Life in Missouri

July 18th, 2011

Hello everyone! It's been a while since I have updated you, so I'll try to include as much as possible AND to remember to update more often. ha

From NEW YORK to MISSOURI

We moved to Missouri in late November of 2010. Then, we went home for the holidays to FL to have Christmas with my family. It was great fun. We returned to MO in January and went looking for a church! We searched high and low until finally God showed us our new church home here in St. Robert, MO. Our church family is great.. very welcoming, and loving. We love them a lot. Here is a picture of the church BUILDING but not the church family.

God immediately showed us ways to get involved and get to know our family. It's been a blessing to be involved in ministries here and reach out to people in our community. God has used Paul and I to start a "Prayer and Praise Night" every other Saturday night to just come together as believers and glorify God in song and prayer. It's been awesome so far!

Also, Jackson has now become an official "world traveler". He's been to all parts of NY, MS, FL, MO, IL, and most of the states in between. He's very happy and such a sweet dog. :)

In April, Paul and I celebrated our ONE YEAR anniversary!! God has truly blessed us in the past year and taught us SO much about His grace and love. Paul is honestly the most amazing, caring, loving man of God that I've ever met. I love him with all of my heart and am so blessed to be called his wife. :)

This is us and the anniversary cake Paul got me! He knows me well. :)

In June, we went to HAITI and God used it to change a lot about us and our plans. God showed us through Haiti that you don't have to have ANY material possessions or savings to be filled with the unconditional, ever flowing love of Christ. He wants to FILL us with HIS love and JOY daily...we just have to let Him do so. Sarah, one of the kids in Haiti, had the biggest impact on my life. You see, she is such a hard worker and a straight-A/B student in school. She walks back and forth to school everyday with a HUGE SMILE. In fact, she always smiles. No matter her plans for the day, she ALWAYS wanted to clean our muddy shoes at the end of the day. She would sneak down and grab them while we were eating dinner..then, she'd scrub them during dinner time. She'd set them outside to dry and eat dinner after we were done. I caught her in the act one night:

Stunned, I told her "Sarah, you don't have to scrub our shoes.." I was going to go on and tell her that we thought higher of her than that and that we didn't care how dirty they were..it was fine. But before I could finish, she looked at me with a great BIG smile and said "I love scrubbing shoes..Its my favorite thing to do!" I could tell by her huge smile and nodding head that she definitely meant it. Those simple words meant so much to me. In ten words, she humbled my heart and made me realize just how spoiled and selfish I was in America. I don't need material things..I dont need a fancy car..I dont need a huge house..ALL we really need is God's love to fullfill us. If we allow God's love to fill us with HIS joy Everyday, it will leave ppl wondering what we have and why were so happy...I know it leaves ppl wondering after they meet Sarah--I experienced it. We as Americans, need to be humbled and help ppl..maybe its not cleaning shoes for you...maybe its helping at the soup kitchen, giving to a homeless person, playing bball with some kids, Ask God..He'll show you, promise!

Also in June, Mason and Charity got married! They had a pretty wedding in New Hampshire and we were thankful we were able to attend! They will be moving to North Carolina at the end of the year for seminary! Pray for them as they prepare for their big move.

We were able to see my family for July 4th weekend!! It was so much fun! :)

This weekend is Katie's wedding!! I'm so excited for her and Ben.. I know she'll be the best wife ever for Ben! (She can cook really well! :) Hope yall have a great week and be blessed!

Love,

The Walkers