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What's In this Newsletter:
What's "Ben" Happening?
What's Ahead?
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WHAT'S "BEN" HAPPENING?
The answer to the question above is "a lot!"
The Bible says,
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)
I’m so glad God guards our hearts and minds with His peace, because sometimes, our hearts and minds are all we have left!
No, no tornado has passed through our house and thankfully none of us have been infected with swine flu; here’s what has "Ben" happening . . .
What's Up With Mom?
During the first weekend of April, Mom was stricken with horrible abdominal pains. She was sick. Mom was admitted to the hospital Palm Sunday, April 5th and wasn’t released until Wednesday, April 8th (Taylor’s birthday). Mom was released without a diagnosis, and was labeled by the doctors as a "mystery patient".
Then Thursday before the concert at our home church, St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Mom was once again admitted to the hospital. They did a colonoscopy on Friday, put Mom on a high dosage of prednisone, and she was out on Saturday. Praise God, Mom was well enough to perform with us April 26th at our home church.
At this time, Mom does not have a solid diagnosis. Her entire colon is inflamed and filled with small ulcers. The doctors think Mom has either Clostridium difficile infection, Ulcerative Colitis, or Chron's Disease-but we’ve been told so many possibilities and there are so many uncertainties that we are unsure what is the matter at this time. She visited a specialist on Tuesday, May 26th, and has more appointments forthcoming.
We thank everyone who has helped, visited, prayed for, and encouraged us during this difficult time. The support we received has overwhelmed us (in a good way!). THANK YOU!
The Big News: Introducing, "The Bandwagon!"
I HAVE TO TELL YOU THE BIG NEWS! We now have a trailer to haul our equipment! Yeah! We had been looking on Craigslist for a trailer, and there were plenty in our price range which would work. The tax refund came in and suddenly, not a trailer available anywhere. We would call on a possible trailer and most we found were sold within an hour of the listing. Then on April 4th (the day before Mom was admitted to the hospital), we were delivering a meal to some friends whose mom was also down and out when we saw "IT"! We were turning a street corner in Pine City, MN and there "IT" was: big enough, nice condition, and in our price range! Doesn’t the Lord provide in mysterious ways? "IT" has been officially named, "The Bandwagon"! - Our friend Mal's suggestion.
Concert Highlights
In February we sang at the Mora Vasaloppet "King Vasa Day" opening ceremonies. Though it was an early morning, it sure was fun! Promoter Gordon Hallstrom even joined us on stage for our last song-what joy! We didn’t sing anywhere in March, and it was fine with us as most were sick with colds. Ugh! (Now it's just allergies!)
Because Mom and Dad were at the hospital most of the week, we kids sang at our home church’s Good Friday service and enjoyed putting together a song for it. Then our family sang at Stanchfield Baptist Church’s Spring Senior Festival on April 14th. Thankfully Mom was able to join us for this wonderful time.
April 26th came with excitment for our family. We had the opportunity to hold a concert at our very own church, St. Stephen's Lutheran of Braham. What an amazing night we had! We came away very blessed! Everyone was so generous and gave of their time, support, and resources to the local food shelf and to our surprise, US. Wow.
On Sunday, May 3rd, we performed at North Isanti Baptist Church’s Spring Gospel Festival (NIBC). What a day! It was a great concert, but the day was filled with so many problems we almost couldn't make it.
The day before the concert, we went to the Twin Cities Quartet Convention and had a wonderful time listening, learning, and visiting. As we drove, we noticed a strange noise coming from the left front side of the van, and that evening after we returned, Dad checked it out. He found the van was missing some bearings on the left front wheel, which of course left us without our regular transportation. Thankfully, we have a farm truck which was able to pull the trailer and we were able to travel to NIBC in two vehicles (the other one being Dad’s work car). Left: The truck: "Old Blue".
But that’s not all. Mom’s bridge on her upright bass had been warping over a period of several months, and I had been working on a new one. As it so happens, the old bridge "decided" it would not stay put that day (Sunday the 3rd), and the bass was also out of commission for the concert. Once again, God provided for us in our need. Our friends, the Northern Lights Bluegrass Band, were performing also that night and they graciously allowed us the use of their bass. (Now, can you guess what my project was the next day? Yep, working on the new bass bridge!)
Our family has had a few tough days the last couple of months, but praise God, He got us through and we were filled with His joy at the end of each day. Yes, God does a good job guarding our hearts and minds, and I pray you will also draw closer to Him as we have in the past days and months!
Joy in the Journey!
Ben Garms
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WHAT'S AHEAD FOR GREAT ADVENTURE?
Pro-Family Picnic, Robinson Park, Pine City, MN - Sunday, with The Herrlinger Family and Mike Palmer, Noon - 5 p.m.
(Great Adventure will be performing around 2:30 p.m.)
Milica Free Church, Milica, MN- Sunday, June 14th @ 7:00 p.m.
Lord of the Lakes Lutheran Church, Forest Lake, MN- Wednesday, June 24th @ 7:30 p.m.
Visit our website for more concert dates. We look forward to seeing you!
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Special Event Coming Up
On July 3rd, Great Adventure is appearing with the Harbingers Quartet at Heritage Assembly of God in Baxter, MN. We are very excited about this concert as we have made some good friends up in Baxter and enjoy visiting Heritage. Please join us for this special event!
Gospel Night 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
With: The Harbingers Quartet & The Great Adventure Gospel Band
Where: Heritage Assembly of God Church
13242 Berrywood Drive, Baxter, MN
When: 7:00 p.m.
Tickets:$10.00 in advance, $12.00 at the door
Ticket Locations:
Bethany Book Store, Baxter: (218) 829-3668
KTIG, Pequot Lakes: (218) 568-4422
Good Book and Gift, Little Falls: (320) 632-8770
Brainerd Dispatch: (218) 829-4705
Inspirations, Wadena: (218) 631-1442
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TICKLE MY FUNNY BONE!
Jayme plays fiddle for our group and her talent is amazing! Everyone loves it when Jayme graces the stage with her poise and charm and adds her fiddling to songs. At one event, a lady came up to Jayme and thanked her for her fiddle playing. Then she asked Jayme, "How long have you been playing?" Jayme thought for a moment, and then shrugged with a smile. "Since I started!" she answered politely.
A LESS THAN TYPICAL DAY © 2009 Taylor Garms
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Of Studios and CDs
On May 12th, 2009, the family loaded into the van and headed to Clearwater, MN to visit with Rik Stirling and his family, and tour his studio, Stirling Sound. What an experience, to say the least, for a 'green' family who knows nothing about studios and making CDs. We enjoyed talking with Mr. Stirling and we learned a lot about music production...and ourselves. We ask for your prayers as we seek the Lord's will and guidance-trusting in His provision-during this time of contemplation and decisions.
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CONGRATS BEN!
Ben is our senior of 2009 and will be graduating this June from His Light Lutheran School (our homeschool). Hooray! We are so excited for him!
Ben's comment for fall plans is "God and I are still working on it, so I will be around for a while." That's fine with us, as Ben is an essential part of our ministry.
Graduation date is set for June 13th, 2009.
His Light Lutheran School's verse:
"For God who said, "Let shine out of darkness," made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."
II Corinthians 4:6
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WHAT'S NEW ON THE WEBSITE?
Several new upcoming concert dates were added to the Calendar. The pictures on the About Us page were updated. We have several slideshows on our website; see them today!
We have four new photo albums from the State Fair, our Christmas, NIBC's Spring Gospel Festival, and the Mora Vasaloppet on the web site! Click on the Photo Album page to view these.
Click here to visit our website
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MEET THE NEWEST MEMBER!
At our recent concerts, some of you might have noticed an extra "family member". Let us introduce to you our friend Uli! Uli is sixteen and is living with our family longterm. She is such a blessing and her smile brightens up any day. We enjoy having Uli with us and have lots of fun together. Taylor is teaching Uli mandolin, so look for another instrument player on stage!
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PRAYER REQUESTS
We covet your prayers! Great Adventure needs your prayers, for we all stand in need of the spiritual support of fellow Christians. Please pray:
- Thanking God for the trailer;
- For God's message, His Gospel, to speak through us in our music and words and that God would be glorified in all we do and say;
- For our health and bodily strength;
- For our spiritual strength;
- For the Lord's leading on our calendar dates according to His will;
- For wisdom and guidance as we pray about and research recording a CD.
- And for our focus to remain on Christ.
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Copyright © 2009 Great Adventure Family Ministries
GREAT ADVENTURE FAMILY MINISTRIES
Encouragement to Live the Word
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