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FALL 2003
WILL GOD EVER LEAVE US?
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Seems like a silly question, doesn't it? Of course God will never leave us, we all cry out. Even a child knows that. But do we live as if we believe that? When scary times come, when the darkness is all that we can see, when no help is in sight, do we believe that God is there even though we can't see Him? I was reminded of this truth many times while we were on tour this summer, but one experience is etched forever in my heart.
While ministering to churches in the Birmingham area, we had the amazing privilege of staying in the home of our dear friends, Flynn and Dorsey Walker. They have an enormous home, big enough for all of their children (they have a million like we do!) and for all of ours. There was even room for Fred and Tamara Hiittner, who travel with us along with their two daughters Jessica and Amanda. Needless to say, it was often quite a zoo. When the older children asked one night if they could take all the kids bowling, the adults thought about it for about one second and then agreed that it was a good idea. The Hiittner girls decided to stay home and play on the computer back in the game room. We were all sitting on the screened patio and enjoying the beautiful Alabama evening. It was a scene of adult bliss - crickets chirping, a gentle breeze blowing through the trees and enjoyable conversation among dear friends - when suddenly, the calm was shattered by piercing screams! Fred and Tamara recognized those screams, jumped up and ran, only to reappear seconds later, each with a sobbing daughter in their arms. The explanation for the hysteria was
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was painfully simple...the girls came out of the game room in an unfamiliar place full of darkness, and no one was responding to their calls for help. The darkness and quiet became unbearable and they began to scream in desperation. Well, my immediate reaction was, "Girls, have your parents ever left you? Why would you think that they would?" And just as those words were leaving my mouth, God's Spirit rebuked me. He seemed to be saying, "Carol, have I ever left you? Why would you think that I would? Why is it that your faith is so weak when darkness comes, when it seems that no one hears your cries for help?" I went to bed that night and prayed that God would remind me of that truth in an even more real way. And of course, God answered that prayer. When Emily's cello was knocked over minutes before a concert and rendered unplayable, God seemed to be reminding me. When James stepped into a bed of yellow-jackets and was stung about 40 times, God seemed to be reminding me. When financial difficulties press in on us, blocking the light of His presence with their all-too-present reality, God seems to be reminding me. Perhaps you are reading this article and God is reminding you that no matter what you are facing, He will never leave you. His track record is perfect. His Word backs it up. Jessica and Amanda have helped me to adjust the lens of my spiritual vision and see these struggles as arrows pointing to my Savior.
So wander aimlessly no more,
just rest in Him complete.
There's a peaceful, childlike quietness
when you kneel down at His feet.
From "He's Been to the Top"
by Carol Taubl
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TESTING OUR FAITH - JOHN'S STORY
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I believe that this past year has been the most challenging one our family has ever faced. With the prospect of two girls going off to college, and the eternal weekly drive to New York City for classes at the Juilliard School, we had some serious decisions to make. Gretchen assured us that her heart was intent on staying with the ministry, even if it meant not going to college. Emily felt the same way but believed that God 's hand was in her early acceptance into the Yale School of Music, and that He was leading her in that direction. Gretchen settled on the Hartt School in Hartford, CT and was offered a major scholarship. With fear and trepidation, we decided to put our house in Derry, NH up for sale at slightly over market value, to see if God would open the door. Before the house was even officially on the market we had an offer for more than we were asking. There was a divine hand on the doorknob! As we began to search for homes in Connecticut, we found the prices significantly higher than New Hampshire. In order to fulfill our growing needs as a family, we decided to purchase a "handyman special." There was only one problem… I am not what you would call a real "handy man". So we hired a highly-recommended contractor and left for a concert tour, believing that we would be moving in within days of our return. There was bedlam as we loaded trucks and cleaned out our home of 14 years, and yet we continued to see God's hand providing for little details. It was as though He was going before us, opening doors, marking our steps and lighting our way. Then suddenly, without warning, the light seemed to go out. When we arrived in Connecticut, our "new" home was in shambles with no kitchen or bathroom! There were holes in the walls and floors, and filth everywhere. We had no choice but to move into a hotel-where we stayed for nearly a month before moving into a home with no kitchen (still!) and construction all around. This went on for 6 more months. And during all this time, I was still working in New Hampshire and no doors were opening for a job in Connecticut. Where was the light? Had we made wrong choices? The stress level was mounting in our home. Carol was home schooling the boys, cooking meals with only a microwave, washing dishes in the bath tub, and trying to cope with very poor living conditions. I was frustrated being away from my family all week and not being able to manage the circumstances at home. Carol and I were at each other more than ever before. The boys were struggling and missed the security of having Mom and Dad together sharing in family devotions, and playing together as we always had. Annabelle had assumed a lot of responsibilities since both her older sisters were in college. The girls would come home from school and see the same depressing
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 mess every day and have nowhere to go but to a room that was our living room, kitchen, music room, and schoolroom combined. We had no place to store any of our goods. Our furniture was still in storage and we had boxes stacked along the walls of this center room. I began to question whether I had made the right decision. Was it God's will to keep the family together or was it our selfish desires? I began to complain to the Lord instead of giving Him thanks and praise.
Just about the time we thought we couldn't bear much more, God began to show us the way. In early November I found a job in Connecticut. I was finally back home with my family. Alleluia! Seeing that the contractor was either unwilling or incapable of completing the job, I hired our dear friend Fred Hiittner from New Hampshire to frame our addition. My mother and father-in-law came up from Tennessee on several occasions to bear our burden along with us. Weeks later a crew of the finest Christian brothers came down from New Hampshire and helped us finish the interior of the kitchen. After six months, Carol finally had her kitchen! Our family life started to once again function as before. I know we went through a trial, and I wish I could say that I fared well, but I can't. God is so good and even when we fail to trust Him thoroughly He is always faithful to us!
In Matthew 7:24-25, we read: "Therefore whosever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock." My family and I went through the storm of our lives yet we are still standing because our house is built upon the Rock, Jesus Christ. When the storms came and we couldn't see for the terrible darkness that surrounded us, it was clear that each of us, individually, was standing firmly on that Rock. As we continued to follow God's call to ministry during this difficult time, we saw families falling apart all around us. And after weathering this terrible storm, we have a renewed vision of what He has called us to do…to share the hope that is only found in the Rock of our Salvation and to bring His light to families that are passing through deep waters.
For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion...
He shall set me high upon a rock.
Psalm 27:5
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UPDATE ON GRETCHEN
I wish summer could last forever!! This has been a great one for me. I've had a lot of fun on the road, both performing and visiting with great friends. I have to admit that by the time the school year was over, I was really ready for the summer break. Summer always comes with a bang for us, though, with all the traveling we do, and we didn't have time to get bored before the busy schedule started to kick in!
We got home from a week of concerts at Word Of Life on a Sunday and had two or three days to pack for the month-long trip to Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia. It was pretty crazy around here for those few days, as I'm sure you can imagine. I mean, we have trouble getting all nine of us off to church on Sunday morning, so you can just magnify that by about a thousand and you'll come close to the chaos we had here for the couple of days before we left. The trip itself went very smoothly. We reached Alabama on the second afternoon of driving. Since my dad had to work, he got to fly down instead of driving with us, so I was drafted to drive the minivan with Em and Annie. We were having a great time, rolling the windows down and pumpin' our music…singing at the top of our lungs. It was great. Mom drove the white van with the trailer and all the boys, and Fred and Tamara drove their minivan with Amanda and Jessica in the backseat. We had walkie-talkies in each car and had a lot of fun talking with each other from car to car. Hey, when you spend a lot of time driving or riding in a car, you learn to make the best of it.
The summer trip to the south is always the highlight of our year. We go primarily because of the ministry opportunities, but we also have family and friends there. The first week in Alabama was a bit of a vacation as we had several days on some of Alabama's beautiful lakes, and I had my first experience on water skis. That was interesting, to say the least. We got to ride the boats, ski, swim and tube as much as we wanted. It was wonderful!
Then the second week came along and we had to buckle down and do a lot more concerts, but they were all good ones. We played at Briarwood Presbyterian, which is fondly known as "Fort God" to people in the area because of its size and vantage point on top of a high hill.
At the end of our tour, we played at the People's Church in Franklin, Tennessee, which was an amazing experience. It was clear that God was there, and that we were where He wanted us to be. After the concert, we got to meet Rebecca St. James' mom, Helen Smallbone. She was great! My mom talked to her for a long time about how Rebecca got started in her ministry. Mrs. Smallbone also gave me some things to think about regarding school and what the Lord really has for my future. She is truly a wise and Godly woman. Rebecca St. James has a great mom!
As the summer ends and the new school year begins, I have a lot of things to think about regarding school and where the Lord wants me to be. Thanks to all of you who have prayed for me! I have certainly known the blessings of your prayers this year, and know that the Lord has great things in store for me both at school and in the family ministry. God Bless!
EMILY'S ESCAPADES
I can't believe how fast this summer has gone by and that school is already starting again! As much as I'm looking forward to being back at Yale, this summer has been an amazing one for our family. We had the opportunity to tour for the entire month of July, which was really a neat experience. We played at many churches and met lots of wonderful people. There were also a few churches where we just felt the Lord leading us in new directions by the way the audience accepted our music and by the influential people we met.
Aside from the music, it was a very adventurous summer as well. I'm not exactly the bravest child in our family, but this summer I decided that I was going to try a few new things. We spent two weeks with some of our dearest friends in Alabama and, while we were there, we all visited their lake house to enjoy some time on the water. The water and I have never really been all that close but I forced myself to give water-skiing a try and, after about seven or eight tries, I finally managed to pull myself out of the water and was able to ski for about three miles. It felt great! I also learned how to dive…(and for all of you that think that is so basic, like I said, I've always been challenged when it comes to water! So this was the year to try again!) And thanks to my friend Houston Walker, I learned how to drive a stick shift. Considering I don't even have my license yet, I was quite proud of myself! To update you on that, I am finally getting my license on October 9th! (That is if I pass the test, of course. Oh boy!) And to that I say…it's about time!! J
I had an amazing opportunity two months ago to work in Nashville, Tennessee on a Christmas CD with a producer I had met last summer while we were recording "God Will Provide." On this new project I sang a solo and then a duet with the tenor Larnelle Harris. This was a complete thrill for me! It was so awesome to be able to record with him and also to see how the Spirit moves through his voice. It was incredible to watch a song come alive in the studio with an orchestra and full chorus behind us. It was just an amazing week for me.
The Lord has really been working in my personal life as well. He has given me many opportunities this summer to witness and to be an encouragement to lots of people, both older and younger than myself. I'm continually being challenged to grow in Him. I would very much appreciate your prayers as I start my second year at Yale. I know God is going to help me through it and give me opportunities to witness and shine for Him. I'll keep you posted…
TRAVELS WITH ANNABELLE
One of the biggest events of my summer was a concert at the end of June in Salt Lake City. This concert was the opening recital for the American Harp Society's national conference and it was the final concert of my two-year tour. I was really stressing the week before. I had practiced a lot and had big blisters on almost every one of my fingers. One good thing about the trip was that my sister, Emily, went with me to play a few pieces. The night before Emily and I left for Salt Lake City, we had a concert in Schroon Lake, NY. Mom told the audience where I was going the next day and asked them to pray for me. It was such an encouragement to have so many people come up and tell me that they would be praying for me. The next day, Dad drove Emily and I to the airport. The flight was long and I was very stressed and tired by the time we arrived. It was late and there was a two-hour time change. When we arrived at our room that evening, we discovered that the heat wasn't working and it was freezing cold. So we put on our jackets (and practically everything else we had brought with us!) and tried to sleep, but it wasn't a very restful night.. Emily and I rehearsed in the hall for about an hour the next morning, and then we just tried to relax. I was so exhausted and all I wanted to do was go back home, but I knew that I just had to get through it. We slept for a couple of hours in a friend's hotel room and I felt a lot better when we got back to the hall. However, as the hour approached, I became really nervous. As I was getting dressed, the only thing that kept me calm  was knowing that my family and friends were praying for me. Even though almost everything was going wrong, I knew God was there with me. The hall was huge and, when they opened the doors to the stage, and I walked out, I saw that it was packed full. I sat down at the harp and started to play. Miraculously, all the nerves went away. I think I played well, and the audience loved the pieces that Emily and I played together. There was such a sense of relief when I finished the last piece. I got up from the harp, smiled big, and took a bow. Then I walked off stage and, without realizing that the stage door was still open, I leaped into the air for joy! I was pretty embarrassed when I realized that the audience had seen that!
There was an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and an overwhelming sense of God's presence. That experience really taught me that, in my weakness, He is strong, and even when I don't think I am prepared, God will be with me and help me through it.
TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON
About 8 years ago, when we were just beginning to realize the scope of the ministry that God had given us, we were overwhelmed with both the number of requests for concerts and our desperate need of sound equipment. One Sunday afternoon the phone rang. It was a couple in our church that we didn't know very well and they wanted to drop by for a visit. About an hour later they arrived and, to our amazement, they were bringing us an entire sound system, complete with microphones, wires, speakers and everything! We stood in the living room as load after load was brought in, overcome by the generosity of these servants of God. Over the next year, these wonderful people, Cliff and Linda Larson, became our soul mates in the ministry. They booked concerts, ran the sound system, sold CDs at the concerts. They are a treasured part of our family.
This spring, Cliff was diagnosed with cancer, and although we often do not understand the ways of God, we have seen His work through all of this. Cliff has undergone both chemotherapy and radiation treatments without any side effects. Surgery is in the near future, then more chemotherapy. We would greatly appreciate your prayers for Cliff as he faces this dark time.
Although Cliff is now on the sidelines, his testimony remains strong. Many of you have had the privilege of working with Cliff and can imagine the great loss that our ministry has felt. He is a faithful servant and we know that God will continue to strengthen and heal him.
If you would like to encourage Cliff with an email (Larsontax@aol.com) or letter (Cliff Larson, 18 Timberlane Rd., Plaistow, NH, 03865), I'm sure that he would love to hear from you.
PRAYER
 
Thank you for your prayers. Please pray:
~ for Cliff Larson as he battles cancer
~ for Gretchen and Emily as they begin another school year
~ for wisdom concerning the scope of our ministry
~ for more volunteers to aid in the work of our ministry
~ for direction in booking upcoming events
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