Winter tour 2014

It seems to me that we have been slacking in this "blogging" world, so here is a post that contains quite a few photos and some happenings of along the way.

we started the tour two days after our last widow's banquet in Manitoba and headed to our first stop which was Wisconsin. We were all really excited to see Josh & Steph, and the darling Shakirah again and spend some time at their home. Celebrating an early Christmas, baking some delicious treats, black-Friday shopping, and making precious memories was just a few of the things we got to do together. Our family had the honor of being a part of the Gospel Express 30th Anniversary Celebration in PA (where the ministry started), and it was lovely to meet so many others, (former singing teams, board members, and office staff) that have served with Gospel Express over the years. I (Tania) felt like a serious fan-girl meeting my heroes. I grew up listening to them sing. I would dream of someday meeting them and travelling the country like they did. What can i say? We serve an amazing God!

:: the Miller guys and Sean did a hilarious skit of some of our dear office staff ::

:: worship::

:: Ryan and Jeffrey teaching some music classes :) ::

:: my highlight of the weekend was hearing the Coblentz family the way they were way back when they started. such a blessing! ::

:: the former "New Heart" team sang some favourites ::

:: ::

:: the following evening our family sang at a church in Millwood, PA, but this time we had the blessing of Steph and Josh being there, and this little girl was rather distracting at times :) such a dear! ::

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:: they're precious ::

:: she thought watching other toddlers would be fun ::

:: the apple skit ::

:: In Everything Give Thanks ::

:: the day before the widow's banquet in PA we hauled in an entire flower shop :) there were many gifts to be made ::

:: <3 ::

:: floral arrangements in tea cups was the choice of gift for the widows ::

 :: some uncle/niece time ::

:: unloading at the church ::

:: ironing table clothes ::

:: happy helpers ::

:: getting it all ready ::

:: they're finally here ::

:: greeters at the door ::

:: they are such sweet ladies ::

:: Days of Elijah ::

:: playing "I Sing the Canon" ::

 :: family song in closure ::

:: while the snow blanketed the fields in white, we made holiday treats and told stories. (not quite sure what's going on here :) ::

::

:: we celebrated the American Thanksgiving and Christmas the same day ::

:: the excitement builds ::

:: we have the best cooks in our family! ::

:: in the midst of all that we still needed to get some songs in for our new album (in the making) ::

:: matching aprons and happy faces just make the food that much better :) ::

This past Monday we were at Crossroads studio watching the musicians do their thing and we are looking forward to hearing the finished product with vocals and all coming out, hopefully, beginning of April.

we spent one day at the office and then made our way to Florida for the prison crusade orientation on Wednesday. Please pray for everyone involved in the crusade... volunteers, singing teams, evangelists, chaplains, security, and the inmates. The message that was brought yesterday was about preparing our hearts for the work of Christ; that we would not be a hindrance to the anointing of the Holy Spirit. that's our prayer!

western tour part III

Here goes part 3 of our western tour... we are so blessed. 

:: TJ putting some fuel in the bus ::

:: singing in Picture Butte, AB ::

:: gorgeous colors ::

:: we had a lovely lunch at a park on Saturday with the Millers, Uncle Les and Auntie Helen, and their wonderful kids... here the guys are enjoying a game of bocce ::

::

:: it was a bittersweet evening in Vauxhall seeing it was the final night with the Millers ::

When the service was over and the sound equipment and product tables were cleaned up, we all gathered in a circle with some pizza. One by one we recalled the mercies of the Lord, and His blessings on all of us during this tour. We made so many precious memories that when we look back on them we have to smile. 

 :: these girls thoroughly enjoyed their rip sticks ::

:: Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary ::

:: kindred spirits ::

:: such a beautiful day ::

:: Tania and cousins looking at pictures of this tour ::

We have reached the finale of this tour; we have one prison service in Regina, SK tonight and another in Brandon, MB tomorrow. Our deepest thanks to all of you who take the time to pray. May the Lord bless you abundantly for that! When we reach home we will continue preparing for the upcoming Widow Banquets which are to start towards the middle of October. We are all looking forward to that very much, and are excited to see what God has in store.

into the west part II

This tour has been a tour of fun and miracles! The Lord has blessed us with many wonderful blessings and memories to treasure, and since many of you have and are praying for us we want to keep you engaged in what is happening. And we thought the best way to do that is through pictures and stories :)

:: we spent a day in Edmonton mall... watching some crazy roller coasters :) ::

:: beautiful scenery ::

::  :)  ::

:: taking the opportunity to wash the buses ::

:: i think you call this "de-stressing" ::

:: we had 2 days in La Crete, one without a service, so we enjoyed some games ::

:: a ticket to ride ::

:: laundry time! ::

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:: our little caravan ::

:: we love them <3 ::

 :: when this happens we have an opportunity to build character and decide it would be a good time to clean the fridge :) ::

:: we are blessed with some wonderful sound men that know what to do with all that! ::

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 :: we stopped at a historic park along the way and found this adorable little creature ::

 :: let the rocks keep silent while we praise! ::

:: but we believe. yes, we believe! ::

 :: when all the equipment has been loaded and our farewells said, we sometimes get hungry. this particular night it was around 11:30 p.m. and the only part of the restaurant that was open was the drive through. driving a bus in a drive through would not work so well, so we walked :) ::

:: the Millers we in Banff area for a few days this week so we had 3 prison services without them. Yesterday after the service the inmates gave us a box with cookies and a card that they all signed.     It is such a treasure! Each prison service this week has been outstandding and unique, at the women's prison in Edmonton we were so welcomed by the staff and chaplain. Some of these women have come to chapel when we were there for the past 3 years, Tyrell and Lonita could come into this one and the women were very touched by them singing. The next day we were in Innisfail prison, a first time for us. 77 men came to chapel and it was a real blessed service, many prayed to receive Christ, others rededicated their lives. Even after the services one after the other came and asked for prayer personally. We were so touched by the man who came and asked us to pray for healing for the man who's back this man broke, that man is paralyzed, and he would so love to see him healed, he was so sorry for getting into a fight and causing so much damage. Again and again we realize how much regrets these men have. Another older man who could not walk without a walker anymore came and asked us to pray for him. He has a brain tumor and its taking away his ability to walk, also fighting with a lot of seizures, this brought back a lot of memories of Lenora and our hearts went out to him. we couldn't help but think, "what would it be like to go through this in prison?"  he will be released in November, please pray for Jerry.