Father's Day


June 19 and 20, 2010

We just happened to be home for Father's Day weekend last year and attended services at Cornerstone. When a guy got up on stage to sing a song with his guitar I thought, "Well, we were not on top of things. I could have let Pastor Sarah know that Bobby has a song appropriate for Father's Day called "Little Man" on his just-released CD. We could have had Landis holding his own guitar sitting next to him, maybe even dressed similar to Bobby 'cause he's the "little man!" Shoot, we sure did miss a good opportunity! Of course we hadn't planned on being home. There was a cancellation and there wasn't time to get the song approved at such short notice. "Oh well," I thought, "maybe that could happen next year."

Sure enough, I asked Deeanna who lead the drama ministry and she brought it up in staff meeting. The song was approved and Bobby sang "Little Man" while Landis mimicked his dad on his own guitar. The band backed them up and my friends, Chele and Marna, sang background vocals.

I was surprised at how nervous I was on Saturday morning as I sent a text to Pastor Sarah verifying a couple of details of the service. There was no need to be nervous. Bobby and Landis sang and played beautifully Saturday evening and many people commented on how the little boy kept looking at his dad's hands while he played which went with the message of the song so well.

We were back for the Sunday morning services to do it all over again. We were given permission to make our CDs available in the lobby and sold a few...we were pretty disappointed about that since that was our income for the week.

I failed to simply take a snapshot but I did get some terrible video. I say "terrible" because the video was taken on my little Sony Cyber-shot which I carry either in Grace's back pack or in my purse. It's takes OK pictures but not so much on the videos. Actually, the video is OK, it's the audio that ruins everything. This is their sound check which was done after church on the Wednesday night before.

We were grateful for the opportunity to sing at Cornerstone and attend our third weekend service of the year. OH! And very VERY thankful to be home for nearly 2 WEEKS! Yay!!! Sssshhhhhh, don't tell Bobby. He doesn't like staying home because he thinks his wallet shrinks.

June 13, 2010

We had an easy drive out to West Plains, Missouri on Saturday, the 12^th, and found our hotel. We got settled and then walked next door to the Waffle House to have dinner.

It didn't take long to get across town to the Civic Center where His Place Worship Center meets for their Sunday morning services. We met Pastor Greg Worley and his sweet and beautiful and adorable and amazing wife, Angie. Together Greg and Angie, along with a third person, (I think she's a relative) lead the worship and it's great! Pastor Greg plays the keyboard and the girls stand in front of him. They have 4 other pieces to their band and I loved their music. We worshipped together and had a great service.

After church as I was standing next to the CD table, Angie brought a lady to me and introduced her as a mighty prayer warrior who was saved in prison. (Those are the best kind!) She asked if she could pray for Grace and we did. She wanted to know what I believed for Grace and I told her. We realized we were in agreement with each other and she promised to continue to pray for Grace. Angie told me later that if you mention to her friend that you could use some prayer, she'll stop wherever she is and pray out loud, whether it's in the church lobby or in Walmart. It doesn't matter, she's not ashamed. She'll pray as if there's no one else around. That's a Christian.

When I hugged Angie goodbye there was a longing in my heart to know her better. Sometimes you meet people that you just seem to have a kinship with. I was wishing that we had more time with Greg and Angie as they seemed like people we'd enjoy knowing.

We headed out of town eastward stopping along the way to grab a quick lunch before driving all the way to East Cape Girardeau, Illinois.

East Cape Baptist Church was just over the big river from Cape Girardeau, Missouri. As a matter of fact, the church sat next to a body of water that was a little inlet from the river. Bobby unloaded and set up while I took the children to the nursery and began getting them ready. About 30 minutes before the service I heard a woman speak to Bobby in the hallway outside the nursery. She had to remind him of who she was and he remembered the woman and her husband from years ago when he sang with Mid South. They were from Arizona and had been in Nashville for CMA's Country Music Fest. They learned that Bobby was going to be in Cape Girardeau so they decided that instead of going back home the way

they came, they'd drive a bit north out of the way to hear him. What great fans! I wish I could remember their names but I failed to write them down right away.

After a good service we enjoyed some refreshments in the fellowship hall. The church purchased an ice cream machine a few years ago for a great price. Our kids thought that was one of the coolest things they'd ever seen...to have an ice cream machine in the church!

When we were leaving the church I couldn't help but notice and take a pic of the sign advertising the strip joint across the street from the church. ...never in all my days.... :)

We were able to drive home that night as we were only about 3 hours from home. And we were able to settle in for a while as Bobby was singing a special song at our own church the following weekend for Father's Day.

Time In Texarkana

June 2-7, 2010

A couple of days at home and then it was on the road again, Willie, back to Arkansas. We made our third trip to the town of Warren and the second visit to Bruce and Beverly Culp's church, Faith Free Will Baptist Church. This pastor and his wife have such interesting things to tell us when we visit with them. They tell of an all day singing and dinner on the ground when a Mrs. Martin asked Beverly if she would accompany her three children on the piano as they sang a song. Beverly began to play but stopped and stared at these three little kids as they sang a song in three part harmony with such perfection and beauty that all she could do was sit and listen in amazement. What she heard was not at all what she had expected to hear from those children. I think she might have gone back to a little piano playing again just before the song was over. That same day Mr. and Mrs. Martin asked Bruce and Beverly if they would allow their children to sing a few opening songs at each one of the Culp Family concerts as they toured regionally with their boys. And that is how The Martins, Joyce, Jonathan and Judy, winners of 6 Dove Awards and a Grammy, got their start.

We had a great Wednesday evening service and instead of driving all the way to Texarkana as we've done in the past (remember, they had fleas) we stayed in a motel in Warren. The next day we drove to Texarkana and checked ourselves into the Ramada. This was a little weird. We've never stayed in a hotel in Texarkana before. Bobby actually got a really good deal on a very nice room for 4 nights.

That evening Bobby sang at the Bulldog Bistro, the cafeteria at Texarkana College where our friend, Sheila Lynn has been teaching for the past 2 years. A special guest appearance was made by Bobby's oldest sister, Judy who sang a couple of songs with him and of course Sheila, who's not only entertained the Thursday night catfish diners several times, but who also makes sure the catfish is done right, sang a little too.

We were introduced to a new program this summer called, www.kidsbowlfree.com, which was set up to give kids something to do with their parents during the summer. We had to pay $25 for the summer and select the facility, city and state we chose to bowl in. This membership allows us to take the kids bowling any time before 7 PM, paying only for their shoe rental. We chose to bowl in Texarkana since we knew we'd be there often and would need something to do. Pretty good deal for us. So we took the kids bowling on Friday and again on Saturday.

Friday evening Bob and Tena, Bobby's parents came over to our place, which was the lobby at the Ramada and we played Farkle while the kids watched a video at the table next to us.

We sang at Oaklawn Baptist Church in Texarkana on Saturday evening and then on Sunday morning we drove down to Ida, Louisiana to sing at Victory Tabernacle Assembly where long time friend of Bobby's family, Pastor Roy Smart leads. For Bobby this was like a reunion of friendships that started in childhood and for me it was a treat to finally meet some of the folks I've heard about for years. We had an absolutely great time in church as well as afterward complete with a lunch and lots of picture taking.

On the way back to Texarkana from Ida, we passed what used to be Oak Grove Assembly where Bobby's uncle, Hollis pastored a thriving congregation. Uncle Hollis died suddenly one Sunday night at bed time in January of 1990. Today that little church building stands there sadly forgotten. It's thought that perhaps the presbyter of that little church, who is also a pastor in the area would rather NOT have a thriving little church there so as to avoid any competition for his own congregation. Hopefully that isn't true.

We made our third visit to Partnership Church in Texarkana on Sunday evening. Brother David Markum leads the worship here and his dad, Blaine, is the pastor. Both men welcomed us and were very encouraging and supportive. They served grilled hot dogs and hamburgers and all the fixings before the service and David's wife, Jennifer, approached me asking me how she could help with getting my children fed. It's funny how sometimes just the smallest gestures can mean so much. I just really appreciated Jennifer and her simple offer of help.

The church service was great and we had fun worshiping with the saints at Partnership. Bobby and I told the folks that night that if we lived in Texarkana, Partnership is where we'd attend church.

After the service Hope and Landis recruited some band members on the spot and held an after church concert. While they were having fun on stage I asked Jennifer about the door near the front of the sanctuary and where it led to. She told me it went outside and asked me if I'd like to take a look. The door opened to a stage area. The stage ran alongside the building and was complete with electrical outlets and stage lighting. But I barely saw the stage because beyond the stage was a meadow and not just any meadow. This was a long meadow about the length of 1 and half football fields and enclosed on 3 sides with trees. Immediately I could see that meadow FILLED with people hungry for God. I told Jennifer what I imagined and she said I wasn't the first person that has spoken the same thing.

We slept our last night at the Ramada and headed home the next day. It wasn't until we were nearly home on Monday night that I realized I couldn't find my wallet. Thinking back I decided I must have left it in the grocery cart at Wal Mart in Texarkana on Saturday night after the concert at Oaklawn. Thankfully, there had been no cash nor any credit cards but it's just a big hassle to have to reacquire the other things like my driver's license, voter's card among other little things. Writing about this 6 weeks later, I can tell you I filed a police report for that missing wallet, called Wal Mart security, canceled my debit card, got a new one, got a new driver's license and never did hear anything about that wallet. I'm sure it was picked up, looked through and tossed in the trash....and I'm thankful for that.

Happy to be home until Saturday morning.

Oklahoma and Arkansas

May 27-30, 2010

On Thursday morning we decided to take the time to visit the Science Museum in Oklahoma City before driving to Enid where we were to sing that night. However, we were only in the museum about 40 minutes when we were ushered to the front doors to stand outside of the building with everyone else. We waited there another 40 minutes and finally asked if we could get vouchers to return and finish our visit at a later date after explaining we were from out of town and had very limited time for play that day. Our address was written down and a week later we received our vouchers in the mail. There wasn't a fire, but there was smoke somewhere in the building so everyone had to be evacuated. Thank goodness Hope and Faith got their makeup on before we were evacuated.

We made our third visit to Chisholm Trail Cowboy Church in Enid. The Junior College World Series was being held in Enid and nearly every hotel room was booked. Pastor Dan finally found the last room available at the Ramada. It was a handicapped room on the first floor and it was smoking. However, it didn't smell of smoke, it smelled of urine. It was a lovely and spacious room but that bathroom, or the special equipment in it, stunk! After asking the front desk twice to remove the special equipment, hoping that would take care of the stink, I finally just removed it myself and set it in the hallway outside. But our bathroom was still stinky. The redeeming factor was that the beds and pillows were the most comfortable I've ever slept on in any hotel, including Hampton.

Our concerts at Chisholm Trail, like most cowboy churches are short and formatted because the pastor nearly always preaches. We don't mind the abbreviated concert and we appreciate the opportunity of hearing a message. We try to accommodate and meet the needs of whoever we're serving. We love Pastor Dan and this time met his lovely wife of 54 years. And we were privileged to witness the ordination of Buddy, who would be starting another cowboy church nearby.

After a wonderful rest in that comfortable bed, I rose the next morning to wash 2 loads of laundry. I've learned that since I usually do laundry after the kids have gone to bed or before they get up, I need to pack 2 sets of pajamas so that I can wash the dirty pair while they're sleeping in their clean ones. While the clothes were washing, I found the fitness room, which I almost always have all to myself, walked on the treadmill and then, while the clothes dried, returned to the fitness room to read my Bible. Yep, I love having the fitness room all to myself. Then it was back to the room to wake everyone up and make breakfast as it was not complimentary at this Ramada.

Then we set out toward Tulsa and beyond to meet Dad at his cousin, Susan Detweiler and her husband, Robert's home near Chouteau. This is where Dad stays when he comes out to Oklahoma and it just so happened that Robert and Susan were attending a wedding in Iowa. However, they made it back on Saturday afternoon in time for us to get to see them at the Mazie Reunion.

Being in Chouteau only once every ten years or so, I wanted to eat at the Dutch Pantry, Robert and Susan's restaurant, regionally famous for it's delicious homemade pies and home-cooked food. Then it was on to Mazie to show the children the house that Grandpa Troyer was raised in, the store that he frequented and of course, the Mazie School, which is where we spent the evening. Dad had talked to Gayle, the lady in charge of the school reunion and she had said it would be ok for us to sing a few songs and make our CDs available for sale. We enjoyed a potluck dinner and then Bobby and the kids sang a few songs. While Bobby was packing up, I got Grace ready for a late night drive and the kids took advantage of the playground out back.

We made it to Sheridan, Arkansas, south of Little Rock, by 1:00 AM and got a few hours of sleep before rising to minister at First Assembly of God. One thing I appreciated was that Bobby and Landis were able to drive the 2 blocks to the church and set up while I got the girls ready in the hotel room.

Bobby and I were able to attend the Sunday School class that Pastor Eddie Gwin taught and the kids enjoyed their own classes. And then in the service we had a prayer time and a wonderful gentleman who seemed to be very sensitive to the Holy Spirit prayed and wept over Grace, left, and then came back and prayed over me. It was obvious that he was touching the Throne with his interceding and I was humbled and eternally grateful to be brought before the Father.

Pastor Eddie and his wife, Paula, treated us to lunch afterward and Bobby, who lived in Sheridan for 6 years back in the 1980's, got caught up on the church, the town, and people who lived there.

We drove to east Arkansas to Hughes where we were glad to see Pastor Ralph Stone again and this time we were privileged to meet his beautiful wife, Janice. We did not meet Janice the first time we served at First Baptist in Hughes because she'd been sick and in the hospital.

We enjoyed a laid back but sweet-spirited service followed by some refreshments in the fellowship hall. I, personally, enjoyed visiting with some precious sisters, giving and receiving encouragement before leaving there continuing eastward with the big river in front of us, the big orange sun setting behind us, and the low, green rice fields on either side of us.

It was our original intention to drive back to Texarkana after singing in Hughes, making our trip a little over two weeks but because Bobby's folks had an unusual incident with fleas, there was no way for us to stay with them. Don't misunderstand. Bobby's mother is a very good housekeeper and puts me shame, working circles around me. However, they live in an old house and they think that perhaps something under the house hosted the fleas and they found their way up from underneath.

We decided since we were so close to Memphis we were already nearly halfway home and we should just drive there for a couple of days. However, by the time we reached Memphis Bobby was ready to stop and sleep. By Sunday nights we are all exhausted and Monday morning is our day to sleep in! So we found our new favorite place to stay, the Drury Inn and bought a suite! I asked Bobby if he was feeling generous and he replied that we had all worked hard and deserved a little splurging.

A couple of days at home doing laundry and repacking to head back to Arkansas on Wednesday.

Headshots in Henryetta


May 17, 2010

I should have included this in the last post but had forgotten about it. I can't believe I forgot about this because it was such a spontaneous thing that we did and had a lot of fun doing it.

We left Shawnee, Oklahoma that Monday morning, the 17th of May after singing in Purcell the night before. Not far down the road Bobby expressed his concern about getting the photo taken for the CD cover for the kids new project. He desperately wanted to get the photo taken and turned in for duplication so as not to be waiting on that after the CD was mastered. We had some ideas on what kind of photo we wanted and planned on taking some snapshots in our own backyard. But being as pressed for time as he felt we were, Bobby pulled off the Interstate in Henryetta, Oklahoma and we began looking for good spots to take some pictures. We found a couple of cool and interesting brick and stone walls and even one with teal-colored tile on the quiet old streets of Henryetta. The photos above are not the ones we chose for the CD, but I wanted to show off the wall. The top pic of Faith is one of the chosen pics. I like it.


We pulled the van over on a side street and began working on wardrobe changes. Quiet on the set! I combed hair and washed faces while Bobby shopped for a package of batteries for the camera.


He took pics for over an hour as I situated the kids, danced to make them laugh, fixed hair, fussed at the kids, and fussed at Bobby. But we got back on the Interstate 2 hours later, feeling so pleased with ourselves for making good use of our time and resources.


Later that night, after the kids were asleep, I uploaded 112 pictures to the laptop and then with Bobby's help I began to design a photo insert for the new CD.

We arrived home at 1:00 AM and 1 hour later we had a completed a 2-color insert that Bobby emailed to a company in Cleveland, Ohio. Even on the road we were able to get a big job done and it caused Bobby to sleep much better knowing it was out of the way.

May 22-26, 2010

We were delighted to be able to attend our first Saturday evening service of this year at our home church, Cornerstone. It was Grace's first time to go to “big church” as she is now in 6th grade and has graduated to Jr. High. I tried so hard to be ready early so that we'd have plenty of time and opportunity to find a good seat because of needing an appropriate place for the wheelchair. I was so proud of myself for being ready and leaving the house 45 minutes before service started only to be shocked when we got on the Interstate and saw brake lights ahead of us. Because of construction we crept along for the next 4 miles or so making our 20 minute drive well over an hour. We were embarrassed as we walked into the sanctuary on the main floor nearly 30 minutes after the service had started. Thankfully, we had called Mr. Pat and asked him to help us in saving a couple of seats and a spot for Grace to sit with us. He did and it all worked out except that Grace decided this wasn't church as usual. She would have rather been back in the Children's Ministry with Mr. Pat. I may have been successful in leaving early for church but I failed to remember some items for Grace, like something to drink during church to keep her quiet. Finally, Bobby had had enough of her moaning and complaining and felt that we were at the point of disrupting the service so he took Grace out in the hall. I was so disappointed and discouraged, even to the point of tears. I absolutely HATE feeling like I'm giving in to the Devil when we make exceptions where Grace is concerned. I know some people reading will think I'm a little extreme by saying that but that's exactly why we have sickness and disease...because we make exceptions and excuses. In other words, we PUT UP with sickness and disease. As long as we are willing to put up with sickness, it will be with us. And if you're wondering, yes, I've put up with it too. I'm no exception. In the estimated number of 20 personal and specific healings that Jesus did in the Gospels, a little over half of those healings occurred because the person being healed did something. They didn't just wait to see what would happen, they were aggressive in stretching out the little bit of faith they had. I'm tired of people being offended so easily by saying that they are being picked on by those “faith people” who say, “If you just had enough faith!” It's not a matter of having enough faith. It's a matter of doing something with your faith...not just sitting there waiting for something to happen. Because it might and then again, it might not. That certainly is true and that's why sometimes God heals and sometimes He doesn't. Those are the cold hard FACTS, I agree, but the TRUTH of the Word of God is, it is His will to heal us. He made that very clear in Isaiah 53:5, Matthew 8:17, Hebrews 13:8 and 2 Peter 2:24. There are a lot of things that happen though, that are not necessarily God's will. I mean look at how He said that He is willing that NONE should perish but for ALL to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9) ..but they don't.

Ha ha! I never intended to get into all of that when I started writing but my emotions got caught up when I started writing about Grace being taken out during the church service. There are TV monitors, great sound and overstuffed chairs in the hallway, so Bobby and Grace actually got more out of the sermon than if they'd stayed in the sanctuary. He said she was quiet and paid attention the remainder of the service. God works all things out for our good because He loves us. And that's what I need to close this subject out with: even though we don't always do the right thing or make the right decisions, God's mercy and grace is abundant to us and greater than our weaknesses (or our greatest strengths, for that matter) and even when precious saints die from sickness, even then there is victory. Satan is already defeated and God has already spoken the last word.

We drove home, ate some egg sandwiches and Bobby took a nap while I finished packing. We got on the road at midnight and after putting the children to bed in the van, headed west.

I spoke with my dad the following morning before he'd gone to church. He chuckled when I told him where
(Landis and I snapped some pics of the sun rise in Arkansas.)

we were (eastern Oklahoma) and that we'd been to church in Nashville just 12 hours earlier. In our conversation we realized we were going to be in Oklahoma at the same time as he planned on driving out there from Michigan in a few days. So we made plans to meet up in the small town where he'd be (where he was raised) on our days off between Enid, Oklahoma and Sheridan, Arkansas. Not only did we plan to meet up but to do a little singing at the all-school reunion he would be attending in Mazie. You can't blame us for snatching up any opportunity we can find to make a few bucks by selling some CDs on our day off.

The week prior, when Bobby and I discussed our schedule for this weekend and saw that we'd have some time to kill between Sunday evening in Ardmore and Thursday evening in Enid, Oklahoma, meaning we'd have to spend some money on lodging, I suggested that the 2 rooms that the pastor from Ardmore was treating us to Sunday night might be changed to 1 room for two nights so that we might benefit by not having to pay for Monday night and he'd still be spending the same amount of money. Bobby called Pastor Robert Peterson and talked to him about our situation and asked him about changing the reservation from 2 rooms for 1 night to 1 room for 2 nights. Pastor Robert agreed and upon hanging up the phone but he called back moments later telling us that when he explained the new plans to his wife, Paula, she immediately retorted, “You mean you're going to allow him to drive all that way from Nashville and then stuff the whole family in 1 hotel room? I don't think so!” I told Bobby, “I like her already!” So he decided to just keep the 2 rooms for 2 nights. However, he had a better and more economical idea a little while later and called yet again letting us know he moved us to another hotel and got us a suite for 2 nights. How generous.

After driving all night, we finally arrived in Ardmore a couple of hours before it was time to freshen up and head to New Hope Church of God. We loved Pastor Robert immediately and appreciated his down to earth personality. We expressed our deep gratitude for the generosity regarding the suite and just had a great time visiting before the service.

In spite of our weariness, we enjoyed the moving of the Spirit of God in that service. In our weakness He is strong. It's when we acknowledge that we need Him in order to accomplish anything that He proves Himself faithful and we walk away with the biggest blessings.

A great meal and fellowship followed a great time at church and all of that was followed by a great night of much needed rest.

(Pastor Peterson and his wife on the left.)

We spent a couple of hours in the pool the next day, something that doesn't happen often and after another restful night, we left the following day and headed north to Oklahoma City where we spent a couple of nights at a Microtel. We did a little shopping on Tuesday and Wednesday and then found a church that we thought looked like something we'd enjoy just 3 miles east of the hotel.

We were made to feel very welcome at OKC Faith and enjoyed some teaching on the Revelation by Lead Pastor TL Bates while our children enjoyed Royal Rangers and MPact Girls Ministry. As we sat and waited for the service to begin, Bobby leaned over and whispered that he was sure he had contacted this church about coming to minister.

After the service one of the greeters asked us not to leave until the worship leader, Jamie, spoke with us. Jamie had greeted us before the service and it occurred to her afterward that she might know Bobby. Sure enough when we visited with her in the lobby after church, her suspicions were confirmed that this was Bobby Bowen from Mid South whom she had listened to as a kid. And yes, she remembered being contacted by Bobby previously and promised that we'd be hearing from her in the near future. Isn't it cool how God blesses our faithfulness and obedience. I mean, we didn't have to go to church. We weren't scheduled to sing and we could have made ourselves comfortable in our hotel room as the visitors from out of town that we were. OKC Faith is a large church and could turn out to be a good booking, financially speaking, if Jamie does give us a call.

The following morning we would be heading up to Enid for a third visit to Chisolm Trail Cowboy Church. More on that in the next post.

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Amarillo By Mornin'

May 14-17, 2010

We left for Amarillo on Friday morning, the 14^th and arrived at the Drury Inn late that night, exhausted and FREEZING! That didn't matter, however, when we saw how nice our hotel was. Having a nice place to stay eases the pain of having to be away from home so much. Not that our home is that “nice” but I'm sure you've heard there's no place like your own.

On Saturday we enjoyed steak at The Big Texan: Home of the FREE 72 oz. Steak before finding Triumphant Truth Church where Pastor Alberta Helton leads a loving congregation. It was a smaller group that we ministered to but, wow, what receptive and loving people they were.

We met some precious folks, Johnny and Shirley Sluden who loved on our kids. They said Bobby reminded them so much of their own son who was near the same age.

Pastor Alberta and her husband, Pat have a ranch outside of Amarillo and have served the Lord for a very long time.

After the service we drove to Elk City, Oklahoma to stay at The Clarion and rise the following morning to drive up to Leedey to serve at Harvest Fellowship Church with Pastor Mark Haney and his gracious wife, Jada. This was a date that almost wasn't as there was a mix-up in the scheduling and Pastor Mark didn't have us down on his calendar. At first he thought he'd have to cancel us but he changed his mind and we were so relieved. What a blessing these people were. They are a young church and are seeking to be relevant but peculiar to their community.

Pastor Mark and Jada are no strangers to pain as they lost their 1 year old son eight years ago in a dry drowning. This tragedy has not left Pastor Mark and Jada empty-handed but, instead, has allowed them to minister with more compassion and with more skillful understanding into the hearts of the people they lead. Once again, God encouraged us as we set out to encourage others.

Pastor Mark and Jada treated us to lunch but unfortunately, it was hurried. We had to get to Purcell for the evening service.

We made it to Union Hill Baptist Church near Purcell in plenty of time and after loading in we had time to sit and visit with Pastor Barry McConathy for a while and just get to know him a little bit. He used to pastor Whispering Pines Baptist Church in Conroe, Texas, where our friends Fred and Felecia Rivas attend. Barry and his wife, Char, were very close friends with Fred and Felecia and Char and Felecia used to sing in a trio together. Felecia has told me since there's not a day goes by that she doesn't think of her friends, she misses them so much.

After the concert Pastor Barry, Char and another couple that I really enjoyed getting to know but can't remember their names (I know, that's AWFUL!!!) went out for pizza and had a fun time.

We drove out as far as Shawnee to the HI Express we've stayed in before and found rest there for the night. A long drive home on Monday but glad to be home for the week.

Recording Vocals

May 12, 2010

Since the music tracks were completed on April 22^nd, the kids had done some practicing on their vocals with the tracks in order to be ready to record their vocals on Wednesday, May 12^th. I say “some practicing” because no one practiced as much as I thought they should have. And actually, we didn't get the tracks for Faith's solo until the 5^th or so, leaving only about a week for her to memorize all 4 verses.

As Bobby was leaving with Landis and Hope to hit the studio hard on that Wednesday morning, I pulled him aside and reminded him that they're children and that he might not want to have his expectations too high. I told him I'd be at home praying for them to do well and for him to have patience with them. As he drove away he was braced for a tough job ahead of him, figuring he'd be pulling his hair out in frustration later on that day.

The plan was to work hard all day until 4:30 and then go to church. Whatever didn't get done would be finished the following day. Neither Bobby nor I figured the whole thing could be completed in 1 short day, but our kids surprised us.

Grace and Faith and I headed out, ready for church that afternoon, but drove to Rick Sandidge's house/studio, the Mark Five Company. Faith did something that I was really afraid we'd suffer for later...she fell asleep on the ride over.

We arrived just a few minutes before the others were finished with their last song. The only thing left to do was record Faith...sleeping Faith. A situation as delicate as this must be handled with extreme caution. Fortunately, I thought of bringing cookies to be used for ...shall we say, “motivation?”

Faith started out sitting on my lap in front of the microphone, cuddling, with her thumb in her mouth. I knew better than to say things like, “Ok, it's time to sing now.” No, I just talked about the microphone in front of me and wondering what song I should sing into it. I talked to Faith about lots of things, but not about her singing. And of course I mentioned that I had some cookies. Finally, when she asked about having a cookie, I assured her she could have one after she sang the second verse of “Jesus Loves Me,” into that microphone. She was reluctant but she opened her mouth as she heard the music. Do you know what that little squirt did? She spoke the words of that second verse – no melody – just spoke, with barely heard monotone words. So you know what I did? I praised her and celebrated what she did and then reminded her that the cookie came after “singing.” Not long after that she sang that verse through beautifully and really got happy when she finished her first cookie. Yes, I said “first.”

Confidence abounded, cookies crumbs were scattered throughout the room and Faith gave a dozen high fives after each song or verse was successfully recorded, most of which were sung while sitting on Mom's lap. Her solo, “My Day,” was literally recorded one section at a time as I mouthed the words and she read my lips. Some of the song was even recorded line by line because of her lack of familiarity with the piece.

Now Landis and Hope: that's another story. When Rick asked what song they were starting out with that morning, Landis volunteered to sing one of his songs first. He told me later he was so nervous, he was shivering. But after he got that first song done, his confidence increased and he was ready to do more. They had four songs done by lunch. Bobby was amazed when he told me on the phone, “they're nailin' it!” When Bobby came out to get Grace out of the van when we arrived later that afternoon, Landis went ahead and sang some overdubs without his daddy there to coach him. When Bobby returned to the room a little while later, he told Landis he needed to come and sing his harmony part on the last song. Was he surprised when Landis told him he had already done it. Landis loved the studio and thrived in that environment.

Grace had her part in this project too. After her dinner and a bath is when Grace is happiest and she usually giggles very easily at that time.

(Don't let the above photo confuse you. This pic was taken one year ago when Bobby recorded his last project.)

So as she lay on our bed in her pj's with her hair still wet, she giggled at Bobby and I as he held his iPhone over her head, and the two of us made faces and danced. At one point I thought of bumping butts but when I did so and Bobby caught on and returned the move, he threw me into the nearby wall! So when you hear Grace giggling on the CD, you can now picture Bobby and I acting stupid, him bumping me into the wall and me having to stifle my cries of "ouch!" so as not to mess up the recording.

The kids' CD is completed and is available at www.bobbybowen.com for $10 plus $3 shipping.

Indiana

May 7-9, 2010

After my breakfast with 3 aunts and 2 uncles, I drove back to Dad's to load the van and trailer, say goodbye to Dad and head to Anderson, Indiana.

It was a warm, windy afternoon with storm warnings and it turned cold after the sun set. When we pulled into the parking lot of Anderson Church of God of Prophecy, I noticed the pastor's name on the marquis was Barker and mentioned it to Bobby because that's the name of our friend, Pastor Rich Barker of Christ Tabernacle Church of God of Prophecy in Sheridan, Indiana, not very far from Anderson. We've sung at Pastor Rich's church twice before and were to sing there again the approaching Sunday morning.

“Yeah,” Bobby said, “this is Pastor Rich's dad.”

Later in the sanctuary I made a comment about Brother Charles being Pastor Rich's dad and he corrected me saying they were brothers. (oops) I was sure to tell him that I hadn't assumed anything – no – I was just going by what Bobby had told me. (cheesy grin)

We had a great service with 6 or 7 pastors from the surrounding area attending. One of those pastors was Bobby's cousin, Rick Bowen from Muncie. I always look forward to seeing Rick. He's an encouragement to everyone he meets, not to mention I appreciate his great sense of humor. Rick even brought some folks from his church with him.

We enjoyed some snacks in the fellowship hall after the service and then we were on our way down to Indy to check into the Microtel that Bobby had reserved for us that night and the next.

The weeds growing up around the building was our first clue that this Microtel stay was not going to be as pleasant as all of our previous visits at the other links in this chain. We got everything into the room before I realized there was no refrigerator. I called the front desk and asked them if they had a room with a frig.

“Um, no” was the reply on the other end.

“Ok...you don't have refrigerators at all?” I asked.

“No.” was all he said.

Before we turned the lights out to go to sleep I had called the front desk 3 more times asking for an iron, a hair dryer, and a luggage rack, all of which the answers were ...no.

After the third “no,” I wasn't saying anything. I was just slamming the phone down. Would I recommend this hotel to a friend? Only friends that I don't like. Don't stay at the Microtel on I-465 on the west side of Indy unless you want to rough it.

The following day, even though it was Saturday we had school because there was nothing else to do and after lunch across the road at Ruby Tuesday's, got ready to go sing at the First Baptist Church in Greentown north of Indy. This was a return visit and when I walked into the sanctuary, I couldn't resist greeting the pastor by calling him Brother Leroy. He laughed and I quickly explained that because he couldn't remember Landis' name the last time we were there, he simply called him Leroy. Well, that just stuck in my head and now I want to call Pastor Ken by the name, Leroy. He admitted that he probably deserved that because Landis isn't the only person he calls Leroy. Leroy is anyone whose name he can't recall.

Pastor Ken's wife, Aloha warmly greeted us and we had a very laid back and fun service with a lot of sweet folks hugging our necks afterward. And then it was back to our great hotel.

We checked out Sunday morning and headed north again to Sheridan to minister at Christ Tabernacle Church of God of Prophecy. We looked forward to seeing Pastor Rich and Kathy and the kids again. We admire this family who used to travel and sing in family ministry. After the 5^th child Kathy finally told Rich she just couldn't continue so they settled down to pastor a congregation instead. Today they have 8 children with 2 sets of twins and are now doting over their first grandchild.

Oh yeah, it was Mother's Day. That's how it goes at our house – or hotel room – it's something that comes to everyone's mind later in the morning...but I'm not bitter or anything. (hee hee)

After the morning service we headed back to Nashville and I was told I could choose where we were going to eat lunch since it was Mother's Day. You'll never guess where I chose to eat...actually, I can't believe it either. As we were approaching Seymour, which is 50 miles north of Louisville, I saw a billboard ad for Russell Stover's. I've never been to a Russell Stover's and have always wanted to try it so what better day to try it than Mother's Day when I was given the opportunity to choose where we ate? Shockingly, there was no argument from any of the kids about eating there.

This was the weekend after the Great Nashville Flood and so I asked Bobby if he'd pass the Ridgetop exit that would take us home and drive down to Nashville to see if we could see any evidence of the damaging water. If I hadn't known there was a flood the weekend before I probably wouldn't have noticed anything. However, since I knew, I was looking for signs and the most obvious sign was all of the clean-up trucks in the downtown area. We drove out to Opry Mills and that was far more telling as the exit to the mall was closed and the mud was still in the vast parking lot. And where there should have been hundreds of cars parked as their owners would have been shopping inside, there were, instead more clean-up trucks.

I'd like to link you to a post my sister wrote on her blog about the flood that I felt should have been sent to the newspaper. It wasn't but I'll take the opportunity to share it with my readers. I don't think you have to be from Nashville to appreciate the way this writing causes your heart to swell with pride for our great city, more generally, our country.

...something you don't see very often

Back "home" to Michigan

April 30 – May 6, 2010

We'd been looking forward to our Michigan trip for quite a while. We arrived at Dad's house on Friday night, the 30^th after an uneventful trip. Dad had parked his Winnebego alongside the patio so that, after the awning was pulled out it nearly reached the eaves of the house. He had planned for Landis, Hope and Faith to sleep out there and at first the three thought that sounded like a fun time. However, after lying out there in the dark alone for a while, they weren't so sure. I must have spent an hour out there with them, talking to them and cutting up with them to get them to relax. I finally just had to tell them goodnight but told them they could talk, figuring they'd wear out soon and fall asleep. But at midnight I could still hear them so I threatened them to be quiet or else... They went to sleep but in the morning I found Landis sleeping in the living room with Grace. He claimed that the night air bothered his breathing.

Bobby had worked it out to sing at the Nottawa Party Store where we love to eat ice cream, hoping the weather

Mom's brother, Merlin and sister, Ony

would cooperate and he'd set up outside on the deck overlooking the lake. The weather did not cooperate and he sang inside instead. We had a small crowd of mainly faithful family members and Bobby began to wonder why he even bothered with setting up his equipment and singing when we could have just had a family reunion. But two couples sat in the back of the room eating ice cream cones. One of the ladies approached me and asked if Bobby had a business card. She told me that they belonged to a motor home group that meets once a month and this first weekend in May they were just down the road from the ice cream store at the St. Joe County fairgrounds. She expressed interest in Bobby singing for one of their weekend gatherings, particularly she was interested in their largest gathering which is Memorial Day weekend. I didn't tell her we were to be in Arkansas that weekend, I just figured she'd call Bobby, he'd tell her but he'd offer to sing the following year and everything would work out. But after she left I felt so foolish

My cousin, Jesse with wife, Laura, and children Taylor and Aaron

because I didn't get her information. That could have been a really big contact and I let it slip between my fingers. But God is good. Those couples left halfway through Bobby's little concert, went back and told their friends and the friends came to the party store to hear the music for themselves. They arrived as Bobby was singing his last song and liked what they heard. Later I found Bobby in a booth talking to this couple and they introduced themselves as Dave and Penny Hough. They are responsible for the entertainment for this motor home group and informed us that their gathering on Memorial Day weekend sees 1000 motor homes with 25 states represented. It's huge and to think of all the church members that will suggest Bobby's name to their music ministers...hopefully.

Since they'd only heard half of one song, Dave and Penny said they'd plan on attending the concert in Three Rivers the following evening.

On Sunday morning we ministered at my dad's church, Morningstar Christian Fellowship near Topeka, Indiana, an appointment we'd been looking forward to for several months. Dad asked me to share about our experience with fasting instead of the usual testimony that I share. I figured God would probably speak to me through my husband so after asking God what He would have me do, I asked Bobby if he thought I should do as Dad had requested. The answer was affirmative and so I was taken out of my comfort zone and had a little homework to do to prepare for the Sunday morning service.

God was faithful and He ministered like only He can to the hearts of some hurting people in the room.

Pastor Jerry Stutzman and his wife, Laurie treated my dad, Bobby, the kids and I to lunch after the service in the quaint Amish and Mennonite town of Shipshewana. Since most of the merchants are Mennonite, the sidewalks are rolled up on Saturday evening and everyone goes to church on Sunday...not to work. However, a Chicago pizza buffet was open which made our lunch choice obvious. If you've never been, and you have a fascination of the Amish, you need to visit Shipshe, as my relatives call it.

That evening we made a return visit to Light and Life Wesleyan Church in Three Rivers,

All three girls side by side on the couch...rare!

Michigan. Pastor Sam Maddox was waiting for us and we got set up, cleaned up and ready to sing. This is a much more laid back congregation and the emphasis is more on good music and having a good time. My dad came and I got to see a couple of cousins, brothers, David and John Hostetler and their wives, Christine and Michelle. I got to visit with the Hostetlers after church like I never had before. We were able to spend more time talking and I really enjoyed their company. One other dear friend that showed up Sunday night driving over 50 miles and toting a homemade blueberry pie, was Becky Irving from Delton, Michigan. Mmmm. Thanks Becky!

It was such a laid back evening that at one point, Pastor Sam asked Bobby and I to take some questions about what our life is like on the road. What a surprise. That was definitely a first and kinda fun.

Mr. and Mrs. David Hough from the motor home group showed up and after the service told us they liked what they heard and definitely wanted us to come to Berrien Springs, Michigan to their large gathering on Memorial Day weekend next year. Pastor Sam heard about that and suggested that we make plans to come back to Light and Life the weekend before that. So it looks like we'll be in Michigan again next year at this time.

So many times when I stay at my dad's house in Michigan, I spend too much time sitting at the house instead of taking opportunities to visit with cousins, aunts, uncles, etc. So before we drove up there I had made plans with my cousins, sisters, Regina and RoxAnne.

On Monday I picked up RoxAnne and we had lunch together. We chose an outdoor spot to eat our soup and as

My brother, Joel's pride 'n joy.

we sat down I looked across the table at her and said, “This is WEIRD!” We both just laughed so hard because it had been many years since we had been alone and were able to talk without interruption. She has 9 children and it's virtually impossible to visit at her home. The kids play well but there is just too much going on all the time for me to stay focused. RoxAnne is definitely the queen of multi-tasking. She can begin a conversation with me, get dinner, change a diaper, chase down a couple of kids that wandered off, punch her rising bread dough down, help a little one get a splinter out of her finger, give orders to her daughters about how to help with dinner and never lose her place in the conversation. She makes my head spin. We had a great visit over soup and under sun.

I rushed back to Dad's after lunch with RoxAnne, to wait for the arrival of two of my dad's sisters, Sue and Ann. I was so grateful for Becky Irving's blueberry pie. Bobby made coffee and I cut the pie and we had a great visit with my aunts. Bobby was nearby with his laptop and he saw that my youngest sister, Kristy was on Skype so he called her up, got a video of her and she sat at the table talking with us all the way from Hong Kong! That was cool.

Later that evening I took Landis and Hope over to RoxAnne's so they could play with Andrew and Ashley (RoxAnne and Jeff's 4th and 5th children) and spend the night with them. Andrew and Landis are both eat up with fishing and hunting and they crack me up with the things they find to do when they're together. Shooting frogs? Yes, that was one of the entertaining sports they enjoyed together.

On Tuesday morning I took Grace to get her hair cut. I love the way my friend, Amy cuts Grace's hair with a razor. The lady that cuts her hair at home might use a razor if I ask her to but she cuts it with scissors and then finishes with the razor. But there's a big difference. Amy gives Grace some cute cuts and so we held out for a trim until we got to Michigan. After Grace's cut, I took her back to Dad's house and then I returned to Sturgis to meet RoxAnne's older sister, Regina. I'm the oldest grandchild of 22 and Regina is only 2 months younger than me. We grew up together very closely, spending the night with each very often and meeting at the lake to swim on hot summer days.

But what we did on Tuesday, May the 4^th was something we'd never done together before and she had never done ever! She had a baby boy in October of last year and so instead of buying something for him, I bought something for her, a pedicure! She was delighted because it was one of those things that seemed unnecessary to spend money on, yet she would have loved to try it. She held onto that gift certificate and when we met in Sturgis that day, we bought some iced coffees first and then headed over to Hollywood Nails where she pulled out her gift certificate and I bought a pedi for me. We spoiled ourselves just a little sipping our iced coffees and getting pampered. It was a delightful afternoon and time well spent.

When it came time to go to church on Wednesday night, we decided that Firm Foundation was the right place to go since Dad's church didn't have service (although Bobby and Landis went with Dad to the men's Bible study on Tuesday evening). Pastor Don Smith leads this congregation and several of my family members attend here. If I lived in the area, it's probably where I would attend too. Bobby and I couldn't help but notice that the two churches we passed on the way to Firm Foundation each only had 3 or 4 cars in their parking lot. However, the country club we passed was packed out! It's not about legalism, it's about priorities and where your passions are. Not to mention the world is watching us.

We attended the National Day of Prayer service – something I've never participated in before – at Firm Foundation on Thursday at noon followed by one more stop at the ice cream store in Nottawa to meet our friends, Clint and Lori Zehr for some good fellowship. And finally on Friday morning I had the privilege of meeting some aunts and uncles at a cafe` for breakfast...a special treat. After breakfast it was back to Dad's to load the trailer and van and head for central Indiana for the weekend.

Clinton, Dunn & Goldsboro, NC

April 24-26, 2010

Another all-night drive which meant a quiet drive to Clinton, North Carolina. Because of I-40 being shut down east of Knoxville the previous 6 months because of a rock slide, we opted to go through Atlanta, Augusta, and Columbia instead. I got behind the wheel before we crossed into South Carolina and I pulled us into a Waffle House in Florence for a big breakfast and a bedding transition.

Our lodging was at the Jameson Inn and after unloading and fixing ourselves up we found Destiny Outreach with Senior Pastor, Rodney Hall, who is the son of our dear friend, Jim Hall of Arrington, Virginia. Destiny Outreach is a store-front church that houses a loving congregation with a desire to expand the Kingdom of God. They know how to treat a guest, too! They showed us to the “green room” where they had a fruit tray and bottled water waiting for us. Wow. We've never been treated like celebrities before. (smile)

Pastor Rodney, his beautiful wife, Teri and their 2 well-mannered daughters treated us to dinner after the service and although we appreciated the generosity immensely, and enjoyed some great fellowship, we decided the next day that we should decline invitations to dine out on Saturday nights. It's just too hard on the children, and it's hard on Bobby and I too. It's rather miserable trying to get my babies up and ready for church the following morning. Denying ourselves the pleasure of good company and food, especially when you're treated, is a difficult commitment to keep on a Saturday night, however, I think I can stay committed when I remember the regretful feeling I'll have the next morning if I give in to the temptation. Our Pastor has taught such anyway. On Saturday night you need to get to bed and get a good nights' rest so you're ready to give it all you got on Sunday morning. Sometimes that's easier said than done when you're a traveling musician, but where there's a will there's a way...usually.

It was not a happy time in our hotel room that Sunday morning. Landis is the most difficult to awaken. He's very stubborn about getting his eyes open and getting to his feet. I went from speaking gently and cheerfully to yelling at him and threatening to use the spoon on his hind end. Oh, yeah...I keep the road spoon with me at all times. At home it's a wooden slat from an old closet door. The children sang but barely opened their mouths and were reluctant to smile. Hope even yawned on stage. I felt guilty for keeping them out late and then expecting them to act like adults and pretend they felt great. Oh well, we learn as we go. I went somewhere and I learned something.

The saints at Taylor's Chapel Church of God in Dunn, North Carolina loved the children in spite of their honesty, and we enjoyed good fellowship after the service. Pastor Doug Howard and his wife, Connie treated us to lunch and I felt so privileged to get to know yet another precious pastor and his wife. God's been so good to us to allow us to fellowship with and encourage the men of God and their wives.

Three years ago I did a prolonged fast and one of the things that I prayed for was that Bobby would find favor with men. He was working a tree-cutting job and I knew Bobby well enough that I knew he wouldn't change jobs. He's very loyal and will stay where he is. I didn't even have the faith to pray about him changing jobs. So as this company fell into difficult times financially, we watched Bobby's pay check get smaller and smaller I prayed that somehow God would give him favor where he was and that God would miraculously double his income. After a couple of years of booking his own dates, other artists approached Bobby and asked him how in the world he was getting so many bookings. I didn't even realize it until a couple of months ago but I believe it's the favor that I prayed for 3 years ago. But God did even better than I asked, didn't He? He moved Bobby on to his own business and yes, our income had doubled. And why not say “our” income when the entire family contributes?

That afternoon we made our way to Goldsboro where had a little trouble finding Oak Ridge Church of God of Prophecy but at the last minute Bobby finally called Pastor Tommy Moore and found out we were on the wrong side of town. The GPS is a great thing to have...98% of the time.

We had some help with the load in and I got the girls ready to sing. Just a few minutes before it was time to start, I began visiting with Pastor Tommy's wife, Hope. Our conversation had just started getting really interesting when we had to quit talking, so, like good girls, we zipped our lips and looked forward to more visiting after the service. Sister Hope and Pastor Tommy have 4 beautiful children, 3 girls and 1 boy like us but Sister Hope wasn't sure they wouldn't have 2 more by the next time we saw them. I tried to encourage her that if the desire to have more children was deep within her and she had her husband's agreement, then more than likely God had some family expanding plans for them.

After everyone else had gone we had an impromptu meal together in their fellowship hall, enjoying sandwiches, fruit and chips and of course much more conversation.

There were severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings in the county just north of the church which was where we were sleeping that night so we took our time visiting a little more out in the parking lot. At one point Brother Tommy got off of his cell phone and announced the tornado warning had expired for Wilson so we hugged our new friends and said goodbye.

On Monday we were prepared to take the detour around the rockslide but Bobby decided since nothing was stopping him from continuing on I-40, he'd go ahead an chance passing by the optional detour. As we moved westward, we began to wonder if I-40 was open for travel again and then we saw brake lights ahead and wondered if we'd made a mistake. However, we weren't delayed for long at all and continued on I-40 the remainder of our trip home. I Googled I-40 and learned that the Interstate was scheduled to open that very weekend and had in fact, re-opened two days early. Again, it's the little things that can make such a big difference in our travels.