family music 182

They are sounds of home.

family music 181

 

After the story was shared by Rev. McCrae MacCallum,

I asked Dad to sing the song for me.

family music 180

In 1953, Dad was travelling with the Ambassadors for Bethany Bible College. While singing at s church in Meductic, there was no Stillman when they went to sing the closing song. It was a warm night, and his pants were stuck to the chair. Dad (17) and Stewart started laughing. Rev. Trafton, a kind professor who sang in the quarter with them, blew the pitch pipe and said, "Ok, Boys. Straighten up. Time to sing." They couldn't stop! They never did sing the closing song.

I giggle when I hear Mom or Dad tell the story. I picture Dad and his buddy, Stewart, trying to stand at the pulpit and sing, but bent over with tears in their eyes from laughing so hard.

family music 179 | Be Still My Soul

 

Cedric Landers

201-

family music 178 | Sometimes

Loralee

- March 25, 2023 -

Sometimes

Frances England

I sill haven't shared her sweet song about

feelings with my kindergarteners,

but I can imagine them giggling

over the underwear part!

family music 177

When Annie and I walked into the Mullen Heritage Center at Beulah, Rev. Sheila McCrea MacCallum was looking through Dad's scrapbook.

(The theme for the summer is music and Dad, who was a song evangelist with the Reformed Baptist Church, had shared a number of items for their display. Sheila was one of the evangelists he worked with when he travelled full-time in the 1960's.)

It was wonderful timing and we enjoyed hearing her stories.

She shared one from when they were in revival meetings at Elmwood Church of the Nazarene on Prince Edward Island. It brought tears to my eyes.

Dad was singing the song "Jesus Will Never Say No" as he played the organ.

(She sang the chorus of the song in that moment.)

In the middle of the song, he stopped singing and playing. He put his head down on his hands and in tears, he spoke the words, "Jesus will never say no."

Sheila said she felt led to stand up and have an altar call. People went forward.

Dad's heart is still so tender when he sings and talks about his Jesus.

family music 176 | Don't Fence Me In

 

Loralee

 - July 15, 2020 -

family music 175 | One Voice

 

Nicholas

Grand Rapids, Michigan

- June 2023 -

family music 174 | Don't Throw It All Away

 

Maple Sugar

Arnold Wickens, Karrilee and Melodie

- 1977 -

family music 173 | Fill This Place

 

Written and performed by Dwayne Hopkins

- 2006 -

family music 172

 

- 2006 -

family music 171 | Maple Sugar

 

I'm Going to Love You

Don't Throw It All Away

Joy to the World aka Jeremiah

Arnold Wickens, Karrilee and Melodie

- 1977 -

family music 170 | Sheltered in the Arms of God

 

It is a meaningful song to Karrilee.

Dad dug it out, so I could record him and send it to her.

- March 20, 2023 -

family music 169 | Romans 8:28

 

Loralee, Cedric and Marina

- 1990s -

I found another old song on Dad's tapes.

Singing soprano and high wasn't something I liked to do,

but we did what Dad said. Haha!
However, when I sang on my own,

he always put the song in a lower key for me.

family music 168 | I Couldn't Have Made the Journey Without You

 

Cedric and Marina

Hillside Baptist
- 2000 -

family music 167 | God Leads Us Along

 

Cedric Landers

Dad's offertories were so beautiful every Sunday.

family music 166 | Maple Sugar

 

Learning to Lean

Let It Shine

Amazing Grace

When they were in high school,
Karrilee and Melodie sang in a trio with Arnold Wickens.

- 1977 -

family music 165 | Child of the King

 

Cedric and Stewart

Oh yes, oh yes
I'm a child of the King
His royal blood
Now flows in my veins
And I, who was wretched and poor, now can sing
Praise God, Praise God
I'm a child of the King

Once I was clothed in the rags of my sin
Wretched and poor
Lost and lonely within
But with wondrous compassion
The King of all kings
In pity and love
Took me under his wings

Now I'm a child
With a heavenly home
My holy father
Well, He made me his own
And I'm washed by his blood
And I'm clothed in his love
And someday I'll sing
With the angels above

- Bill & Gloria Gaither

family music 164 | True Love

 

Dad sang, "True Love", as Mom was seated.

I knew it was the perfect song for them and for us.

As the camera moves over the wedding guests,

we see many loved ones who are not here with us now.

Our Wedding

- December 31, 1993 -

family music 163 | We're Standing on Holy Ground

Cedric, Gloria and Karrilee

Our Wedding

- December 31, 1993 -