Two Working as One: Art & Emalou Norris

Happy New Year, beloved! To start out the year, we want to highlight a missionary couple: Art & Emalou Norris, as told by Juanita Fike in, "The Hand of the Ancient One." They served the Navajo people faithfully at various reservations for 42 years as husband and wife (plus their time as singles, prior to marriage). This couple has spurred us on, and we pray their conviction, unity and humility spur you on, whether single or married, as you press on where the Lord has you to minister to those around you.

If I can sum up this couple in one word, the word is: conviction. When sobered by the reality that many natives had died without hearing the gospel, Art prayed, " 'I can't do anything about those people, but as long as You [God] give me life, I'll do everything to make sure the present generation of Indians know about Jesus' " (3). On his way to Prairie Bible Institute at 23 years old, facing logistical "setbacks," he thought, "Uncertainties were countless, potential difficulties already obvious. But, God would direct each step of the pilgrimage ahead. His hand could be detected... Art knew he would not walk the path alone or without adequate provision" (27). Coming to faith at 17, "She [Emalou] was ill-prepared for every way except one - her longing to serve her new master" (51). A brother of the faith observed of  them: "They moved a step at a time, watching for God's direction, confident that their time was in His hands... If God isn't in a hurry, I shouldn't be either" (98). Needs were great, but they resolved, "We are much cast on God for the supply of every need, knowing that He will not fail us" (136). Regardless of the circumstance or emotion, their hope was fixed on the Lord. 

One of my favorite things about this pair is their harmony with one another. As Paul described in Ephesians, there is a demonstration of God's oneness and character, when a husband and wife walk in step with Christ and each other. Growing up, then getting married and serving together, Art and Emalou were poor and faced various hardships, yet this was their heart: "In no sense did the two of them feel deprived. Their humble home was a God-given haven from which they could minister to the needs of those people for whom God had given them such love. It would become a spiritual birthplace for many" (94).  Also, they saw the scope of their service widened, and enjoyed it as husband and wife: "No longer working under the restraints of singleness, they would seek to convey God's love in every contact He brought their way. He had made them one, and they delighted in serving Him together" (94). They serve as a model worth imitating in joyful service in their marriage relationship.

On character, both Art and Emalou embodied humility - esteeming themselves properly, in light of esteeming God properly. "He [Art] prayed repeatedly, 'Lord, help me to die to self' " (17). In his 60s, he wrote, "As we grow older in the work, we wish we had another life to give to the Lord... What we have done is very little when we think of what Jesus Christ did for us" (167). Speaking on her conversion, Emalou stated, "How I praise God that He, being who He is, would dare to manifest His grace on an unlikely fifth child of twelve in a lowly Mormon home" (233). Their daughter, Ruth, said of her dad: "More than anything he ever said, the fact that he didn't know it all and went to God for help impacted my life" (230). They saw themselves accurately, as their gaze was upon the love of the Father, as demonstrated in the Son.

Art & Emalou were ordinary people like me and you: they transgressed God's laws, disagreed with one another and dealt with their own deceitfulness of sin. But praise be to the Lord, "the Hand of the Ancient One" drew them to Himself and each other. Every day, the truth of what Christ had done for them impacted their everyday life, relationships and boldness to proclaim the good news to the lost, knowing they, too, were merely recipients of such treasure. Our prayer is that the church would be similar men and women, living each day with conviction, unity and humility, as we reflect on what Jesus has done for us.

"...and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed" (1 Peter 2:24, NASB).

Praise Reports:

1. Husband and I continue meditating on and applying truths from our marriage retreat in the Fall and going on dates;
2. While we did not travel to Rome for the Italian Theological Academy's annual conference in January, the ITA director, Johnny Gravino is scheduled to preach at CFBC on March 5th, when he comes for the annual Shepherd's Conference;
3. Jacob had his annual Christmas concert (thank you to the family & friends that attended) and finished up his semester well; and
4. Zachary continues asking great questions and sharing his heart after worship service or bible studies.

Jacob's Christmas Concert December 2022

Prayer Requests (the Lord's will in all):

1. The Valadez family as we adjust to Apa being with the Lord, especially my mother in law;
2. Husband is in his second semester, year 2 of bible training class on Monday evenings; he is learning Greek and how to prepare and present sermons and devos;
3. Husband is also in process of taking care of some legalities with his retirement-please pray for peace, wisdom and the Lord to direct/provide; 
4. Wisdom, endurance & to walk in the Spirit, with ongoing health challenges, daily dealings with sin and a work situation;
5. Witnessing opportunities;
6. Zachary will be making some important life decisions in the next few months; and
7. Hacob & Zachary to bear consistent/genuine fruit of salvation.

Zach & a friend from CFBC Youth Group, CBU MBB Game