The angels’ message
to the shepherds was
to the shepherds was
“Glory to God in
highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those
with whom God is pleased.”
with whom God is pleased.”
Jesus
promises us
“Peace I leave with you,
“Peace I leave with you,
My peace I give to
you;
not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your heart be troubled,
not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid.”
As
this year’s Christmas Cards started arriving – a number of you have indicated
that you miss getting our Blog, and wondered whether there will be any more –
so we decided to use this issue as a Blog and our Christmas letter to family
and friends as one publication.
2012
started out normally with church activities and later yard and garden work,
although this spring and summer was quite different - record heat and drought
conditions. Even with soaker hoses our garden yielded poor pickings.
Dan
and Carol continue to faithfully give leadership to LIFE CHURCH as the Lord is
guiding them. Joel is working for a computer programming company and is also
taking several university courses including calculus. The Walker 7 are involved
in church activities and soccer, volleyball, drama, music etc.
Bren
continues teaching at the high school and the community college. Next semester she is schedule to teach her
first online class. She is hoping to do
more online teaching so she was pleased to get her first class this spring. In
early June she took Donna and I to see Sue and her family in Arkansas.
Sue
and Virg’s life took a dramatic turn January 4th when Virg’s father’s
house burned down – leaving Lloyd with absolutely nothing except the pajamas on
his back. So for the rest of the year this 89 year old man, with many medical
needs, moved in with them while Virg rebuilt his house. Through it all, the
Lord provided them with His PEACE. Their son Ryan is a junior at Christian
Bible College. He was chosen to be on a drama team that will minister at summer
camps on the East Coast.
October
5th brought a dramatic change into our life! While in her office, Donna
reached down to pick up a Kleenex, and kept on going down in great pain. I
called 911 – an ambulance rushed her to the hospital - she had broken her right
hip. The next day she had a partial hip replacement – a metal ball replaced the
bone that had broken off. A few days later I woke up with a severe burning
sensation over my upper body and arms. My lips were stiff and tingly. Sue was visiting
and thought I was having a heart attack and called 911. My heart was not the
problem – I was having a severe anxiety attack.
Donna was in a rehab facility for about a
month. Physical therapists , occupational therapists and speech therapists
worked with her Monday – Friday, she made continual improvement. I spent days with
Donna and nights at Dan’s house during this time. She was discharged on Nov 9th,
at which time we moved in with Dan and Carol and family for
a number of weeks until Donna’s restrictions, “not to bend over” were lifted -
when we moved home Nov 24.
Therapists
continue to work with her at our house and will continue for several more weeks.
The goal is for her to get around without a “walker” or a “walking cane.”
These
have been trying months, but the Lord’s promise has been a constant comfort - “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as
the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Future
blogs? – we’ll see how the Lord leads. Thank you for your prayers over the
months. I am still on anxiety medication.
Trust
you have had a Blessed Christmas, and may your New Year be filled with the Lord’s
PEACE!!
