The Weekend

Thank you for your prayers in regards to the "Let Freedom Sing!" ministry in Iowa last weekend. What a tremendous time!

On a personal note, our family would like to say a huge THANK YOU to our church family. We're so incredibly blessed by how they uphold us with prayer and support -- but even more than that, they are willing to roll up their sleeves and work together in ministry. [We love you all!] How beautiful is the body of Christ!

We have two performances left in July [more pending in August], so if you're in the Nebraska/Iowa region, we'd love to see you this weekend!!

And now for a few pictures of the weekend....I'm sure there will be more to come as we had many photographers capturing the moments!

"What is this Freedom?"

A Brand New Constitution?!?

"If My people who are called by My name..."

"In GOD We Trust!"

Stay tuned for more this weekend!

"Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together."
Psalm 34:3

Forever Fathers

Our family regularly has the privilege of going behind bars to share with the incarcerated. In some prisons, there is an overall spirit of despair. Blank stares. Hardened faces.

But even more often do we find something else: HOPE in Jesus Christ.

As this video so tenderly shares, it's through Christ that hope can thrive behind prison walls. May you be encouraged --as we were -- by this short video!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Cor 5:17

“The only foundation for education and a republic is to be laid in religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object of life and life of all republican governments.

Surely future generations wouldn’t try to take the Bible out of schools. In contemplating the political institutions of the United States, if we were to Remove the Bible from schools, I lament that we could be wasting so much time and money in punishing crime and would be taking so little pains to prevent them.”

-Benjamin Rush,

a signer of the Declaration of Independence,

and Surgeon General of the Continental Army

Daniel

Happy Birthday Daniel!

D iligent

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E ncouraging

L oyal

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Learning New Skills

In addition to recording, we've also been keeping our time filled with many preparations for the opportunities to share "Let Freedom Sing!" this weekend. With an added 10 people in the cast this year, the sewing machines have been humming a happy tune during each evening, working on the new costumes.

But preparations have been taking a different form, too...painting! With our cardboard backdrops not surviving from last year, Ruth has been doing some research and decided to try her hand at air-spraying a heavy canvas for our new backdrops. We're very impressed with their vibrancy and practicality!!

And as I watched Mom, Ruth, and Elizabeth paint, I'm reminded once again how grateful I am for having so many examples in my life of industrious, eager-to-learn, hard-working friends! Whether it's learning to run a paint-sprayer, or re-upholstering a sofa, or sewing historic costumes, its amazing how far a willing attitude can go!

Creating the "Waynes Coating" effect for the Constitution Scene.

Each section is 8' x 10' -- quite a handful!

Starting to paint the trees

Mom and Grandpa have taught us principles of shading. Its so fun mixing the variety of colors!

Adding details

Adding tree trunks

We'll be taking pictures this weekend, so you'll be able to see the finished result. Please do keep us in prayer this weekend as we have the opportunity to share "Let Freedom Sing!" in central Iowa. We hope to see several of you there! May the Lord be glorified!

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might;"
Ecc 9:10

A Peek into the Studio...

We just finished two big days in the studio! Thank you all for your prayers -- we've really sensed the Lord's grace during the long hours of recording. We're very excited about this project. Thus far, we have all the instrumental tracks laid, in addition to five vocal tracks. We're looking forward to mid-July when we can wrap up this project! Our goal is to have the CD availible by Labor Day weekend.

And here are a few pictures of the day:

Our bass player caught in action

We're thrilled to include the cello in a couple songs on this CD, including our new rendition of "Amazing Grace/My Chains are Gone".

Stephen wins the "Most Reliable Player" award. During the full two days of recording he never had to re-dub any of his instrumental work. Quite an accomplishment!

Again, thanks for your prayers. We look forward to updating you as this project is completed!

"And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: "Praise the LORD, For His mercy endures forever."
2 Chron 20:21

To view a fantastic video of 'time in the studio' which was taped during our previous CD, visit here!

Hannah

Happy 15th Birthday Hannah!


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"Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever."
Daniel 12:3

Recording

Tomorrow morning we rise early and head to a very familiar place -- the recording studio! We're very excited about this new project and the songs the Lord has brought together for it. We've had many requests for more creative arrangements of beloved hymns. So this project will have several of our favorites, in addition to some original songs and others.

We're also excited that Andrew is joining us again for this project. He traveled and sang with us last weekend in preparation. It'll be great having him back in the studio with us!

Please keep us in prayer! To be honest, there have been so MANY things to keep up with lately, that we're going to need an extra measure of grace for this project. Thank you [in advance] for holding us before the throne! May HE be glorified!

"Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God;
For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful."
Psalm 147:1

Picture courtesy of Stephen Malley

Performing Soon...

It is past 2:00am as Ruth and I sit here finishing a few sewing projects. It's been a full day of sewing, painting, and other assorted projects as we prepare for the weekend ahead...

...And we are excited! In just a few days we'll again have the opportunity to share the musical "Let Freedom Sing!" in four different communities. If you're near a performance, we'd love to have you join us. Or, if you're looking for a family-friendly, fantastic, July 4th celebration, consider joining us in Seward this year! You can see the list of events here.

Vision. Sacrifice. Commitment.

What do these qualities have in common? They were at the heart of our founding fathers' passion for the United States of America. See history come alive this summer in the musical drama, "Let Freedom Sing!" With a cast of 46, lively choreography and stunning costumes you won't want to miss this unforgettable musical performance. You'll travel back in time to the 1849 Gold Rush, the momentous battle at Lexington and the lively arguments at the Constitutional Convention.

Join us on the musical journey that brings to life the excitement, vibrancy, and faith that birthed our great nation.

Performance Schedule

June 25 :: 7:00pm
Missionary Alliance Church
501 3rd St :: Blairsburg, IA

June 26 :: 4:30pm
City Park :: Clear Lake, IA

July 2 :: 7:30pm
Red Oak High School Auditorium
2011 N. 8th St
Red Oak, IA

July 4 :: 7:00pm
Bandshell :: Seward, NE
5th & Jackson Street

We have our final dress rehearsal tonight. We'd appreciate your prayers as we fine-tune all the last minute details!

"Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass."
Psalm 37:5

Prairie Bible Camp 2010

"But without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes unto God must believe that He is and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him."

Hebrews 11:6

Matthias

Happy Birthday Matthias!

M eticulous

A nimated

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"My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise."

Psalm 57:7

**Drumroll**

We arrived home late last night and are currently wading through piles of mail, laundry, camp props and pictures. What a special week! We saw so many answered prayers.

Right now my computer is working to process and upload the video slide show, in an effort to share with you some of the 1,052 camp pictures that were taken during the week. But until then, I'll not hold you in suspense any longer regarding the pop bottles!

**drumroll please**

We made bottle rockets! A friend works at the special events building in a nearby town and actually collected all 107 bottles in a matter of days. [We typically don't drink soda.] Stephen built us a rocket launcher, and we were set!

Creativity in the 'rocket manufacturing stage'.

Helping big brother

"Is there enough water in this thing?!"

Attaching it to the launcher

And the countdown ensues!

Blast off!

"The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD."

Psalms 33:5

More pictures and updates to come...

Heading North

The coming of Spring for our family brings the annual preparations for Prairie Bible Camp. We're currently in North Dakota, our days filled with Bible lessons, memory verses, songs, crafts, object lessons...and of course, "Mighty, Mighty Scoop Noodle Challenge." We'd be grateful for your prayers this week as we seek to plant seeds of God's Wordin the hearts of these children.

The past few days we've been preparing for this week of camp. Can you guess why we need 107 pop bottles?! Stay tuned to find out!

The preparations of the heart belong to man,

But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

Prov. 16:1

Virginia Visits

As I am working to correct my bad habits, I actually did make a point of capturing some of the many special moments as I spent last week with Dan and Bethany in Virginia. I admit, there are several happy memories that I didn't capture...but at least there's a sampling of pictures to share with you!

Its so wonderful to see a new household established. I loved hearing the hum of their voices as they read the Bible together early each morning. To see the sparkle in my sister's eyes every time Dan's name is mentioned. To watch them enjoy each other's company. What a glorious design God created when He put man and woman together!

Since Dan was studying for finals...in addition to his typical work hours...Bethany and I had lots of time for 'sisterly fun'. We went for long walks and explored the quaint neighborhoods in her area, made cinnamon rolls to share with Dan's co-workers, gave haircuts, had fun with photography, and talked and talked and...well, let's just say it was a marvelous time!

:: Fun with photography ::

:: Picture of prettiness ::

:: Coffee shop time ::

Thank you for the special week!

"As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." Prov.27:17

Visiting Joanna!

I returned home from a wonderful week with Dan and Bethany in Virginia and discovered a couple of Hannah's blog posts saved in the draft folder. Since she did such a great job of documenting the week I was gone, I just had to post another one of her picture posts!...

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With Josiah and Abi living only 1 mile from us and the warm weather setting in, it has been a blast going to visit them.

Biking!

Alaythia and Joanna

Oh! Isn't she just adorible!!?!

Uncle Stephen

SMILE!!!

Happy Girl!

Grandpa time!

That the generation to come might know them, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children. Ps. 78:6

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Thanks, Hannah!