When Trouble Comes

The other day I had the privelege of speaking to our church about the journey we have been on. Here is the video.

Ilene said to warn you to keep a box of tissues close.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

One Year Ago

There are circumstances in our lives that change us. It is those times when we have a major decision to make and either choice is life changing. One year ago today that happened to us and as a result of the journey, today we are different people. As a reminder of the fragile state of our lives, last night we ended up back in the hospital because Josh had a nose bleed that wouldn't stop. All of the fears and "what if's" came rushing back through our minds as we stood in the hall way waiting to have his blood drawn.

For the most part, Josh has been healthy for the last few months. We that God regularly for his health and continued remission. Each month of being cancer free gives us more hope that he won't relapse, but when we see the dark circles around his eyes or hear him complain of being tired, we begin to wonder if our journey is about to take another turn.

One year ago today, June 18, 2011, we took him in to see Dr. Turner because he had been having nose bleeds and was feeling tired. An hour or so later we were back in Dr. Turners office being told that an oncologist was ready to see him in Amarillo and we needed to leave right away and take him in through the emergency room.

In life when we experience challenges that seem insurmountable, after walking through them we can look back and see how God provided for us. Today, as we look back we see the miracle that God did in Josh, we see how He showed us His faithfulness in the midst of a terrible situation and we choose to remember that as difficult as it was, today we can see how God is faithful.

Joshua 3 tells the story of when the Israelites were crossing the Jordan river after wandering in the desert for 40 years. They were instructed to pick up rocks as they crossed the river to remind their children that God had performed a miracle to get them across into the Promised Land.

July 18, will be my pile of rocks to remind my children and grandchildren that God was faithful to us in our time of need.

Tomorrow, Sarah and I leave for a missions trip to Ecuador. Keep us in your prayers and we will report back when we return.

And Josh's blood test, it was normal. Another reminder that God is in control.

Make A Wish Trip

In May the Make A Wish Foundation sent our family on a trip to Hawaii. We spent 7 wonderful days snorkeling and swimming in the warm waters of Maui. One of the highlights of the trip included getting moved to first class (thanks American Airlines) when they found out that we were a Make A Wish family on the flight over to Maui. Josh also loved the jet skiing, dinner cruise (we got to se the last whale of the season) and warm water.

Our family will always remember the time we spent together. Thank you all for your prayers and support. Josh is working at the local gym and taking a college class on line. /he still complains of aches and pains and gets tired very easily, but over all we see continued to improvement.

Ronald McDonald House

The Tab Program

Ecuador Missions Trip This Summer

Over the last nine months, our family has seen God do both challenging and amazing things in our lives. So many of you have prayed with our family as we have battled cancer, and you have celebrated with us as God has answered our prayers for Josh’s healing.  Josh continues to gain weight and strength. He had another bone marrow biopsy last week, which we are still awaiting the final results. We have had almost a month of good health for which we are very thankful.

Recently, God has provided me (and Sarah) with the opportunity to go on a short-term mission trip this summer, July 20-28, to Tena, Ecuador with our church. As you may know, I grew up on the mission filed and our daughter Sarah has shown a heart for missions since she was younger. She has asked me on numerous times over the last few years to go on a trip with her, so this summer we feel like God is finally giving us the opportunity to go on an international trip together. We will be part of a team of 17 students and adults from Dalhart who are going to Ecuador.

In Ecuador, our team will be working alongside Steve and Carol Thompson who are dedicated to missions and to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Originally from Texas, the Thompsons moved to Ecuador in 1987 to serve as missionaries. Over the years the Thompsons have been involved in various forms of ministry and outreach in Ecuador, all with a primary focus of evangelism, church planting and church development.

The Thompsons spend part of every summer hosting children's and youth camps from their jungle location and then they move to a mountain camp for the latter part of the summer. Camp Chacauco is a beautiful, hand-built retreat center in the central mountain region of Ecuador and is a place where students can hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ through youth camps and sports ministry. 



While we are there, our team will be sharing the love of Christ by hosting day camps for the children at Tena and the surrounding community. We have the opportunity to love on and care for these children and their families. I am excited to see how the Lord will allow me to use the gifts and abilities that He has given me through this experience.

As Sarah and I go on this trip, we ask that you would commit to pray daily for us. Specifically, for the children we will be working with and the ongoing ministry that Steve and Carol are involved in at Camp Chacauco. We would also ask that you pray for the financial needs of this trip.

As you pray, if the Lord leads you to participate in this ministry by giving financially, here are the specifics of our financial needs. Sarah and I will be raising support to go on this trip. The trip will cost approximately $2500 per person. This money is for transportation, housing and food along with ministry expenses while there. If you would like to make a contribution toward our trip, you can send a check payable to “First Baptist Church” and mail it to the address below, or you can make a donation on line at the link at the top of the page.

Thank you for your prayers. We have been blessed over this last year by your words of encouragement as well as by your emotional and spiritual support. You can read more about this mission opportunity at www.servantlife.com.  Click on 2012 Trips and find the Ecuador link.  Sarah and I are excited about this opportunity to go and serve the nations and spread Christ’s love to others.

In Christ,

Brian Walton

1001 Denver Ave

Dalhart, TX 79022