Today the twins are five months old.

For those of you who have been asking me for some updated pictures pictures of my youngest son...here you go! Unlike my daughter, and her crew, my sons are pretty camera shy, so I'm was lucky to get ANY pictures of them. Here is a fairly recent picture of my youngest son David with his grandmother out on the pier in San Diego. His 6'5'' frame makes my mom look pretty small! The picture below was from our trip to Mexico to visit a friend.

This is my grandson. I think he is adorable!
My oldest son and his wife came down from Washington for a visit recently. I am truly blessed whenever we can spend time together. Time with the family always means a lot of good food, good talks and plenty of good hugs! I thought I would be back to Southeast Asia by now, but it's times like these that make me grateful for God's delays. His timing is perfect.

Hey, did you hear.....the babies are coming home today....no, I'm not sure how long they are staying?

They're Here!

July 4th we had a little fireworks of our own here at the Walter household! Heidi went into labor late that night. By early morning (July 5th) the C-Section was complete and two healthy babies had entered the world. At the bottom of the screen is Amelia (Mia) who was the first to be delivered. Amelia weights about 5lbs 9 oz. Her brother, Cooper was the next to arrive. He weighed a whopping 6lbs and 13 oz. Both babies are healthy and doing great! Heidi had more side effects from the anesthesia than we expected and spent the first 5 hours after labor very ill. She is improving with every hour, so thank you for all your kind prayer!

Proud daddy holding his newborn son, "Cooper"

Dainty little "Amelia" being admired by her mommy!
It looks like all her little finger and toes are accounted for.




Although not the best angle, this was as close as I could get to the twins right after their birth (Hospital Policies..... you know......) This short video was taken about one hour after the babies were born....mostly for the benefit of the Grandmas/Grandpas, Great Grandmothers, Aunties, Uncles, Cousins, Brothers and Sisters who live out of state, but wished they could get a quick glimpse of the twins! ENJOY

We have a DELIVERY DATE for the TWINS!

Today, Heidi and Wade met with their Doctor again. It looks like Sunday July 5th will be the date set for a C-section. This is very good news as my daughter has been able to do little more than waddle to her bed, the recliner or to the bathroom for a month. The average gestation for twins is about 37 weeks. Many women deliver their babies before that time but have to leave their babies in a prenatal care unit for days. Hopefully that won't be Heidi's problem. She has made it 38 weeks with no sign of toxemia or other medical complications. That is a HUGE praise and answer to prayer!

My temporary mission field for the last month has been in Tennessee serving my family. I can't think of a more fruitful way to spend my time. What a great blessing to be available for these few months before I head overseas.

My role here for the past month has been... maid, cook, nanny, playmate, gardener and chauffeur. Taking on these tasks has given Wade the freedom to earn a little extra money before the babies arrive. Taking care of a wife and three children (all three under two years of age) is a big responsibility, especially on a single income. He is a very devoted father and husband, so I am glad to be here to help.

Thank you for your concern and prayers for my family. Please continue praying for:

• No complications with the umbilical cords, placenta's position and postpartum bleeding

• Healthy babies and mommy

• Peaceful transitions and adjustments when they arrive home from the hospital (Heidi, Wade, Codie Rae and babies)

• PATIENCE and JOY fill their home

Twins are on the way soon!

Okay...
Not me, my daughter is pregnant with twins. We are expecting a little BOY and a GIRL any day. As you can imagine, Heidi is hopeful that they will come sooner rather than later!

Big sister (almost 2 years old) is looking forward to these two new family members... Hello, anybody in there?

Mischief Maker x2



























There is plenty to do before the twins arrive, including trying to potty-train their "almost" 2yr old "big" sister.


























How do you keep a 2 year old's attention while reviewing the finer skills of potty-training etiquette? Why you do ANYTHING of course, including bribing them with m&m's and playing silly games with grandma's glasses!

What does it mean to be a good neighbor?

Last week we had a tornado in Shelby County Tennessee. Luckily this tree fell away from the house!

No people were harmed, but many trees, roofs, fences and powerlines were damaged

This was a view of our street after the storm

Trying to keep cool in the Memphis heat after the storm.

We survived this storm without too many serious problems. The tornado touched down in another neighborhood so we did not receive the full impact of the storm. Winds reached 70 to 125mph in our area. Trees, fences, powerlines and roofs took most of the beating. We were without power for three days, but we still had water. Spraying off with the hose kept us from having a complete melt down in the Memphis heat and humidity. We also had a very kind neighbor who shared a small generator and many extension cords with us. He had enough power to run his home comfortably, but instead he chose to hook up three homes with limited power (just enough to keep their frig/freezers from defrosting) That's what I call a good neighbor!

As soon as the storm had quieted, another family showed up at our house. They knew Heidi was ready to deliver any day and were worried that all the excitement might have caused her to go into labor. They made their way through downed trees and debris with extra flashlights etc. to see if we needed any help. Good friends and good neighbors are a great blessing from God in a time of need! We are very greatful to them all.

It's a twister, it's a twister! Quick everybody get in the closet?

Toto we're defiantly not in California anymore! Here in Tennessee, they have REAL weather. I mean it, they have CRAZY intense storms that make you think you're in a scene from The Wizard of Oz. During a "sever storm warning" the sirens usually go off, the sky turn black with clouds, wind, thunder and lightening and in a matter of minutes you're headed for the nearest shelter.....in our case that was a closet......YIKES!

We had one of those episodes last week. I was about a mile from home having my hair trimmed, when to my surprise an employee approached me with a phone message. My daughter was on the line, "Hurry home... a bad storm is heading our way!". Although she sounded somewhat frantic, I attributed her tone to slightly overzealous "I'm pregnant with twins" hormones.

No sooner had I pulled into our driveway when the wind and rain became FURIOUS. Oh my GOSH, I'll take California earthquakes any day over a TORNADO. Trying to quickly corral a rambunctious two year old and her "ready-to-deliver-twins-any-day" mom into a dark bedroom closet for shelter hardly seemed safe considering what was going on outside....but that's what we did. A "pregnant-with-twins mom" should never try to scurry down a hall or leap over the family's golden retriever (who was blocking our access rout) during an impending tornado. After we nestled ourselves in the closet we realized that in her rush to safety....poor Heidi had pulled a groin muscle. We are all fine now, but Heidi was confined to a wheelchair for a few days. Life is never dull!

Singing in the Rain

What's that old saying....the apple doesn't fall far from the tree? Yes, this is my daughter and my mother dancing in the middle of the street in a rain storm! For those of you who have wondered at times why I am the way I am.... here you go, it must be in our DNA!

We are called to "Rejoice in the Lord always" even when the storms of life pour down on us. Remember, our God is greater than the storms and His love for us is unfailing! So grab your boots and umbrella and hit the streets.... for the JOY of the Lord is your strength.

Desiring to be more "child-like" in my faith

Some of God's favorite people are CHILDREN

Future Kingdom Builders!

I can't think of any situation recorded in the bible that tells of Jesus pulling aside children from the crowd to tell them to sit quiet, stop interrupting or disturbing his important meetings. Instead, I notice Jesus exhorting the local adults, the important community and religious leaders to be more like children! How do you suppose the business men and religious elite felt when Jesus told them such things? Just for a moment, try to place yourself in their situation.

Word has spread that the God man Jesus and his handful of disciples have just arrived to your village. The hillside to the north of town is swarming with noisy people anxious to get a closer glimpse of him. Although you still have much work to do, you quickly close your shop early and join the other important men of the community in a processional up the side of the hill. Eventually you are able to navigate your way towards the front of the crowd that has gathered.

There he is. Jesus, the one you've hear so much about is standing right before your eyes. Humm…you thought he’d be taller or more sophisticated looking. You strain to hear what he's saying, but it is difficult with so many children climbing around and clamoring for his attention! You and the other men try to hold back an armful of these energetic youngsters, but with out much success!

Finally, Jesus speaks up in a firm voice. Everyone becomes quiet. You're sure the next words spoken will have something to do with the need to restrain these little ones, as they are obviously disrupting this important gathering! You watch as Jesus points to the dusty footed, scraggly haired kids who earlier had been running underfoot, but now are pressing in closely around him. Then he says something you NEVER expected to hear. "Let the little children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matt 19:14)

The Kingdom of God can not be obtained by wealth or education. It doesn't belong to the moral, spiritual or religious achievers. You can not enter by works and self-righteousness or by earning merits. Anybody who wishes to receive the Kingdom, must become like a child, humble, simple and dependent. Salvation is a gift, it can not be purchased or earned. The message of the Cross is offensive to some because it highlights our complete helplessness. We must be willing to lay aside all our human efforts and receive this priceless gift. We are saved by faith, "child like" faith and not by works. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do " (Eph 2:8-9)

Children are...

inquisitive...

fearless...

joyfully secure in their father's love...

unsophisticated...

Sometimes we don't know how deeply rooted our pride is until we are invited to become as a child, undignified or unsophisticated in front of our peers! Recently my nephews came up with an interesting way to communication their affection for me. They decided to lavish me from head to toes with their favorite stickers- 47 to be exact! Did they think to do this when we were alone? No, they decided to adorn me while friends and neighbors were visiting for a party.

transparent...

Loved...

As an adult I need to be reminded to be more "child-like" in my approach to life. As Christians we are children of the King of Kings. We are given a new identity through Christ. God has exchanged our old-self or "old name tags" for new ones! He says, throw aside your former life for you no longer will be called; forsaken, unloved, abandoned or worthless. Our Heavenly Father gives us new "name tags" that reflect our new position through the blood of Jesus. God now calls us His sons and daughters, His holy priests, chosen ones, forgiven, redeemed, restored, full of hope, full of joy, full of faith, and greatly LOVED.

It is Spring time in Northern California. It's absolutely beautiful during this time of the year. The warm sun makes the lush green hills glow. The daffodils and wild mustard are so bright and yellow that you are tempted to squint your eyes! Soon the daffodis will be joined by an abundance of other colorful wild flowers that will carpet our valley. My daughter was here for a few days recently. One of our favorite things to do when she comes to visit, is to pack a lunch and head for the coast! It's a magnificent drive. The road weaves over the hills, through the coastal redwoods and along side a breath taking river. There are plenty of vineyards, orchards and meadows to gaze at, and there are just enough cattle and sheep dotting the hillsides to keep you contentedly distracted during the short drive. I have spent many hours at the shores and bluffs of Mendocino. The closer you get to the ocean the crisper the air becomes and the more deliciously fresh it smells! This is where I love to escape. A trip to Mendocino feeds my soul and reminds me of God's magnificence! Sometimes it has been a place of tearful reflection and other times it has been a place for refreshment. It has also become a place of great joy and yes, even great romance!

This BLOG has been temporarily hijacked to accommodate a quick "grandma-fix"

Inquisitive or just excited to see what grandma Kathy's Next Steps will be? This is the same little grandaughter that you saw wearing a fluffy pink "tu tu" in an earlier blog. If you knew her mom, you'd understand why!

I think I see a few little teeth in there!

My adorable grandson!

Who needs expensive toys, a bucket of water and a plastic cup is sure to bring hours of fun!


Sometimes people ask me why I would EVER decide to leave such precious grandchildren to work in cross-cultural missions. My answer is always he same, I have no intention of abandoning them! God willing, I will continue to be very involved and connected to my three children and their children, reguardless to my physical location.

My kids are doing an excellent job of parenting and we all have a very good relationship. We are committed to staying in commuication with each other by using internet services, SKYPE and anything else we can figure out!

The decision to work cross-culutrally is much easier than it was for missionaries years ago. Many of them never saw their families again after they left! They did not have access to the technology nor did they have the ability to travel internationally as easily as we can today. Many of their trips involved months of travel with little opportunity to ever return! I am blessed to be living in a different time. Global missions has never been more accessible.

When it comes to missions, I can't NOT GO... does that make sense? This desire in me to reach out to lost people has only grown stronger through the years. It is evidence of the holy Spirit at work in me. Believe me, I have prayed hard over these issues. No one gets up one day and says, "Hey I think I'll TRY missions. I'll resign from a perfectly good job, move out of the home I've lived in for the past 20 years, subject myself to a people, language and culture that is totally foreign and leave behind everything and everyone that I am familiar with, because that seems like a really fun thing to do!" I am going because I am compelled, God who lives with in me compells me-I must at least make the attempt.