drum corps season 2008

The temps are warming up a little more each day, so that means summer is just around the corner; and that means the Drum Corps season is here. Photo from DCI Atlanta show in 2006.
Check out this link to view the schedule for DCI shows around the country.
This links to my favorite corps - the Blue Devils from Concord, California.

The 2007 Champs - watch the Concord Blue Devils Camp Report 2008 Video below

Memorial Day 2008

US Air Force Reserves Band from Memorial Day Concert in Suwanee

We enjoyed the Memorial Day Concert and were glad the rain finally stopped as the band played. The choir from a church in Sugar Hill started the concert at 7:30 instead of 7:00 because of the rain. The US Army parachute team had to cancel their part of the show. Here is another video of the US Air Force Reserves Concert Band based in Rollins, GA. The medley, arranged by a band member, is based on the tune "Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines" but you will hear other tunes including a little bit of "Star Trek."

family photo Sunday

Our oldest son is an assistant pastor in PA and is pictured (center) performing the "stagecoach" skit at a recent youth activity.

Amazing Grace @ Memorial Day Concert 2008

One of the highlights of the concert was this arrangement of "Amazing Grace" featuring bagpiper with the band. He walked on and off stage playing alone - it was very effective.

Memorial Day Concert Slideshow

We enjoyed the Sugar Hill Choir and the U S Air Force Reserves Concert Band in a Memorial Day Concert Friday night at the Town Center in Suwanee, GA. The choir presented a patriotic program with narration, singing many medleys and new songs. The band started the program with National Anthem, followed by the Olympic Fanfare and Theme composed by John Williams. They played several marches by Fillmore and Sousa including a circus march, "The Gallant Seventh", "The Stars and Stripes Forever" and the "Midway March" by Williams. The band also featured a bagpiper who played "Amazing Grace" accompanied by the concert band. Two of the members also sang songs with the band - "The Battle Hymn" and "God Bless the U.S.A." with the rousing chorus: "I'm Proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free. And I want forget the men who died , who gave that right to me." It was a great way to start the Memorial Day weekend and be reminded that our freedom is not free, and as the narrator spoke several times - to remember those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

You can also view the photos at this link

Click this link to read Gwinnett Daily Post recounting story of a WWII Vet

Click to view video of "Amazing Grace"

our granddaughters

Leah recently posted this cute picture of their three girls on her blog.

Congrats to Airel

Congratulations to Airel Baggett on his graduation from high school - May 22nd

Congrats to Colby

Congratulations to Colby Blackstock as he graduates from high school May 20th.

family photo Sunday

What difference four years make! This family photo was taken just after our first granddaughter, Natalie, was born in 2004. Now by the end 2008 we will have 5 grandkids!

family news update

Cindy's cousin by marriage, Josh York fell about 20 feet and broke his femur (leg bone) and both of his wrists several weeks ago. Amy and Josh need our prayers during his recovery. The good news is that he was able to go home this week and will be going to physical therapy twice a week, so progress is being made.

The Lord protected our oldest son and his family this week during a car accident. On the way to school in Hanover, PA, a car slammed into the rear-end of their Honda Odyssey Minivan. Thank the Lord for in His providence no one was hurt.

Our family vacation is just around the corner and the Franklins are going to invade Arkansas again this summer. We heard through the grapevine that our niece Brandy and her family from Texas are also planning to come up to Arkansas for the week. Just leave those "crazy ants" in Texas, please! Looks like we will miss Uncle Kelsea & Roxie, and Sheryl and her kids who are traveling to Arkansas from California in August.

words to ponder

Sunday evening before the service began, I overheard a mother sharing with a friend the sermon notes that her elementary age son had written during the morning service. She was excited that her son had listened so well. It was notable that while our pastor expounded on the verse that reads "Be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit," the young listener summed it up as point #1 "Be not drunk." I think he got the point. It gave me an idea to share some of the recent notes I have gleaned from the services at Berean. Here are some recent quotes taken from the sermons of Pastor Sweatt that are words to ponder:

"The most worthy thing is to be changing into His image."

"Spiritual maturity takes time. If Satan can get you to quit doing what God wants you to do, then you will stop maturing."

"We must allow God to change us - not depending on self-reformation."

"Be a person of hope! Looking around - you will be perplexed. Looking within - you will be discouraged. Looking up - you will be hopeful."

family photo Sunday

Happy Mother's Day to Cindy - from your "boys"

Arkansas family expecting 18th child

This is a pretty amazing story and it even made the Drudge Report this week. The Duggar family from Arkansas will be featured on the Discovery Health Network this month. The Duggars are expecting their 18th child and are asking for help to name this one. All the children have names starting with the letter J - so you can vote on this website as to what name they should use for a boy or a girl. We had friends at our church in Jacksonville that had 10 children and I thought that was a lot. I guess the more, the merrier. OK - Josh, Stephen and Brandon - the challenge is on (just kidding!)

Click to view FUN FACTS on the DUGGARS

Click to vote for a name for baby#18

Click to view the names of Duggar children

Forrestworks for symphonic wind band & choir

On Friday night, May 2nd, the Bob Jones University Commencement Concert included the premier performance of a new work composed by Dan Forrest titled In Paridisum. Well known for his choral compositions and arrangements, this is his first composition for band and choir. You can listen to excerpts at this link to BJU.EDU. It will be available on CD this summer from the campus bookstore and according his blog, Soundforth will release it on a CD titled Forrestworks this fall.

family photos

#1 Click to view photos from April Logan's graduation from BJU last Saturday

#2 Click to view photos from Natalie's 4th birthday (posted at Leah's blog)

(Yes, I know this photo was not taken in WI, I just like this pic from Fernandina Beach)

family photo Sunday

Congrats to our neice April Logan. She was one of 40 students to graduate with a degree in Nursing from Bob Jones University yesterday, May 3rd. We were really surprised and blessed to be there and hear her give her testimony during the graduation service. May God bless her as she continues her journey of life.

CLICK TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS

MAY BIRTHDAYS SLIDESHOW

April receives her nursing pin today

It is a special day for our niece, April Logan, as she receives her Nursing pin today at the Bob Jones University School of Nursing. She will receive her diploma with a degree in Nursing tomorrow morning at 9 AM. After graduation, April plans to travel with the New York Summer Evangelism Team for 8 weeks in New York (a city with over 8 million souls.) After the summer, she plans to move to New York City and help with a church planting ministry.

the journey IQ challenge

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