Walking Around the Yuletide Log

Merry Christmas

Christmas 2014 is here. As for weather, it is more like a South Texas Christmas than a PA Christmas. After spending so much time in Texas, we learned that Christmas is not about the weather, so that is not an issue. Also, we have had illness in the home. In that way it hasn't seemed much like Christmas, but more like the infirmary.Thankfully, Christmas is not about how we feel. Regardless of the surroundings, the trappings, the weather, or the feelings, Christmas is Christmas. And of course we all know, "It's the most wonderful time of the year."

As I take a few moments to reflect on Christmas, I would like to focus on the value of the holiday. 

• The Theological Value

The greatest value of Christmas is found in its roots -- the birth of the Messiah. John 3:16 sets the stage for the birth of Christ when it says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son...." Galatians 4:4 tells us that the timing of Christ's coming was at just the perfect time, exactly when the Father wanted it. Micah and Isaiah record the prophecies; Matthew and Luke give us the narrative of the events surrounding the Savior's birth. So very simple, yet so incredibly profound was the birth of the Christ-child. His very birth was far beyond the comprehension of those present and even most those that celebrate the event today. His whole reason for coming to earth and being born was so that He might live and die as the substitute needed that man might be saved.

• The Familial Value

One of the great benefits of the holiday season, especially Christmas, is the ability to spend time with family. In the busy world in which we live, often we find ourselves caught in the hustle and bustle as we are frazzled by the intensity of the season. Time with family can be a great blessing of the Christmas season. One of the disappointing aspects of Christmas is that distance does not allow for time us to spend time with all of the family as I would like. Time and distance is, as often, again a condition that desire just cannot overcome.

• The Relaxation Value

One of the benefits of the holiday season is the possibility for some R&R. Of course, something being possible and something actually happening ... not always the same. Often, though, there is at least the possibility to get a little much-needed rest.

Obviously, the greatest value of Christmas is in its true, theological value. Without that, the day would be like all others and mankind would be lost without hope of redemption. It is only through Christ that we have any hope of salvation and it is only because His sacrifice was sufficient to satisfy the Father that we have the means to salvation.

Walking in Gratitude

Thanksgiving Day is upon us and once again we are reminded of the need to express our gratitude for all that God has given/done.

• Faith

I am so grateful for the salvation that is available through faith in Jesus Christ. God has So richly blessed me and my family. It is overwhelming as one tries to recount all of the blessing that God has showered upon him.

• Family

I am continually astounded at the wonderful families that God has given me. First, the immediate family. God has blessed us in so many great way.

• I have been given a good wife. Solomon wrote that "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing," I have indeed been blessed. I could not ask for more than I have; Bec is fantastic. 
• I have been given three wonderful kids.
• Justin is a sophomore in college, studying IT. He is involved in a variety of opportunities, including a handbell choir, audio-visual work, and barista.
• Brianna is a junior in HS that stays busy with her volleyball, studies, and work. 
• Josie, she just stays busy.

My extended family is also great. My parents, my in-laws -- they are all wonderful. God has richly blessed me with great family.

• Function

I thoroughly enjoy the role that God has put me in. There are a great many challenges to be faced, as the need to grow a small school is very weighty. Even as I try to build enrollment, I must acknowledge the great staff and students that are currently a part of HCA. It is a great group of folks to work with and to serve.

• Finances

When Josie was born, Bec quit work. Soon thereafter, Justin went to college. Those two events together should have been more than problematic, but God has provided. Justin is still in school and our bills are all current. The only explanation is the blessing of God and His ability to stretch our dollars.

I know that this is sketchy list; it could be added to in content and in topic, but this is what I have for know. Have a great Thanksgiving Day. May God richly bless in your every endeavor.

Walking Off the Beaten Path

What a busy couple of months. School started again in late August. Volleyball got underway. Josie got into everything.

The weather turned recently. My, is it cold outside. It is good time to stay indoors. Well, here are some highlights and comments from the last few weeks.

September
Keystone Christian Education Association held its annual Christian Educators Conference at Willow Valley. Bec did not attend this year, as Josie is not exactly easy to corral. The conference was fantastic. The speakers and topics were right on point. Again, Brie work AV, assisting with setting recorders, projectors, and microphones.

Volleyball season began the same day school did and really got going seriously in Sept. The girls lost a couple of tough matches, but continued to improve as they won most of their Sept. matches.

October
The annual Fall Festival was held the first weekend in October. It was an enjoyable weekend, but more importantly, God greatly blessed -- the event surpassed our goals.

The KCEA Fall Sports Tournaments were held at Lebanon, PA. The girls played their best matches of the year at the biggest event of the year. They defeated Mt. Carmel Christian 3-2 in a hard-fought 5 set match on Friday and then swept Red Lion 3-0 to win the title on Saturday. Brie made the All-Tournament team and could very well have been the MVP of the tournament if one were awarded. She had a tremendous weekend.

Josie is not really speaking yet, but she does say "volleyball." I am not sure how or where she picked that up...well, maybe I have a clue.

November
HCA held its annual Veterans Day Chapel on Nov. 11. We had 36 vets join us, along with their spouses and friends. This is one of the special days of the year at HCA.

Scroll down the page to find news updates and a picture from the Veterans Day event. http://www.pennlive.com/west-shore/index.ssf/2014/11/st_joseph_fifth_graders_visit.html

Justin has been busy doing AV work for BJU's production of Taming of the Shrew. That, in addition to his regular life, has kept him incredibly busy, Part of college is learning to budget and manage your time as you strive to get everything done.

Bec spend most of her time at home, but she has still found ways to help around the ministry. She has helped paint the entrance to the school, to organize the kitchens, and to make Powerpoint slides for HCA announcements each week.

I have been teaching an adult Sunday School class on the book of James. I have really enjoyed the opportunity to teach the class. It has been good to glean from the study and see some of the principles in the book. There is so much in James that we need to read, comprehend, and apply.

Walking Back into the Light

Well, the summer social media/blog hiatus is over (and then some) and it is time to let the big wide world know that I am still here. This summer has been busy, though not with trips and parks.There have been many projects to acquire time at the office, both of the older kids have been busy with work, and Bec has been more than a bit busy with Josie.

Some highlights.

• Brianna is learning to drive. Please pray. Also, she went to summer camp in New England (The Wilds of NE). She had a blast. In addition, she has been getting plenty of hours at the bakery.
• Justin finished the semester at college and then took a hike -- literally. He went on a three day hiking/camping trip. He has developed a great fondness for hiking. It will not happen soon, but some time on the Appalachian Trail may be in his future. Actually, we live all of 6 miles from the Trail, so it could be done fairly easily.
• Justin and I spent a day to visit Harper's Ferry, WV and Antietam, MD to visit the Civil War sites. It was an interesting day trip. We did not realize how close the site we to us here in Mechanicsburg, nor how close they are to each other. A couple of weeks later we took 1/2 a day to visit the Army Heritage Center at the Carlisle Barricks. It is a nice history of the US Army.
• Volleyball season is underway, so Johnny and Brie are busy with that. Between practice and games, most days have some time devoted to volleyball.
• School is underway for most of the family, whether here in PA or in SC. Justin is back at college studying IT; Brie is now in her junior year of high school.
• Josie turned 1-- and didn't even know it. She was too busy getting into things.

God has greatly blessed our family recently.

• We have made some travels (on both ends of summer) with safe trips "there and back."
• We were able to get Justin back into school without the need to "borrow" from an armored car, thanks in part to Justin's summer job.
• Justin was able to get a wonderful summer job, thanks to the time-honored adage, "It's not what you know, but who you know." One of his aunt made contact with someone seeking a summer intern to help with some projects. He had good pay and great hours, helping to get him into college to start the new semester.
• We have been, for the most part, very healthy. God has given us good health to go about our normal responsibilities and fulfill them.

We continue to rejoice in the goodness of God. He has been such a wonderful protector and provider for our family and He continues to be so.

Walking Back into View

Hello again. I was in the grocery store recently and they had this sign in the dining area of their cafe. It seemed to be a "sign," in more than one way. I guess that I am supposed to update this blog. The big news in the Walker house is that Josie is beginning to walk. (see video now)

In other news, both of the full-size kids have summer jobs. Brie will continue working at the bakery and Justin will begin work at an IT help center for senior centers. Both are/will also take online college classes this summer. Justin is taking Accounting and Brie will be taking a history class.

School gets out this week and not a moment too soon. Graduation was last week and now we look forward to the final Awards Ceremony. It has been a good year, but it is time for it to be over. Now we continue to look forward to next year.

God has greatly blessed throughout the year, whether in Greenville or Mechanicsburg. 

We are looking forward to summer and the opportunity to do some things as a family, though it will be a challenge to juggle all of the work schedules. It should be a great summer.

Baby's Steps

Well, what a week we had. Grandpa and Grandma came to visit. Then today, Josie figured out how to crawl on her hands and not just on her arms. Small steps, but big steps.

One Step Forward...

Have you ever had "one of those days"? You know, the days when it seems nothing goes right. When you get a lot of work done, but it seems that you do not get anything done. 

Have a great day.

Walking into the New Year...with Baby Steps

I often say in regards to things faced, "One step at a time." Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfus talked about "Baby Steps" in the movie "What About Bob?" One step at a time, one day at a time. Even during the steps, there are so many things happening that to cope without God seems nigh to impossible.

I began this on Jan. 7, our 25th anniversary. I finish it on Jan. 18, my 48th birthday. About the only thing good about the birthday is.............all the coupons for free food. I can handle free food, especially large burgers and fries. Perhaps I can even find a free coffee somewhere.

God has been so wonderful over the years. I do not fully understand how/why God has brought us to this point and I have no idea what He plans to do in the days to come. What I do know that God has been good, continues to be good, and will always be good. He alone has the right to define "good," yet I can trust that His love for me will ensure that His will is indeed good. That is a great blessing and a HUGE comfort.

when I reflect on the great blessings He has given:

• family, both Walkers and Holls.
• especially my wife and my kids. God has truly blessed me.
• friends all over the country, many that I do not get to see often enough.
• fellowship, the churches I have been privileged to serve in.
• furnishings -- all of the stuff that we have. Probably much more than we need, but another sign of God's blessing on our lives.

God has been so good and January brings some reminders of that with our anniversary and my birthday. As I read in His Word and see His acts and ways, I am reminded that He loves me and can meet my needs and more.

Walking into the New Year -- One Step at a Time

Well, to say that 2013 was full beyond belief (and measure) would be an understatement. What with Josie's arrival, Justin's somewhat departure and everything else that we encountered, it was an incredible year. We have seen God work in ways that defy our understanding. Life changes would seem to cause us to be in a place where we have no idea of the next step to take. However, with trust in God, we simply take the next step and trust that His direction is perfect. 2013 was a great year to see God meet needs in our family; I am looking forward to see what He will do and how it will be accomplished. All that we can do is follow Him one step at a time. 

In the meantime, my son is writing computer programs and my daughter is chewing on her toys -- Josie, not Brianna. Brie is busy in her own way, always finding something to do.

Have a great 2014. I am looking forward to see what God will do for us during the new year and I trust that you will see Him do great things as well.