"Lord, the one you love is sick"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!