Kitty and Abigail listen as Granddaddy speaks with one of our local candidates. They are wise young women with an understanding of the principles and the days in which we live.Last Saturday, the grandchildren (Country Cousins) had a full schedule of performance. At 9 a.m., they were scheduled to play about an hour away, so we had some sleepovers and got everyone off to the Kathleen Fall Festival. It was early for banjo pickers, but the Lord blessed their presentation, and many people commented on the blessing they were.
As they made their way across the county (with a quick stop at Taco Bell for sustenance) they met up with most of the family at the Polk Community College Fall Festival at 1:00. This community get-together draws about 10,000 people throughout the day, and our group was the first bluegrass band they had ever had play for it. What a blessing they were! The Little Cousins sang, and the babies toddling about spread their sunshine everywhere!
As we regrouped at Olive Garden to "decompress" and enjoy pasta, it was a joy to relate to one another how the Lord had blessed the day and how His goodness was displayed when a faithful family shares with the culture around them.
Danny returned on Monday, and on Tuesday, he took 7 older grandchildren with him for a "Meet the Candidates" luncheon in a small town not far from here. At first, they were a little hesitant to press the candidates for "magistrate" about their stands and convictions (after all, they are well-mannered Southern children who respect elders!), but as they began to realize that the candidates were actually glad to see young people interested in the subject, they warmed up and began to question.
Danny had paired them up and assigned each pair a candidate to speak with, and there was no stopping them! They boldly (yet politely, of course!) asked "Do you fear God?" "What is your stand on the 2nd Amendment?" Danny came home bursting with thanksgiving for their faithful portrayal of godly young people with an "understanding of the times". And the children were excited to see that all they have been learning actually does make a difference in real life. I believe the girls were most excited about the forthright and unwavering way in which Peter proactively approached each candidate. He is becoming a real man of God.
I was so pleased to see that they are truly godly arrows, beginning to make their way forward and make a difference in the culture around them. It has always been our prayer that we would be able to "show the world what God can do through one family dedicated to His ways and to one another", and what a blessing for grandparents to begin seeing that fruit! There may be dark days ahead for America, and we pray that the Lord will continue to prepare these children to take their places, in their proper domains, as leaders for His kingdom. May the Lord make it so.
The Country Cousins playing early at Kathleen Fall Festival
At the Polk Community College Fall Festival, Markie waits (with Callie in the background). Markie has become quite a little yodeler, with her "Cowboy Sweetheart" melody!
Little Cousins Rosie and Margaret Anne discuss the events of the day before their turn to perform. Rosie is featured on "Faith, Hope and Charity", and Margaret Anne does "Oh Susannah!" as a solo. Abigail does such a beautiful job soloing on Gene Autry's "You're the Only Star in My Blue Heaven", which she sings for her daddy.
The Country Cousins fill the air with good Americana music and their sweet smiles!
Here six of the seven present their CD to Rep. Adam Putnam, the 3rd ranked Republican leader in the U.S. House of Representatives. He listened to their concerns and spoke candidly about his own, admitting that he faces difficult decisions in his capacity as a civil magistrate. We pray for him often, as well as the others who have rule over us. Left to right: Gracie, Peter, Callie, Rep. Putnam, Sarah, Kitty, Mary. Abby was the photographer.
As they made their way across the county (with a quick stop at Taco Bell for sustenance) they met up with most of the family at the Polk Community College Fall Festival at 1:00. This community get-together draws about 10,000 people throughout the day, and our group was the first bluegrass band they had ever had play for it. What a blessing they were! The Little Cousins sang, and the babies toddling about spread their sunshine everywhere!
As we regrouped at Olive Garden to "decompress" and enjoy pasta, it was a joy to relate to one another how the Lord had blessed the day and how His goodness was displayed when a faithful family shares with the culture around them.
Danny returned on Monday, and on Tuesday, he took 7 older grandchildren with him for a "Meet the Candidates" luncheon in a small town not far from here. At first, they were a little hesitant to press the candidates for "magistrate" about their stands and convictions (after all, they are well-mannered Southern children who respect elders!), but as they began to realize that the candidates were actually glad to see young people interested in the subject, they warmed up and began to question.
Danny had paired them up and assigned each pair a candidate to speak with, and there was no stopping them! They boldly (yet politely, of course!) asked "Do you fear God?" "What is your stand on the 2nd Amendment?" Danny came home bursting with thanksgiving for their faithful portrayal of godly young people with an "understanding of the times". And the children were excited to see that all they have been learning actually does make a difference in real life. I believe the girls were most excited about the forthright and unwavering way in which Peter proactively approached each candidate. He is becoming a real man of God.
I was so pleased to see that they are truly godly arrows, beginning to make their way forward and make a difference in the culture around them. It has always been our prayer that we would be able to "show the world what God can do through one family dedicated to His ways and to one another", and what a blessing for grandparents to begin seeing that fruit! There may be dark days ahead for America, and we pray that the Lord will continue to prepare these children to take their places, in their proper domains, as leaders for His kingdom. May the Lord make it so.
The Country Cousins playing early at Kathleen Fall Festival
At the Polk Community College Fall Festival, Markie waits (with Callie in the background). Markie has become quite a little yodeler, with her "Cowboy Sweetheart" melody!
Little Cousins Rosie and Margaret Anne discuss the events of the day before their turn to perform. Rosie is featured on "Faith, Hope and Charity", and Margaret Anne does "Oh Susannah!" as a solo. Abigail does such a beautiful job soloing on Gene Autry's "You're the Only Star in My Blue Heaven", which she sings for her daddy.
The Country Cousins fill the air with good Americana music and their sweet smiles!
Here six of the seven present their CD to Rep. Adam Putnam, the 3rd ranked Republican leader in the U.S. House of Representatives. He listened to their concerns and spoke candidly about his own, admitting that he faces difficult decisions in his capacity as a civil magistrate. We pray for him often, as well as the others who have rule over us. Left to right: Gracie, Peter, Callie, Rep. Putnam, Sarah, Kitty, Mary. Abby was the photographer. 
3 comments:
Thanks for giving me your link! Can I add your blog URL to my blogs? That way I can go everyday without having to try and find the link...
I have enjoyed catching up on your family! How they are growing up! I know how proud you are of all of them! How much fun is it that God has blessed us with grandchildren! They are such a ttal blessing! I finally have talked all my dils and Kristi and Joshua to do blogs. It is fun keeping up with them in this way. But I need a camera to load pictures on my site...
Great pictures! My goodness, everyone is growing up so quickly. It's wonderful to see them all so active in making a difference in their community by listening to and speaking with their leaders!! :-)
Thanks guys!
What a great hands-on civic lesson! Speaking to a politician in person can certainly help in seeing the politician's viewpoint through their eyes...it can also help you spot a scalawag (not that they spotted any that night!).
The Country Cousins looked like they had a great time and a great audience. We are very sad to have missed out on the performances, but it looks like they did great anyway!
Love,
Katie
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