News
January 25, 2012
Dear Friends,
Greetings once again from the Keeling household, I trust that you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. It's hard to believe that 2012 will begin our 19th year of singing gospel music with the family.
Recently, the family and I were talking about the past year, 2011, and of the many things that have happened and events that took place during the year.
It all started with the hospitalization of my father on February 19th and then his passing on March 12th. After spending considerable time helping my mother get her life back on track, it was wedding planning time, preparing for Doug & Nancy's wedding along with keeping a fairly busy concert schedule and trying to keep up with four separate family schedules.
Just to mention some of the other highlights and accomplishments from last year, Jeff took a new position as Dean of Students at Commodore Perry High School and finished his principal certification at Gannon University in Erie, PA. His wife, Hannah, finished her Master's degree at Edinboro University and continues to teach 8th grade English at Saegertown. Also, Jeff and Hannah purchased and moved into their own home just outside of Sheakleyville, PA.
Doug & Nancy were married on July 2nd and they both moved and now live in Sheakleyville, PA. Nancy continues teaching at Lakeview Elementary School and Doug is continuing to operate his own graphic and web design business from home.
Pat was promoted to full engineer at Joy Mining Machinery in Franklin, PA and together he and Lynn purchased and moved into their own home in Utica, PA. The big news for them is that they are expecting their first child in July of 2012, which means that Trish and I are going to be grandparents.
As for Trish and I, 2012 will mark the beginning of our fourth year pastoring at Reash Community Church and the many challenges that come with the job. During the past three years the church has grown considerably, presenting the need to expand our facility. Due to the lack of property near the church, we were able to purchase nearly 7 acres of ground on Rt. 19 which was dedicated on December 4th of last year as the future site for a new church.
In addition to pastoring, I am continuing my studies at North East Ohio Bible Institute, trying to run the bus tour business and continuing with our music ministry. There is usually never a dull moment for either of us.
One of the highlights in the music ministry was the release of our latest CD, "Worthy Is The Lamb," which has received great reviews. Additionally, we were able to write and release a new single, titled "Daddy's Pocket" in memory of my father who passed away.
"Daddy's Pocket" has been a great blessing to people all over who have lost their father due to death, divorce, and to folk who had a dad, but their dad never spent time with them.
At our Christmas Concert in Distant, PA, my heart was greatly touched when several young boys ask me to sign copies of the CD so they could give them to their own fathers as Christmas gifts.
Well thankfully we made it through another year filled with many twist and turns. I am thankful for God's hand of protection on the entire family.
As we look to 2012, the dynamics of our family will be changing yet again with the anticipated arrival of our fist grandchild, which will mean another year of change for the family.
For those of you attempting to schedule concerts, we will be doing our best to accommodate as many of you as we possibly can. However, with all the kids married and having their own lives, we will not be scheduling as many concerts this year as we have previously scheduled in the past. Everyone of us has the desire to continue in the music ministry, and in order for us to continue as a family unit, we just need to do a few less dates so all of us have the time to live our own lives.
Don't panic! No one is quitting, everyone will still have many opportunities to hear The Keelings in concert during 2012. Our best is yet to come! By the way, we are pleased to announce that we will be appearing again this year for opening night at the Great Stoneboro Fair on August 29, at 8:00 p.m. We need your help! we want to make this our biggest night and best attendance of the year.
Now concerning tours: By request from several of you, we are offering a couple one day tours and a variety of other tours to Lancaster, PA to see the production of Jonah.
One tour that I'm really excited about is our American Freedom Tour, this tour will be our signature tour for the 2012 travel season. The tour will be going in August, and will be visiting all of the 9/11 memorials in Shanksville, PA, Washington DC and New York City. Additionally, every other place we visit on the tour will remind us of our American Freedom. This is definitely a tour you don't want to miss. I'm truly looking forward to traveling with you this year and hoping for a great year.
Please remember that there are no last minute refunds for any tours. Last year we had several last minute cancellations that occurred just a day, and in some cases, just a few hours before our departure. When this happens, it becomes extremely difficult to get money back since it has already been paid out for hotel rooms, admissions, meals, and so forth.
Our refund policy is as follows: First, If you have to cancel, you should try finding a replacement. Second, If we have a waiting list, we will try replacing you and give you a refund. As we have in the past, we will continue doing our best to provide great service and be as accommodating as possible.
As we look to 2012, we would ask you to keep everyone of the family in your prayers and especially for Pat & Lynn as they are expecting their new arrival. Over the years, it has been a great pleasure to serve all of you in ministry and we are hoping to see you again soon.
On behalf of the entire family, thank you for your continued support and prayers, May God bless all.
Randy Keeling
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