Dorcas and Dad In A Dream

Hey Friends,

Thank you for stopping by on this beautiful Tuesday. Did you catch yesterday's post? I shared an update on the latest GoodNews Christian School building project. You can see that post by clicking here.

Recently, I was compiling the photos for yesterday's post when I came across a picture of my dad and our precious friend Dorcas from Nigeria. 

Many of you all remember Sis. Dorcas. She was saved during one of the outdoor crusades my dad preached in Nigeria. He told her testimony for years. Dorcas drug herself through the dirt and grass to the altar, because she knew she needed Jesus! Actually, she did it two nights in a row until she felt like she got what she needed.

It greatly moved our family! When Dad realized her condition and that she was dragging herself to the altar, he got down and crawled to meet her!

I was on that trip, and I was able to meet Dorcas. We gained a friend for life! 

She actually became an honorary member of our family. She called my parents, mom and dad, me her sister and even wrote letters to my grandparents calling them grandma and grandpa. It really was special! Each trip that my parents made back to Nigeria She would have gifts waiting on them. Also sending some home for me. We would exchange video greetings through my parents during their trips.

Dorcas became my hero! She had to overcome tremendous obstacles to live with her disabilities in Nigeria. No other country makes life easy on someone with a disability like America does. We tried to help her with wheelchairs and other things. 

Every single day was more of a struggle for her than I could ever imagine. She lived life with a smile on her face and was thrilled to be a Christian. I know her life was never easy!

My parents were with her during their 2023 trip in Nigeria. She sent handwritten letters home with them. 

Shortly after their trip, Dad had a stroke. Later, we found out Dorcas had her own sickness, around the same time. God chose to call her home. Dad wrote a post about it here.

Our hearts were broken to lose one of our Nigerian family members! Yet we also rejoiced, knowing that she no longer had the struggles that life had given her. In Heaven, she would be completely healed! She would never suffer again.

Less than a year later, Dad joined her in Heaven. I knew that is one of the many people he would be reunited with! I rejoice knowing that they are worshiping our Lord together.

I hope you are ready for the story of a dream. A few weeks ago, I had a fleeting dream of Dad. I have had a handful of those through the months. Most of the time, I do not remember all the details. They are usually over before I realize what's going on.

On this one occasion, I had a quick dream in which I knew Dad and Dorcas were both in the location. I do not remember details of the location. It was shocking really, because I did not remember thinking of Dorcas before my dream. I did not get to speak to her. 

In the dream, I talked to my dad. He said your sister is healed. She  does not need her wheelchair anymore! I knew that he was meaning my Nigerian sister, Dorcas!

In an instant, the dream was over. I woke up rejoicing, knowing that they both were healed! No more wheelchairs, or any of the aids to help them live life. I was happy for the reminder that there struggles were over. 

The ache of missing them was there strongly! I am so grateful for the blessed hope and the promise that we will see them again! I look forward to the day that we can all be together in Heaven.

Thank you for reading, as I share what is on my mind today.

Odie

GoodNews Christian School July 2025 Update

Hey Friend,

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to visit us! We are always thrilled when someone checks in.

Our faithful readers will recall that our ministry has been supporting Pastor Shobanke and his family's work in Nigeria for years. Our families have shared a close bond for many, many years! 

Dad sure loved his people in Nigeria! Some of his happiest times in his life were spent there, and he was always looking for another chance to visit!  

One project was his passion from the first time we heard about it: Goodnews Christian School! The photos above were from a previous visit

Because of the Lord's provision and the giving of many saints of God, BFM has been involved in many projects at the school! Many of you have played a significant part in those projects!

Before his passing, Dad was excited to help them pay for the construction of a new school building. We have carried on his vision, and you all have helped us.

Construction on the new school building has continued. With the Lord's help, they are moving right along! I know my dad would be thrilled! Hopefully, it will be ready for dedication late this year.

A few days ago, Mom received an email from Pastor Shobanke. She sent it to me so I could share the pictures with you all. It is wonderful to see the progress!

 May God continue to bless and help our precious Brothers and Sisters in Abeakuta, Nigeria! They are wonderful people! Mom and I are thrilled to be a tiny part in this project.

Once again, thank you to each and everyone of you who have donated to BFM, and helped us with this project! Countless lives will be touched because of your generosity!

Sincerely,

Odie

Picture Day Prep

 Hey Friends,

As we announced a couple of weeks ago, we are releasing a new music album. Part of the behind-the-scenes work that needed to be completed was photos for the album artwork. 

Our timelines were tight, and we did not have time to travel out of state to visit one of our great photographer friends. Mom and I ran the miles and tried to work the map every way we could, but we could not figure it out. Travel for the photos was not possible!

Thankfully, we had Google, and we found a photographer locally whose work looked really, really good! She is just a few miles down the road. Mom contacted her last week, and thankfully, she had an opening. We were also very grateful that she had a lovely studio. The weather was in the upper 90s all week. We already do not do well with outside photos, and the heat was another major factor.

Mom and I put our heads together and picked out our wardrobe for the photos. Then we had another question. What are we going to do with our hair?

We called in the experts, and they came running to our rescue! They can work miracles with hair, and they came bearing the tools of the trade to get the job done.

Thank you so much to Sis. Valerie Burris and Sis Emily Roberts! We were so thrilled that they were available! I know it took valuable time out of their busy schedules!

I have included a few pictures of the process! Mom and I both enjoyed getting pampered! We were thrilled with the outcome! I made mine last as long as possible! Then I hated to wash my hair!

Here is a selfie that I took with my beautiful mother, post photographs. 

Hopefully, we will get to see the pictures from the photographer soon. Now, we are waiting on an email from her.

Thank you again to our wonderful friends for rescuing us! It was great to get to spend some more time Valerie and Emily. We love you all so much!

There you have a sneak peek into our Picture Day Prep!

Odie

Recording Process In Pictures

 Hey Friends,

I hope you are having a wonderful Saturday! Thank you for stopping by to visit with us.

Mom and I traveled to Hendersonville, Tennessee, earlier this month. We were there for two days. The objective for the trip was to record a new music album. 

Ben Isaacs has been encouraging us to record in his studio. He felt it was a step we needed to take now. 

We started prepping the song list several months ago. We finalized it in mid-May. Then we were waiting for Ben. 

When he contacted Mom at the beginning of June, he said, “How soon can you record?” Our options were to record the next week or wait two months. Six days later, we were in the studio. 

I wrote about the recording here, here and here. We had a great time in the studio with Ben. 

Ben, we can not thank you enough for your help, encouragement and expertise! We would not be doing the recording without you. Thank you for believing in us! We love you so much!

Our part of the recording is done. As I mentioned previously, the band on tracking Day consisted of my mom, Kelly Jo, on Piano, Brandon Taulbee on bass and Greg Ritchie on drums and percussion. Ben Isaacs is the producer; he also engineered the vocals. Marcus Hyatt engineered on tracking Day.

Now, Ben has been working with a few more musicians to add some other instruments. Then the other vocals will be added.

We are anxious to hear the finished product and share it with you. I hope we have the project back by this fall. Pray we can finish all the behind-the-scenes stuff in a timely manner.

Mom and I tried our best to get pictures while recording. It was hard to get all of them that we would have liked because we were both just a little busy. I have shared a handful of these on the vocal and tracking posts. Today, let's put them all in one place.

Tracking Day

Lunch with the crew at Meyer’s Front Porch.

Vocal Day

Ben introduced us to Sam’s Place. Best chicken wings ever! I dream about them, they were so good. The wings had a dry rub seasoning and grilled. AMAZING!

Our vocal controls in the booth were labeled with Ben's nicknames for us!😂

That wraps up the pictures from this recording project. I hope you enjoyed a glimpse into the process!

Thanks for reading!

Odie