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

My Parents Visit NY

Mid-August, my parents decided they were going to come visit NY! I was very shocked and very excited!! If you know my parents, they don't travel very much, so it was a huge surprise! :)

The first day, they flew into Buffalo around 1:30pm. Since Niagra Falls is only 30 min from Buffalo, we visited.

We got a few pictures by the falls together. :) We also ate at the Hard Rock Cafe which was A-mazing! :)

The second day, Paul and I showed them around base, where Paul worked, took them for "New York Style Pizza" @ Cams, and showed them some of the waterworks in the area where the Black River runs though. Dad was very impressed at all of the beautiful water scenery and rocks.

This is a picture of Mom and Dad standing in Black River (the city) where we walked by the waterworks.

Memorial crosses. :(

Some of the waterworks in Black RIver. :)

More pictures of black river :) On Day 3, we went to Alexander Bay and visited Boldt Castle. We also took a boat tour of Millionaires Row (where a few famous people used to live 100 years ago). It was fun! :)

Me and Paul by the Castle.

Boldt Castle.

On Day 4, we drove to West Point and Paul showed us where he had classes, where the stadium was, the library, a garden, etc.. It was a gorgeous campus!! I loved it.

Mom and Dad in the Garden at West Point.

:)

Me and Paul walking through the dorms down to the library.

Me and Paul by the chapel :)

DAY 5, we went to NYC!!! Dad and Mom's first trip to New York City.. I think they loved it. :)

In one day, we...

Visited Time Square (my personal FAVORITE) :)

Walked Central Park (where Paul and I got engaged a year b4) :)

Saw the statue of liberty.

Ate at the Shake Shack (as advertised by the Food Network) ..Its very good btw.

Rode the Subway..

Saw the empire state building, visited ground zero and memorial, rode in taxis and walked a ton! :) It was a great day!

Day 6, we took it easy. We went to church and visited with each other. We also had a bonfire with the neighbors and made smores! :) Delicious!

Day 7, I drove my parents to Buffalo and goodbye. It was sad, but exciting knowing I'll be down to visit in just a couple short months!!

---->23 short days until I'm Mississippi Bound!!! Emily's wedding is almost here and I cant wait! :) Then.. Christina's wedding will be here shortly after!! Woo HOO! :)

God has really blessed Paul and I here in New York. When we move to Missouri, we'll really miss New York and all of our wonderful friends we've made here. We know God's plans are greater than ours and we rest in that. Thank you God for being BIG and for allowing us to have such a great experience in New York! :) We love New York. :)

Prayer: Please pray for my friend Sarah's grandpa, Amy and her family, and the barracks ministry.

Love yall much! :)

Prayer

Also, I'm so bad about sharing prayer request. However, I have several. Pray for our barracks ministry that God will really speak to their hearts through cookies, sausage biscuits, church and HIS joy. My friend Amy lost her gramps so if you could pray for her and her family, thatd be great! Also, close friends of Paul and I, David and Megan, are going through a tough time right now. He just deployed this morning. Keep them in your prayers. My friend, Jess, has been sick. Also Megan (different megan) and Kellan as they progress in their pregnancies. Pray for safety, their help, and comfort as they continue to progress through this time. :) And.. pray for Paul and I as we begin packing for our BIG move to Missouri!

There are also a million blessings I should report. God has blessed us greatly with AMAZING friends here at drum. I just love them. He's also allowed our families to visit us recently which has been very rewarding... Also.. I'm going down south for a couple weeks coming up soon!! WOO HOO! I'm excited! :)

God's Chisel

Lately..

Wow, this sumer has REALLY flown by. I apologize I haven't written in several months. God blessed Paul and I with a visit from my parents which was so unexpected and absolutely amazing! We really enjoyed it! We also were able to visit Paul's sister Erin, my cousin Justin, go to Sean's wedding, AND visit Paul's grandparents, parents and sister Danielle. Also, Paul's parents came up for a weekend as well. It's really been a fabulous summer, and I'm so sad to see it go. God has really and truly blessed us during our short time here in New York.

Honestly, I knew I would make the best out of being in New York, but I never imagined how much I would fall in love with the people, environment, scenery, ministries, etc here. I absolutely LOVE it, and I'm so sad to be planning a move away from New York. I keep reminding myself that God's plans are so much greater than my own!! If not for HIS plans, we never would've been able to live in NY to begin with. So, praise to HIM. Even though we have no clue what the future holds, Paul and I trust Him whole heartedly. The rumor around the military world is that Fort Leonardwood (in Missouri) is one of the worst bases. Morale is down because there's nothing to do there and.. there's nothing to do there. Walmart is a 45 min. drive away is what I'm told. This is where we're moving in October, but I know God has great BIG plans and we're going to make the best of it! We know it's a blessing in disguise just as NY has been. Sure, maybe we can't see the surprise now, but God will reveal it in His time. I'm resting in this verse: "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" Phil 4:19. So.. Here's to a month of packing and lots of hugs, cookouts and eventually goodbyes. Thank you God for giving us the opportunity.. you were right, it was awesome! :)

God has also been showing Paul and I the rewards that come with forgiveness. For when we forgive others, God really does shower us with blessings and joy! This is a tough for me to admit. But, when we first arrived in NY after the honeymoon and Paul had to make his way back to work, I was pretty disheartened. I had never not had a job or an income before, and I just didn't know what to do with myself. I would clean the house EVERY day even though it didnt need it. Then, Paul would come home to another day of a very clean house and dinner on the table, and I would get disappointed if he didn't noticed I cleaned! (Ofcourse he wouldnt, it looked the same as yesterday!) ha Anyway, I didn't realize it then.. but God really has used these few months of no job and no income to completely humble my heart. He's filled my days with TONS of things to do such as volunteering for the FRG, running army functions, baking several times a week for one of our ministries and for Paul's office or neighbors, throw showers, organize weekly "Couple dinner" where the wives meet at 2pm and cook for our hubbies, have lots of cookouts at our place, visit the farmers market weekly, cook for my hubby and most of the time friends every day, work out.. and so much more. Though I don't have a job, I feel like I do! ha God has used this to completely change my heart. I used to strive to be a workaholic, get things done, stay as long as it takes kind of worker. Now, I'm striving to get a job teaching college classes which would most likely be part-time unless I wanted to add more classes to teach as I went. I've talked to a couple ppl in Missouri about it, and I'm praying God will show me if it's His will or what is exactly.

God has really been convicting me lately of settling for my joy in Him. I haven't been craving for more and more joy, instead I'm ok with the "middle" joy. Does that make sense? I was reading Galations 4 today where Paul is asking the Galatians "What has happened to your joy" and God really convicted me of this. How dare I think less of myself bc I don't have a job.. I'm defined by GOD not by this world or how much I work. I should rest AND rejoice in HIM! "God, give me unconditional joy that pours out of me no matter where I am or what I'm going through. Give me a joy that is defined by you alone! Amen."

I want to leave you with one last thought, It's Ephesians 4:32.. "Be kind and compassionate to one another forgiving each other just as Christ forgave you!" When we hold on to past pain someone else caused us, it ends up hindering us more than that person. I just want to encourage you to forgive. Forgiveness is so freeing and makes you feel so alive. Most importantly, it increases how closely we walk with Christ! So forgive, and live joyfully! It's God's plan for you. :)

Paul's Promotion and the Beale Wedding

I've decided I need to start "blogging" more. I just keep putting it off until I have a ton to write..not good. So, Last week Paul was "officially" promoted to Captain!! YAY!! :) The Battalion Commander gave a really nice speech at his ceremony, then he presented him with a plaque holding his certificate of promotion granted by Congress... Pretty impressive. :)



This is a picture of the Battalion Commander presenting Paul with the certificate. :)



They actually allowed me to "promote" Paul by placing his new rank on his uniform. He's officially a Captain now (Hints the railroad track symbol on the uniform). :)


This is a few of Paul's closest friends. Left to Right: Dave Beale, Alvin Cavalier, Paul (duh), and Christopher George. When these four get together, it's trouble.

Last weekend, we attended Dave and Kellan's wedding. It was actual mine and Paul's first Catholic wedding to ever go to, so it was interesting. It was a very beautiful wedding and you could tell they were so happy! :) Here are a couple pics from it.

The Happy Couple! :)

After the wedding, there were lots and lots of bubbles. While we were waiting to visit with them, we enjoyed playing with the bubbles. The funniest was watching 3 of America's finest, most mature U.S. soldiers have a ball with pink tubes of bubbles. Sound entertaining? OHHH it was!! Here they are... haha

My hubby.. :)

There they are.. too funny!

Then Paul and I decided we needed a few pictures in the car or maybe I just decided that... Here's the result..

This picture was taken of us at the wedding.

This weekend, we're actually going to Dave and Kellan's tomorrow for dinner (and they're one week anniversary). We're excited about having them here to hang out with now! :) Also, next week is Riverfest... So, we get to tour a castle, have free food, go on a boat ride, and tour a few islands... Pretty exciting!

Paul and I are also trying to plan a backyard bible club for all of the kids in the neighborhood and maybe have a few water games. Unlike the south, many kids here have never heard of Jesus.. and God is somewhat of a foreign idea to them. Please keep them in your prayers. Also, we started visiting the barracks a few weeks ago to talk to the single soldiers that get forgot about and share cookies. We're hoping to get a game night going in the barracks and begin sharing God's love with them. Please pray that God will give us the courage, consistency, and knowledge of what to say during our visitations. Also pray for the single soldiers because they sure do live a lonely life. Think about it: they deploy, come home to...only their fellow soldiers (most of them), then wait to deploy again... most want to asap because they've grown to feel more "appreciated" and "loved" and "needed" in Afghanistan than here. They feel they belong more there. Isn't that sad? Please keep them in your prayers.

God's got great plans for New York and Soldiers!!! Please also pray that Paul and I will be sensitive and attentive to GOD's Plans and His will as we strive to love people HIS way! :)

I love yall and Ill write soon! :) Happy weekend and God bless! :)

NYC and Taylor Swift

May 15-16 weekend I finally got to enjoy the long awaited Christmas present that my amazing husband invested in while he was still in Afghan. What's that you ask? Taylor Swift tickets in NYC ofcourse!! It was awesome! Running low on money, we made the most of what we had as cheap as possible :) It was great fun.

First, we arrived at the hotel early Saturday morning around 2 am. The hotel took almost an hour to check in. So you're thinking, "hmm..maybe a long line" ? Nope.. No line, just really dumb people. The hotel had just opened and looked nice for a good price. Once we got into our room, we realized we had no towels, shampoo, or rags. OCD as I am, I checked the covers to make sure everything was clean and SAFE. It seemed good. We crashed, and the next morning we realized...The shower is broken. Great. haha So, Paul goes down stairs to ask for another room to find an extremely long line of really frustrated people (with reservations) waiting for their rooms. Luckily, he didn't have to wait in line and we got another room. Once we moved all of our things, we realized the tv in our new room was broken and the AC was broken as well. Great. By this time, we were frustrated so we went to IHOP and had peanut butter pancakes. YUM! This is us excited about pancakes:

After that, we made our way to the Taylor Swift concert!!! Surrounded by little girls ages 7-15 everywhere, but it was still Fun Fun Fun!! The picture above to the right is us at the concert!

Kelly Pickler opened for Taylor Swift, and we weren't very impressed with her. I'm not the biggest Kelly Pickler fan, but she did sing one song I really liked. Then, it was finally time!!! BAM!! Here's a couple pics of TAYLOR SWIFT!!! AHHHHH!!! (Paul was such a good sport btw):)

So, we had decent seats, but not the best! They were about in the middle, bc I saw it ridiculous to pay too much for tickets! :) Luckily, she came to us!!! We were about two rows from where she performed one of her songs!!! So, here are those pictures! :)

The next day, we slept in a little and then wokeup to go to the city and visit the BROOKLYN BRIDGE and GROUND ZERO. I was so excited!!! Heres a pic of us getting ready!

We walked around the city and saw ground zero. It was really touching and sad to see everything. Here are some pictures from ground zero.

The picture on the far right is a memorial where people came and left stuff in memory of those lost. The picture second from the right is all of the missing people after the tragic accident. People passed out these flyers on the streets in hopes of finding their loved ones. The pics of the far left are of ground zero itself and the reconstruction.

Here are two more pictures from ground zero. On the far right, is the memorial of teddy bears. They passed teddy bears out after 9-11 for all of the schools and relief workers and firemen. On the far left is a fireman uniform on the back pew of the catholic church by ground zero. They said that the firemen would come in and pray, nap, or just to meditate.

After visiting ground zero, we walked to the Brooklyn bridge!! It was a long walk, but very very beautiful! We had a lot of fun. Here are a couple more pictures of the view and one of us! :)

Afterwards, we headed back home and even stopped at Olive Garden for lunch. YUM :)