Ta-ta... for now

Gina, our keyboardist since the beginning, has moved 

over a thousand miles away for the summer. 

Needless to say, we are in the process of adjusting to accommodate. 

But... we expect she'll make another appearance with us!

She's due to come back after the summer job ends.

Happy Birthday!

Rose

-lead, alto, and tenor vocals, flute, keyboard-

Rose is good at giving advice. 

She tries to keep us in line while we practice.

She enjoys working in the garden. She loves hats.

And she can't wait to get her driver's license!

PA trip in review

The verse that came to my mind over and over again throughout the weekend in PA was "I was in prison, and you came to me. I was naked, and you clothed me. I was hungry, and you fed me." 

I felt like maybe I understood that verse more than ever before!

Thursday night as we sat in the hotel conference room (with about 170 other people) for orientation, I was more than excited to do what I for so long had wanted to do.... I must admit I was just slightly nervous, but after we were dismissed I was ready to go, ready for the challenge, the new experience, and even walking through the locked doors and being on the inside of the fence. I was prepared! I was expecting to give all this weekend, I guess.... 

After the service started that Friday evening, I could have wept. I realized I wasn't there just to give, but I was also there to receive! The prison choir sang two songs. My, was I excited as they sang "I Give Myself Away" and the other song which I don't remember the name of. Listening to those men was so awesome. I wanted to listen and watch them (esp. the director) for like 2 days straight. I was getting SO blessed! Things went well that night. I walked out that evening knowing I did what I so enjoy doing. I felt so fulfilled and, once again, was so excited to be in there again all day on Saturday. There's really not much to say except WOW! Watching them being just who they were was so priceless. I so enjoyed how free it was. One of the guys in our group was sharing a testimony and mentioned what nuts these inmates were. Then he went on saying "You guys are nuts for Jesus" (That's really a good way to explain it). The inmates stood up and cheered. I just smiled to myself with a million thoughts racing through my mind. I thought of all the churches across America that are so full of religion, denominations, hypocrites, untruth, and how much sin there is in the churches. (I do say this with all my respect and hope no one is offended.) A simple way to say it is "We're either part of the happy clappy, or the frozen chosen." Make sense? I wanted so badly to have my camera there so we could post photos and videos of their songs. Unfortunately, we aren't allowed to. 

Now to wrap this up.... The whole group enjoyed the weekend so much. Being together, snacking yummy snacks on the road, eating out, all the drastic conversations, laughing, sober moments, challenges, lots of music, excitement, teasing, prayer times, and also nap times. You name it, it was a blast! :) We all came home spiritually encouraged, uplifted, very challenged, and excited to continue living our lives to the fullest. 

(we who went)

Thanks to all of you out there who stop by and visit our blog! And as we come to mind we ask that you would lift us up to God in prayer! Last but now least, lots of love from the team to you!
                                                                                         God bless! ~Joanne Y.