March 12, 2010
We are getting great response on the Christmas in Branson trip so don't wait too long. Get your reservations in TODAY by calling our office @ 217-587-2671! We want you to be with us and enjoy this fantastic opportunity!
We just finished a great week and have another one beginning. Last Wednesday evening we were in Florence, IL for a Lenten service. It had been nearly 40 years since we sang at Florence Methodist Church and it was in the "Singing R's" era. They packed the little church and we had a great service. When we pulled up it looked like our bus was longer than the church was wide. But once inside, it was a beautiful country church right on the Illinois River! We love the country churches. There is nothing like'em.
Friday we were in Winchester at Cornerstone Baptist for their annual Missions Benefit. Every year they send a team of 7-8 adults to Uganda to work with Libraries of Love. We want to thank everyone who came for the meal fundraiser and the concert. Encouragment is a great ministry of the church so thanks for coming out to show your support. It is always a blessing to be a part of their outreach and see their hearts for this mission. We want to thank the church and Pastor Ted Rhoades for the invitation.
Saturday took us to Quincy, IL to Madison Park Christian Church. Brent & Margaret Roe do a great job promoting in the Quincy area. We were blessed with great attendance and what a great group of friends. It was a double blessing to see David & Kathy Parrett and a dear friend from my grade school days. Melba, I can't tell you how much I appreciate you coming and it was so good to chat a while. It was a tremendous evening and the spirit of the Lord was so sweet! We look forward to being back in Quincy soon! After the concert the Roe's treated us to a great meal at Ruby Tuesday's, along with Dave & Kathy, and we had a blast! Thanks you guys, you are such a blessing!
The bus headed on to Astoria, IL for the Sunday morning service at Grace Bible Church. Wow, what a service! We were blessed to sing for the Sunday School hour and it is tremendous to feel the power of the Holy Spirit at work and people responding to His leading! We simply love these people. We are especially thankful for the ones who accepted the Lord as their Savior during the invitation. PRAISE THE LORD!!!!! Pastor Gary Schultz has been such a blessing to our family. He has such a compassionate heart for ministry and it is so evident in the way he leads his flock. The men of this church are true prayer warriors and what a blessing to know they are praying for our ministry . We want to thank all the guys who met us at 6:45 am to load in, for the great donuts & juice, and for the good lunch. What a blessing you all are to us!
We took a few minutes after lunch and dropped by the Astoria Gardens Retirement Home to sing a few songs. We were glad they gave us a call. I pray it helped brighten their day and put a melody in their hearts. They presented us with a big fruit basket when we left and we've been enjoying it all week. Gracen especially enjoyed the box of Andee's mints he found in the basket!
As you can see by our schedule we have lots of miles to travel in the next week. We covet your prayers and look forward to the journey the Lord has before us!