Bus Trip to Upton

Finally, another bus trip was underway! It had been awhile since we were on the bus. We headed out Saturday afternoon at 2:30 pm for Greencastle, PA. We took our supper along and ate on the road.  These pictures are a good example of what we keep busy doing while travelling!

Chrissy, Daryl’s second daughter, sleeping; always a good activity on the bus, since we always run short of sleep at the end of the trip!

Tamara, Brian’s third daughter, listening to music or stories on MP3 player.

This is Jason’s usual spot–giving road directions and keeping the driver on course!

Jason’s newest addition; Dallas, at 4 1/2 months.

Daryl drove on the way there; Jason on the return home.

The guys sang to a full house at Upton. The program was planned by John Eberly, and we used Upton’s building for the event.  There were people from all different churches represented there. The building was full enough, that the wives and children gave up their bench to others coming. The children stayed in the basement, played school, and read books. (I think this time they were happier doing that than listening to their dads again!)

Tamara (Brian’s) “teaching” her class of unruly brothers and friends.

David Gipe’s, from Ohio, came in for the weekend and the program.  We enjoyed visiting with them when we went over to John’s house for a snack following the program. Our program and extended visit had us leaving the area at 11:00 pm. We reached our homes around 1:30-2:00 am.

We thank God for a nice time of ministry, fellowshipping with friends, and safety on the road.

Metzler’s Mennonite Church

This was our first program this year, after being off for almost six weeks.  We usually take off over Christmas because of more church and family activities.  It was good to get back together to sing and minister on Sunday evening.

The program was at Metzler’s Mennonite near Ephrata, PA. It was a nice group of new and familiar faces; Ryan of Ryan and friends MC’ed the program.

Brian’s whole family, including his oldest daughters (Andrea and Carissa), were along.

GOP Christmas Banquet

Wives and daughters playing Sequence.

Guys had fun playing dice

Shane and Marshall cheese for a picture.

Stony Run & Crossroads November 15, 2009

It was good to be out singing again this Sunday. We took the bus, and the families, except for Brian’s three girls. Daryl had a pretty bad cold, but God kept him singing, and the program went well.

We left at 6:30 am from the church parking lot.  The trip was a little foggy, and some of the children continued sleeping for the 2 hour ride there.

Stony Run Mission Church had Sunday School first, then Garment of Praise had the worship service.  Everyone seemed to really enjoy the service, with hearty “Amen”s and hand-clapping! That helps feed singers early on a Sunday morning! We enjoyed visiting with the congregation, and their pastor, Nick Smith, his wife, and new little baby boy. Nick, and his cousin, Jim Bob, had picked up some GOP music at Weaver’s Store, then had come to a Transport for Christ Banquet 2 years ago. It was good to get to their church for the long-awaited program.

The afternoon was spent at a park nearby where the children could run and play in the beautiful sunshine that day.

The evening service was at Crossroads Mennonite Church, just a few miles up the road.  It was good to reconnect with friends from there, and nearby churches. Daryl was able to sing through the whole program, but his voice was almost gone when they finished.  Thank God for always giving strength when it’s needed!

It was a good day in all. A milestone was kind of reached; the first program after the Fox’s sister, Diane, had graduated to Heaven.  Our hearts pull more towards our heavenly home, and “Wish You Were Here” just seemed a little dearer, as well as “The First Look” and “Going Home”.  It was good to have Jeff, Diane’s husband, and Brandon, her son, at our program Sunday night.  Please continue to keep them all in your prayers.

Stony Run Mission Church

Pastor Nick with Jason and a little friend

Brooklyn, Jason's daughter, gets in on the action up on the stage after the program

Whitney (Daryl's) is learning to play the piano, so she enjoyed practicing a little while the guys cleaned up.

Two singing mobiles that are past their prime!

Living Hope International Ministries Banquet

Last year and this year, the Garment of Praise had the privilege of singing at Shady Maple for Living Hope’s Banquet. We also shared the evening with Good News from Myerstown, PA. Their band is talented; playing an array of instruments–and singing A Cappella some of the time. They sang one of Trulan Martin’s songs he had written, a “yodelling song” by Lewis Nolt, and other great tunes.

Garment of Praise sang some new songs not on CD’s, including “I’m Free”, “Gloryland”, “I Have Not Forgotten”, and “Is That Footsteps That I Hear?”  For that last song, Brian called Good News up on the platform to back us up with a band! They had a lot of fun with that! Check out that video, too.

It was a great evening with food, music, and fellowship! Living Hope is doing an awesome work over in Ghana; we were so blessed by their testimony in their slide presentation. May the work continue and grow! We were happy to be part of the evening.

October 25, 2009 Trip to Maryland

This trip was intended to be an all-day bus trip to Maryland, but some of the children were sick, and Brian’s wife, Sheryl, was helping with our church’s fellowship meal, so only the 4 guys drove down in a van.

They left at 7:00 am and sang at New Life Mennonite Church in the morning.  The church provided a meal for the guys, and there they met 2 gentlemen who used to sing in a quartet. They sang a song together, and enjoyed visiting. See the video with these two older guys!

–usually Brian is nowhere to be seen during clean-up!

In the evening, the guys drove over to Goshen Mennonite, Lee Mummau’s church. They always love that church, with the cemetery out back, outhouse, slave balcony inside, and warm memories.

Quartet Fest, Ephrata, PA - October 18, 2009

What an evening of inspiration, worship, and fellowship! Five men’s groups from PA; plus a few group members from South Carolina and Virginia came together to make an evening of unforgettable music.

All these men have a love for singing, as well as a desire to worship the Lord. Each group had about ten minutes of song and testimony individually, then after the final group, all the men joined in a mass men’s choir directed by Earl Fox.

The audience filled the Ephrata Business Center, and some came from quite a distance (friends from WV were in attendance). An offering was taken up for Life Ministries, and was MC’ed by Glenn Hoover.

Earl Fox Five–This in not an official name, but here they are–Earl Fox, son, 2 sons-in-law, and Mike Hertzler

The Joyful Men Chorus from Bowmansville Mennonite Church

Unified Quartet–young guys from Lancaster, PA area

4 Ever Won don’t sing together anymore, but got together to sing this evening. Its been a few years that Randy Petersheim has been gone overseas, but Jason Fox, from the Garment of Praise, filled in the baritone part.

Not sure if these guy’s have an official name, but they are known to us at Fairview as ‘Wes Weaver’s Quartet’. Its not a quartet at present, since Wes moved out to ID, but they did a great job anyway.

Brian Fox, tenor from Garment of Praise, filled in some bass on 2 songs. (The bass singing wasn’t as bad as it sounds…)

Garment of Praise sang four songs; “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”, “I’m Free”, “Where His Grace Begins”, and “Gloryland”.

These last two songs were very meaningful, as the Fox brothers, and the rest of us, have sister Diane on our minds. (Diane’s first grandchild, a girl, “Diane”, made her appearance the night before. )

“By the Way”–this quartet was formed when the members went to SMBI together. The members are kind of spread out (one member from South Carolina, one from Virginia, the other two from Pennsylvania), but they sing together every chance they get. They held a program at SMBI the night before, and were greatly enjoyed by the audience at Quartet Fest.

They have a CD available at Gladsongs.com, as well as group member, Peter Byler has an album of self-written songs, “Oh, LORD, Hear!” A very good listen!

“It Is Well”, “We’ll Be There”, and others were sung by the mass men’s choir as a grand finale.

Marcus Fox - The New Pastor

Marcus Fox, previous baritone singer of Garment of Praise, was ordained a minister of Fairview Mennonite Church on October 11, 2009.  Marcus was the deacon since August, 2003.  He joins the ministry team with his father, Jay Fox, and Ted Steinruck, the assistant pastor. God’s blessings to you, Marcus, as you follow His leading!

Marcus & Vonda and Family

Singing for Diane Bigger

Jeff & Diane and Family

Garment of Praise, plus a few Fox family members, went up 2 1/2 hours north of Reading to visit Diane Bigger (the oldest Fox sister). Diane was sent home from the hospital the first week of August (see Brian’s post “The Last Ride Home“).  The family has been visiting her as often as possible, but this was the first the Garment of Praise was able to get up there to sing to her. What a memorable concert it was!

Diane is the one in the middle (black dress)

Other family on Jeff’s side were there, and everyone enjoyed the program/practice, although many tears shed by all. The guys took requests, sang some songs that they love, fun songs, meaningful songs, songs about heaven.  “Where His Grace Begins”, “Going Home”, and “The First Look” were very touching. Diane’s testimony is shining brightly in these last hours.

GOP Singing For Diane

More singing by GOP

All of us were able to witness her love for Jesus, her desire to go on to meet her Saviour, and her trust in God to keep her family in His hands. It was hard to pull away and go home. God be with you, Diane, and your family.

SPECIAL SIDE NOTE: Diane’s daughter, Annette gave birth to a little baby girl that they named Diane on Saturday night. So Grandma Diane was able to hold her first grandchild…which was very special!

Holmes County

Friday morning, September 4th, we headed for Holmes County, OH, with the Garment of Praise for 3 programs. The bus was a little fuller than usual with Marcus and his family joining us to help fill the vacancy from Jason staying home with his wife and new baby.

The Bed & Breakfast Where We Stayed For The Weekend

The travelling was uneventful and we arrived at the Townhouse Bed and Breakfast, where we unpacked and got ready to head over to the auction for the Friday evening program. The guys warmed up a little in the big tent; Brian and Daryl with their usual parts, Marcus returning to baritone, and Danny filling in the bass. It went okay–one amusing part was Brian singing Jason’ bass solo on “Where His Grace Begins” and then jumping back up to tenor for the chorus, dropping down for the bass run, hopping back up to the tenor for the finish of the chorus.  I think we were all grateful to hear Jason sing that one the next time.

We Always Enjoy Java Jo's

Hitting the coffee house late Friday night after the children are in bed.

We walked around Berlin to get breakfast Saturday morning–what a pile of children were on this trip. Made for some fun…and chaotic times!

Breakfast At the Homestead Restaurant

Homestead Restaurant for a great buffet Saturday morning!

A practice without Jason

Setting up on Saturday morning for our next program to be on Sunday morning. Jason says, “That’s what you call ‘air bass’”.

At The Haiti Relief Auction

Enjoyed the auction for a few hours Saturday afternoon, to bid on a few things, and visit with friends.

Basketball at Joe Miller's House

Joe and Rhoda Miller, our good friends, always have us over for supper…and the guys have to get in their half-court basketball game! Jason drove out with daughter, Molly, to help sing on Sunday! It was good to see him join the group again.

The Bus vs. The John Deere

Now there’s a pretty picture; John Deere and GOP bus! Joe took us on a hay ride around the area for some beautiful views!

4 Little Kiddos...ready for the trip

Headed for Sharon Conservative Mennonite Church.  We attended Sunday School with the church people, then the guys shared the morning message in song, then we enjoyed a good fellowship meal with their congregation, and some visitors–a lot of our German Baptist friends were there.

Chrissy's new friend

Joe and Rhoda came to the last program–their Brianna made good friends with our Chrissy.

The Quartet of 5....er, something like that.

Even though Jason was there to sing for most of the program, Marcus filled in Danny’s part for some of the program, and all five of them sang “One Fine Day” for a grand finale.

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