WAY Choir Update

Accept my apologies for not posting, but I have had very limited access to the internet. WAY Choir has done a fabulous job this week and each concert has been outstanding. I hope to have pictures to post soon. Tonight we will be at a performing arts center in Hanford. These kids sure do make me proud. More soon - (Do you see my fingers crossed or hear me knocking on wood?)

Tired?!?!?

The weekend was hurried, hectic, and I didn't have a spare minute to post. Currently, I am in Stockton, California working with WAY Choir as they rehearse for this year's tour. I hope to have some pictures to post tomorrow. Yes, I am tired but it's all good. Be back later! ~~ SMILE~~

Introducing Virginia

Today I found out my friend Virginia, now that she has retired, has joined the blogging world at http://nowthatimretired.blogspot.com. She is wife to fellow blogger Mervi. If you have a chance, visit her new blog and make a new friend.

Value Principles, Not Privileges

"A people that values its privileges above its principles,

soon loses both."
- Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969)

Inaugural Address, January 20, 1953

More New Pics of freeWAY

Congratulations, Son

Today is the big day as you graduate with the class of 2009 and it is okay to be proud. Your dad and I are very proud of your accomplishments. From the moment you were born, you stole my heart and I have only wanted the very best for you. To see you excel and achieve your academic goals, brings me great pride but that pales in comparison to the warmth I feel when I see you attain higher heights and deeper depths in your spiritual life. You have become a fine young man but there is much more to do, see, and learn. Son, Proverbs 4:7 states it best. "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." KJV

Bryce, daddy and I dedicated you to God when you were just an infant. We did our best to guide your life down the paths of righteousness and instruct you in the ways of the Lord. As a young boy, you gave your heart to God, was filled with His spirit, and made the decision to be baptized in Jesus' name. That was only the beginning. Realizing the hand of God was upon your life, we have done our best to stand guard over your reputation and protect your character. Yet, along this road, it is important to get understanding. Some kids never get understanding and suffer the consequences. The day will come when you will look back over your life and understand the decisions dad and I made in regards to your life. Solomon's parents loved him and therefore taught him. Wise and godly men, in every age of the world, and rank in society, agree that true wisdom consists in obedience, and is united to happiness. Get wisdom, even if it pains you. Take command over any corruptions or impurities; take more pains to get this than the wealth of this world. A soul without true wisdom and grace is a dead soul. How poor, contemptible, and wretched are those, who, with all their wealth and power, die without getting understanding, without Christ, without hope, and without God!

I love you, Son, more than life itself. You are my pride and joy, my baby-boy-grown-man, and every sacrifice I have made in life for you was done willingly and with pride. There is nothing I would not do for you and I would give you everything I possibly can but the best gift I can give you is Jesus and His word. You only have one life - - - live it for Christ.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. 2000.
The Proverbs 4 The Beneficence of Wisdom
1
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
2
For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
3
For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
4
He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words:
keep my commandments, and live.
5
Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6
Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
7
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
8
Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her.
9
She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
10
Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
11
I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
12
When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
13
Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
14
Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
15
Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
16
For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
17
For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
18
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
19
The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
20
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21
Let them not depart from thine eyes, keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22
For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
23
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
24
Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
25
Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
26
Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
27
Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

Wonderful Weekend With freeWAY

freeWAY had a great weekend singing in Dinuba, Goshen, and Hanford. Each congregation was so friendly and extended generous hospitality. CD sales were a record high but, best of all, was the wonderful presence of God that filled each concert and the many people who were touched by His power. On Saturday afternoon, we took some casual snapshots of the quartet and finished with some dressed up shots on Sunday. I've only posted one but will add more later. My pillow is calling my name and that pull is greater than posting more pics. ~~SMILE~~

Update on Keith & Introducing Michael, freeWAY's Lead Vocalist

Keith in hospital with doctor and nurse
Keith and Brian
Looking good!

Since the wreck in January, freeWAY refrained from any engagements to ensure complete healing for Keith, freeWAY's tenor vocalist. This weekend, they were once again singing. Last night, they sang in Dinuba, California at a Youth event. This morning they will do an entire concert in Goshen, California and another concert tonight in Hanford, California. They are currently working on new repertoire for their upcoming recording and doing a fantastic job.

Michael

Also, I would like to introduce you to the new lead vocal, Michael Bierderman. Michael joined freeWAY in January with a great start singing nightly at Winter Camp Meeting in San Diego. Michael is a very sweet young man who is tender towards God and has the anointing of God upon him. I love to watch him minister through song because he is so passionate about the message he brings. He just graduated this past Wednesday and is now a respiratory therapist.

CONGRATULATIONS, MICHAEL!!!!!

Thanks Be To God

The recent abuse suffered by little Angelo Mendoza at the hands of his own father, caused many to hit their knees in prayer for this darling child. People from around the world have offered prayers, sent notes of encouragement, and offered support. Scripture tells us the prayers of a righteous man availeth much. That must certainly be the case for today the news reported Angelo is regaining some sight in the one remaining eye that doctors felt was beyond repair. Thank you, friends, for your prayers on behalf of Angelo. They have touched heaven and heaven has touched Angelo. Read article here: http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x836674499/Angelo-can-see

Please Pray for the Foster Family

Tim, Tom, Debbie, & Mark
Jana, Debbie, Stephany

Please pray for my friend Debbie and her family in the sudden loss of her brother Tim. Debbie is a dynamic,renowned, national speaker and I have had the privilege to call her friend. We have fellowshipped at numerous conferences, camps, and I know her heart is breaking. Tim suffered fatal injuries in a horse riding mishap. Below is a tribute written for Tom by his nephew Jeremy Foster.

A tribute to Tim Foster - Friend, Gentleman, Cowboy

My Uncle Tim passed away last night. He was in Arizona working with horses when the horse that he was on threw him and the fall resulted in a head injury that ended Tim's time on this earth. He died doing what he loved. I know that he's riding on the rolling hills in everlasting meadows where the sun never dips below the horizon and the grass is always stirrup high. His riding partner is a cowboy named Shiloh and together they're scouting trails for the rest of us. He passed from this life the only way a real Cowboy would ever want to go...he died with his boots on. Uncle Tim, you'll be missed.

A few memories - Even though he lived in California Tim was a Texan to the core, he didn't mince words when it came to the Texas Longhorns. Every year at Christmas we had a tradition, we would place all of our ball caps on the counter, one on top of the other. The caps logos included LSU, USC, Oklahoma, and The Longhorns. Somehow the Texas cap always wound up on top. He had a passion to help people and spent the better part of his life giving his time to "at risk" students as their Principal, Teacher, and most importantly, their friend. He said every now and then one of these teens would get out of hand and he'd have to cowboy up and show them who was boss. That's one bronc I wouldn't want to try and saddle. I've heard him tell many stories about putting his arm around a teenager who had gone astray in life and talking to them for hours. He gave them something that no one else would, a future. There's an old saying that says, "The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man". Tim used this philosophy when he started the SHILOH ride program that showed "at risk" students how to care for a horse. In doing so it gave them maturity and responsibility. Tim taught these kids to love and be loved simply by giving them his time. The program was named after his son Shiloh who passed away in 1994. Tim loved his family the most. There's no where he'd rather be than busting broncs with his dad and Mark, Tom, Steve, Robert, Stevo, Jonathan, Hayden, and me. He loved coming home to gumbo whipped up by Grannie, Aunt Debbie, Aunt Gayla, Tasha, Jennifer, and my mom Paulla and then sitting around the table and laughing till late into the night. He was a great father to Cheyenne and a wonderful grandfather to Huck and Shiloh Grace. He dearly loved his wife Debroah and she cared deeply for her cowboy.

Tim had several famous sayings, some borrowed some coined:

"Don't squat with your spurs on."

"Always drink upstream from the herd."

"There never was a horse that couldn't be rode; Never was a cowboy who couldn't be throwed."

And the last one that he ever wrote on my facebook page,"Makin' it in life is kinda like bustin' broncs; you're gonna get thrown a lot! The simple secret is to keep gettin' back on!"

Those are words to live by. Thank you for the years Uncle Tim, go rest high on that mountain.

Goodnight Cowboy

The grass is tall and the sun is low

and through the trees a soft breeze blows

When winter wind comes and the snow is through

We'll saddle up and hit the trail for you

As for now keep the saddles warm

And the horses fed in the great beyond

Cause we're coming to meet you at the end of the day

We know you didn't leave, you just rode away.

Goodnight cowboy.

Written by jeremy

Cute Cousins

Last weekend, we met my niece Amber and her family. She has three darling kids, Clayton, Brooklyn, and Terri Renee. Bryn and Blake had so much fun playing with their cousins and acting silly. I wish I would have had my camera out much earlier but did remember to snap a couple pics before they had to say goodbye. One thing for sure, those kids made a few more good memories.

Snapshots

Bryce, 23
Blake, 12
Bryn-Anika, 7

We recently took some snaps for Bryce's upcoming graduation and then, following Blake's annual band concert, I took some snaps of Blake and Bryn while we were in the restaurant waiting to be served. They are growing up too fast.