The Thankful Tree

As a Thanksgiving tradition, our family makes a "Thankful Tree." Writing things we're thankful for on construction paper leaves, we glue them on a branch harvested from our acreage.

It's delightful to see what everyone is thankful for, and watch the tree fill up with thankful notes until we have no more room to add them!

"I will praise the name of God with song, and magnify Him with thanksgiving." Psalm 69:30

You know you've been on the road for 6 weeks when...

...you've worn your singing clothes almost as many times as your pajamas.

...you left home wearing t-shirts and come home in a sweater.

...you check if the water heater is on before getting in the shower.

...you only lay in two feet of your double-sized bed.

...you wake up and look out your bedroom window, wondering which state you're in now.

...you listen for the generator before turning on the stove.

...you have absolutely no idea how much gasoline costs.

...you try to flush the toilet with your foot.

...you have to constantly remind Dad that "yous" is not a word from the Midwest.

...you watch for Amish buggies when driving in Lincoln.

...instead of putting your car into park, you reach for an air brake.

And...in the last 6 weeks you've sang to more people than the population of your hometown----times 34.

Tour Completed

We have completed our 6-week East Coast tour, and as of an hour ago, we're on our way home! While we really enjoyed this trip and all of the opportunities to minister and travel and be ministered to, we're also eager to step foot on Nebraska soil again.



We praise God for:

• Complete health this entire trip...something very unusual since we come into contact with so many people.

• No breakdowns or repairs needed on the bus.

• 29 concerts and 2 souls brought to the Kingdom!

"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much..." Matthew 19:29

New York City Excursion

Yesterday we had the tremendous privilege of touring and singing in New York City. Since "a picture's worth a thousand words," I couldn't help but post an abnormally long picture journal of our day.

The first challenge of the day was parallel parking the bus. We're not even sure how he did it, but Dad sure is a good bus driver to have parked where he did. Thankfully we were able to make the rest of our tour on foot so the bus didn't have to be moved.

Pastor Ron of Living Waters Fellowship in Brooklyn was our personal tour guide. He knew exactly where he was going and we just tried to keep up. Thanks, Ron!

The New York City skyline from the tram station.

Our first ride was on a tram.

Even though there are plenty of traffic lights, police officers still control much of the large intersection traffic. They can tell you to go on red and stop on green. Not sure we midwesterners could get used to that.

Open air seafood market. Not a pretty smell.

Little Italy

NYC parking...anyone know how these cars get down?!?

We were slightly afraid this is what our bus would look like by the time we drove away!

Fruit market outside Starbucks

Riding the subway--our first experience.

Next stop...Brooklyn Bridge

Since the huge decision of the bank bailout was going on, there were people, media and protesters swarming Wall Street.

As we were standing on Wall Street, with media crews and crowds swarming, the notes of The Battle Hymn of the Republic suddenly started floating over the noise. This gentleman sat down on the stairs and the crisp notes of his song brought a timely reminder of the godly heritage of our country.

Trinity Chapel, the church where George Washington attended, and many others of notoriety visited.

"On this spot stood Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, on the occasion of her gracious visit 9 July, 1976. His Royal Highness the Prince Philip stood nearby."

The New York Stock Exchange, proudly displaying Old Glory.

These officers were standing on a corner of Wall Street and we were told officers like these have stood at this place continually since September 11th, 2001

Shoe shiners

Ron tells us the history of the Trinity Chapel.

The Trinity Chapel Graveyard, a surprising area of peace and rest in the middle of the city.

Ground Zero

This several story-size sign gives those who walk by a vision and hope for the reconstructing of the Twin Towers.

Buildings next to Ground Zero are still being reconstructed. The mass amount of wreckage in such a small place is almost unbelievable.

Learning facts about 9-11

A hotdog vendor walking the construction site along Ground Zero.

Looking out over the bay at the Statue of Liberty

This costumed man was posing to take pictures with tourists. He was a little scary looking.

Does this seem like an oxymoron to anyone else?!? Do millionaires need bargains?

Off to the next stop...

This lady was playing the saw in the subway terminal. We could hear her eerie music down several stories!

Amidst the flurry and bustle on Times Square.

After our long day in the city, we returned to the church in Brooklyn to sing. We had a good service, and especially enjoyed seeing our 'sister' Stacy Molai, who came from Long Island to see us! It was a satisfying end to a busy day!

God bless America, land that I love!


"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD..."
Psalm 33:12