We are certainly having an interesting start to 2009. The last weekend the guys were out singing proved to be almost as much fun as the previous trip. The roads are the worst they have been in many years of traveling. The trip from Capac to Flint was treacherous with many spinouts and cars off the road. We loaded into the bus and immediately had issues. We got ahold of our mechanic and he thought it was probably a valve in the engine (and very expensive to repair) and instructed us not to drive it any further. Between the weather and the bus problems we had to cancel our service in Benton Harbor. We decided we would still try to make our evening concert in Kentwood. We loaded everything into two vans and off we went. We were so blessed when we got there. It was an awesome service at Unity Reformed Church. Then Wednesday the Lord blessed us again with the news that the repair on the bus was very minor and the bus is back on the road.

Last weekend we didn't sing so the wives were able to attend Shem's wife, Jessica's baby shower. We can hardly wait to have another little baby to spoil. We hope Baby Koutz will like riding the bus with us.

Then early Monday morning I had to go to the hospital and was released yesterday. They originally thought it was my gallbladder but now believe it was scar tissue in my intestines. I couldn't believe how much pain I was in. I'm feeling much better now and pray the pain stays away.

Until next time,

Chuck