January Highlights -

It was a cold, snowy night that brought in a friendly, warm crowd...

It is so typical with Michigan winters that we have snow flurries and icy conditions timed just as rush hour hits (or at 4thFridays show times). Weather forecasters encouraged people to drive home carefully and to stay home, much to our displeasure.

We thought since over seven inches of snow had fallen the week before, what was a mere estimated three inches? And with one of Michigan's most popular Christian artists coming out (Jan Krist), we had hoped the place would be packed. We were a little biased.

As the 4thFridays crew and house band pulled in, we heard stories of numerous accidents on the freeways and major roads. A lot of us wondered how many would turn out for this show. Rufus said, "Well if no one shows, we'll just have a band rehearsal. After all, the stage and PA system are in place and ready to go."

Much to our surprise and delight, at about 8:15, people started to roll in and then more and still more until the place was 80% full. One of the attendees commented that there was no way he was going to this show. "I called some friends and said hey we need to support Rufus and Jan. Let's go!"

Rufus0204 And the show was fantastic. As always, Rufus and the rest of the house band effectively started off and ended the evening sharing tunes from the first and second projects. They were great!

Then Tracy Price read poetry from Billy Graham's devotional book - Hope for Each Day. The reading dealt with how our joy is increased when we surrender to God's will and how joy - even in testing - is an indication of a true believer. Tracy

Then Jan Krist took the stage and wow! She shared numerous songs from various albums over the years. Most people who have heard Jan's music agree that she is a clever writer, fabulous singer, and skilled guitarist. Whether she's solo or with her band, she always delivers an unforgettable performance.

One of our attendees who happens to be a hair stylist and big fan of jazz music commented, "I wasn't sure I would enjoy this (folk) style … as I saw (Jan) take the stage with an acoustic guitar". Then when she started to sing I said, "Whoa what a voice! I headed for the information table to buy some of her CDs".

That's what it's all about - local artists gaining exposure, hearts being touched - artists sharing their gift. The following day at her salon, the stylist was playing one of Jan's CDs sharing it with her clients. We love hearing stories like that!

Possibly, the highlight of Jan's set was the very last tune she performed which is scheduled to appear on her new release this May. (Sorry, we do not know the title of the tune.) For those of you who are familiar with Jan's music, you know from time-to-time she utilizes alternate-tuning.

Jan speaking very little, calmly and methodically altered the tuning of her guitar. It was apparent this particular alternate tuning was complex. She spent close to three minutes tuning. The resultant tuning configuration was dissonant. Imagine Jan's sweet melodic voice on top of the discord. The performance was powerful.

Jan's song was about the inconsistency of those who follow Christ especially related to secular politics. It was serious and heartfelt. It could be surmised that the slow meticulous tuning was indicative of the serious message she wanted to convey. Jan - thank you for sharing with us.

Coming up Friday, Feb. 27th
Sounds of Imani Sounds of Imani returns to 4thFridays. This contemporary gospel group has touched the hearts of many with their musical harmony bringing joy, healing and inspiration to listeners of all ages. Imani is an African word meaning faith and this group intends to live up to its name. Their core scripture is Hebrews 11:6 which states, "without faith it is impossible to please God."

In the past, Gerald performed background vocals for Anita Baker and Chapter Eight, The Floaters, and Flaming Emeralds. He also shared the stage with The Chi-Lites, James Brown, and the O'Jays. Carol has many years of musical experience as praise and worship leader, musician, and choir director. They'll share songs from their latest release Revelation this week. Don't miss their energized uplifting performance.

The Poet's Corner - Tracy Price will share portions of two of Oswald Chambers' powerful writings from his book Our Brilliant Heritage. Chambers, a passionate Scottish minister, lived from 1874 to 1917. Many of his teachings were on the life of faith and surrendering to God. Most known for his book My Utmost for His Highest, he was considered by some to be one of the greatest Christian thinkers of our time. The readings shared this Friday will deal with obeying the teachings of Christ.

Raffle

Every 4thFridays show includes a free raffle with paid admission. We usually raffle-off the performers' CDs. This Friday our resident 4thFridays' brew mister and coffee connoisseur Lawrence Strong thought it would be nice to include as a part of the raffle, a gift of coffee! After all, "good coffee" is part of our slogan. So this month, we will raffle off our very first coffee gift. We haven't seen the gift yet but we hear it's very nice and includes the 4thFridays house blend and a flavored coffee.

4thFridays' Spotlight

This is one of the new additions we've made to the 4thFridays newsletter. Every couple of months we will highlight a 4thFridays attendee or worker. This month we thought we'd share a story of a wonderful family that lives north of Pontiac. The parents have come to several shows and consider 4thFridays their adult getaway and as you read on you'll see why.

They are the Seymores. theSeymores Theirs is somewhat of a unique family. Keith and Laura Seymore already had a full house consisting of two boys and three girls. At that time they described their life as relatively easy. Four years ago they opened their home to two more children turning their rather easy life into a very challenging one. They adopted biracial twins - Lilly and Sarah.

The couple saw that there were many families who could handle an individual adoptive child but not many who could handle multiple adoptive children. As a result, many children from the same family were getting split up. Laura and Keith did not want the two girls separated. So they took them both.

Laura recalls seeing the twins at 10 months old for the first time a week before Christmas. "Lilly came first in this little blue snowsuit. She was so breathtakingly beautiful and she came to us right away. And then Sarah showed up and she had on the same snowsuit - it was precious. We had no idea they'd be so beautiful." But taking these girls in was by no means an easy task.

"We found out later that the twins were hearing impaired," says Laura. "They had a cold for the first six months, spit up a lot, and cried most of the time when they weren't being held." The girls didn't sleep well either. Keith remembers them doing what he calls "the tag team thing". "When one would go to sleep, the other would be awake and vice versa. I remember sleeping in the car trailer one night because they wouldn't go to sleep" at the same time.

The following summer the twins had ear surgery and could hear much better. They placed them in a head start program for babies when they were a year and a half old and they started learning sign language. Lilly and Sarah

Today Lilly and Sarah are doing much better. Their speech is still somewhat delayed but they are making progress. The Seymores admit the twins are a handful but are thankful to have them in their lives. The Seymore children also enjoy having them around even though they lead busy lives themselves.

It is amazing that Keith and Laura's birth children understood early on that they would have to do their part to make this work and they did. Perhaps it's due to their homeschooling. "All the older kids are very independent," says Laura.

"We don't supervise their schoolwork. With this many we told them when they first went to school, you're on your own. We're not babysitting you. You have to do your own laundry and make your own lunches. And they do." Just recently Laura starting making their lunches again and the kids were genuinely excited about it. James and Anna

Their oldest son - James at only 17 has already received his pilot's license - that is - an airplane pilot's license. He is a junior in high school now and will be in dual enrollment - spending his high school senior year and his freshman year in college. Anna who is age 14 wants to be a schoolteacher and is very talented at styling hair. She along with Kerry and Grace has been very helpful with the twins. Kerry who is 12 loves horses, plays piano, draws and paints. Grace - ten - makes crafts and loves acting. She has landed several theater roles. And the Seymores' youngest boy - Joseph - six - loves toy guns and slingshots. Uh oh :)

And of course Keith and Laura have various interests of their own. Keith enjoys auto drag racing on a national level, plays piano, banjo and guitar. Laura works part-time at the library and teaches a bible study twice a month at Children's Village with teen girls who are in short term detention center.

Joseph Gracie

When asked why they come to 4thFridays they replied: "I like the music at 4thFridays but I like the atmosphere too, says Keith." It's so intimate. You're right there and you can see behind the scenes. It's certainly an evangelistic opportunity too" because we can bring unbelieving family and friends.

"I feel like my whole life is kids," says Laura. "And I love my kids but I like to getaway and do things adults do. Once the little ones are in bed we can take off. It's a nice venue and nice getaway for us." The Seymores also say they enjoy the racial diversity.

Kerry We thank the Seymores for sharing their life with us. They've become good friends of ours and we're happy to know them. They encourage us by demonstrating Christ's love every single day.

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INTRODUCING "THE CAMP"