Pictures

As my internet happens in small moments here and there, I thought I'd post a quick update with some of the pictures Bethany has captured in the past weeks.

So much has happened, and we have so MUCH to be thankful for. As we look ahead to celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow, the encouragement and prayer support of you dear friends -- many whom we've never even met -- is going to be high on our list of gratitude. Every day we see evidence of people praying for us. People genuinely touched during the show as they leave with tears in their eyes, giving us hugs. Continued favor with local businesses. Strength and health. And the list could continue!

Tomorrow, as is our Thanksgiving tradition, we'll sit down as a family and write out a list of gratefulness. As we look back on the past year, our hearts are overflowing at the Lord's faithfulness. Yes, there have been hard times. In many ways we've had some new and deeper struggles this year. But we've seen how the Lord is continuing to grow us. To draw us near to Him. And so we're full of thankfulness! God is so good!

And enough of my ramblings for now. I'm currently at the theater and some of the other kids will be here soon to pick me up to head out to restaurants. We estimated we spend an average of 15 hours each week in restaurants, singing and inviting people to the show. Yes, the days are full! [smile]

This past week we've had several special friends visit, so enjoy the following pictures of a variety of afternoon activities....

Yes! Our grandparents visited for almost a whole week!! Such fun!

We love you, Grandpa and Grandma!

Alaythia and our friend, Alatheia

Smiles!

At our all-time favorite theme park -- Silver Dollar City.

Time for some afternoon football with Daddy and his girls!

(Trying to decide which play to run!)

RUN!!

The happy players

"Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;

Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms."

Psalm 95:2

Work Projects...

In addition to our morning shows, our family has also had the opportunity to help our Cinnamon-roll-making-friend prepare his new store front for business. Lots of painting, trimming and cleaning!

Of course, Matthias had to add a bit of 'personality' to the wall in the process of painting! [smile]

Smiles!

Requesting...

...special prayer for this morning! It's our yearly "Area Appreciation Show" where Branson and area locals get free admission. We've been getting good feedback all week are a praying for great and mighty things this morning! Thank you for joining us in this prayer!

More updates to come....

PS -- And YES! My sore throat is completely healed and I was able to sing through every show this week. Praise the Lord!

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Eph. 3:20-21"

Pictures!...

Finally! The promised pictures are uploaded! We're so grateful for your prayers this week...it's been a very full schedule but we've been so blessed by many ways we've seen the Lord working! Here is a quick update along with pictures from the show...

Last week we were blessed with very good health. With a full schedule, we were grateful for everyone being able to run at full strength! I'm currently fighting a sore throat, so would appreciate prayers. Thankfully, everyone else is doing well!

We've been blessed with great crowds this last week. We've averaged about 70 people at each show thus far, and having a couple buses already has helped. This is an amazing number when you consider that we're only here seasonally and are fairly little-known. Praise the Lord for drawing many to come!

We've been praying that the Lord would enable us to be a blessing to our theater hosts, the Horn family at the Circle B. This month they have had the largest crowds all year and have needed lots of extra hands cooking, serving, and cleaning up after their evening supper show. And guess what?! We have lots of hands! Its made for many extra hours at the theater, but we have great fun doing food in such a 'big' way! And its another specific answer to prayer!

We've also specifically prayed for good conversations with our crowds. Although a Branson show is usually a 'come and go' event (most people don't hang around and visit afterwards), we've seen small ways that God has given us a glimpse into our guests' hearts as we share.

For example, a lady shook hands with Mom yesterday after our show saying, "You sure have earned yourself a place in heaven for having all those kids." She seemed very shocked when Mom replied that nothing she could do would merit heaven, but it is only through Jesus Christ and His work on the cross that makes her right with God. We continue to pray for seeds that are sown each day!

As most of our advertising takes place in restaurants, we've been praying that we find favor with the staff and cooks of these establishments. We've seen amazing ways that this has been happening. Yesterday I got a call from a manager at IHOP saying that they'd missed our visit that morning and just wanted us to know that they love having us come! As these are people we interact with every day, it was such an encouragement to know they look forward to our visits. We're praying for more opportunities to share Christ with them!

Again, we thank you for your prayers. As we gather for family devotions each morning, we think of you all and thank the Lord for you. We know much of the effective work here and blessings that we're experiencing is due to your investment. Hopefully these short updates are an encouragement to you and help you know more specifics on how to pray! May the Lord be glorified!

"Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;

And let them say among the nations,

"The LORD reigns."

1 Chron. 16:31

This week...

...has been flying! A huge thank you to everyone who has been praying for us. We have seriously sensed that in a special way the past few days. Bethany took a bunch of pictures this morning, but unfortunately I've been unsuccessful at getting the camera, computer, and internet all in the same place. So pictures will be coming soon. [smile]

In the meantime, we ARE up and going with the Christmas show. Our first day was filled with small glitches and less than desirable challenges from our point of view -- broken guitar string, sound equipment trials, etc... But in spite of ourselves, the Lord seemed to really minister to the people in the crowd.

After a family meeting at Subway, a few adjustments, and some earnest prayer, we were very thankful that Tuesday's show went really well. Today we had over 80 guests and were encouraged by the conversations and interaction with them. We continue to pray for the seeds that are daily planted as we share the gospel message!

The days are full and I hope to fill you in with a "Day in our Branson Life", soon, but till then, hopefully this short update will suffice!

Again, we greatly appreciate your prayers and we daily see them having an impact! Thank you.

"Be exalted, O LORD, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power."

NOTE TO ALL BLOG READERS -- If you're planning to come to our Branson show, please ask for our "Old Thresher's Discount" on your tickets! We'd love to have you join us! [smile]