ARCHIVE GALLERY
August 2009
August 11, 2009
Since our last journal entry, we have had approximately 20 concerts! Now you know why my entry is so late! The travel has been great and we are all on the mend from a very tight schedule.
Both Randy and I have had a terrible throat infection and cough for the past couple of weeks and it has become very bothersome! We are feeling better, but not back to 100% yet! Thank you, for those of you who have been praying for us. We have had some of the most amazing opportunities to tell people about Jesus this summer and Satan definitely does not want us feeling up to the task. The Lord has given us unbelievable strength and energy in spite of sickness. Fortunately, the kids have escaped without too much coughing. Neither of them have picked up this nasty bug.
We are back in Michigan near our home area, which feels good. The dog was very excited to see us…but the kids were much more excited to see him! I think he tires from all of the picking up and hugging…he stays with my parents and has become “their dog.”
So many opportunities that come our way are not on a Sunday morning. We have really loved meeting people that share their lives with us and encourage us as we travel. God continues to care for us through others and we are so encouraged. Many people we meet do not believe that God loves them and cannot imagine how He ever could. We take joy in knowing that as we live lives of faith, He can use the simplest of things to bring someone to Him. We love being a part of that.
We did meet one lady who told us that she thought what we are doing (evangelizing) is wrong. The bottom line is that, although she believes she is right with God, she was unable to answer the easiest of questions about the cross and salvation. We told her about Jesus and His love for her, but religion is in the way. “Doing the things you should to earn God’s love” versus “knowing the One who is life.” Churches are filled with people who are still unable to accept the gift God is offering. Our mission is to tell them what the bible says.
Thank you for praying for us…please ask the Lord to give us boldness, grace and compassion. We need a heart for people.
We love you!
Have a great week.
August 18, 2009
This past week cannot be explained without mentioning the historic news that my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday! It was a gala event with about 250 guests with family and friends near and far. Blythe Bieber, our good friend, partnered with us to make the event a wonderful celebration…we just could not have done it without her. Her special gift for catering and decorating made everything fantastic. Mom and dad renewed their wedding vows complete with a new diamond ring for mom. Dad surprised her in the ceremony…very romantic. With all of the work and energy spent, we still believe that if we are going to celebrate big for a wedding, how much more should we celebrate for a 50th anniversary? Anyone can GET married…not everyone can STAY married. That calls for a celebration!
Four out of five of my cousins from mom’s side came to the party from several states and I wanted to catch up with them as quickly as I could. By Saturday night, we were exhausted, after all, Randy, I and the kids had just returned to Michigan the week before. We left Michigan in December and did not come back until August…so much life has been lived and many miles traveled. Then, we returned and jumped right into ministry here as well as the planning of the party. On Sunday, we sang at Highland Church of The Nazarene with Pastor Mike and Jandel Hefner. They are wonderful friends who we wish we could spend more time with. The service went really well and we enjoyed having my Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Guy from Atlanta and cousin Doug from Grand Rapids with us for the concert. Uncle Guy and Aunt Jeanne are great musicians and they sang “Living For Jesus” in mom and dad’s renewal ceremony the day before. So, we pulled them into the concert and had them sing again. We loved it. They were wonderful and it reminded me of the rich heritage that God has blessed me with in faith and in music!
After a quick lunch with family, we made it to Milford Park for “Praise in the Park.” Area church worship teams joined together to just worship in the park. We have enjoyed this event for the past two years now and what a great time we had. Many friends from the past showed up to surprise us…as well as many from our home church in Waterford. It is such an honor to have people pray for us and support us as we fulfill God’s mission in our lives. We are very thankful.
What a week it has been. Now, we try to get some sleep.
August 25, 2009
Kennedie went home with Randy’s parents (to Cleveland, Ohio) from my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary party. So, this week, Randy made a trip from Michigan to Cleveland to work on a new CD at his brother Ray’s house. I stayed at my parent’s house with Kadison and tried to recoup from the party.
They got back just in time for us to go to Centerpoint Christian Church in Waterford, Michigan. Seven area churches came together to form “One Heart,” an organization to serve the community in practical ways during this economically challenging time. As we travel, we see the effects of the economy everywhere, but especially so in Michigan. We are still amazed to see the number of businesses closed and houses for sale and for rent here. So, these seven churches came together to give free food, school supplies, clothes, free haircuts and prayer support to their community. Friday night was a rally of worship and prayer and each pastor was introduced and spoke for about two minutes (yes…they actually held to that!!!) We were honored to lead them in worship and pray for God’s anointing and help. The next day, we all met at Hess Hathaway park and set up for the crowds of people. Not knowing how many to expect, we were thrilled to have thousands. Over two thousand people came and the line kept going….
As the people went through the lines to collect their things, a hot lunch was served and Randy and I just sang and sang. We would sing for thirty minutes or so, take a break, and then rev it up again. At one point, 6 or 7 kids came up and danced with us! It was so much fun and very energizing to be a part of serving a community that has been so wonderful to our family.
Randy left the kids and I nestled safely in the RV and went with a good buddy of his, Mark Robinson, to see Peter Frampton in concert at DTE Music Theatre. Unbelievably, they did not have tickets, but much to Randy’s delight, Mark pulled some unseen strings, worked his magic and ended up with two front row, dead center tickets!! The pictures are unbelievable. At one point, as Peter was singing one of Randy’s favorite songs, Randy was singing harmony…Peter looked down at Randy, raised his eyebrows and smiled as if to say, “Not bad!” Another time, Peter looked at Randy and mouthed a couple of comments. Very cool! Everybody seems to have their musical influences and Randy has enjoyed Peter’s music for years.
Sunday morning we ministered at Holly Church of The Nazarene with Pastor Lue. She is the new Associate Pastor and was preaching for the first time, so we had about 40 minutes of the service. It was great to get to know her and hear her exhort the church family. We have been to this church several times and love the people. The Spirit of the Lord was really there and it was a blessing for us to be ministered to as well. Rarely do we get to hear messages.
From there, we went to Hill Road Baptist Church in Flint, about 30 minutes away for their evening service. Upon returning to this church for the third time, we found the people to be just as loving and warm. Pastor Todd is an honest man with a laid back way of speaking the truth. We really like him. I was so encouraged…Lori Liley attends this church. Her husband, Woody, passed away almost a year ago…we were able to sing at his funeral. Before he died, he asked us to keep in touch with his wife, he wanted her to be connected to many people. His love for her is quite a testimony. Anyway, on Sunday, if there was any one person that I wanted to be encouraged through our message, it was Lori. I shared scripture from Jeremiah, chapter one, where God is exhorting Jeremiah about the plan that he structured for Jeremiah even before he was born. I had just read that scripture that morning and it was urgent to me. That is the only way I can explain it. After the concert, Lori came to me and said, “I read that exact same scripture this morning. I think your message was for me.” I was so excited! That is no coincidence and Lori has much to look forward to. He has a plan for her life without Woody for these future years. It is a good plan and a new normal is tough to adjust to, as many of you know. Please pray for Lori as she adjusts. God is so present in her life…she is a wonderful testimony for Him.
On Friday night, Pastor Rick Bosnack from Centerpoint Christian Church asked us how our life on the road is going. Explaining that we have lived in our 36 foot RV for almost 3 years full-time, he had compassion! Traveling in ministry himself, he offered an empty parsonage to us for the remainder of our time in Michigan (unless otherwise needed!) What a gift! So, on Monday, although we wanted to rest from our huge weekend, we began preparing the parsonage to move into. Cleaning and moving furniture around that was already there, it has become quite the little place of rest and comfort! The kids have their own rooms and bathroom!!! TWO bathrooms! And an oven. Thank you Lord. I have not even mentioned the most wonderful blessing of all: A WASHER AND DRYER!
As I write this journal, I am sitting in the living room while one child is washing dishes, the other one is doing laundry, and Randy is making booking phone calls while the dog is sleeping on the couch. Cozy feelings. Once again, God has gone above and beyond our imaginations, He has provided for us in ways that we didn’t even begin to ask for. He keeps teaching us about being flexible and willing to go where He calls us. What a joy to experience this kind of provision.
Thank you for praying for us. Thank you for supporting us.