Faith Emerges from Turbulent Times

But Barry and Kimber’s lives and their spiritual walk haven’t always been filled with joy. Faith, much prayer and godly relationships have helped them survive the past two difficult years.

In March of 2006, the Tolberts moved from the joy of learning they would be first-time parents to despair. Medical tests revealed their daughter, Kambry, (at 19-weeks gestation) had several severe medical conditions, including one—Trisomy 13—that was fatal. They were devastated.

“Barry and I just held each other and cried…,” Kimber said. “I would take breaks at work, go into a room and cry, and talk to God, asking Him … ‘Why?’”

Still, Kimber never stopped thanking God for what He had given her. He didn’t have to give her a baby at all … but He did, she said. Before this, she had taken her relationship with God for granted, praying “like a good Christian,” but failing to grow in her spiritual walk. She and Barry belonged to Prestonwood, but weren’t active in a Bible Fellowship class. Through the couple’s grief and struggle, God opened doors.

During labor and delivery, the Tolberts met nurse Amy Dean, a Prestonwood member. (Amy and her husband, Chad, are now missionaries in France. While in seminary, Chad served on Prestonwood Staff as Intern to David Shivers, Minister of Married Adult II.)

Amy comforted and prayed with Barry and Kimber, leading them to the Young Marrieds “Truth” Bible Fellowship Class that she and Chad directed. There, the Tolberts would immediately find “family.”

“We had no idea how much impact she would have on our lives and how the birth of our daughter would bring our two families so close together,” she said. “Our labor lasted three days and Amy was there with us every day.”

When Kambry was born, the couple cuddled their little blessing, embracing their precious moments together. Four hours and 21 minutes later—Kambry passed away.

“I felt God’s presence all over the room… He had his arms wrapped around me, telling me that now was the moment that I needed to learn to trust Him,” Kimber said. “He took care of me and Kambry even though we thought then that He had deserted us.”

While grieving, Barry and Kimber drew closer to God and began reading the Word regularly, growing in faith in a way they never imagined.

“I could almost hear the smile in His voice when He spoke to me,” she said. “… as if He was happy that the story He wrote for my life was unfolding and that I was trusting in Him to show me how perfect it was.”

Two weeks after Kambry’s passing, the couple attended the Truth class for the first time, immediately feeling the warmth of their new “family.”

“The class couldn’t have been more perfect,” she said. “Even in a time in our lives where all we could see was sadness, God was planning a union between two families that would forever change my walk with Him. Being a part of that class brought me closer to God.”

And, just as a Prestonwood member had touched their lives, the Tolberts soon began reaching out—serving as class Outreach Leaders. Since then, their servant hearts and efforts have led a new couple to join their group.

“It makes us feel as if we’re a part of bringing together our ‘family,’” Kimber said.

God has also blessed the couple with another daughter, Kelsey. But the second pregnancy brought more anxieties and medical concerns. The Tolberts learned Kelsey had a problem with her kidneys that might require surgery after birth, and that it could be a sign of Down’s syndrome.

Anger and confusion surfaced again. And, Barry and Kimber questioned God and spent time on their knees, begging Him for direction. And, just as He did with Kambry, God touched their hearts, gave them peace and held them close.

Doctors are still uncertain about Kelsey’s health prognosis, but the Tolberts are praying their daughter will not have the medical problems that physicians feared would develop. But, they now know that while God was writing “their story,” He knew exactly what He was doing.

“And, He did it perfectly,” Kimber said. “… I see in her [Kelsey] the gift and miracle that each baby is in this world. And God has carefully placed each person here…. He chose us; He chose our life and He chose ‘our story.’”