Driving, Music and Miracles

Blessings to you all!

Here is another update on our trip. Since we have not had great internet the whole trip (it's off and on), we have a few days to catch up on :), so I am adding many pictures!

The first day, we traveled through Boise and the dear B. family hosted us for the night! What incredible hospitality! We so enjoyed the fellowship and the wonderful meals. The LORD completely prepared the way before us though – it is always hard to know how well travels will go when heading across the country in the middle of winter, but God showed Himself faithful to us the whole way. The day we arrived in Boise, it was the WARMEST day they’d had in 2 weeks! This was a mercy, because Daddy had to get the trailer out of the B.’s driveway (they let us store it there in the fall so we wouldn’t have to drive it over the mountains) – and although this was a concern that it would be stuck, God gave smooth passage and we were able to get an early start to our next destination! Praise the LORD! No need to worry – we are cared for by a Mighty God who does ALL things well, which reminds me of this verse: But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:19

This whole street was an ice rink! The guys were scoping out a plan of how to get the trailer out

Hannah, Peanut and I got to drive in the pickup with Dad the first 3 days! What fun we had!

This was the second day of travel for us. We usually start around 9-10:00.

It was COLD several days on our travels

Leah had fun playing with some of the little B. children

Any time there is a baby nearby, you can be sure to find Hannah volunteering to hold! :)

What a wonderful time of fellowship we had with this dear family!

Fog, ice and cold, but God is SO good!

Although we had a cold journey down south, God brought us safely to our destination here in Arizona. Part way through the driving, we ran into some thick fog! Dad is an expert driver and had no troubles, but I did not enjoy the density (it made the road very hard to see, especially in the dark), so I was praying much of the time. God got us through safely, and it gave me an opportunity to call out to Him! Sometimes I wonder if God allows certain circumstances to cause a response from His people, seeking His help. We can go through so much of life in our own strength, but we are actually weak, unless we are relying on Christ and the peace He brings through circumstances we cannot control. Glory to the LORD!

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. ~Psalm 50:15

Some of the traveling conditions along the road - heavy clouds, fog and rain.

Looks like the children should have put on coats! Brrr!

It is so nice to settle in and get together as a family. The girls posed for me.

We were blessed to hook up right outside the church we played at for 2 nights. That was the shortest trip to church we've ever taken - 20 seconds to the door (it usually takes us 50 minutes to get to our home church).

The children loved the space to run and play after hours and hours of sitting in the car. Thank the LORD for a few hours of sunshine!

Praise God - he made it! :) The guys were talking the next day, and Mr. Krell didn't know if he would get stuck or not.

One of the outfits the children wore to our second program. Thank you to ALL who helped put the blouses and skirts together! We are SO thankful to you all!

Daddy, preparing to share with our family from the Word of God. I am SO thankful for Daddy's faithfulness and obedience to the LORD.

Before we started our day, Daddy gathered us all around to encourage us in the Word. We read Psalm 16 together and were admonished to BLESS the LORD and GLORIFY Him in all we do. This prepared us for the day to worship the LORD. On Sunday morning, we were able to join a little church for service before we played that evening. What a dear group of believers!

Singing together is such a blessing

The LORD completely blessed our first program! All the songs came together well, but what I found exciting was that the LORD helped me to stay focused on HIM, not on our music or on how well each song went. What a joy to worship the LORD in song together as a family. The crowd was very receptive and encouraging. We praise God for such a smooth entry to our 5-week journey.

 

Leah did a marvelous job on her song - this year she has a new solo: When You're Smiling!

Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee; But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight. Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips. ~Psalm 16:1-4

Greg and Sam were having some good guy time

The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. ~Psalm 16:5-7

I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. ~Psalm 16:8-11

My faith was encouraged the other night! After our first program, part way through the program, I began to feel sick to my stomach, but I was sure it would pass. Well, by the end of our program and as we were visiting with some people, I could not stand any longer, so thankfully since we were able to park right outside the back of the church, I quietly left to go lay down in the trailer. When the rest of the family came back after some fellowship, my dear mother came in to the back room and gave me some oils, then she prayed over me! Hannah and Rebekah also came in to pray for me, then Daddy came in and he got Mom and said they needed to pray against this illness. Dad said the devil was not going to get a foothold, but we were going to pray against this sudden illness. I had a LOT of pain, and did not know what this could be, but by agreeing in prayer together and their hands laid on me, we trusted the LORD would get the victory and prepare the way before us, especially since we had a program planned for the next day. It was powerful! All the while, the LORD reminded me to GIVE THANK through something I couldn't understand... I didn't know the reason for this small trial right then, but as I waited on the LORD,  and although I did not feel better right then, the LORD gave me such a special opportunity to connect with my little sisters and spend some extra time with them! They shared their hearts with me and we prayed together, (something I love to do with them, but sometimes life can get so “busy” that I forget to take the time to do these seemingly small things.) It was so rich and refreshing to FELLOWSHIP with my little sisters who so long to obey the LORD and follow His Word. THIS encouraged my heart. Maybe for just this reason the LORD gave me this opportunity to slow down and listen, so I give ALL praise and honor to the LORD, because for no known reason but God’s healing power, shortly thereafter, I felt no more pain. I was praising God and was extremely grateful for experiencing ANSWERED PRAYER! It reminded me of this verse I read this week:

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. ~Matthew 21:22 

Don't forget to give thanks in ALL things - we never know the reasons God allows things to come our way, whether it is a test of faith or just an opportunity to trust Him! 

One of Leah's favorite games.

Water over the road! :)

We have been enjoying some special family time and having Mr. Krell over to our trailer. The children always love to sit and do puzzles with him, or we all just enjoy a lively discussion! What a joy to have such fellowship together.

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. ~1 John 1:3

The first beautiful sunset here in Arizona.

Greg and Mr. Krell were singing to the little ones :)

Our second program went well – the children did all their parts excellently! This was our first RV park, and we are blessed to have a couple days at Horspitality!

The LORD bless you all, and may His spirit rest upon you and give you a spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might and give you a quick understanding in the fear of the LORD. May His Spirit rest upon you and give you peace! 

Because of Christ,
~Dani