Singing Tip Of The Day – Dehydration can be a big problem in the Summer especially during those outdoor concerts in the hot sun, and in the Winter when the heat is on and pulls all the moisture out of the air. Drinking lots of fluids is the key, especially things like hot tea. A lot of people like water, but for me Gatorade Rain or apple juice does the trick much better (Just make sure not to drink too much caffeine as it dries you out or too much sugar as you’ll tend to not fit in you clothes for long!) Another great thing you can do is keeping your sinuses from getting too dried out. One of the best products I’ve found is called sinu-cleanse. The website for more information is http://www.sinucleanse.com/
I know at first glance it seems really gross, but trust me, I use it every day and it is fantastic. You can also buy it at most any drug store.
August 7th, 2007
A Note Form Jessica:
Thank you so much for all your prayers and support you have given me this summer for Mission Possible. I was so amazed at how God was able to use me the way He did on this trip. I was able to grow closer to God, and every day I just felt His presence. It was really neat how well our team worked together! I feared we’d have so many differences that we’d have trouble, but God really grew our team, and we give Him all the glory from this trip.
Week one, our team ran Vacation Bible School at Forcey Memorial Church. The theme was ‘’Secret Agents.’’ It was so much fun! I had the privilege to be in the drama and play Miss Newton, owner of the Sun-Force Agency. The kids really liked it because I had to wear a wig. The most exciting part of VBS however, was when I was able to help lead several kids to the Lord. One of the most challenging things that week was on Tuesday when we weren’t allowed to eat anything except one meal of rice and beans. Our team leaders were teaching us what it was like for people in the world who had nothing and were starving. Just after one day of not eating we saw how spoiled we really are. Each day after VBS, we practiced our drama and puppets to prepare for the following weeks. Also, that week, during our group devotions, we started talking about trials we were going through or had gone through. It was a great time of fellowship. Some of us cried, others comforted. It just was a great time for the team to come together and bond.
Week two, our team went to Ocean City. All the guys had to, for the first time, perform their paint board messages in front of a crowd. We also did our dramas for the first time. I was nervous, but I think we all did pretty well. I also learned how to start conversations with people and share the Gospel. I was surprised at how many people were interested in what we were doing and stopped to talk. Sometimes I would talk to certain people and I could tell that God was putting words in my mouth, and it was just the right thing to say. It would be exactly what someone needed to hear. It was so amazing!
Week three, we stayed at Forcey. Every night we went to Langley Park and worked with the Hispanic community. We did puppet dramas and we each got to do paint board messages. Even the girls! I was so nervous, and I messed up really badly, but I laughed it off and the kids laughed too. That week, we also went to Lexington Market in Baltimore and I met a girl named Danielle and after sharing the gospel with her she accepted Christ as her Savior. I still give her advice through email and pray for her everyday. On the 4th of July we went to the Mall in D.C., and performed some of our dramas. It was really fun, and we also got to stay afterwards and watch the fireworks. Later in the week, we went back to Baltimore and we performed dramas and the guys did paint board.
Week four, we went to Pittsburgh, and stayed at “His Place”. “His Place” is a building that is used for unchurched inner-city kids to fellowship with Christians. When we first got there, the lady who was in charge told us that a police officer had been shot right up the street from where we were staying. We were very nervous because it wasn’t in the best neighborhood, so the first night, we girls prayed together and by the end of the week we were sorry to leave. We worked with kids and teens there. You could really tell these kids had gone through a lot of stuff. It was really cool to get to know them and play games with them. Everyday I still pray that we were able to influence the kids and that God will continue to work in their lives.
Week five, we were volunteers at Camp Bennett. That week was different because we didn’t get to work as a team. Instead, we were each partnered with a counselor, and would help with different groups. I worked with the 7 to 8 year old girls from the inner city. They were so energetic; I could hardly keep up with them! Hearing some of their stories was really heartbreaking. One little girl named Tonisha really stood out to me, and I talked to her as often as possible. At the end of the week she became a Christian.
Week six, our last week, we went back to Ocean City. We did the same type of ministry we did the second week, but our day-to-day activities were different. We stayed right down the street from the beach and went there pretty much every morning. The guys each had to create their own paint board messages and they all did an awesome job. The whole team was really proud of them. This week it seemed like more people stopped to listen and there were several opportunities to witness one on one.
The trip was so awesome! I not only made some really close relationships on the team, but also more importantly, learned that I can rely on God for everything! This trip was truly life changing! If it’s God’s plan for me, I hope to go next year on phase two! Thank you again for your support! God bless!
Love in Christ,
Jess
August 7th, 2007
What’s The Score? – The Score is the title of our new CD. Actually, it’s “The Score: 20 Years On-stage”. This collection of 10 performances from over the course of our ministry celebrates our 20 years in full-time work. It is currently in the duplication process and will be available in a couple of weeks. If you would like to pre-order the CD, you can send a check for $10 (We’ll cover the shipping) to Bill Itzel 4215 Salem Bottom Rd. Westminster, MD 21157 and we’ll send it out the day they arrive. To hear a clip of one of the songs, go to our myspace page (www.myspace.com/theitzelfamily)
The track listing is:
1. Fruit Optional?
2. The Last Days
3. Be A Witness
4. This Is Your Life
5. The Miracle
6. When The Rubber Meets The Road
7. Talk To The Savior
8. Stand Up (With Jessica, Ryan, and Shannon Bailey)
9. Daddy’s Song (With Shannon Bailey)
10. Safety Of The Fold
11. Peace Of God (Bonus Song)
We have included a bonus track (Peace Of God – Live) for the pre-release ONLY. If you pre-order in the next 2 weeks you’ll get the version with the bonus cut. After that you’ll receive the official 10-song release.
August 7th, 2007