Friday, December 18, 2015

Seth & Kailey

Three months ago, Seth Derby popped the question to Kailey Burns. And, even though they're knee deep in planning, Kailey took time out to share their engagement story with us.




We had returned that Saturday from an amazing trip to Indiana with the 
Shepardsville Team (along with our lovely escorts, my Mom and Mrs. Bontrager.) 
We had such a fun time with everyone but were pretty tired from the trip. 
I was totally not expecting what came next! The next night, Sunday, September 
27th, Seth told me we were going to go somewhere special to watch the lunar 
eclipse/blood moon. I fell asleep on the drive, and when I woke up we were 
arriving at a beach in Holland. We walked out to the end of the pier, across 
from a lighthouse. It was a beautiful view, but the clouds came almost all the
way down to the water. We couldn't see any stars, much less the moon, and I was 
worried that we had driven all that way for nothing... We walked back down to 
the beach and found a wooden walk that looped around with a beautiful view of 
a bay. I had been thinking all night that it would be the perfect place and 
time to propose, but knew there was no way Seth even had a ring or had asked 
my parents blessing (which apparently he had that day!) We sat on a bench and 
looked up to see the clouds had peeled back; the stars were shining brightly 
and the moon was just coming up over the clouds. After a little bit (9:34pm, 
to be exact) Seth stood up -ready to leave, I thought- so I stood up too. 
Instead he pulled me into a hug, and I heard one of my favorite songs (All I Ask of You) start playing. I think I started crying at that point, feeling so 
blessed...which may explain why I didn't even notice Seth pulling a box out of 
his pocket and checking it behind my back, still hugging me the whole time. 
Just as the song ended, Seth stepped back and got down on one knee. To be honest, 
I was so in shock I don't totally remember what happend next. Seth says that he 
asked, "Kailey, will you marry me?" and apparently I gasped sharply and said 
"YES" right away.... Less than two months until we become man and wife, and we 
are soooo excited!!!!



We are so excited for them and hope you join us in praying that God will bless them radically and use them to glorify Him in ways they could never imagine. 

Friday, October 30, 2015

Forgotten Man Ministries Concert

Last Thursday, the Team sang for a jail ministry banquet. Rhoda and Julie were both gone for that concert, but Rose Bontrager, who was visiting at the time, graciously filled in for them. Here are a few pictures from the evening:




Next Wednesday, the girls of the Team will sing at a widows' banquet.

*For more information or if you or any of your friends would like to attend the widows' banquet, call Ida Bontrager at 989-834-2028.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Eckerty, Indiana Concert

Our trip to Eckerty, IN, to sing at the Old Eckerty Days was a blast. The Team piled into a 12- passenger van pulling a trailer with our sound equipment. The trip down took about seven hours, including stops at such wonderful places as the gas station and Chick-fil-a. We checked into our hotel and then drove on over to Eckerty.

The Old Eckerty Days is a festival celebrating the town of Eckerty. We were fascinated by the ensemble of old buildings that gave a rustic feel to the area. A train track ran along the festival site in a deep ravine, and several times throughout the evening, trains blasted their horns as they rumbled past.

Our concert was after the main activities of the day. Although it sprinkled a little, we were able to keep the speakers outside in the open air. The concert went well, and after we were done,  another band who played a mix of bluegrass music and folk songs performed.

We got back to the hotel late that night, but still wanted to do something fun before we left the next morning. So, close to midnight, we ordered pizza and watched a movie. Most of us made it through the whole movie, but we were glad we got to sleep on the ride home!

There's something about road trips that bring people together. Maybe it's being forced to spend time in limited space with another human being that brings out the funny side in people, but we sure had fun!

Although we didn't get a whole lot of pictures because of the lighting, Rhoda (who doubles as our photographer when she can) did a super job on snapping some good ones.








Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Welcome, Amy!


Amy Yoder is a recent member of the Team. She helped us out for our Christmas concerts last year and officially joined this year. She's now our main pianist- which we desperately needed :) - and fiddler and does a great job singing background and lead. Be sure to comment and let Amy know what a great addition she is to the Team.

Favorite past time: I like riding horses, playing volleyball, relaxing on vacations =), playing music.
Instruments you play: I play piano and violin.
What was your first instrument? Piano
How old were you when you started playing your first instrument? 2 or 3- ever since I can remember. 
Favorite food: Something tasty, such as pizza or Italian food.
   Fun thing about the Team: I remember when I was younger I couldn't wait 'til I could join the     Team! I like that we can always get together and have fun- a big bonus is that we go out for ice cream a lot!!! :)


Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Welcome, William!

William Bontrager joined the Team in the spring of 2014. He is an excellent drummer, making the rest of us sound extra good. :) Here's more about him:

                                                    Favorite past time: practicing drums
                                                    Instruments you play: drums
                                                    How old you were when you started playing: 11
                                                    Favorite food: pizza
                                                   Fun fact about the Team: Everybody picks on me about my hair


Give William a shout out in the comments below! 
And....

This Friday night, we'll be singing in Eckerty, Indiana, at the Old Eckerty Days, a community festival celebrating the town's history. This is the first out-of-state concert the Team has ever done; we're looking forward to the road trip and making memories together and, of course, meeting any of you who might be in that area that weekend. :) 

Address: 1080 S. Main Eckerty, IN 47116    If you want more info on the festival, check out their website: http://eckertydays.com/.

*Pray for us as we prepare, travel, and perform and for the people who'll be there, so that God will reach through us to people who need Him and more of Him. Thank you!

Monday, September 14, 2015

Happy Birthday, Rhoda!


Rhoda Yoder joined the Team last year, but because of changes with the blog and busy schedules, she hasn't been officially introduced yet. Today seemed like the perfect day to do so since it's Rhoda's 18th birthday!!! Rhoda does an amazing job singing lead and background for the Team. She also helps out with bass.

                                         Favorite past time: Riding horses
                                         Instruments you play: bass
                                         How old you were when you started playing bass: 15
                                         Favorite concert with the Team: Carson City
                                         Favorite food: Pizza
"A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit." -Prov. 15:13
 
Comment below to wish Rhoda a happy birthday and welcome to the Team.
 


Friday, September 4, 2015

Carson City Concert

The Team recently sang at a Christian revival in Carson City. We've had the blessing of singing there almost every year since the Shepardsville Team started and have enjoyed it every time.












The Team went out for ice cream and coffee one last time with Rebekah Derby.











Stay tuned for interviews from the new Team members!

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

June Concert at Ola Camp


Back in June, the Team got to sing a night at an annual revival in Ashely, MI.  Here are a few photos.
Thank you to God for the lessons He taught us during that week and to everyone who came out and made the week enjoyable.




Saturday, July 4, 2015

Independence Day



239 years ago today, we declared ourselves a nation, free from Great Britain’s rule. Only by the powerful 
hand of God did our rag tag army defeat the greatest army on earth. The first citizens went through a LOT to make this land a nation. When we started, our leaders founded this country on Biblical principles and the 
Word of God as a country where “all men are created equal” and where we are “one nation under God, 
with liberty and justice for all”, knowing where their Help came from. 

As you celebrate Independence Day take time to remember that getting it wasn’t easy. This is a day when people often gather with friends, [hopefully] enjoy warm weather, and eat lots of food, but it’s a stark 
contrast to what the Continental Army went through. Putting it mildly, they got tired, hungry, and sick, but
they still went on. And because of their heroism, bravery, perseverance, and faith, we are here today. 
We live in a land  birthed by the sweat and blood of men and women who lived and died for what they
believed in and who knew they could only succeed if the mighty hand of God was with them. 

                                                 Thank you for what you did. 

Thank You, God, for blessing us with so much and letting us live and celebrate in this land.
You were with us in the Revolutionary War, those eight long years when, many times, it seemed like we could never pull through. You kept our people and land together in the Civil War and helped us rebuild
in the aftermath. You had Your hand on us in every war and fight since then, and if we would try, 
we couldn’t know how many times You protected our individuals and armies from death when our enemies 
came against them.  Yet today, some forget it’s only by You we stand, and they’ve tried to make their own 
way and have thrown Your Word in Your face. 
                                                  But there are still a people who believe, Lord. 
There are still those who remember and know that we never could’ve done this without You.                                                                    Hear us, Lord, when we pray and intercede for our nation. We have fallen, but help us rise again. 
We’ve gone astray, but lead us back. In You our Hope is found. You are our Strength, our fortress, our 
Deliverer. Have mercy on us, Lord, and thank You for letting us be the United States of America.
 

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Concert update

In addition to the Team, there were four other groups who sang at Henry&Ida's Gospel Barn. A large crowd came out to the pole barn where the concert was held to enjoy an evening full of music and fellowship.
The smell of hotdogs filled the air as music and singing filled the barn.

The next Friday evening, we sang at our local ice cream shop, Blue Moon.

Although the weather was chilly and the skies overcast, people braved it all and sat outside as we sang in the pavilion.









William on the drums
Julie, Rhoda, Rebekah, and Kailey
Amy on the keyboard

Seth and Jason



and we love our ice cream
Our next concert....
  on Monday (June 22), we'll be singing at Ola Camp: 7212 S. Bagley Rd. Ashley, MI. Starting the 21st, they are holding a week of evening revival meetings; we'll be opening up the second night. Hope to see some of you there!                                                                                                                       God bless!!!

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Henry&Ida's Gospel Barn

                                      It’s time again for Henry&Ida’s Gospel Barn!!!
Join us and several other local bands June 7 at 6:00 P.M for a fun, uplifting night of music at Henry&Ida's Gospel Barn. This concert, held inside a 60x80 pole barn, includes a variety of bands and music.
The concessions’ stand will have snacks and drinks available for purchase.
Bring your own chairs for seating and invite your friends to enjoy this fun night. The address is: 2512 N. Shepardsville Rd. Ovid, MI 48866. There is a $5 suggested admission donation for adults (free for kids).

Donations go toward God's Little Children, an international ministry reaching out to help widows and orphans and the destitute in various countries. This year, the donations will go to a local couple, Andy & Katie Miller, to help with their recent hospital expenses. 

If you won't be able to join us at the Gospel Barn, be sure to stop by Ovid's Blue Moon, an ice cream shop where we'll be singing on June 12 at 7:00 P.M.