Busy

Yes, yes.  I know the whole "I'm busy, so I haven't been posting" is kind of cliche, but honestly, it is completely accurate and probably one of the best excuses for the blogger world.  Anyway, I have been very busy.  I am planning on posting our big family camp weekend post soon, but for now, here is something to whet your appetite (no, this is not a post about food).

 We had a great time seeing a concert featuring some wonderful classical pieces and world-class musicians.

Jordan and I singin in the rain.  Broadway style!

Posted By:

~Bethany 

Slavic Symphony Performance

Recently the Lord has opened the door for me to have a position with the Slavic Symphony Orchestra.  I am thrilled about this opportunity!  The best part is that the orchestra is founded by Christians and the concerts are Christ-centered.  My friend, Kathrina, had told me that they were in desperate need of string players.  I called up the director and ended up auditioning over the phone!  It was pretty crazy.  The director put me as the stand partner of my friend.  And that was just too much fun!  Rehearsals were great as we worked together and tossed quite a few jokes back and forth through whispers and eye contact.  Yes, I admit that there was more than one occasion where we were stifling laughter.  ;)

 Listening to the Scripture being read.

Leaving the stage after a wonderful performance.

 This is our fantastic director.

(Photo credits go to the Slavic Symphony.)

I love how everyone's bows are midair.  Can you see me right in the middle?

(Photo credits go to the Slavic Symphony.)

This was a beautiful location.

(Photo credits go to the Slavic Symphony.)

 My lovely friend, Kathrina.  Best stand partner ever!  :)

 And these are my amazing parents that make everything happen!

And if you would like to check out any of the videos, click this link here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC4omU4JzD96IbW5Ni7QpSA/videos

To God be the glory!

Posted By:

~Bethany 

Marty Goetz in Concert

It had been about 10 years since the last time we saw Modern Day Psalmist, Marty Goetz play in concert!  We were so blessed to attended a wonderful evening of music and praise.  He is an incredible musician and is serious about spreading the love of Christ through His music.

 Love this picture!

 It was great to catch up and talk for a while afterwards.  :)

It was a very special evening!

Posted By:

~Bethany 

Wild Weekend

The last weekend of August was insane, but wonderful.  We had a packed schedule: the first day was my parent's 33rd wedding anniversary, next was helping out at a wedding of a dear friend, day after that was One Accord's performance at a conference, and we ended it by attending a folk dance put on by some special friends.  Somehow we managed to pack all four big events into one single weekend.  

But that's just kind of the way my family is.  ;)

 Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Joel and Mikaela F! 

We four oldest ones were able to help out serving food.  It was quite a large wedding, which meant we were quite busy!

While they were enjoying their food...

...We were slaving away in the kitchen.

So maybe we don't look like we're working that hard, but in reality, we ran the food and dessert aspect of the wedding!

So we needed a chance to relax and have some fun.  ;)
Yes, I really do a have (what looks like) a sword and shield.

"Pick a piece!  You can only have one!"
As you can see behind me, we filled the kitchen with pieces of cake!

And some of our kitchen crew photobombed the newlyweds!

Thanks to Micah C. (the bride's brother), we were able to get this shot.  While waiting in line to fill up our platters with more cake to serve, I noticed that we were in the perfect place to photobomb (and seeing so many people with cameras made it all the more tempting).  After the picture was taken, someone let out a snicker and Mikaela turned around suspiciously, asking us what was going on!  We assured her that we were just waiting to fill up our platters.  ;)

Shiloh and I taking a break to pose for the camera.

The guys really working hard.  (Not.)

If you don't get the pun, I can't help you.

Shiloh and I with the lovely couple!

(Thanks to Evan S. for getting pictures 4-11!)

Judah showing how the clean up goes.

So after our long day, we headed home to be ready for the next day.

 And so we settle in to get everything together for our evening musical performances.  We were so blessed to have Amanda join the family for the day.  :)

Hanging out in the green room.

 AmandaBanda.  BandAmanda.  Either one works.  ;)

Mic check!

And we're on!

The Lord blessed our music and we had such a wonderful time sharing His love through our songs.

One Accord with Daddy joining us on the Cajon.

 Cute Boy taking it all in with Mommy.

Listening to an excellent session on Israel.

 Eden closed the conference with her solo of "The Holy City".

The hand-painted backdrop was pretty amazing and made for some really neat looking pictures.

Eden has quite an amazing voice!

Jordan always provides a solid and reliable accompaniment which is essential for any soloist! 

 Judah by the Tribe of Judah banner.

And Ben with the Tribe of Benjamin banner.





 The whole family at the close of a busy, yet blessed day.

And after bed at 3:00am, we (slightly) rested for a family folk dance Labor Day.
(The excitement never ends!)

I was asked to call a few dances and had a blast doing that!

 "Here is a partner up for grabs!"
Actually I didn't know Ethan S. was standing there... but the timing sure was funny!

 Thanks to Evan S. for getting these pictures.

Well, that was one whirlwind of an update!  ;)

Posted By:

~Bethany 

Ted Pearce and One Accord

Our church hosted Ted Pearce (internationally known Messianic artist) for a worship concert.  Since one of the days he was playing was on Shiloh's birthday, we went to enjoy a fun evening of praise songs, worship, and dance.

We arrived and settled in, but just as he started to play, some technical issues started up.  The sound crew tried to troubleshoot the problem... but he still couldn't get his program to run correctly.

(Sorry for the bad image quality--it was hard to take pictures.)

Some of the dancing we did during the concert.

He was just at the point of calling it off when he decided to call up anyone who wanted to join him on the stage!  We had four women singers, four men singers, Jordan on the keyboard, a lady on the tambourine (I had never seen such amazing tambourine playing before!), and a guy on the conga drums.

 And this was the ensemble we put together! 

It was just an incredible evening of worship!  We just sang our hearts out even though we didn't know have the songs!  Just being in the presence of the Lord like that was amazing.

Some of the congregation dancing.

Mr. Pearce is such a talented musician and songwriter!

After the concert, we had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Pearce.  After talking for a bit, he asked if we could join him on a few songs the next morning.  Wow!  What an honor!!!  We were totally stoked!

We came early to set up and did our mic check... and ran out of time to rehearse the songs.  We only knew one of the songs were we playing and the other two we had heard for the first time last night.  It was going to be all improvisation!

It turned out to be an incredible morning!  The Lord blessed us beyond belief as we played with Mr. Pearce.  It was amazing to just have everything flow together like we had practiced for days... Praise Him!!!  It was an amazing time of worship as we glorified the Lord!  Mr. Pearce was so much fun to work with and had such a fun personality. 

Sadly, we were not able to get able to get everything on film... but we were able to get the majority of two of the songs. 

 

I feel so humbled and grateful that the Lord blessed us with this amazing opportunity!  All the glory goes to Him!

Posted By:

~Bethany