Voyage

This morning I read this prayer from The Valley Of Vision and was encouraged.

O Lord of the Oceans,

My little bark sails on a restless sea,

Grant that Jesus may sit at the helm and steer me safely;

Suffer no adverse currents to divert my heavenward course;

Let not my faith be wrecked amid storms and shoals;

Bring me to harbour with flying pennants,

hull unbreached, cargo unspoiled.

I ask great things,

expect great things,

shall receive great things.

I venture on thee wholly, fully,

my wind, sunshine, anchor, defence.

The voyage is long, the waves high, the storms pitiless,

but my helm is held steady,

thy Word secures safe passage,

thy grace wafts me onward,

my haven is guaranteed.

This day will bring me nearer home,

Grant me holy consistency in every transaction,

my peace flowing as a running tide,

my righteousness as every chasing wave.

Help me to live circumspectly,

with skill to convert every care into prayer.

Halo my path with gentleness and love,

smooth every asperity of temper;

let me not forget how easy it is to occasion grief;

may I strive to bind up every wound,

and pour oil on all troubled waters.

May the world this day be happier and better because I live.

Let my mast before me be the savior’s cross,

and every oncoming wave the fountain in his side.

Help me, protect me in the moving sea

until I reach the shore of unceasing praise.

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99 Balloons

To all of us (including me) that are in need of perspective

99 Balloons from Igniter Media on Vimeo.

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Update on Matt Chandler

If you haven’t seen the first update, watch it here. If you haven’t seen the second update, watch it here. If you’ve seen both, then you can pass go and collect 200 dollars. Ok, bad joke. Everybody knows Monopoly, right?

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The Walters Family 2009

What a year it has been!! In January we made the big move to Louisville, Kentucky. We were welcomed by a crazy ice storm leaving us without power for 5 days. B.J. soon began his classes at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. When spring arrived we were pleasantly surprised with beautiful  blooming trees. The summer was a great break from the busy semester. Fall was gorgeous (check out earlier post for pictures). They really have four seasons here!! With the seasons changing, we are reminded that there are seasons in our lives and how each one is important for the next. This season of school and parenting is only preparing us for the next season of our lives.  We don’t know what the next season will hold but we are trying to be faithful and enjoy where we are right now.

Naomi, 6, had a busy year. She is in the first grade, taking piano lessons, and played soccer on a team that B.J. coached.  In November (on B.J.’s birthday) she fell after her last soccer game on top of her trophy and broke her collar bone. She is not wearing her sling anymore and is doing great.  We are so proud of her efforts and her positive attitude.

Ethan, 4, kept us entertained this year. Ethan is learning along side Naomi. He loves to play games, play catch, fish, or just do anything that involves moving. Ethan also played soccer this year and loved it. I think I am getting a glimpse of what B.J. was like when he was a little boy.

Levi, 1, has also kept us entertained this year. He is such a lively little boy.  He could be described as silly, stubborn, tough, active, noisy, and fun.  He is learning words, kicking a soccer ball, loves music, and laughs all the time.

I (Christin) am  staying busy schooling Naomi and Ethan, playing with Levi and Ethan, keeping Levi and Ethan out of trouble, keeping Naomi on task, and keeping Ethan busy.  A friend told me a saying that I think fits my home perfectly: “Cleaning the house is like brushing your teeth and eating an Oreo cookie at the same time!” So true!! With three kids and a dog, this saying describes it perfectly.   The duties in the home are never done.  I know I will miss it one day.

BJ just finished his second full semester at Southern Seminary. He loves the godly professors and the rich, challenging content of his classes. He recently changed jobs and works as a sales rep. for Verizon Wireless (anybody need a cell phone?). Although he’s very busy with school and work we’ve grown in our relationship this year and are grateful for God’s grace to us during this hectic time.

As Christmas is upon us we pray that your hearts are directed to the child who came to the earth to redeem us from the curse. May you bask in His goodness and find your satisfaction in Him this Christmas season.

Enjoy a few pictures from 2009.

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Second video from Matt Chandler

The tumor that was removed from Matt Chandler’s brain was cancerous. Here’s a brief video from Matt. If you haven’t seen the first video watch it first.

via Message from Matt.

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Ethan caught in his tracks

So we recently got some XMas gifts in the mail from our fam and one of Naomi’s presents was in a gift bag. You know, the type that just has some tissue paper covering it. I was thinking that might be too tempting for the kids to take a sneak peak but I decided not to re-wrap it. I overheard the kids whispering about something and decided to look into the situation. Both kiddo’s denied any wrongdoing and plead innocent. I decided to investigate further. Here’s a transcript of the interrogation.

BJ: “Ethan, did you look at the present inside the gift bag?”

Ethan: “No” (with a face that basically says, “uh-oh”)

BJ: “What color is the box?”

Ethan: “Pink”

Busted.

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Advent Conspiracy

No, this is not a video blasting retailers that say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas”. To be honest, I don’t think making a fuss about that is productive. Anywho, a buddy  of mine sent me this video and I think it’s instructive and helpful. Enjoy.

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Elf Yourself

This ridiculously silly video is courtesy of my wife. Enjoy.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

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Matt Chandler video before brain surgery

For those of you who don’t know, Matt Chandler had a seizure on Thanksgiving morning and the doctors found a tumor in his brain. Here’s a video he recorded before he went into surgery. Be encouraged.

via Video from Matt.

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Badger Car Salesman

Ever worked with a salesman like this? Hilarious.

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