Thank you all soooo much for your prayers! We need them so much. God has been really working. Monday morning (April. 28th) After the concerts in Fenelon Falls and Lindsey, we headed back to Hounsomes for the day. We had some really good prayer times with them that evening. Tuesday (April. 29th) we left the Hounsome home and traveled to near King City to the same group of people (Forget Me Nots band) that gave me the stand-up bass last year. They have done music together for years. They treated us like kings and fed us fantastic food. Wednesday, we set-up and did a concert in the evening at a small hall nearby. Apparently there were a lot of non-Christians at that concert. We pray that the seeds planted will be fruitful.
With a few of our friends from the "Forget Me Not" group in front of their home:
Thursday morning we left our dear "Forget Me Not" friends and headed to Aylmer, Ont. It was a very full day as we had to travel 8 hours and set-up and do a concert in the East Elgin Community Complex. But God gave us enough energy to do it all. We were able to talk with James Heikoop a bit (my cousin's fiance) after the concert. We stayed at the Peters family's home that night. They have 9 kids and are homeschooled as well. They were a very hospitable family and even did research on our websites to find out what food we liked. :) They served us some delicious whole wheat tortillas that they made for supper. They even had some dark chocolate out for us. :)
Friday morning, we had another fairly long driving day as we traveled to Cobden, Ont. do to a concert at the Whitewater Wesleyan Community Church. They had an incredible supper ready for us at the church. The church was quite new. We did the concert at 7:00 PM. After the concert, me, Joel, Emily, Jeremiah and Jesse and Heidi stayed at the Garfat home. We had a really good stay with them.
Saturday we traveled to Ottawa. We stayed at my dad's cousin's home, Randy and Evelyn Jost. We had such a refreshing time there. Sunday morning, we did a concert at the Community Bible Church on the other side of Ottawa (Stittsville). It was probably one of the hardest concerts for me to do as we were really tired and felt rather empty. But, there were several comments from people stating how there were very ministered to and encouraged. Which proves that God can work no matter how you are feeling. :) Saturday evening, we did a concert at The MET. It went really well and the people reallly seemed to be receptive. Afterwards, for the first time, we met another Jost boy. Randy's son Nathan Jost. :) That was a treat. Really nice guy.
Monday morning, we left Ottawa and traveled all the way back to the Hounsomes home. They had one of the most amazing Turkey dinners ready for supper! So delicious! With strawberry rhubarb pies with ice cream for dessert :)
Tuesday, the Hounsomes and us all headed to Toronto for a Blue Jays game on 'Toonie Tuesday' again. It was so fun to take two huge families to the game again. :) We were able to walk around Blue Jays way for a while before the game. It was a great game even though they lost 5-4, but it was so much fun to hang out there. We all wore orange and the Hounsomes and us made in onto the Jumbotron screen twice. :)
If you look close, you can see us on the big screen:
Wednesday and Thursday, we stayed at the Hounsomes and recharged. We spent quite a while in devotions and prayer with the Hounsomes. It is so refreshing to get together with young people and be able have no wall between regular talk and spiritual conversations. Derek, Jim and Marilyn McDonald came by for a visit, too. It was so great to be with them, and share memories of Mark. On Thursday, Zack drove me, Gabe and Joel into Orillia to donate blood. It was my first time donating. An interesting experience. :)
Friday, Hounsomes and us headed to Huntsville and had supper with the Strongman family and they served us a BBQ and had a great time with them, playing volleyball after we set up. Afterwards, we did a concert in the Fairview Baptist Church which was right next to the Strongman home.
Saturday morning, after an awesome and spiritually refreshing time with the Hounsomes, we had to say goodbye. The Hounsomes have been such a blessing to us this tour with all their prayers and support. We appreciate their friendship so much and it was very hard to say goodbye.
The Hounsomes and Josts:
Saturday evening we stayed in the Galilean Bible Camp which is near Blind River, Ont. It was so nice to just have the place to ourselves.
Sunday morning, May 11th, was Mother's day. Dad served mom some yogurt in bed. :) I am so grateful for my mom. She has been such an awesome example to all us kids of being spiritually aware and being sensitive to others needs. I love her so much! Afterwards, we did a concert in the Gospel Fellowship Church in Iron Bridge for the morning service. And in the evening we headed over to Echo Bay and did a concert. We had a concert there last year as well. There is a really nice group of people there that are very receptive. Following the concert, me, Joel and Jeremiah were billeted out to the pastor Bill McLeans home.
Monday morning, we left Sault Ste. Marie and crossed the border into Michigan. Monday evening, we did a concert in the Mikado Baptist Church. God's presence really seemed to be there. Afterwards, the Jamieson family had us over and served us some delicious food and had us overnight. Tuesday morning they served us a huge breakfast. We then hit the road and made it to Ironwood, MI. Tomorrow we continue to speed home. We have to get home for our friends wedding that is happening on Sunday.
This tour has been a fair bit more hectic. Did a lot of concerts in a short amount of time. But, God has given us the energy and strength to do them all. We really feel that God is calling us to be doing this, so even when we don't feel like setting up and tearing down before and after concerts, we know this is what God wants, and so that is what we need to do. It really is worth it when people share with us after concerts how they have been affected by the messages in our songs and testimonies. We have so much to pray for.
We can't thank everyone enough for all their prayers. Without God's working hand, our music is just a skeleton.
