." And that is exactly what is happening! I wanted to jump up and down while clapping saying, IT WORKS!

We don't have to have huge numbers, I don't even know if I'm mature enough as a leader to handle big numbers of students. If in our college ministry, we only reach a few students. That's fine. Because those few students can reach a few more, which will reach a few more, which will also reach a few more...all for the love of Jesus Christ. Amen and Amen.

Lord, stretch me like taffy.

2010-09-30T08:49:00.000-07:00

Well it's time for my quarterly blog report again, and there is much to say. I guess one of the most outstanding things going on right now is involving my mother. She is in the hospital right now because she just had about 30% of her liver removed. Around a month ago I took my mom to her oncologist for a routine checkup. In her bloodwork, a certain level was up higher than it should be, something called the CEA. Anyways, one thing led to another and we found out she had two cancerous lesions on her liver. "Again?She just got over colon cancer.What on earth is going on?" I just felt so bad for my mom. I mean, what can you say? Well, the surgery actually went really well and mom is doing well too. She will be in the hospital for 4-5 days and then has a month's recovery before she starts chemo again. God is taking care of her. The most important thing right now, I know, is to trust. Trust in the One who made us and takes care of us, the One who clothes even the lilies. I know that there is going to be a lot of opportunities for growth in this situation and a lot of opportunities to minister. The Lord is good.

Now to a less somber topic, I went to a ladies retreat to Lake Ann Camp with my mom-in-law(Peggy Walker, for those of you who don't know) and my good friend LynnAnn Crots. It was a wonderful time. My mom was the speaker and she was bringing a powerful topic...Intentional Living, that was something I truly needed to hear and see. Her passion for Christ was so evident and her humility when serving is something I wish to have. One of the topics during the sessions was on finding your passion, and while I was there at Lake Ann I saw something I have never really noticed before. Several women of all ages ( most of them in their middle ages) trying to figure out what they were passionate about. How sad is that? I am so blessed that my sovereign Lord brought me back to him so I could figure out my passion early on. I want to become more and more fervent in my love for Christ and more pliable to his will. When I was thinking on this, I could tell that the Holy Spirit was and is moving in my heart. When I realized what I needed to do, I became a little nervous. I know that in my husband and I's ministry, my role will not always be the same. I've started to pray that God uses me however he wants. I've started praying that God stretches me, kinda like taffy. I've always liked taffy, and now I've found a spiritual excuse to eat it. (;

A Lesson on Humility

2010-07-29T10:53:00.000-07:00

So, funny story....

At church the other day, Todd and I and a few others from our Sunday school class were walking to the sanctuary when a woman, who will remain unnamed, came up to me with a queer look on her face. She asked me if there was some news she hadn't heard yet and then looked pointedly at my stomach. It clicked then, so I told her, "NO, I am not pregnant." Oh, she said, it must be the dress then, and she walked away. I can honestly say that this is the first time someone has asked me if I was pregnant because of my appearance.

My pride definitely took a shot there, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing either. But this comical story actually made me think on much more serious things. Being in ministry is such a blessing. But, it makes Todd and I more of a target to Satan, and man can he push my buttons. To be completely honest, pride is something I have had way too much of. In the past, I thought myself better than others because of my lifestyle or my speech or even my looks. Thankfully, the Lord still uses me and continues to prune me to be someone who represents Him more. Now, I am working with kids who are still growing, and are less mature than I am ( hard to believe, I know). So, I am hard pressed to remember that without Christ, I would be nowhere and without Christ, I am still an immature girl with no direction in life. If I don't remember these things, and if I don't focus on the love of Christ; I can be easily led to think that I am the reason the ministry grows, and I am the key to these kid's individual growth.

1 Corinthians 3:7-9 says, "So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building." What a lesson! I am nothing, and yet Christ allows me to be a part of SOMETHING GREAT. I am a part of God's building, I did not build the building. I am just a part of it and Christ is the cornerstone. ( Ephesians 2:19-22 "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, ²⁰built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. ²¹In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.²²And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.") One thing I am learning more and more is that at the heart of Christianity is one thing, humility. Because I can do nothing apart from Christ, He saved me and that is the reason I am here. He was the supreme example of humility, an example to be followed. (Philippians 2:3-11, http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%202:3-11&version=NIV )

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...

2010-07-20T09:08:00.000-07:00

So once again, I waited about ten years to blog. It seems to be a pattern for me. Todd and I recently celebrated our 1 year anniversary! YAY! I have learned so so much in this past year. But I think the biggest lesson I am thinking on right now is where these lessons come from. Before I probably would have said from experience, mostly painful ones. You know, things you learn from making stupid decisions. It's very similar to my driving experiences. I know my way around Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor because I have been lost so many times in the middle of these cities. Unfortunately, that's probably not going to change anytime soon.

I have started a study in I Corinthians recently and I'm using a book along with it called Be Wise, written by Warren W. Wiersbe. It really makes me think back on how I started following Christ seriously in my life. In the past, I went to a Christian school, connected to the church I went to where all my friends and even some of my family attended. I had a safe, little bubble to live in.

In this bubble that I lived in, I knew what was expected of me. Come on now, a girl who grew up in church, went to Christian school and sat under very doctrinal teaching, obviously I am to be a leader among my peers. I had a testimony to uphold, and all this knowledge to draw from. Unfortunately, I made decisions based on those things. I seemed to be missing something very important in my life and I couldn't figure out what it was. I was a leader in youth group, involved in church, had a prayer group at school, and tried to do my "devotions" every day. I should be very content and be filled with joy, right?

It took a couple years for me to start feeling the effects of my errors in reasoning. I was stuck in a job that I didn't like, becoming more and more like the unsaved people I worked with. I didn't really know what I wanted to pursue for a career and I was in a unhealthy relationship that was getting too serious. It's not pleasant to think on these things, but that's the amazing part. I was rescued from my misery. I found direction and forgiveness. Where? Well I can tell you it wasn't in christian school and it wasn't in church ( I'm not knocking those institutions, I'm just saying sadly, it's sometimes easy to miss the point of them).

The Good Shepherd left His flock and came after me. Now I have purpose, as Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 2:2 - For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The christian life is not about being a better leader, knowing more verses, or being able to name the dispensations, it is about CHRIST. Decisions I make in life should not be based on me or my needs. "My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, ⁵so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power." (I Cor. 2:4-5)

"If you hear preaching about duty and command, it is very proper, but if it be the one sole theme the teaching becomes very

legal in the long run; and after a while the true gospel which has the power to make us keep the precept

gets flung into the background, and the precept is not kept after all. Do, do, do, generally ends in nothing being done." Spurgeon

"Lord, the one you love is sick"

2010-03-29T09:16:00.000-07:00

So, the title of this blog may sound a little odd, but let me explain. My pastor just preached a sermon on John 11 where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Never have I heard this story in such a light. When Martha and Mary send word to Christ that Lazarus is sick, they say..."Lord, the one whom you love is sick."(v. 3) What kind of relationship does this statement hold?!? How can I read something like that and now want it? I'll tell you what, I am just being steamrolled by the love of Jesus Christ today. It's sad that it took me this long to really start cherishing it.
I have been saved for 16 years...that is the longest friendship I have ever had actually. My family moved around a bit, so meeting new friends was part of the territory. Yet, I have had a friend who has stuck with me through thick and thin, to put it oh so mildly. But really, how well do I know my old friend? Not nearly enough, you see, I am just beginning to grasp the very foundation of my relationship with Him...LOVE. We love Him, because He first loved us. For the love of Christ compels us... For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son... It's all over the Bible. People search for love all their lives, they die for it, they sacrifice for it. But here are the "Christians" really sacrificing by going to church, putting in their ten percent (with their name on that envelope big and bold), and maybe even reading their Bible or praying for a few minutes a day. What love, what sacrifice! or not. I may sound cynical right now, but I was right there in the thick of it. We have left our first love.
With Easter right around the corner, I think it might be a good time to really ask ourselves, why. Why do I do what I do? Figuring out the right way to do things is completely humbling, because then you know why you are doing it. Jesus loves ME. How on earth do we consider that a child's song meant for Sunday school? How powerful are those words? I think David had it right in Psalm 107:1 - "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; his love endures forever."

My husband

2010-02-17T13:02:00.000-08:00

For the past 7 months, I have been married to the most wonderful man on planet earth. He is handsome, funny, loves me and most of all, he loves God more. In honor of Valentine's day, although I'm a little late, I'm just going to post about someone God has blessed me with. Todd has been such a great husband to me. He is such an encouragement to me and he is a great leader. Looking forward to our ministry is so exciting because I know that God is going to do great things with Todd. A little while ago I was struggling a little bit with what I was supposed to be doing. I don't have a job, I'm taking one class and I don't know exactly what my place is in our college ministry. Here comes my knight in shining armor with words of wisdom and comfort. I am here to support and aid him. That is my ministry to Todd, and a way in which I can glorify Christ. I have grown in Christ so much in the time that Todd and I have been together. It really brings to light the verse about "iron sharpening iron." So in essence this short little blurb is just to thank God for my great partner in life and say I love you to my husband. (: I can't
wait for the next 50 years.

Sweet, Sovereign Lord

2010-01-24T13:49:00.000-08:00

How many times in my Christian walk have I claimed to have faith and yet lived like I don't have a clue what it is? In my devotions, I've been in Revelation and also studying on love. These studies have all led me to see God's complete sovereignty and glory at work in the past and in my life in the present and through His word in the future.

Todd and I have been struggling to find support, or even finding a church that wants to talk to us. But God has been such a blessing in providing for us. I applied for a few jobs and got a callback on one from Von Maur. After my phone interview, I was on pins and needles waiting for a call back saying I got the job. I mean, I obviously needed the job, and God knew that. But, I was corrected through His Holy Word. Who cares if I don't have a job? Like God can't work through us and for us if I don't have one. His eye is on even the lowly sparrow. Why in the world did I think that I could help support our family and ministry with a job. God does that.

Completely convicted, I went before God and gave Him the whole situation. If He wanted me to have a job, I would get one. If not, than He would provide in another way. Well, lo and behold, a few days later I had an interview with Payless shoes, and then a second interview. Still waiting to hear news on it, but I'm not stressing. God is in control. Not only does God answer our prayers, He blesses us when we don't expect it and definitely don't deserve it. Some one in our church gave us a check for a good sum of money. I'm completely humbled by His love. God is worthy of my praise, your praise, and He is deserving of my love, which is completely His forever. Praise His holy name!!!

Blessings of 2009 and Prayers for 2010

2010-01-02T19:34:00.000-08:00

Wow, where to start...this past year has taught me that time is so precious. Using your time wisely and for the right things is so important. The year 2009 absolutely flew by. I started the year in PA with my fiance. Later in the year my family was hit with some hard news...my mom was diagnosed with colon cancer. Thank God, they got everything out in her surgery. My amazing mom was a trooper through her first set of obstacles including chemo and radiation. But we give credit to whom credit is due...Praise God! He is so amazing! Thank you for all the people giving up their time and energy to help out. Among those who were helping, my Aunt Lynette was such a blessing. Without her, our lives would have been much more difficult. But especially I want to thank all the people around the world praying. July 11 - I married the man of my dreams and my prayers. We have had nearly six months of wedded bliss....yay newlyweds! And I'm pregnant...JUST KIDDING!
After our honeymoon, we came back to the great house Calvary Baptist Church has provided for us for part of our support. As newlyweds we also have a college ministry that we are heading up. In the beginning we are focusing mostly on discipleship. We have a great group of kids willing to learn. Pray for growth and for God to light a fire in their hearts in the new year. After weeks of waiting to hear back on our paperwork for becoming a recognized org. on campus, we found out the lady in charge was in the hospital and we had to wait for her to get out. (: God teach us patience.

God has been giving my family so many opportunities to glorify Him in times of trial. My Grandpa T and my Grandpa Kitty both passed away within two weeks of each other in the middle of the holidays. And as we go into the new year, we found out my Aunt Judy also has cancer and not long to live. Pray hard for salvation and opportunities for those who are believers to reach out. But we have some good news...on our way to PA for Christmas, Todd got a call from Robin Chaustowik. We were approved for EMU! We can't wait to get started on campus for the new semester. I'm starting to take online classes from Spurgeon College (London) so I can become a pastor. Ok, not really, but it is going to be all Bible classes which is exactly what I was hoping for. It's amazing how God guides our steps and grants our wishes when they align with his plans. Praise His holy name!

So for the new year, I ask for prayers for Todd and I. Pray that we would keep our focus on Christ, that we can find some more financial support(or at least meetings with churches). Pray for our college kids to have a sincere desire to grow in Christ. And please pray for my mother and her health, especially spiritual health because that's what matters.

And this little girly went wii wii wii all the way home

2009-12-31T16:32:00.000-08:00

I am ashamed to admit that I am completely benefiting from my husband's birthday gift. I feel as if I chipped in with the family to buy myself a gift for his birthday. For Todd's thirtieth birthday, some of us chipped in to get him a Wii. For Christmas, I received from Trav and Kaci, the new Mario brothers. (thank you trav and kaci) So four games later, we have some crazy fun stuff going on here in the Walker household.
Our college group back in Michigan(miss you guys) will most definitely benefit from "Todd's" gift also. I'm thinking we may never be alone again when they find out. Oh well, such is life. (: But the most exciting think that we are going to get, for me anyways, is the Wii Fit plus. Because I don't get a treadmill, it will be a different kind of exercise. Hopefully, it will work. Anyways, that's all I have for now. Happy new year!

Fantastically Amazing Fun for my Feet

2009-12-26T17:24:00.000-08:00

My husband has recently come up with a very endearing nickname for me. He somehow came up with the name in the middle of being awake and asleep. I climbed into bed and he turned and then I heard it...carpet-face. How romantic. (: Anyways, the reason for this fun little story is my affinity for all things feet. I LOVE LOVE LOVE socks, slippers, shoes, galoshes, and anything else you can think of that would fit on a foot. It is even better if it's fuzzy (that also goes for blankets).You can pretty much count on me wearing fuzzy socks or slippers, especially in bed. If I weren't all ready married I would probably marry fuzzy socks or slippers. The prime gift this year to others from my husband I was something for feet. Socks in people's stockings, slippers for grandma, shoes for mom, and I also got slippers for me from Target. Seriously, anyone who doesn't feel the same way probably needs to examine their heart.

EMU

2009-11-03T07:19:00.000-08:00

So, it has been quite a while since I've last blogged my brains out. But, I'm here now and I'm hunkering down and I'm going to get it done. The last time I blogged was before our tailgate. Well mom and dad came (only on there way to Trav's - Todd would jealously say. lol) to help with our missions conference and tailgate. When we first got to EMU with hundreds of water bottles, hotdogs, brats, and cookies, we were one of the few tailgaters there. As the cold, and wet morning progressed, we realized that we were not going to stand out. Let the brainstorming begin! We had several flyers (very creative design by Kristi, I might add) with us. So several of us started passing them out and posting them all over places in and around the stadium - even in bathroom stalls. As we started getting out the food and such, a few people started trickling in but not nearly the volume of people we thought we would get. Another girl and I went to the dollar tree and purchased some poster board and markers. When we got to the parking lot, the sign making ensued. We posted some more signs and then went into the game. Second half rounds the corner and I may be part icicle by now. One person not hampered by the cold though was working hard, maybe even to the point of scaring people (not really), was my dear mother in law. There she was waving people down with a sign shouting FREE FOOD! The real draw came when Joe Divelbiss and Aaron Graham went and got some hot chocolate. With that, my mom, and the end of the game drawing near, people were coming in droves! We got some really good contacts and had a great time. God is good!

Coincidence is for suckers

2009-10-09T15:41:00.000-07:00

One of the many many things I love about being a Christian is that I get a front row seat to see God work. Calvary is hosting a missions conference for college ministry. We were originally going to have a day with workshops and some food and games later. But instead we decided to do an evangelistic tailgate party. I wasn't quite sure how we were going to get the word out, but it was going to happen.

Anyways, a guy in our college group comes to Bible study and says he has some news. He just happened to go to the EMU student center to just hang out a little. A friend of his who Todd has been talking to and collaborating with for some ministry stuff "just happened" to be early for work. While the two were talking, a mutual friend walks up. She's one of those people who is involved in everything. As the conversation rounded about on the tailgate, it just so happens that she can sponsor the event! All she needs is about 700 flyers and 15 posters...Well far be it for me to question how something is going to take place when it's obvious that God wants it. God is so sovereign and amazing! Pray for our event!

And for the record, I definitely don't believe in coincidence.

Are you Mafia?

2009-09-29T13:55:00.000-07:00

Going into marriage was a very exciting thing for me. I met my match and now I get to live with him for the rest of my life. And bonus...I no longer live with my parents. Sorry mom and dad, I love you, but it's way more fun here.

Being in ministry, Todd and I have college kids at our house at least three nights a week. We have food, fun, games, and most importantly fellowship and prayer and Bible study. Thursday nights we have bible study and Sunday night is SNAC (Sunday Night After Church).

Some interesting things have come up about the people during some fun and games in the college group. Our friend Aaron Dietz throws everyone a curveball by just lying about anything just because. Darcy and Brooke, some avid fans of mafia, can't be trusted either. KC and Todd are arch enemies, unless of course Aaron annoys KC first. But it was during one of these get togethers that I found out my husband is the biggest ratfink ever. With his babyface and pretty brown eyes, my husband can make anyone believe him. I could come back from the dead in the game of mafia and have hard evidence that he is the mafia, and still....Todd wins. Although Todd wants me to make clear the only time he lies is during mafia so he can win....or so he says.(:

Lessons From Rotating Babies

2009-09-25T11:50:00.000-07:00

Last week one of the best things happened in a long time...I quit IHOP. Now that I don't work there anymore I feel like I have so much more free time. But I also have started being a babysitter again. I helped with childcare for a Bible study for nurses and just about all the women there were new mothers or they just spend every waking moment with there children.
A lady and myself were in charge of the babies - about seven of them. We were doing just fine and along comes a mother... "Oh I'm just checking on him, maybe he can take a nap now with me." Of course another baby starts crying and here comes mom harking to the cry of her child. Only mom can change the diapers, only mom can give baby its pacifier, and only mom can stop it's crying. I now have a new favorite game. It's called rotating babies. After about two hours of handing off and trading children we ended with two babies.

The lesson I have learned are the following:
1. A crying baby is not the end of the world
2.Paying a babysitter is pointless if you won't let he or she actually do anything.
3.A nap isn't going to happen in the same room with twelve talking women.
4. Being apart from a child for one hour a week is probably not enough.
5. Jewelry also can double as a handle.
6. Chewed up graham cracker is a great moisturizer.
In the far far off future when Todd and I have children, hopefully I don't eat my words.

Ablogging we will Go

2009-09-23T12:22:00.000-07:00

So this is the first time I've ever blogged and I'm afraid that it's not going to be too exciting this time. Todd's and my exciting afternoon was littered with naps and dishes. I am going to try to remember that I have this little thing and hopefully it won't be too dry. But for now....you'll have to deal.