ARCHIVE GALLERY
September 2007
September 4, 2007
On our way home from NYC, we stopped in Indianapolis so that Randy could officiate the wedding of a friend from years ago. It was great to see him and meet his bride.
We arrived in Unionville, MI on Saturday night just in time to set up for a Sunday morning concert. Colling Church of the Nazarene is going through a pastoral change and it was the perfect time for us to take one of their Sunday morning services. Being a holiday weekend, there were questioning the attendance, but it was a full house! Although we were a bit tired, it was a great time of worship and we were re-energized by the Lord.
After loading up, we drove to Shush Mountain, in Northern Michigan, to spend a week at Mickey and Ellen Stanley’s “cottage home.” Friends for years, they offered this lovely home to us at anytime and we finally took them up on it. Needing to finish writing and preparing music for the CD we are recording in October, we wanted to go somewhere that we could spread out and work from morning until night. That is exactly what we did. So much was accomplished in a short amount of time, including school starting for the kids. They actually began lessons (we home school) on Labor Day and they tried to convince us that it was “against the law” to start school on a national holiday. A great week of work and school in one of the loveliest homes…we are so blessed. Out of 4 bedrooms and many couches from which to choose, the kids ended up sleeping in the same bed wanting to be together. Thank you, Mickey and Ellen!
We left Saturday morning and met my folks in the Waterford area for a late lunch. They took the kids home with them to spend the night and see our dog, Sammy. Randy and I went on to Baptist Fellowship Church in Waterford for a Saturday evening outreach concert. Pastor Randy Bachman and his wife, Michelle, have become friends of ours in the last few years and we are always honored to worship with them. A good crowd, especially for a Saturday night, we enjoyed a ladies ensemble who sang as well. They did a super job as well as a lovely duet by Michelle and a friend. We spent the night in their parking lot and headed off early for Davisburg United Methodist Church.
Pastor Bill Seitz and his wife, Kristen, are such sweet servants. A great Sunday service and enthusiastic worship was a great way to end the week. We are so thankful for so many pastors who trust us with their congregations. This has been an incredible summer of ministry, traveling and provision. As we look back, we see so clearly how God led us and gave us countless opportunities to proclaim His truth. Thank you for caring enough to keep up with where we are at! Blessings!
September 18, 2007
We have just returned from Columbus, Ohio (“God’s country,” as Randy would say) and one of the most well planned ladies retreat that I have ever been to! Judy Hoban, from the Columbus Worldwide Church of God, planned this retreat with her crew in tow. They did a fantastic job and hosted over 80 ladies from several states. I was honored to be one of the two main speakers and Randy played for worship as well. We did a Sunday morning concert and served wherever needed.
Saturday night, I participated in a “night hike” through the woods, without flashlights. About 40 of us, led by a guide, silently walked through the forest listening for coyotes and owls, gazing at the incredible night sky filled with billions of stars! It was just beautiful and worship the next morning was even more meaningful because of the awesome view the night before.
Leaving the retreat center, we caught our breath, and headed back to my brother-in-law’s church, Quest Community in New Albany. They had planned a potluck and fellowship time coupled with a concert. We were thrilled to worship with their church family and we thought it was a really good turn-out considering funeral visitation was happening at the same time. Unfortunately, a prominent member of the church passed away suddenly earlier that week and it was quite a shock to everyone. The leadership decided to continue with their plans in spite of the situation which gave us an opportunity to encourage them in the middle of grief. We have had great feedback about the encouragement and we pray that the Lord continues to touch this body.
The kids had an awesome weekend because they stayed with Rick (Randy’s brother) and their four cousins! Rick took all six of them to the Columbus zoo on Saturday as Randy, Becki (Rick’s wife) and I enjoyed ourselves at the retreat! What a gem of Rick to include our kids and I don’t think they will ever forget that weekend.
We left Columbus about 10:00 PM and drove straight to Cleveland for a quick visit with Randy’s folks. We had not seen them since June and wanted to get a visit in before the craziness of recording began.
Monday morning we drove to Randy and Debbie Osterlund’s home in Michigan to have a quick dinner and visit. They are dear friends and supporters who help us with mailings and whatever else we throw their way! We are so thankful for friends like this who help out however they can. From there, we drove the RV to Fenton Baptist Church in Fenton, Michigan where we have stayed since. They have missionary quarters attached to their building and offered for us to use them anytime we had need. It has been such a wonderful break from the RV and we have all been able to spread out.
The following week was spent in final preparation for our 7th CD recording. We still had songs to complete, learn and make a scratch recording for the other musicians. Fenton Baptist let us spread out and set up all of our equipment in one of the rooms, while the kids used another room for school. My folks kept the kids for a couple of days, which let us work from sun up to sun down.
Thank you, Lord, for another great week of ministry and the opportunity to see your hand in everything!
September 25, 2007
Sunday morning, we worshipped at Our Savior Apostolic Lutheran Church in Northville, MI. The service was another chance for us to proclaim God’s faithfulness and His love for the church. As we worshipped and encouraged this body of believers, we were blessed by the Lord’s love and His abundant grace that just keeps coming.
Pastor Jared and his wife, Karen, home school their children, so we always have lots to talk about. They offered to take our kids home with them for the afternoon and evening and Ken and KC were thrilled. So, as the kids went home with the Niemela's, Randy and I headed to our evening concert.
Highland Nazarene Church, not far from where we worshipped in the morning service, has become like home to us! We took the evening service and ended the evening in prayer at the altar. Quite a few came forward to pray and the Spirit of the Lord was so evident that people just kind of stayed. After we ended the service, some stayed in their seats and enjoyed the fellowship of the Spirit. It was the best time of worship with Highland Nazarene yet and we look forward to what the Lord is going to do with this body.
After picking up the kids from Northville, we spent the night at my folk’s house and enjoyed the time with our dog, Sammy! We miss him so much, but it just is nearly impossible to have him with us. So, the next best thing is for him to stay with my parents and they love him to death (they even microwave his food!)
We pray that you are doing well and the Lord is drawing you to Himself. He loves you very much and wants to bless you with His never-ending grace!