Shine Down

Benefit Concert 2015

Last month we were blessed to play a set in a benefit concert for the Post Family in Papua New Guinea with Wycliffe Bible Translators USA.  It's always nice to play a gig to raise money for people who are missionaries, and our host, Elizabeth Z. does an incredible job putting the concert together!  Seriously, she is awesome.  There is always a wonderful turnout and a smooth running concert.

Hanging out after dinner, waiting to being the concert.

 Because of some crazy and unplanned things that came up, I wasn't able to give my camera to anyone to take pictures... so I am very thankful for Lindsey and Evan S. sharing the pictures they took with us.

 Lindsey and Havilah ready for the concert to begin. 

This time around we had Daddy join us on the Congas and Cecily on Bodhran.  They were back there in the Percussion Section, keeping a good grooving beat!

Jordan owning the piano.

 Our set lineup was quite fun as we had two duet sections.  Jordan and Eden just kind of look like 50's crooners.

Fun at the mics.

I got to take up the piano part for this one.  (Thanks for turning pages, Melissa!)

 One Accord on stage... and on the piano, you just can't see it in this picture.

Or this one... because the piano isn't on the stage.

Shiloh and I sang "The Stepsisters' Lament" from Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella.

We had a lot of fun with this one.

Aren't those feathers just delicious?!

 It gets vicious.  They aren't called the Ugly Stepsisters for nothing... (I say "they" because I do not embody the qualities of Ugly Stepsisters in real life. ;) )

Shiloh on harp.

Eden as our lead singer and me multitasking.

It was a lot of fun to have Mommy join us on a few of the songs!

Jordan singing from the piano.

After our set, we sat back and enjoyed lots of other fun musical selections from other groups.  The Post family shared about what the Lord has been doing through their ministry.  They had a lot of wonderful things to say.

Usually we can't take a selfie because everyone wants to be in it!

 After concert cookie consumption in three... two... one...


Group picture with the One Accord gang!  It was a fun evening.  :)

Posted By:

~Bethany 

My Lighthouse

Wouldn't Burn Away

Let's backtrack to last month, shall we?

We siblings had a blast putting together our very first music/dance video!  It was a video about the Hanukkah story, featuring a song written by Jordan and a dance choreographed by me.  We had a lot of fun on the project and especially enjoyed getting our "adopted" sister, Lindsey, to join us in the dancing fun!

Here are the behind the scenes pictures of all our hard work!

And that, my friends, is our lovely backdrop.  Tape included.

 Trying to get the camera angle right... and no one doing a very good job of helping out.

 Working with the little guys.

 Dance shots.

 We only had an hour to put this dance together... and no one but me knew how to do it!  Everyone did such a great job catching on quickly.

 Keeping the arms up, because it is just so much better that way.  ;)

(That was a tricky jazz step I insisted everyone learn--it looks great!)

 Laughing because something went wrong, which is a good thing because it means we're happy.  :)

 Having some fun!

 Contemplating the idea of adding a sequence from the Fox Trot...  ;)

Hava Nagila backtracking...

The ending is a favorite!

This must have been an amusing conversation.

 After all our hard work, we decided to have a bit of fun with the infamous "Awkward Family Photo" (for all you Studio C lovers out there)!

A couple nights later, we all work on our movie developments... while Eden kicks back and eats ice cream!

Our movie's promo picture!

And yes, we have a blooper reel of all our fumbles, funnies, and fun!  Enjoy!

"I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."  ~John 812b

Jordan Da Grad Bomb!

He did it.  Jordan graduated from highschool! 

To commemorate this super special day, we threw a big party in honor of Jordan's achievements.  The ceremony consisted of music presentations, a blessing from our pastor, Jordan receiving his diploma and giving his special speech, food, fellowship, and a big folk dance on the lawn!  The Lord answered our prayers and the weather was just beautiful--couldn't ask for anything better!

Thanks to Evan S. for graciously taking the ceremony pictures for us!  He did a fantastic job!

 All the preparations turned into a beautiful setting!

It's just gorgeous!

 Daddy opening the festivities.

We kicked things off with some music and worship.  Our good friend, Cecily, joined us on the Bodhran!  Once a member of One Accord, always a member of One Accord.  ;)

We sang "My Lighthouse".

I'm trying to master the art of playing and singing at the same time, but I can only to chops and pizzicato!  (That's a start, I guess.)

Cecily giving us some percussion.

Yes, we were having a lot of fun up there!

And then it was time for the speaking.

Our Pastor Rabbi gave Jordan a blessing and some words of wisdom.

 Praying over him.

And there is the coveted diploma!

Daddy sharing more wisdom.  

(Such a great picture of him too!)

It's official, folks!

Success!

Jordan giving his speech.

 Shiloh was able to get these pictures...

There's proof that she had the camera.  ;)

After they had finished with the presentation, we girls sang a special song for Jordan.

Here are the words sung to the tune of "Acres of Clams":

Have you heard from over this country,
A lad who will talk off your ear?
But never when he is sleepin’,
So there’s nothin’ at all you should fear! 

So Jordan, oh Jordan’s a graduate,
He’s officially done with highschool.
But that won’t stop him from sayin’:
That home education it rules.

Have you seen from over this country,
A pianist who’s tickling the keys?
From Mozart, to Mahler, to mayhem,
He can play it all with expertise.

So Jordan, oh Jordan’s a graduate,
He’s officially done with highschool.
But that won’t stop him from sayin’:
That home education it rules.

Have you heard from over this country,
A lad who loves learning to drive?
There’s times he can get excited,
But I’m glad in one piece we arrive!

So Jordan, oh Jordan’s a graduate,
He’s officially done with highschool.
But that won’t stop him from sayin’:
That home education it rules.

Have you seen from over this country,
A lad so incredibly fine?
He loves the Lord God his Saviour,
With all his heart, strength, soul, and mind.

So Jordan, oh Jordan’s a graduate,
He’s officially done with highschool.
But that won’t stop him from sayin’:
That home education it rules!

The came the fun part... dancing!  And that continued way after dark.  :)

Since I was busy calling the dance, I wasn't able to take any pictures... Mrs. B. kindly let me use the pictures she got of the dancing!

 This was a fun dance that anyone who wanted to could join in on called, "Walk in the Light".

Time to eat!
It was a delicious feast and wonderful dessert... complete with ice cream (actually, I don't think anything is complete unless there is ice cream)!

Mommy took these last few pictures:

Dancing after dark.

The Christmas lights and torches looked lovely as the twinkled around the twirling dancers!

Group picture!

(Sadly, a few people left before this and consequently didn't end up in the picture.)

 Group picture followed by a group photobomb.  :)

Congratulations Jordan!

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

~Proverbs 3:5-6

Posted By:

~Bethany