In Memory of John

In the wee hours of the morning of September 29th, Mom’s only brother, John, committed suicide. We are devastated.

I have learned that when someone close to your life dies, it's hard - we all know that - but when the life was taken on purpose by that person them self, the grieving is unlike a "normal" death. Not only do we feel the pain of his death but also the pain of what he did. You want to ask them "why" but you know it's too late. It's a shocking and sharp feeling that leaves you feeling numb.

He had a family, though very broken. Pray specifically for his 3 teenage sons. They need Jesus and especially so now. Your prayers are appreciated.

--as quoted from Courtney's blog

Tears
Sherry DePolis
When sorrow leaves you nothing but emptiness inside
And all you have the will to do is break down and cry
There’s a resting place in Jesus for broken hearts to mend
And beyond this world of sadness we will never cry again

Tears, he’ll wipe away the tears some glorious day
That fall from the windows of your soul
Tears will never stain his throne tears will all be gone
From the fountain, where the broken spirits go

Lay your burdens down at Calvary when all your strength is gone
Jesus will never leave you to bear the cross alone
And someday there’ll be no sorrow beneath his watchful eyes
For heaven has no broken hearts and the angels never cry

Barnabas 2nd Annual Fund Raiser

The following is taken from the Barnabas Christian Coffee House website...

Very family friendly setting.
Pray for a beautiful day for this fun filled day of activity

Click HERE to hear the very professional ads created by Garrett Novak for a weekly Public Service Announcement. The announcements are very generously aired at no cost by WHEM Radio 93.1 FM.

Saturday - October 6 - All Day Music
Fundraiser for Barnabas House
Brats, Beans, & Scalloped Potatoes

Starting at 11 AM in Allen Park, Chippewa Falls, right across Hwy 124 from the Chamber of Commerce Building (old Hardee's restaurant)
Musical guests:

11 am - Dan & Jacey Lea
Folk/Acoustical Gospel
12 noon - Roger Mickelson
Traditional/Country style Gospel
1 pm - The Otterson Family
Traditional Gospel
2 pm - Sequoia
Contemporary Christian Music
3 pm - Ray French
Original Contemporary Gospel with a Blues Flavor
4 pm - The Iwaszko Family

Folk/Traditional Gospel
5 pm - Garrett & Andrea Novak

Contemporary Gospel & Worship
6 pm - Crosswinds

Variety of Styles from Traditional to Bluegrass Gospel
7 pm - Greg Farley
Contemporary & Original Gospel with an acoustic and electric rock style
8 pm - Lee Elmer
(who will also emcee the event)
Good Old Fashioned Country & Traditional Style Gospel

There will be a bake sale, silent auction, and a thrift sale held nearby in the coffeehouse that day.

All donations are tax deductible and verification of donation will be given for tax purposes. We are a registered 501C3 non-profit community service organization.

Psalm 35:27

"Let them shout for joy, and be glad,
that favor my righteous cause:
yea, let them say continually,
'Let the Lord be magnified,

which hath pleasure in the prosperity of His
servant.'"

Thumb-Pickin' Cowboys

Here's a few (rather dark, fuzzy and uncreative) shots of our night at the Barnabas House. The cowboy theme was inspired by the fact that we were replacing a Texas Cowboy who was scheduled to sing, but found out a couple weeks ago he would not be able to make it. The Barnabas House never corrected the schedule change on their online schedule, so to make up for everyone's grave disappointment at seeing us, we did our best to make good replacements.

Levi picking out his rendition of "What a Friend"

The drummer boy.

The videographer and our biggest fan.

Anita signing "What a Day That Will Be".

The pianist at intermission.
And no, she didn't have a cowboy hat.

A little friend Tabby found.

Confessions of a Blonde Webmaster

You know your webmaster is blonde when she entirely forgets the login information for your webpage.

Thus explains the lack of news and interest for you OtterTrackers—what few of you remain. Now you know why this site did not proudly announce the birthdays, anniversaries, the brand new Nelson son, the graduate from basic training and all the other happy and significant events.

In case you happen to wonder, reports indicate that the information has been successfully retrieved—after months of hacking usernames and tapping passwords—and stored away in a safe file. Interest should therefore perk up this neglected little corner of the web a little more often. Don’t hold your breath though… data has a way of evacuating the possession of the certain blonde webmaster.

The Otterson's Itinerary

That sounds real official, doesn't it?

There's two events coming up with the Barnabas Christian Coffee House that we've been asked to sing for.

Saturday, September 15, 2007
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Barnabas Christian Coffee House

Saturday, October 6, 2007
Time: 1:00 PM
Event: Fund Raiser
Location: local park--exact location has not been communicated to me.

You're all invited.