A Flying Cow.

Did you know that some cows can fly? I didn’t have any idea they could until one came sailing through the air toward us at this concert.

It went this way. We were playing away on our instruments one Saturday evening to a nice audience. The beautiful strains filled the air. Then, DUCK! (except it wasn’t a duck, it was a cow) a cute two-year-old with a mighty throwing arm hefted a cow in one hand, gave a big heave, and sent the cow toward the stage for a close-range visit with our family.

Well, it was an interesting program. ; )

I’ve never seen a purple cow,

I never hope to see one.

But I can tell you anyhow,

I’d rather see than be one.

On the more serious side, the church had several good reminders on their walls. Did you know that the message of the gospel is illegal in 52 countries? We need to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ! “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” – Romans 1:16a While we are safe and comfortable here in the United States, millions of Christians around the globe are being persecuted and martyred for their saving belief in our all-knowing, all-powerful, Creator – our Lord Jesus Christ.

More from South Dakota!

On a field trip to National Music Museum in Vermillion, SD, we were given an amazing personalized tour by an extremely knowledgeable guide. He showed and told us all kinds of interesting facts, explained intricate details, answered tons of questions, filled us in on part of the progression of musical history, and demonstrated various instruments for us, one of which was a Nickelodeon!

Have you ever seen a viola like this one?

Not your normal scroll!

The lion is a good idea, but I believe the name of that part of the bow is supposed to be the frog.

Are there any harmonica players out there that dream of being able to play the violin? Here's your chance! (The violin is actually a harmonica.)
Notice the quills used to pluck the strings of this harpsichord...

Have you ever heard of percussion in a piano?

I can't even remember what all these pedals can do on this piano!

Such a beautiful organ - we got to go around to the back and see how it works!

Lunch was a special treat at Café Brulle, a French restaurant. If you are ever in the area, it's a fabulous place.

We gave a concert at the Boys and Girls Club in Avon, South Dakota:

Setting up...

After games and a ping pong tournament, we ate supper.

Root beer floats were served after the concert... I think I'm getting hungry.

See you later, I hope!

This is the day that the Lord has made!

Friedensburg Bible Church, Avon, South Dakota

"The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof." - Psalm 50:1
"Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined." - Psalm 50:2
Getting an “A” to tune her violin

Cleaning his cello

Time Lapse

Grace Family Conference at the Finck Family Farmstead, Tabor, South Dakota

Theme: Family Togetherness

We had a great time with the families there: meeting new friends, hearing thought-provoking sermons, and watching the movie "Divided". Thank you for your wonderful hospitality, Finck family! We enjoyed the tour and the amazing creativity showcased in your house!

Can you spot Seth in this volleyball game?

The Dining Hall

The strolling Johnson Strings :)

Setting up...

Another highlight for us was watching the videos some of the families had made about their family businesses and what they do together as a family. Wouldn't you like to learn about making tortillas, making chips, growing and harvesting asparagus, tree trimming and tree removal, logging, and making maple syrup?

"We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us,

what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old."

Psalm 44:1

Calvary Baptist Church

Silas and our new business cards!
A maze of cords – it takes a while to learn where they all go.

It was great to see some friends at this concert!

"Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting from everlasting.

Amen. and Amen."

Psalm 41:13

Le Mars Bluegrass Festival Cont.

Playing on the main stage

Practicing...

Karen in the fiddling contest - she won 2nd place!!!

Speaking of contests, Abigail won second place in the ragtime piano contest and

Silas received third place in the Junior Performer contest!

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream!!!!

The Le Mars Bluegrass Festival

(Oops! This post is a bit late! September is long gone by now.)

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, we played music on various stages, practiced, jammed with others, learned a lot from old timers, listened to other families perform, and were immersed in music from dawn till dusk. (I have to admit though, there was one time that we left the festival and drove to the Le Mars Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor for some monstrous, chocolate-dipped, cones piled with flavors you can only buy at Blue Bunny Ice Cream parlors.) :)

Did you know? “The storage freezer at our South Ice Cream Plant in Le Mars is 12 stories high, a city block long, holds 53,000 pallets of ice cream and maintains a 20 degrees below temperature making it one of the largest and coldest freezers in the world.”

Gettin' ready! We're tuning, warming up and getting organized before hauling our stuff to the next stage.

Somehow, it always seems to rain, and rain, and RAIN when we go to the Bluegrass festival!

So, here's a little science question for you: What happens when you mix a lot of water a lot of traffic and a big field?

Answer: a triple batch of mud! (and lots of spinning wheels)

We're jamming here with a right-handed fiddler who has to play left-handed!

Mmmmm…. Ice Cream!

Hey you! What’s your favorite flavor? Huckleberry, Raspberry Rumble, Peanut Butter Cup Perfection.... Oh, the choices!

Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor

Jamming...

Listening...

Music Among the Trees

In the park...

Who doesn't love ice cream?!!

Wow! What a fun evening! At this church, they had us play in their beautiful shaded park. The weather was delightful, the food was good, and the people were great. Isn’t it wonderful to give glory to God, our awesome Creator! What more can I say?

"I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD."

Psalm 104: 33-34

God is so good! There is none like Him!

I am so thankful that He has saved me.