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About
the Good Deeds
People
often ask us how we got started in our music ministry. It was an
outgrowth of our experiences with bluegrass music. Why we got started
in bluegrass music is still a mystery to us! We don't know what prompted
us to attend our first bluegrass festival, but we were immediately attracted
to this spirit-filled music.
Attending
bluegrass festivals and jams sparked our desire to play bluegrass music.
At first Marilyn and our twin boys started playing bluegrass music together.
Gary had never played an instrument in his life, but not wanting to be
left out he figured he needed to get involved. Since the "family
band" didn't have a bass, that was Gary's chosen instrument.
We played
together as a family at bluegrass jams and festivals. As we were
drawn into the music we found ourselves playing more and more "gospel bluegrass".
Then
it happened! In 2002 God called us to share our gospel bluegrass
music. We were not sure at first if this was a true calling, but
soon we began to receive confirmations.
* Friends, bands and festival promoters gave us words of encouragement
to get out and share our music.
* People commented on Marilyn's beautiful voice.
* Another confirmation is an interesting story. We were in Toronto,
Canada at an RV campground playing our music outside our motor home.
A lady came over to talk to us and asked if we had ever been to the Bible
Conference in Indio, California. Here we were 2500 miles from home
and were told about a conference practically in our own back yard!
Was God speaking to us through this stranger? The following January
we attended this conference and the speaker really spoke to us. His
four main points were:
Always follow God's leading with faith
Always believe God's promises
Be patient to wait for God's timing
Always keep God first
Imagine,
being so far from home and having someone tell us about a conference near
us, attending it and hearing the message that we needed to hear?
* Another confirmation: One of Marilyn's bridesmaids from over 40 years
ago started emailing us and wanted to know if she could send us a copy
of The Purpose Driven Life. At the time we had not heard of
the book. Upon reading it our desire to follow God's purpose for
our life was reinforced.
* Probably the most amazing confirmation was when Marilyn started receiving
songs. She would wake up in the middle of the night or early morning
hours with melodies and lyrics running through her mind. Marilyn
had never written poetry or songs in her life. These songs came to
her totally complete. At first she dismissed this as merely a dream,
but the songs kept coming. So she began writing them down.
She really believes they are a gift from God. Over a three year period
she has received over 150 songs!
Before
stepping out into the music ministry we were busy raising five children,
serving in the United States Marine Corps, starting several business, teaching
elementary school, painting in watercolors, sailing on San Francisco Bay,
converting a Greyhound bus into a motor home and building a house.
As you can
see, we have done a variety of things, but we are finding that our retirement
years are some of the most fulfilling. To be serving God through
our music ministry is so rewarding. We share our music at churches,
retirement homes, assisted living facilities, skilled nursing facilities,
gospel jamborees, bluegrass festivals, campgrounds and community centers. |
