Singing Snapshots

Last weekend we enjoyed a very quick ministry tour to Illinois and Indiana. In the short, three day trip we covered many miles and shared in five different services. The Lord really had His hand on each opportunity and we're so grateful for the sweet encouragement of the saints, many safe miles, and and open doors to share!

Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!

Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore!

Another specific answer to prayer lately was the addition of new singing outfits. With wedding planning/sewing in full swing -- amongst other ongoing projects -- I really didn't know how we were going to squeeze in a shopping day for another set of much-needed clothing. Usually a new set includes a full day of shopping and at least one additional day of sewing.

But the Lord was so gracious -- one afternoon while wedding shopping, we stumbled across the perfect clothing for us older girls which coordinated with dresses the younger girls already had on hand. After a quick stop at a men's store, we had all the pieces needed for the new outfits -- an all-time record for clothes shopping! He knows our needs!

Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth

Remember His covenant forever, The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations,

Sing to the LORD, all the earth; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.

Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.

For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is also to be feared above all gods.

Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and gladness are in His place.

Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples, Give to the LORD glory and strength.

Give to the LORD the glory due His name;

Verses from 1 Chron 16

Grandpa & Grandma's house!

Last week a few of us got to spend four full days with our grandparents in Iowa. Filled with special activities, laughter, hugs, and teamwork projects, everyone returned with huge smiles and lots of memories. Here's a few pictures....

Driving tractors

Baking cookies

Playing outside in pajamas

Visiting a fish hatchery

The biking trail

Smiles!

And more smiles!

Trying to keep up with Grandpa

Scraping and painting fence

Visiting the park

Driving truck

Picking lots and lots of raspberries

Thank you Grandpa and Grandma for such an incredibly SPECIAL visit!

We love you BIGGER!

Summer Schedule

Yes! Our 2009 Ministry Schedule is now posted on our website! Check it out -- and we'd love have you join us somewhere along the way! [smile]

And no -- your eyes aren't playing tricks on you! We do have a new blog header. As Charissa was only 3 weeks old in the previous one, I decided it was long past due!

"You have made known to me the ways of life;

You will make me full of joy in Your presence"

Acts 2:28

Pre-Order

We are excited to announce that the boys' instrumental CD is completed -- and officially ordered! The shipment is due to arrive the first of next week. Due to our family ministry travels the following week, we're hoping to process all orders once the shipment arrives for prompt service. [Mailing orders is often difficult when we're on the road!]

For this reason, we've expanded our PayPal store to include this recording and we encourage you to place a 'pre-order' this week!

Our family has been blessed by the peaceful, creative arrangements on this CD. Although we rarely -- if ever -- listen to our other recordings [its odd to listen to yourself sing!!], this one is certainly an exception. We have yet to grow tired of the instrumental music, and love having these timeless hymns playing in our home! I know our boys' desire is that the recording would be a rich blessing to your family as well.

To order this CD, visit our online store!

Studio Days

After two full days of recording, we're grateful to have completed the tracks needed for all 12 songs for the CD. The Mallys have been such a blessing to work with, and we are excited about the message and arrangements of each of the songs.

Many thanks for your prayers on this project! For those of you who would like to watch a typical day in the studio, Stephen Mally captured our Wednesday session with dozens of pictures. Here are just a few...


Recording Day Two - Images by Stephen Mally

'But You, O LORD, shall endure forever,

And the remembrance of Your name to all generations.

This will be written for the generation to come,

That a people yet to be created may praise the LORD. "

Psalm 102:12-18

This verse encouraged me as we recorded this week.

Stephen

Stephen Gerald

“crown” :: “warrior”

One who shows great courage and resolve to live by God’s rules.

“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” 2 Timothy 2:1-5

Happy 16th Birthday Stephen!

Day One...

...of recording went well. Thank you for your prayers! As I type this, we're preparing for yet another day at the studio -- our final day of laying down the tracks. Visit here for pictures of our day yesterday!

And for those of you who inquired about the boys' instrumental CD -- YES! We are excited about how this project turned out -- and the finished product is due to arrive by the end of the month! Stay tuned!

"According to Your name, O God,
So is Your praise to the ends of the earth;
Your right hand is full of righteousness."
Psalm 48:10

Back to the Recording Studio

We've just finished a very full day of music practice here at home. The sounds of harp, flute, cello, piano, and girls' voices have filled almost every corner of the house as we prepare for yet another trip to the studio. This time, with a group of sweet friends.

The Mally family and Bright Lights Ministry have invited us to share in the most recent project -- a music CD and songbook. With the goal of providing a uplifting resource for the many young ladies involved in this discipleship ministry, we're looking forward to the days ahead. Tomorrow morning we head to the studio for three very full days of recording and mixing the new project.

We'd greatly appreciate your prayers for this project! We're praying for the Lord to be wholly glorified in this, the praises of His people.

"Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God;

For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful."

Psalm 147:1

Schedule Update

I am currently working on getting the rest of our 2009 Schedule finalized and on our website. We're looking forward to a couple large tours this summer/fall and I hope to get the details uploaded to our site soon! Until then, here are the details for this weekend...

Chandler Acres Baptist Church

7505 Chandler Acres Drive

Saturday, July 11 -- 6:00 PM

Bellevue, NE

Peace Lutheran Church

Sunday, July 12 -- 9:30 AM

Plymouth, NE

Stay tuned...

PS -- YES! For those of you who noticed the addition of our wonderful brother, Andrew, to the above picture, we did have a joyful (though all-too short) reunion with him last weekend. I hope to post an update on him soon. He covets your prayers!

Bethany

Bethany Lynne

“house of figs” :: “beautiful waterfall”

One who has developed an intimate relationship with her Lord and others come for refreshing.

“I will praise You with my whole heart; I will worship Your name, For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name. In the day when I cried out, You answered me, And made me bold with strength in my soul.” Psalm 138:1-3

Happy 23rd Birthday Bethany!

A Darling Equation

1 + 1 = 3

"For You formed my inward parts;

You covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise You,

for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,

And that my soul knows very well."

Psalm 139:13-14

Have you heard the news??!...

"This was the LORD's doing; It is marvelous in our eyes."

Psalm 118:23

We are once again rejoicing in the exciting, new life changes the Lord is directing for the months ahead.

Read the details here!

What HIS hand hath done...

Friday evening

The huge weekend is over, the props are put back away, and costumes laying here ready to be cleaned and tucked away for another time.

But our hearts are overflowing with gratefulness, awe, and wonder at the Lord's mighty hand over the past days. And our conversations are still reminiscent of all the specific ways God 'parted the waters' -- both literally and figuratively!

With the weather forcast showing 70% rain, we discovered that our original 'back-up' location wasn't an option. And we'd planned to spend most of the day rehearsing for the big event on the outdoor stage. Friday morning began with rainshowers with few signs of letting up. Dad has run his business by the weather for over 20 years, and his reading of the radar predicted rain for the evening performance.

In my heart, I was wrestling with this -- why would God give us this opportunity and then send rain to cancel it out!? As I spent some time in prayer, the Lord impressed on me the need to praise Him. In the rain. In spite of the weather. Regardless of circumstances, I needed to rejoice. God was in control and He just wanted me focused on Him!

Oh, the peace of that! I literaly turned from fighting panic in my heart to singing every praise song I could think of and leaving the whole situation in God's hands.

The weather cleared for awhile in the afternoon -- long enough for us to get a full dress rehearsal on the outdoor stage. Although dark clouds kept gathering in the west, they passed us with not much more than an occasional sprinkle.

Friday evening the Bandshell was filled with people. The forecast still showed a large storm cell headed in our direction, but we continued to pray and move forward. After a very brief shower a few minutes before the performance, the weather cleared and we got through the entire production without so much as a sprinkle! A friend sat with his blackberry phone, watching the storm cell travel closer and closer to Seward. He said as it got close, the storm cell split and actually went on either side of Seward, keeping our weather clear. Isn't God good!??!

Again, there are so many other details I could share. We're so grateful for each of the 35 cast members -- plus back-stage helpers -- that made this production possible. And also for Clark Kolterman and the city of Seward for welcoming us to share during the July 4th Celebration. To God be the glory -- GREAT things HE has done!!

And now for a quick picture re-cap...

"1849 - GOLD!!!"

"Grandfather, look at these lollipops!"

Livin' in the Promise Land!

Jump!

Celebrating our great country!!

Grandfather tells his story.

"We are the Minutemen..."

Preparing for the battle...

...and the Redcoats advance.

"Lay down your arms, you rebels!"

"Oh Captain, are you hurt?!"

The wounded return

"Nooooooooo!"

"My father -- he's gone."

Grandfather's story continues...

"What form of government?!"

"But sir, I beg to differ, your plan won't work at all!"

The Constitutional Delegates

John Hancock

"If My people who are called by My name

will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face,

and turn from their wicked ways,

then I will hear from heaven,

and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

2 Chron. 7:14

In God we Trust!

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD."

Psalm 33:12