I am a few days late with this month's update, but nevertheless, here's what's going on...
There are many "little" updates, regarding work, health, etc., so I will post those at the end. First I want to share something that God has been impressing on my heart in the last month or so.
Do you ever feel like you say "yes" to God, and then he abandons you? Maybe you don't feel like he totally leaves, but you feel as though he walked in another room; he gave you a piece of the puzzle, and you have to figure out what to do with it. It's like putting together a new piece of furniture without knowing what it is you are building. So you start to ask, "Should I start with this piece?" "Does this go here?" "Am I using the right tool?" or "Is this what it's supposed to look like?"
Sometimes it's so clear why God brings us into something. And other times, it's hard to see. Like really hard. And we start to question it. But I know from God's word and from experience, that if we hold on, if we wait upon the Lord, if we remain faithful to him, we will come to see the promise. God is faithful and never breaks a promise. If he led you to it, he'll lead you through it. He anoints and appoints. I've been reminded over & over of Abraham and Sarah. God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations; that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. But he didn't have any children, and he was nearly a hundred years old. However, we all know how the story unfolds. Sarah became pregnant and gave birth to their son, Issac! But it didn't happen immediately. It took years for that to happen. I wonder what they went through in the waiting period. I wonder if they ever doubted. I wonder if they ever grew frustrated. I wonder if they felt like God abandoned them.
First of all, trusting in something God-ordained that doesn't make sense to us at the time, is hard to do. (Having a child at nearly 100 years old.)
Second, waiting and working for that promise to come is hard, and many people lose faith and give up. (They didn't receive that promise immediately & tried to "make" that son through another woman.)
But it's important to remember that if God promised it, he will fulfill it! Remain faithful and true to him, even when you can't "see" him at work. Trust that he is at work in everything and everyone around you. So don't waste the waiting. If you begin to lose hope, remember 'Abraham and Sarah', and know that the same God who brought them great nations through a son at age one-hundred, will fulfill whatever promise he's given you. He will DO IT AGAIN. He continues to work miracles and show up in hopeless situations and pour out his blessings on his people. Look to him. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfector of your faith.
He is a miracle-working God! His promises are true. Don't give up. Keep pressing on. Keep pressing in to Him. I'm so honored to serve him and to be called his child. It's not always easy to say "yes" to the Lord, but it's always worth it. He is worthy. He is to be praised. He is beautiful. He is glorified!
"All His promises are YES and AMEN!" (Song here: Yes & Amen )
- Tori
Here are some highlights from the last month-and-a-half:
- We are still at the RV park, trying to keep it cool in these HOT summer months!
- Tori was sick with a cough for a couple weeks in May/June. One night had bad chest pains. Was worried about heart trouble. Went to ER. All is well... just pneumonia & bronchitis.
- Arise Church began weekly Bible studies that correspond to Sunday's teachings. We've been going to that as a family. It's helped us to establish friendships and get to know people in our church better, as well as have discussion about God & the Bible.
- We celebrated Ephriam's birthday at the end of May, and Tori's birthday at the end of June.
- Tori got a job at Tutor Time in Paradise Valley/Phoenix.
- Jennifer, Joe, and Tori went to a pastors-gathering about church assessment led by Mark Driscoll.
- Matt's grandma Opal (Brenda's mom) was killed in a car accident the last week of June. Matt was able to go to Ohio to see his family and be there for the funeral & such. Please lift the family up in prayer over this unexpected news.
- We celebrated the 4th of July with our church family at Apache park, handing out glow sticks and SnoCones to anyone who wanted them. It was a hot one! And FYI, Arizona aint got nothin' on Michigan fireworks... of course, it is a desert here and there are many restrictions! lol (We are so used to being on a lake! Missing our lakes, boats, and beaches this time of year!)
- In trying to escape a dust-storm & thunderstorm, we accidentally drove THROUGH a dust-storm. Not gonna lie, that was scary! Very windy. Couldn't see the car directly in front of me at times. Had to stop/pull over a couple times. Felt almost tornado-like. Trees were uprooted, and we saw (and heard) an explosion on a power line that shook me up as the driver of the vehicle. But, we made it to the mall to wait out the rest of the storm. I'm glad we experienced that, because now we know what to expect! No damage. The RV survived!
- Matt will go back to work at the end of July (his job is a 10-month job).
Thanks for reading and keeping in touch. Thank you for your prayers and financial support. If you're able to give, we would so appreciate it! We still need more ongoing monthly support. You can write a check or give online by going to Arise Church Giving and selecting "Matt and Tori Walker Support."
God bless you!
