Walking on Air

Yesterday was absolutely incredible. Here are the pictures that show some of the work done -- https://picasaweb.google.com/109656897877397331311/HouseOnCambridge02?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCM_04tizk4DcxwE&feat=directlink . We got so much done around the new house. Many thanks to those who gave of their time and energy to aid us in the renovation. God has been so wonderful to us and has given us such wonderful friends and family. I must sit in amazement at His wonderful grace and blessing to me and to my family.


Today is New Year's Eve. As I think of the new year that is now upon us, I think of goals for the coming year. One that keeps coming to mind is from Philippians 3 where Paul declares, "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death...." That first clause, "That I may know him," reaches off the page and grabs me every time I read or think of the passage. One of my great desires for the coming year is to really get to know my God. That knowledge comes from reading about Him and through fellowship with Him. Too often I try to fit God into my mold or box, seeking to make Him fit my notions and ideas. As I read in the scriptures, I need to be willing to get beyond the black words on a white page and dig into the meaning and application of the truths found within the pages of the Bible. As I enter 2012, my great desire is to get to know my God and to properly reflect Him to those around me.


And now I get ready to head back over to the new home site and continue the renovation work. It shall be another busy, exhausting, yet very profitable day. Adios.

Walking through the Door

Well, this is a big day; today we closed on a house. We were looking, yet taking our time and God dropped a nice house right in front of us. Now we have a lot of work to do to get ready to move in. Over the next couple of weeks we will be removing carpet, fixing the hardwood floors, painting, and whatever else comes along. Yippee! It is amazing how good God has been through the process. The house is only about 3 miles from the school, so it does not take long to get to work. It is only about 4, maybe 5 miles from Bec's workplace.

I must give all thanks to God for His continuing goodness, care, and provision. His plan is perfect and the means that He uses to accomplish that means is always for our good and His glory. May we now glorify Him as we transition to a new home. Even now we sense that central PA is becoming more like home. The task is to make home feel like home.

Howdy

What a wonderful summer. We have seen God bless in a variety of ways. Justin works every Saturday. We were able to go to Washington DC for an extended weekend (Thur pm - Sun afternoon). We visited/did:
Friday

• Washington Monument - Going up and looking around was great. God gave us a nice, sunny sky.
• US Forest Service - I have walked by the building probably 50+ times over the years. Finally, I stepped in. We saw Smokey and the Visitor's Center. It was a quick, yet unique stop.
• US Capitol - Rep. Platts' staff was very gracious and gave us a tour. The gallery lines were long, so we did not visit either of them, but everything else was wonderful to see.
• Union Station - We ate (twice actually) at the large food court in Union Station.
• Old Post Office - The Old Post Office is a cool place to visit. I usually go to see the view from the clock tower, a National Park site itself. It is the second tallest public viewing location in the city.
• Ford's Theater - There was no scheduled tour, nor a play taking place, but we were able to take the self-guided tour of the museum and theater.
• Bureau of Engraving and Printing - We saw money being printed and received the tour, but alas, no free samples.
• Marine Corps Evening Parade - We concluded the day at the 8th & I Marine Barracks to see the Marine Corps Band and the Drum & Bugle Corps. It was awesome!

Saturday

• Rosslyn Metro Station - We hopped off the Metro to rise the escalator at the Rosslyn Station. It is one of the tallest escalators in the western hemisphere.
• National Museum of American History - We visited a couple of Smithsonians and this was the first. We saw some of the unique symbols of America's culture and history.
• National Museum of Natural History - I usually refer to this as the Museum of Evolution. It does have a lot of great things to see, as long as you keep in mind that the dating system is seriously flawed. i like looking at the Upper Michigan copper and the stone from the island of Yap.
• Sculpture Garden - In all of my trips to DC, I have never stepped foot inside the fences of the Sculpture Garden until this trip. I may never do so again, as I am not much of a modern art type of guy. Relaxing, but not me.
• National Air & Space Museum - We like to walk and see the planes, rockets, and missiles. It is a fun place to visit and see the progress "we" have made in air travel.
• Tourmobile - We went back to Union Station to dine and then took the Tourmobile's Twilight Tour. I love riding around to see the city and especially the monuments lit up against the night sky. It makes for a long day, but it was a wonderful day.

Sunday

• National Air & Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center - Typically referred to as the Air & Space annex, it has some great displays. an SR-71, the Space Shuttle Enterprise, the Enola Gay, and an air traffic control tower.

Then it was time to head home to catch the evening service back at Emmanuel. God gave us a great weekend and great weather to tour. We were not able to take a long or expensive vacation, but we were able to take a couple of days and spend time together as a family. God has given me a great family and He allowed us a wonderful time together.

See the photos here.

Mother's Day

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Exodus 20:12


God has been so very good to me. He has given me both a mother and a mother-in-law that are worthy of honor. My life has been greatly influenced by these two wonderful ladies. Both of them take the talents that God has given them and use those gifts to be a blessing to others. Whether it is at the sewing machine, in the kitchen, or elsewhere, they have helped teach me how to use my gifts and talents for others. I truly feel blessed to have the families that I have; the Christian heritage established by my families, and especially by my mother and my mother-in-law, is a heritage that I can look at and see God working through others. I can use that model as an example for service and as an illustration to teach my children.


I am thankful for both of my moms. May God richly bless you as you have been a blessing to so many others.

An Icy Reception

The storm that brought such wonderful weather to the Midwest (and 20 inches of snow to Chicago) brought central PA a lovely covering of ice. It sure is beautiful, but it tends to get in the way when there are places to go. This has now been a two scraper  winter. I hope to keep it at two. One storm put almost 1/2 inch of ice on everything; the second storm provided us with 1/4 inch. Again, very beautiful, but....

As a result of the great weather, we also lost four days of school over two weeks. Seems like fun, but as the old Fram commercial would say, "Pay me now, or pay me later." Any more weather days and we might be in school until July (or at least it will feel like it).

The kids had basketball games tonight; both played well. Justin had 17 points. Had to be an away game that I couldn't make. Rats! Both of the kids had good games and both are growing as players and as people. They are showing more maturity, both on the court and off. It is great to see the growth take place.

God has been great and has blessed us in so many ways. We are so thankful for all of His may blessings and provisions to our family.

2011 Update

Well Christmas and New Year's of come and gone and we're back into the routine of things. As a family, we had a great holiday season. My parents came to visit and we had a wonderful time for the week they were here. Now the days go by fast and furious -- basketball for the kids, the annual church Teen Winter Retreat, KCEA competitions, and on and on and on. Justin came home yesterday with literature about class rings. I was excited and yet it was like, "Whoa!" What is my son doing with class ring literature? It is amazing that he is getting older, but I am not. I'm not sure how that works.

The holiday season was especially special this year as we were able to spend time with both sets of parents for the first time ever. God has so greatly blessed us with wonderful family. It is great to have a family with whom love is shared, but it is even better to have that family share a love for God and a desire to see His will done.

January 7 was our 22nd anniversary. We had an enjoyable evening as we tried out a new (to us) restaurant in Hershey. The portions were HUGE and the food was delicious. I cannot believe that 22 years have already gone by. As we often hear, "Where has the time gone?" Becky is so wonderful, patient, and loving -- I guess I will buy her a table saw or maybe even a Packers jersey. What better gift for the one you love? God has been so very gracious to me to give me wife like Bec.

Sat., Justin and I went with Pastor and another man from church, along with five other teen guys, to see the Penn State vs. Mich State basketball game. We had a great time. The game was close throughout and exciting right until the end. It had a slightly strange feel to it as the majority of the students are not back on campus yet.

Exams begin at school for the kids (and me). Then, right after exams they head to the Pocono Mtns. for the retreat. I trust that they will have a great time and that God will use the event to speak to their hearts.

An Encouraging Walk

On Tuesday of this week, Justin was admitted as a member of the National Honor Society. Bec & I were so pleased, and yes, even proud. While Justin is still growing and maturing, the growth in the last year or so has been amazing. Both of the children are doing marvelously well, involving themselves in so many areas, including athletics, music, art, etc. I stand back as a dad and just breathe out thanks to God for all that He has done. It has been wonderful to see. Psalm 40:5 tells us of David's feeling that God's works were many and wonderful; all I can say is that I whole-heartedly agree. They are more than can be numbered and greater than I can understand. Congratulations Justin and Brie! I am proud of both of you.

What a Wonderful Walk

Well, last week was the annual Keystone Christian Education Association (KCEA) Teachers' Conference at Willow Valley resort just south of Lancaster. It was a two day event (Thur-Fri) with great keynote speakers and NUMEROUS workshops. It was very well done. One of the great blessings here at EBCA is that the ministry pays for the hotel room for the family, if they are able to attend. We had a wonderful time. Bec was able to take some time off from work and join us at the resort. She spent most of her time working on devotionals for upcoming speaking opportunities. Possibly the best part of the event was seeing both Justin and Brie serving. Some of the teens from EBCA attend the conference to help with the technology team. KCEA records most of the workshops to make them available for CD purchase. The teens help deliver mics and digital recorders to the various speakers and then retrieve the equipment and take it to the tech leaders. It was super to see them involved and helping, all the while having a great time. I loved the conference, but it was equally good to see the Walker clan enjoying themselves.

Volleyball season is about halfway over. The varsity team is doing well; junior high is progressing. The girls really are great. Tonight on the way back from a varsity game, the team sang hymns and gospel songs most all the way home. It was such a blessing to hear them sing and enjoy what they were singing.

The school year is well under way. It has been very busy so far, with new classes, volleyball, senior class projects, etc. I really enjoy it, but it sure does keep me busy. The kids are doing well in school. They are involved in everything that they can do, from art to music to sports. God has greatly blessed our family and He continues to do so. He is so very wonderful to us.