Dear Friends,

Well, another week has flown by and it's about time to get back on the bus!
For the last few years Cornerstone Baptist Church in Winchester, IL has had a benefit dinner/concert to help raise money for a group of ladies in the church who go on a missions trip with Libraries of Love. We have been blessed to have been apart of these fundraisers over the years and we were excited to be back again last Friday night. We certainly appreciate these ladies' desire to go to the mission field to share the love of Jesus Christ with those in need.We are thankful to each and every one who took time out of their evening to come support this wonderful group of women. It was especially a blessing to have our good friends Emmett and Marilyn Bennett and their family and Mary Snapp and her friend Phyllis who drove all the way from the Kankakee area to be with us.  Please join with us in praying for these five ladies as they prepare for another journey this coming summer.

There is a beautiful little country church that sits a few miles outside of Jonesburg, MO called Oak Grove Baptist Church. Saturday night was the 4th year our family has been able to share with folks at Oak Grove. We first met Pastor Smith at the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, KY a few years ago. Ever since then, we have been making an annual stop at Oak Grove. The little church was packed last Saturday night and it was a wonderful evening. It was alot of fun to spend Saturday afternoon with our good friends David and Kathy Parrett from Holts Summit, MO. We love them just like family! (that's not necessarily a good thing! HAHA)

Sunday morning found us in Cahokia, IL at 1st Southern Baptist Church. It has been about 3 years since we have been there so we were excited to be back. As any other typical Sunday morning, we had Fox News Channel on in the bus while we were getting ready. Moments before we left the bus to head in for the concert, we heard the report of the church shooting in Maryville. The 1st Baptist Church in Maryville, where the shooting occured, was just about 20 miles from where we were singing. Anytime a tragedy like that occurs, it catches your attention, but when it happens that close to you, it tends to consume your whole thought process.  Then all the "what if's" start running through your mind. As the morning worship service began, Pastor Spurgeon prayed for all those involved in the shooting. Despite, the horrible news that morning, we had a tremendous service. We greatly appreciate the kindness, love and generosity shown to our family by the congregation and we look forward to our next time together. Please join us in praying for the congregation of 1st Baptist-Maryville and the family of Pastor Fred Winters. After a tragedy such as last Sunday, you realize just how much we take for granted.

We hope you all have a blessed weekend and we hope to see you soon!!

Blessings,
The Chosen Ones