Visiting Grandma

One week after Grandpa's (Mother's father) funeral, Mom and the three youngest children took a trip to NY to spend four days with Grandma. It was such a special time and we look back on it with sweet memories! Here are a few pictures from our visit in October.

Mother and Rebecca helped Grandma organize her freezer one day. Most 87 year old Grandmas don't clean out their freezer every few months but that German cleanliness is one of her strengths! She still is particular and spry even in her old age!

One afternoon, Mother took the children to Watkins Glen for some fresh air and beautiful scenery.

A rousing game of black seven. Grandma really got into this game!

It was a delight to see her laugh! Yes, there were tears while we were there, but she was still joyful and positive even after loosing her dear husband whom she had cherished and been married to for almost 70 years! 

Liz painted a sign for Grandma with the verse "Thy Maker is thine husband" on it. (Isaiah 54:5)

One of Mother's sisters came over one evening. 

Throughout the whole visit, we greatly enjoyed the many special times with Grandma. She is a joy to be around. May the Lord continue to bless you and keep you, Grandma!

"Be still and know that I am God:I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah"

Psalm 46:10

Happy Birthday Axton!

 On Sunday the 26th, Axton turned 1! The anticipation of your arrival, the joy in our hearts when we heard you had finally entered the world after a long and hard labour by mamma, and then the delight and sweetness of all your "firsts": you won our hearts from the very start.

So tiny and precious.

Still precious, even while going from tiny to toddler!

We love you bundles, Axton!

More Exciting News!

Yep, you guessed it! There is another baby on the way! We are so grateful that another little blessing will make its way into John and Chelsy's precious family in June. John and Chelsy, we look forward to seeing you love and nurture this new little one. 

Truly, children are a blessing from the Lord.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above..."

James 1:17

Announcing 2020 Winter Tour Dates!

We're excited to be hitting the road once again in a few days! We'd love to see you at one of our concerts. Here are our dates for January (in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina). To view the complete schedule, just head to the Tour Tab on our website.

January Dates

3… Lighthouse Baptist Church —Springdale, AR, 7PM
5… Eden Mennonite Church —Inola, OK, 6PM
8… First Baptist Church —Stratford, OK, 7PM
9… God’s House Ministries —Guthrie, OK, 7PM
10… Prague Community Center —Prague, OK, 7PM
11… Pleasantview Mennonite Church —Hyrdro, OK, 7PM
12… Star Baptist Church —Keota, OK, 10AM
12… Trinity Christian School —Paris, TX, 6PM
15… Berry Freewill Baptist Church —Berry, AL
17… Bethel Baptist Church, Hartselle —AL, 7PM
18… Linden Community Center, Linden, TN 6PM
19… Linden Baptist Church —Linden, AL, 11AM
19… Orrville Baptist Church —Orrville, AL, 6PM
22… Way of the Cross Chapel —Brooksville, MS, 7PM
24… Coosada Baptist Church —Coosada, AL, 7PM
25… The Tabernacle —Gadsen, AL, 6PM
26… Way of the Cross Baptist Church —McDonough, GA, 10AM
26…Harvest Baptist Tabernacle, Jonesboro, GA, 6PM
29… The Florida Shindig, Melrose, FL, 9Am
31… Foothills Fellowship —Westminster, SC, 7PM

Merry Christmas!

Today we are celebrating the best gift ever given! During this season, let us take time to stop and reflect on all Jesus has done for us. It should be our goal to bring him glory, praise, honor, and adoration in everything, for He is worthy!

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Grandbaby #5 is on the way!!!!!

We haven't posted in a while, but this post was surely worth waiting for!!! There is another baby on the way! Wallace Bradford Bontrager will be an amazing big brother to the little one joining their family in the spring of 2020. We can't wait to see the joy this darling package will bring to their little family and our big one. The Lord is so very good!

"The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad"
--Psalm 126:3

Live from Kentucky!

This week, our family traveled to Covington, Kentucky to participate in the National Bible Bee. Along with about 300 other contestants, Hudson and Rebecca, (the two from our family that qualified for Nationals)  were tested on their knowledge of 1 Peter and over 800 memory verses.and recited 15 passages.  On Wednesday and Thursday (starting at 9:00 a.m. EST), you will have the opportunity to watch the semi-finals and finals take place via livestream. The rounds will include inspiring scripture recitations, difficult written questions, and intense buzzer rounds!

To watch this exciting event take place, click here

Hudson and Rebecca headed to take their tests! 

There are a few people that are excited about his week!!

For more information on what the Bible Bee is and how to participate, click here

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

Psalm 119:105