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.

Walking at Christmas

Well, Christmas day is upon us. What a wonderful day it is, as we...
    ...reflect on the birth of the Savior and what He did for us.
    ...spend time with family.
    ...eat, eat, and eat some more.
    ...talk to family scattered around the country.

God has been very good to my family this year. When I stop and reflect upon all He has done, I can do nothing but marvel in His unceasing goodness. He has met all of our needs and provided innumerable blessings beyond those needs.

As I reflect upon Christmas and all that it means to me and to my family, I am once again left in awe of God's goodness. We are so completely undeserving of the love that He has shown so freely to us. Mankind is worthless and yet priceless at the same time. Nothing that we have or can offer carries any value (Isaiah 64:6), yet God placed a value on us that caused Him to send His son to die in our place (John 3:16). We have no value in or of ourselves, yet we have had incredible value assigned to us, all because of God. He made us to be valuable.

The date of the first Christmas may be open to debate, but the event itself is not. God sent His son to die in our place that we might have the opportunity to have our sins forgiven. We sinned against Him and He took the initiative so that things might be made right. We can have a restored relationship all because He loved us. The birth of the savior demonstrates His great love for us. Mankind shows our love for self; God showed His love for us.

As we move through Christmas, let us keep a focus on our God and His great love for us.

Walking Around the Christmas ... Year

Well, where does the letter begin this year? There has been such change in our family over the last 12 months. One thing that did not change – we are still in central Pennsylvania.

The year began with Johnny, Justin, and Brianna making the daily trip to Emmanuel Baptist Christian Academy and Becky to work at Messiah Lifeways. As this year began, Justin was a senior in high school and Brianna a freshman. The kids were very busy during the first few months of the year, with basketball and then music and drama. Justin graduated from high school at the end of May and began to make plans to attend Bob Jones University majoring in Information Technology with a Business minor. 

This year, we celebrated birthdays 47 (Johnny & Becky), 18 (Justin), and 15 (Brianna). We also celebrated anniversary 24 for Johnny & Becky.

Becky began the year continuing work in the Gift Development Office at Messiah Lifeways. Johnny continues his ministry in administration, teaching, and coaching at EBCA.

In July came radical changes to the Walker family. Josie was born on July 16. That resulted in Becky resigning her position at Messiah. That changed our family financial structure from a two income family to a one income family, that one being a Christian school administrator. All this with Justin preparing to leave for Bob Jones one month later. Just a “few” changes. Josie keeps Mommy busy and awake.  She resembles her big brother in many ways including looks and sleeping habits (or lack of sleeping habits). Though Josie was not in our plans, God had other plans.  She will keep us young!

Since July, our family has seen God miraculously provide. We weren't exactly sure how college would be funded when we had two incomes; we were without a clue how it would happen with only one income and an additional child, yet God has demonstrated time and again that He indeed is the One we can trust for everything.

In the meantime, Brianna began her sophomore year of high school. She played volleyball in the fall and is serving as the team manager and statistician for the boys basketball teams. Due to a change in enrollment, her team is not playing this year, but she has taken advantage of the opportunity to continue to be involved. She has been a great blessing this year she is helped out around the house. Brianna did have the opportunity to once again be involved in the KCEA All-State Choir.  

Justin seems to be enjoying college life – roommates, dorm life, managing his time between studies, work and social affairs. It sure seems strange to not have him at home on a daily basis though he keeps in touch with us often.  It’s nice to pick up the cell phone or send a quick text.  My, how times have changed since we were in college. Who knows, by the time Josie is in college laundry service will be provided in the tuition cost.

We know that God is faithful.  It has been exciting to see Him accomplish His will. We trust that you will enjoy the blessings of God during this Christmas season and coming New Year.  If you get up our way, give us a call. Friends are always welcomed.

The Walkers – Johnny, Becky, Justin, Brianna, Josie (& Charity)