University, near Chicago. Jim graduated with a B.A. in Business
and Music Theory, and worked for General Foods Corp., and
Shirley graduated with a B.S. in Engineering Physics, and
worked as a Nuclear Test Engineer for Commonwealth Edison.
However, in 1984 they felt His leading them into a full-time music
ministry. For the past 20 years, they have performed over 2400
concerts across 46 states, and in 17 denominations and their
music has been used in many countries. Their repertoire spans
a variety of musical styles that accommodates the musical
preference of any congregation...from the contemporary styles
of the Coasts, to the southern gospel of the South, to the
traditional and inspirational in the Midwest. From a technical
standpoint, their performing full-time has developed a
professional rapport that allows audiences to feel at ease and
enjoy their presentation. But most importantly, every song is
introduced and sung in a spirit that is Christ-centered, relevant,
and personally understood by each individual in attendance.
three daughters. The performed with us in 46 states, and in
over 2000 concerts. It requires little effort to still picture them
standing on chairs as they sang with us. Few people know
how many traditional adolescent activities they voluntarily
sacrificed to participate with us as they grew older. There is
always a concern when we as parents, choose a path less
frequented. As children they were always excited about
traveling and performing, but we privately wondered what their
reaction would be in 15 years. As they reached high school
age, we amended our schedule to allow them to have ample
classroom experience before college. Their high school
graciously worked with us as we made this transition. Eight
years ago, Evie left for college; then Marcie four years ago; and
finally Jamie two years ago. They all will have graduated
college with academic honors. As adults, they look back on our
days of travel as "irreplaceable", and we are so thankful. They
have now begun their own lives, and their individual interests
are varied and distinct. Many continue to ask about them, so
we thought we would provide a quick glimpse into their lives
presently.
from Taylor University with a B.A. in Public Relations and Marketing. She now
resides in Denver, Colorado, where she is the Marketing Manager for the Arabian
Horse Association. The headquarters is in Denver, and although her office is there,
she spends much of her time on a plane to somewhere, it seems. We travel west at
least once a year as we tour, and Colorado has become a special place for us
knowing she is there. She is active in Mountain View Church, west of Denver. She
enjoys jogging with friends, skiing in the winter, and hiking and backpacking in the
summer. And of course, she is an avid horse enthusiast. She rides frequently, often
competitively at various exhibitions throughout the year as time allows. There have
been some special men in her life, but to date, she feels this is where the Lord wants
her presently. She has been influential in her witness to many around her, and we
are so grateful that her relationship with the Lord is has never waned. We miss her,
but feel fortunate to live in an age of instant communications. Please pray for her as
she travels.
B.S. in Elementary Education. She is currently working in Illinois, and taking
prerequisite classes to begin a Masters Degree in Child Developmental
Psychology, with a an emphasis in Child Counseling. Next fall, she plans on
attending Colorado Christian University, to formerly begin classes. We have
always wondered if our travels would diffuse the girls' urge for adventure.
Apparently not. Last year, Marcie enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh, where
she spent a "Semester at Sea" on a ship. She departed from Vancouver,
Washington with 800 other students, and began a combination classroom/field trip
voyage to the Far East. Marcie has a gift and a heart for children, and she was
especially moved after spending some time in orphanages, principally in Russia,
China, Vietnam, and South Korea. While in Taiwan, during a white-water
excursion, Marcie was thrown out of a raft and submerged for some time before
anyone could eventually get to her. We aged several years when we first heard
the story. Marcie enjoys nearly all sports, reading, and is gifted in memory with
detailed recollection. Pray for her as she seeks the Lord's will in her work with
children.
based on birth order. It suggests that parents subconsciously nudge the
oldest child toward perfectionism, while the youngest is often allowed a
lessor standard (perhaps out of parental exhaustion!). Jamie decided
early on that we as parents, need not worry. She has maintained a written
schedule since she could barely write. If she appears idle, it is usually a
state of contemplation. She has the rare gift of both "left and right brain"
and can perform higher math as proficiently as creative writing. Jamie is
currently a Junior at ONU where she is majoring in Business and English,
and wants to pursue a career in Event Planning. Jamie spent last summer
at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C., in an internship where
she was involved with Internet Web Design. She is looking forward to
spending the fall semester at Oxford University, in England. It is not an
uncommon exchange for U.S. students these days, but Jamie's infatuation,
particularly with traditional English culture and authors, will provide a
setting she has long anticipated. We're hoping we can spend a week with
her next fall. Please pray for Jamie, as she solidifies her direction in life,
and contemplates how the Lord can best use her in the years to come.
