Deep in the Heart of Texas-May Travels

Our summer travels began in May as we made the day long drive down to Texas to visit "home".  With baby on board we split the day in two and spent the night in Tulsa along the way. We even drove through Moore, OK less than two days before the big Tornado hit. Upon reaching Fort Worth, the girls exclaimed "we made it to Texas"-thanks to their favorite bedtime book "Goodnight Cowtown" they recognized the skyline.  There is something very special about Fort Worth as it is Bobby's hometown and also the place where we met, got married, and although we left for two years, we returned and started our family there.  A return to the familiarity of home was met with the reality that things have changed in the two years we've been gone and that, perhaps, St. Louis has become more home than we realized.

Trips to Texas always seem hectic as there are so many different people to visit and connect with.  Along the way, our home base was Bobby's parents.  The girls loved being with Nan and Poppy and having our dog Kali with us for those two weeks.  We appreciate the good meals and the comfortable bed that Bobby's brother Mark lent us (I'm sure he really enjoyed the air mattress for two weeks).  We also got to spend some time visiting Bobby's extended family  and introducing them to our new addition Eley, especially his grandparents Bill and Bernice Scott.  We are incredibly blessed to have three sets of our grandparents still alive and cherish the time we and the girls get to spend with them.

While in town Bobby was able to preach at our home church St. Paul Lutheran Fort Worth (www.stpaulfw.org and we worshiped with our family there twice.  We miss the people there and are so grateful for the support and prayers being offered by the congregation.  They are wonderful people who have walked with us through our ministry journey.  Bobby was also able to share about The Foundation for Called Workers (www.tfcw.org) during Sunday school hour.  The message of providing support for our clergy was well received, it is wonderful to be an ambassador for a cause he cares so deeply about.  Later in the trip we had dinner at Martin and Theresa Danner's home (Martin is one of the pastors at St. Paul and they are Maddie's godparents) and enjoyed the brief time to catch up.  Working in ministry is so wonderful because of the connections made, but so hard because of the people you leave behind.  We pray for St. Paul and its leadership regularly, you are our family.

One of the many highlights of the trip was our opportunity to meet one of our Adopt A Student sponsors Gorlyn and Jane Bronstad. They treated us to an incredible steak dinner in the Stockyards and we enjoyed wonderful conversation and a great evening.  It was very humbling to meet in person people who have been praying for us and providing considerable financial support during these two years.  Although they are "strangers", their open hearts, kind words, and sense of humor made us feel like family within minutes.  I believe we have made life long friends.

Angie was also able to spend two days working at The Parenting Center (www.theparentingcenter.org) and enjoyed seeing her colleagues face to face as she typically connects only through phone calls and emails.  The agency is growing and changing and Angie is so glad the gift of her continued employment with them even from a distance.

We joined Angie's college roommate and some of our best friends Missy, Ben and Henry Angeley for Memorial Day weekend and were able to celebrate Henry's forth birthday, a shower for their baby girl Georgia, who arrived in July and swimming and grilling at their home.  It is so nice to have friends who accept you and your travel weary children just as they are and who you can just be yourself with.  We miss you Angeleys!

Finally, we made a family trip to Austin to see Bobby's college friends (Lee and Julie Knouse and Nick and Patty Lawrence) and connect with the ministry team of ACTS Church (www.actschurchlakeway.com).  It was great to show the girls Austin and enjoy a short "family vacation" amidst the chaos of the trip.    We even got to share breakfast with a family friend Britni McCotter on her birthday.  The girls bought special princess tiaras for the occasion.  Austin is a wonderful city and filled with lots of memories for Bobby.  It was good to revisit and hear about the cool things happening there.  God is moving in Austin.

The biggest blessing of the trip was the fact that we got to spend time with our old neighbors who happen to be family.  Bobby's sister Nichol, husband Mark and kids Parker (6) and Cooper (3) were very hard to leave when we packed up from the "compound" as we called it to head to St. Louis.  We had spent three years as next door neighbors, sharing meals, having babies, watching kids, and many late night drinks on the front porch.  When we look back at our time in Fort Worth, those will be some of the most significant memories etched.   The cousins got to play together, adults enjoyed conversation just like the good ole days.  We left Texas feeling refreshed and ready for a crazy June.

To our Texas Family, WE LOVE AND MISS YOU!  Thank you for being a part of our lives and for being a great place to call "home base".  We will be back again soon.

A Return to The Blogosphere

It has been far too long since we updated this blog. 

 It seems that year TWO of seminary came and went with the blink of an eye.  Bobby had a very demanding course load and we, of course, welcomed baby Eleanor Vaughn in January with Angie barely missing a beat in her work schedule.  We endured long hours, sleepless nights, exams, papers, and class trips and somehow, we have now arrived at the start of our third and final fall as Seminary Students.  We hope to be able to recommit to this blog as we now enter a very exciting year and look forward to watching God's plan for the next let of the journey unfold.  We would like to you all to be able to pray and walk with us through this year.

We continue to be truly blessed in our time in St. Louis and the MANY people who have supported us, prayed with us, and befriended us during our two years here.  It is incredible to watch God working around us, behind us and before us.  Before we start in on the fall updates, we would like to share a few posts about our summer travels.  We were able to spend time and visit with all of our grandparents, parents, and many of our friends.  It was in some ways, our farewell tour, as in nine short months, we will return to full time ministry and long vacations will be less likely, holidays will be work filled and there will be no more "summer break".  We cherish the time we had at each stop and the chance to reflect upon the legacies of our families, the history of our relationship, and how God has been laying a path before us.

Sending love and prayers to you all!

The Walstons

Merry Christmas

Adore Thee:Black Christmas Cards
Check out our collection of Christmas cards and holiday cards.

Thanks to Our Adopt A Student Sponsors

We were notified today that all of our Adopt A Student Sponsors from last year are going to continue supporting us through the 2012-2013 school year.  We are truly blessed to have ongoing relationships with these sponsors (most of whom are not people we have previous relationships with).  We look forward to traveling back to TX this spring/summer and hope to be able to thank our sponsors in person during these trips (perhaps we will be able to make a return trip to Homer as well as we finish up Seminary)

 Our sponsors for 2012-2013 so far are:

• Mr. Gorlyn Bronstad (Sherman, TX)
• Timothy and Karen Brinkmann (McKinney, TX)
• Mr and Mrs. Herbert Michael (Freeport, TX)
• Faith Lutheran Church (Homer, AK)

We have many different types of sponsors and this just highlights one of the ways that we are supported by God's Family.  We will continue to list needs in terms of prayers and financial/material gifts on this blog. If you are interested in hearing more about sponsorship opportunities OR would like to know more about seminary funding and costs please let us know. We would be glad to talk with you.

In addition, please know that your gifts of encouragement, prayers, and letters mean the world.  It is easy to question whether or not we should be here but we continually see God providing and his people affirming this journey. 

Love and Blessings,

The Walstons

 The Adopt A Student Program is a donor matching program through Concordia Seminary St. Louis that allows donors to establish ongoing relationships with the students they support.  Please read more about this program below:

Adopt-A-Student sponsors give $500 or more annually which may be given as a one-time gift or throughout the year through several gifts. Adopt-A-Student gifts are used to prepare future pastors and missionaries, or you may also designate your gift for the preparation of international, deaconess, Center for Hispanic Studies (CHS) or Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) students.

Standing together, students and sponsors overcome the single greatest obstacle to students coming to the Seminary — affording it! By overcoming this challenge you are making an eternal difference as the students you prepare now will proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ today and for decades to come. In faith, these seminarians have come to Concordia Seminary. Now you can encourage them with your prayers and make their preparation financially possible.

As an Adopt-A-Student sponsor, you can expect to hear from your student frequently! While students wishing to receive Adopt-A-Student funds are required to write their sponsors every academic quarter, they are encouraged  to stay in touch with their sponsors even more frequently during the school year.

To enroll, or for more information, please contact Seminary Advancement at 1-800-822-5287 oradoptastudent@csl.edu

Its a GIRL and other September News

As tradition would have it, our biggest news from September is that it looks as though Baby #3 will also be a GIRL!  We are excited to welcome her into the mix this winter and glad that she is looking healthy and average sized at this point.  Angie is now going into the doctor every other week and will begin weekly visits next month.  This, of course, adds more to-do on our schedule but also gives us the unique opportunity to get to check in on our little one more often than most people experience.  We ask for continued prayers for the health of the baby and for Angie in this second half of the pregnancy.


Our schedule has shown no signs of letting up this fall as September came and went with the blink of an eye.  Bobby has had the opportunity to assist in the leadership of the Students in Mission organization- a subset of seminary students who are interested in the mission field through church planting, revitalization, overseas missions, and other non-tradiitonal settings.   We hosted a "party" at the beginning of the month and had a great turn out.  It is wonderful to see God moving in so many lives and in the church body....there is a refreshing vibe on campus right now.

We also had the opportunity to host a Texas District BBQ and connect with the leadership and other students from TX.  It was wonderful to hear about what is going on in our "home" district and to receive encouragement from them (we also enjoyed some Shiner and Blue Bell).   The Mid-South District was also on campus this month and we were able to see our friend Josh Woodrow who is currently called to the Mid-South as a church planter.  It was great to reconnect and again and here from another district that is actively pursuing ministry and outreach to "the least of these".

Maddie has been enjoying school, although she is TIRED by the end of the week.  She has a wonderful teacher who is handling her sensory challenges with ease.  We are very glad to have found this program for her.  She is continuing with Occupational Therapy once a week and we are seeing her catching up in her body awareness, coordination, and fine motor skills.  We are truly Blessed!

As we continue to get back into a routine, prayers and support are always appreciated.  Thank you all for your love and encouragement!

The Walstons

Fall Begins Again_Blogging Returns

To our friends, family and supporters,

We apologize for the extended absence from our blog.  The Spring and Summer flew by with Bobby's trip to Uganda, Angie and the girls in Texas, an extended family trip to AZ in August and a quick trip to Southern CA thanks to some gifted tickets and hotel accommodation at Disney.  All this along with classes, teaching, working, and, of course, a new baby on the way!  We will be back to posting once a month.

Thank you all for your many forms of support, financial gifts, prayers, care packages and words of encouragement.  We are so very grateful to be surrounded by a family who walks with us on this journey.  As year 2 begins, please continue your prayers for diligence, patience, clarity, and frugality along with prayers of health for Angie and the baby.

Here is a brief update on fall:

Bobby’s Schedule

This Fall Bobby will be busy taking 15 hours (5 Classes) including:  Homiletics I, Systematics I, Theology of Missions, Pastor as Counselor, and Synoptic Gospels.   He is excited to begin official preaching duties at our field work church and hopes to visit some of our sponsor churches over the next year to share a message and meet you all in person (after the baby comes :).   He will also be participating in a year long class called Mission and Ministry that involves three out of state trips to mission planting churches in KS, IA, TN and AR.  Bobby has also accepted a part time position at our new field work church Reliant Church (www.reliantchurch.org) as the Community Groups coordinator.  This church is a newer plant in St. Louis and provides some wonderful hands on experience. He is filling the rest of his time assisting with Students in Mission, serving as an Intramural Captain, and providing childcare while Angie works :). 

Angie’s Teaching and Consulting

Angie also has a busy semester teaching three psychology classes at Maryville University, continuing her grant writing and online class development for The Parenting Center (check out her online parenting classes at  www.theparentingcenter.org) , and, of course, caring for the girls along with growing our new baby :).  She has also been able to start doing some parenting classes at local churches and schools and hopes to continue to expand this as the baby comes in January.  So far, she and the new baby are healthy and the Drs. are optimistic that this high risk pregnancy is being managed well.

Maddie and Cady

With mom and dad back at school/work, we have been excited to find a wonderful Sem Wife childcare provider on campus again this year.  The girls are with this family on Mondays and Fridays and Wednesday is “daddy day”. Maddie has also started preschool at Christ Community Lutheran School on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  Cady will be joining her for a “new 2s” class in January.  We are making some new friends and enjoying fall in St. Louis as the cooler weather arrives.  We anticipate finding out the gender of the new baby in mid-September.

Uganda Trip Summary

Blessings in Uganda

At the end of May I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Central Uganda with two friends and brothers from Seminary on a two week mission.  While in country we were able to build relationships with the people of the Ntutti and surrounding tribes, work with and train local pastors and church elders, work with the students training at African Hospitality Institute (AHI), repair water wells, mud homes and schools, and enjoy the beauty and culture of the “Pearl of Africa”.  It was encouraging to see the ministry which is ongoing in that region long after the three of us came home but it was equally encouraging to know that the partnership opportunity is long term.  Quality pastoral training is a real need in this remote area of the country and the pastors there are eager for us to return.  

Below you can read more about the region and the ministries which we partnered with during our time there.  Words cannot express my gratitude and thanks for everyones support and encouragement for this mission.  Please know that the people there are incredibly grateful for the gifts which we were able to share and send many thanks and prayers for their brothers and sisters in Christ back in the United States.      

Ekitangaala Ranch: African Hospitality Institute

Nine million Ugandans live on less than $1 a day, and most of these belong to households depending on subsistence agriculture.  Uganda is also plagued by health problems including high rates of malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malnutrition and infant and maternal mortality.  African Hospitality Institute Vocational Training and Guesthouse is located 70 miles north of Kampala on Ekitangaala Ranch, a working dairy ranch owned and operated by Cornerstone Development Uganda.  AHI was created in 2002 to provide vocational training to chronically poor and vulnerable youth; preparing them for employment in the growing tourism and hospitality industries in East Africa.  Students are admitted without regard to race, gender, or religion.  Tuition and salaries are sponsored by generous donations of individuals and organizations.  While at AHI students experience unity and teamwork in a caring community, build hope for the future by learning valuable restaurant, hotel and domestic skills, develop practical communication and leadership skills, and receive assistance in securing future employment.  AHI is a restorative community committed to following Jesus; bringing hope and opportunity through the sacred practice and vocational training of hospitality skills.  AHI promotes the dignity of man, respect for individuals and the freedom to make life choices in a community of trust, grace and peace.