The Treasure - Recording Progress

The recording is progressing nicely, but I'm learning about what it takes to manage a recording project when all the help are volunteers.

My key vocalist who would have recording all of my harmony background vocals (also called BGVs) when from being very available to maybe available on one night. My guitar player is waiting for his guitar to come back form the shop. Finally, the software I ordered that is supposed to allow me to make all the sounds of a symphony orchestra is suddenly not available and I had to reorder it from somewhere else.

So, I'm thinking of switching and having the vocalist play guitar instead.

The all I need is to find a person or two that can harmonize by ear without lots of prep time and be willing to do a recording session or two with very little pay. I know some others in places like Texas and South Carolina.

Also, I always say, never introduce new technology into the middle of a recording project, but I'm purchasing the Miroslave Philharmonic software. Five of the songs on the CD are recorded with accompaniment tracks that I've purchased from he store. I've been singing them in churches for nearly a year. The other six songs, I'm using live musicians to lay down the instrument tracks. For consistency and listenability, I want a string section. Since I don't happen to be friends with a chamber orchestra or anything, this is the next best thing.

There is at least one point each week when I think to myself, "Who was I kidding? This will never work". Last week, it was when I was trying to teach myself the bass line to There Is A Savior and How Deep The Father's Love and found out that the way I was plucking the strings was making them play sharp. I had to learn the part and relearn the best way to play the strings for that style of music. It took most of a day, but God provided. There's a few spots where I'm off, but otherwise it sounds good.

Pray for the progress of this recording. It has been a dream many years in the making and I'm hoping that it is integral to our pre-field missions ministry. No clue how God will use it once we are on the field.

Adam

Parmenters say, "Aetna, I'm glad I met ya!"

SHARING THE CROWN OF LIFE

Parmenters and the Mission to the Czech Republic

Our Week at Aetna Calvary

We spent a wonderful week with the folks at Aetna Calvary Church in White Cloud, MI. They are a group of down-to-earth, friendly people, that are interested in how God is working all over the world.

Aetna Calvary is just one example of the great people we are meeting in churches all over the Midwest. You can watch a series of short videos that I made from each day of our trip at http://sharethecrown.com/AetnaCalvary.aspx.

MARCH IN NEBRASKA and Beyond
In March, Michael and Adam spent 10 days presenting at churches in Iowa and Nebraska. Since then, the family has visited with First Baptist Temple, Oshkosh, WI and Heritage Baptist, Manistee, MI.

From Manistee, MI to Wahoo, NE we are having an adventure as we travel from church to church sharing our burden for the people of the Czech Republic.

It’s a family affair as each of us is involved in setting up, presenting, music, and teaching. It’s a treat to work as a family and enjoy each other in the process. At each stop we work to be encouragers and servants in anyway we can. It’s fun to be able to pitch in where ever needed. Once Adam helped a church improve their sound system, in another the family filled in for the church praise team (that was a stretch).

Always, there is the joy and excitement of talking about the spiritual needs of the Czech. Presenting about the Czech makes us even more eager to be there.

We are working toward having our support raised by the middle of next year, but only God knows the exact schedule. Even so, the work of pre-field has proven to be a fruitful ministry of encouragement in churches throughout the Midwest.

We would love to visit with your church or in your home and share our message. Contact us at 269-762-2202 or parmenters@abwe.cc

Meanwhile Back on Bank Street:

Marge Is starting to struggle with a virus of some kind, and is feeling "under the weather". She works hard to keep Maryellen and Michael going on school work, keep the house clean and comfortable, and help with missions presentations. Because the family presented on Mother's Day, they decided to celebrate a week later. She's earned breakfast in bed. Pray that she will keep up with the schedule, and also find times of refreshment in a busy life.

Adam recently started working on a vocal recording that features songs he sings in churches as they travel for prefield: Embrace The Cross, In Christ Alone, We Shall Behold Him, How Deep The Father’s Love and 7 more. The CD should be available for sale near the end of July, and some dates in August are being set aside for concert performances. Two concert dates have been scheduled so far. A concert during the morning service on 23-Aug at Pomona Bible, Copemish, MI and an evening concert on 30-Aug at First Baptist Temple, Oshkosh, WI. To schedule a concert call send us a message via this link. Proceeds from sales will help fund the Parmenters' mission effort. Hear a sample at http://sharethecrown.com/stc.aspx. In the midst of that, Adam is contacting hundreds of churches a week in order to find those who want us to come and speak. Pray that he will continue to be energized for the work at hand.

Michael has been "plowed under" by a head cold. The coughing has made it tough for him to play trumpet, but he has bravely stepped up to play his horn. He's coming to the end of his school year, and is excited about starting driver's training. Pray for his health.

Maryellen Is feeling the crush of year end school assignments. It seems the closer she gets to the end of the school year, the more assignments her teachers hand out. Pray that the pressure of school mixed with pre-field travel won't get her down.

Our house is still up for sale and recently relisted at a lower cost when our realtor switched companies. Please pray that it will sell in God's timing. See our house online at http://1512bank.canbyours.com/.

We thank God that we are able to add more meetings, that we have had safety in travel, and that our presentations have been so well received.

WHERE WILL BE SERVING NEXT

Sunday 24-May-09

Volinia Baptist Church, Decatur, MI 269-782-5680

June 15-18

Basketball Camp, Bethel Baptist Church, Kalamazoo, MI 269-381-2080

Sunday 21-June-09

Liberty Bible Church, Eureka, IL 309-467-4814

Sunday 28-June-09

Pocahontas Regular Baptist Church, Pocahontas, IA 712-335-3191

Sunday 19-July-09

First Baptist Church, Bellevue, MI (269) 763-9247

Sunday 19-July-09

First Baptist Church, Russell, IA (641) 535-2126

For the complete 2009/2010 calendar go to http://sharethecrown.com/calendar.aspx

PRAYER SUPPORT

Currently there are 30 people registered on our Prayer Watch that are actively praying for us. Our goal is to assemble a team of 100 individuals who are committed to praying for us each week. Those on the Prayer Watch team receive a weekly e-mail. If you would like to join the team please give Adam a call at 269-762-2202.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

If you would like to help with our monthly financial support, send checks to:

ATTN: Parmenter Support #013408

ABWE, P.O. Box 8585, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8585

Remember to mark it as monthly support if you plan to give each month. For a printable support form click this link.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and pray for us.

We would like to hear from you. Click this link to send us a message. We will respond back to you.

I'm Different Now

Sunday morning we were at a host home, and I was up early. I needed a file folder out of the trunk so I went through the kitchen door, closing it behind me, and raised the garage door to get to our car. Upon returning I found that the kitchen door was locked from the outside, and I was stuck in the garage.

At that point something odd happened: I laughed. Not a synical laugh or a laugh of derision, but a good natured laugh. I closed the garage door and waited, instead of banging until I woke our host. I studied my notes while I waited and listened to the wind and rain outside the garage walls. I also took note that not that long ago I would have been outraged that I had been so stupid as to get locked out.

God has changed me over the last eight years in ways that are only now becoming apparent, and the transformation process has accelerated since we started our missions journey. Another example is that on Wednesday I lost our family video camera. Ouch. That’s an expensive thing to misplace. I lost it on the way home from Iowa. On our way to Wisconsin yesterday there was one place we could check, but it wasn’t there. Years ago, I would have been in a deep slump over losing something like that.

Truly, if I can’t find it, there’s nothing I can do about it, I need to try and be more careful, and move on with life. This week I realized I had done that. I even felt a little bad for not feeling worse about it.

I guesse my point here is that for me a consequence of pursuing missions has been a greater maturity, and a deepening of my spiritual understanding. Namely, an understand that in light of eternity things have little value. Also, in light of eternity trials and difficult times are quite small.

What a blessing for me. I used to get so bent out of shape when things didn’t go how I thought they should. I can’t guarantee that I’ll never lose my temper again or get upset about something, but my perspective on life has changed so much, that it is changing how I react to circumstances. What a blessing. Raising support has been difficult considering our current economic climate, but even in that God continues to give me energy as I grow in my certainty that He is in control.

Fighting Deamons Hand-2-Hand

Yesterday Michael and I started our trip that we are calling "March 2 Nebraska". It's catchy. We were put up over night at a Christian Camp Ground about one half hour away from where we spoke today.

I thought they would just put us up in a bunk house, but the acomadations were more like a hotel room with a kitenette. Everything was just great. Overnight, I don't think that I got one wink of sleap. I kept having dreams of spiritual warfare and battling deamons.

Each time I woke up I felt a little more edgy. It gets so dark out in the country and in an unfamiliar place, after waking up several times from these dreams I was a little creeped out.

One dream in particular stood out. In the dream a person told me don't go in that house. He pointed to a large building. The man in the dream said, if you go in there you will be deceived and will probably die. I looked and my family was walking in. I took off after them, but they had already entered the building.

When I walked in, it was set up for a weading reception. It was beautiful and it was also entirely engulfed in flaims. I ran up to my family and said, "We have to get out! You'll die in here!" They couldn't see the flames. They just wanted to stay to enjoy the beautiful event.

Finally, unable to convince them, I dragged them out forcibly.

That's when I woke up.

???

I've never had a dream like that. I'm not sure where it fits in. I understand the symbolism . . .but ... I've never been sure what to do with the whole dream thing. Is it just a dream or does go ever try and tell us something?

I honestly don't know.

Adam

Endure and Enjoy

Today we are participating in the fifth day of a five day missions conference at Aetna Calvary in White Cloud, Michigan. It's a test of endurance to be on the road for that long living in someone else's house. I always look forward to sleeping in my own bed. I suppose it would be out of the question to simply move into one of those RVs and drive it from place to place.

Last night one of the people at the missions conference asked me if I get tired of making the same presentation night after night. Does it get old presenting each night at a missions conference? I thought about it, and frankly I enjoy each night. I don't ever get tired of telling people about our burden for the Czech Republic, encouraging them with a Bible lesson, and singing or teaching. This missions conference is hosting three different mission families. Instead of feature a different family on each night, each family presents their missions in a small group called a "huddle". Each night I presented the same presentation, and the groups rotated each night. The first night (Saturday) was a potluck where we told our faith stories (testimonies) and tonight is a rap up night were we've been asked to discuss our financial needs and our next steps. One of the families is currently supported by the church and the other two (us and the Walkers) are seeking support.

It has been great to spend this much time with the people from a church. We begun to get a feel for the "personality" of Aetna Calvary and its people, and I hope they've gotten a sense for what the Parmenters are all about. This is really the best way, because we want to develop relationships with churches, especially if they decide to support us financially.

So, while we'll be happy to sleep in our own beds, we've enjoyed each day with the folks at Aetna Calvary in White Cloud, Michigan.

Adam

Our Missions Journey Jan/Feb 2009

SHARING THE CROWN OF LIFE

Parmenters and the Mission to the Czech Republic

JUST THE BEGINNING

We started our pre-field ministry in July 2007. Driving back from ABWE headquarters in Harrisburg, PA, just appointed as missionaries to the Czech, we could practically hear the jet engines taking us to Europe. Yet, like everyone else, we started with nothing. No printed materials to hand out, no PowerPoint slides, and no display. We’re learning to articulate our mission and God’s desire for the Czech people.

July 2007 marked the beginning of one of the most formative “training” periods of our lives. The whole family has learned to speak in front of groups, enjoyed opportunities to start Bible studies with new believers, and began reading the Bible in a way that makes it come alive! These are skills that we will use over and over in the Czech.

In 2008 we shared at 12 different churches with the same message each time, and the message never gets old. In 2009 we look forward to every opportunity to share the message about the Czech, and encourage our listeners. We would love to visit with your church or in your home and share our message. Contact us at 269-762-2202 or parmenters@abwe.cc

Parmenters Welcome Newest Supporting Church, Pomona Bible.

Several members of Pomona Bible (Copemish, MI) have been faithfully praying for us, so we were excited to hear that they, the church, would be adding us as missionaries for financial support as well. Copemish, Michigan is a forest filled area of lakes that is beautiful in all seasons. It was a treat just to drive up there. The folks at Pomona were enjoyable as well. Not only were they friendly, but they were curious and eager to hear about our mission. That made meeting them fun, and we're looking forward to returning to visit with them again.

ONLINE

If you haven't been to www.sharethecrown.com in a while, give it a look. We've updated, the home page to include a video window and blog. The video and blog are updated several times a month.

MARCH IN NEBRASKA

In March, Adam & Michael will spend a week in Omaha, NE area, home of our first supporting church, Heartland Baptist. The men will present in services at churches and Christian schools, as well as meet with pastors and other individuals who want to learn about their mission to the Czech. They currently have an opening on Sunday 15-March for a church meeting and are open to meeting with individuals on Tuesday and Wednesday. To schedule a time call 269-762-2202.

Meanwhile Back on Bank Street:

Marge is hard at work on “Grasping God’s Word”, one of four courses that all ABWE pre-fielders take as part of their training. Along the way she leads a ladies Bible study, and is home schooling Michael. Marge has also prepared several women’s Sunday school sessions that she is looking forward to presenting at churches in the future.

Recently unemployed, Adam is phoning churches to discover those interested in our mission while also studying Grasping God’s Word. With a background as a writer/presenter/trainer, Adam’s also looking for temporary work. On Wednesdays, Adam leads a Bethel community group called Zeteo.

Michael is learning about acid based reactions in chemistry, kinetic energy in physical science, reading Count of Monte Cristo in world lit, and has a new trumpet solo ready for churches. He is helping lead a Bible study with a friend his age.

Maryellen is busy practicing flute for two school band festivals and for a piano recital. At school she is learning about volcanoes and is meeting the challenge of advanced math. When she has free time she is knitting, sewing, beading, drawing or making a homemade rag doll.

PLEASE PRAY that we will be able to develop a full schedule of meetings. Fatigue is always an issue. Pray that we will stay healthy and well rested

WHERE WILL BE SERVING NEXT

Sunday 15-Feb-09

9:30 am Fox River Baptist, Appleton, WI 920-734-6162

Sunday 1-Mar-09

10 am Crossroads, Scottville, MI 231-757-2857

Wednesday 4-Mar-09

8 am Heritage Christian Academy, Kalamazoo, MI

Saturday 7-Mar-09 through Wednesday 11-Mar-09

Aetna Calvary, White Cloud, MI 49349 Phone: 231-689-0611

Wednesday 18-Mar-09

8:35am Cornerstone Christian School, Bellevue, NE

7pm Cornerstone Bible, Crete, NE 402-826-2691

Friday 20-Mar-09

9am Omaha Christian Academy, Omaha, NE

Sunday 22-mar-09

9:30am Calvary Church, Wahoo, NE 402-443-4745

6pm Heartland Baptist, Bellevue, NE 402-291-4588

For the complete 2009/2010 calendar www.sharethecrown.com

PRAYER SUPPORT

Currently there are 20 people registered on our Prayer Watch that are actively praying for us. Our goal is to assemble a team of 100 individuals who are committed to praying for us each week. Those on the Prayer Watch team receive a weekly e-mail. If you would like to join the team please give Adam a call at 269-762-2202.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

If you would like to help with our monthly financial support, send checks to:

ATTN: Parmenter Support #013408

ABWE, P.O. Box 8585, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8585

Remember to mark it as monthly support if you plan to give each month.

Thanks for taking the time to read and pray for us.

Kind regards,

Adam, Marge & the Kids

1512 Bank Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Cell (269) 762-2202

Home (269) 373-5402

e-mail: parmenters@abwe.cc

Parmenter Missions - Saying Goodbye to mom

Is it really only the middle of January? Is it possible that only four months to the day after my father passed away (16-Sep) that my mother also passed into eternity (16-Jan). In less than one year a father-in-law, father, and mother. I can feel myself unraveling like a ball of yarn.

I thank God that all three are Christians and even now are in the physical presence of our Lord Jesus Christ enjoying themselves. I have no clue what heaven will be like, but I am convinced that the same God who created the vast universe, kissing, and the ingredients that become chocolate bars has put just as much creative genius into our eternal home.

However, I am sitting in my parents earthly home in LaGrange, IN. It's almost like a shrine to their memory. I spent an hour wandering around by myself looking at pictures, trinkets, and the stuff that they left lying around as they went about the business of living. I kept hoping they might be around a corner sitting quietly or call out to me from another room, but I know they are not.

They can never come to me again. There will come a day when I will physically die and go into the eternal presence of Jesus Christ. On that day I will be reunited with my mother, father, and other believers who have proceeded me in death. In that day we will rejoice, and talk, and laugh....

It's the separation between us and the waiting that swells the aching in my heart.

So, everything in life comes to a halt. Time seems to stretch and slow and flow around me as so many others go about their daily lives, but for me and my family nothing else matters. Remembering, laughing, weeping, and honoring are our only purpose right now. I wish that I could visit each of you and tell you how my mother overcame adversity in childhood and spent her life raising a family of eight. How she helped others, and saved lives, as a nurse. I could spend more time telling you about her Christian faith, passionate disposition, and gentle spirit. For now it is enough to say that I owe her my Christian faith for it is she who led me to Christ. What can I say to honor her more.

Somehow next week we will get back into the business of educating our children, earning an income, raising support for the mission field, preaching the Word, and teaching others.

In all this, we continue to trust God's goodness and timing.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

Adam on behalf of Marge and the kids.