09/02/2018 Ain't Misbehavin', Gator Marching Band, Baptism, Blessings

We meet once a month with three other couples for FHE and this last week on Friday, we all went to Ain't Misbehavin'  It is"a musical tribute to the black musicians of the 1920's and 1930's who were part of the 'Harlem Renaissance', when Manhattan nightclubs, high society and dives, were filled with piano players banging out the new beat known as swing."  It was a very entertaining evening.

The group is called Actor's Warehouse, a small church they have converted to a small theater.  The window trim and the ceiling are done in beautiful wood.

A little closeup - those attending are allowed to bring their own refreshment.  It also was interesting when they announced the refreshment table at break.  "We are not allowed to sell drinks, but for a slight donation, you are welcome to get what you want." and there was plenty available.

Five black performers do the entire performance which is almost straight singing.  They have rich southern voices and lots of energy, they are there to entertain you.  Wish we could have had all of you there to watch - pretty amazing.

 

The one above and below were taken after the performance when they were out in the crowd. The gentleman above in the middle, and the young lady on the right were two of the performers.

We didn't go to the Gator's opening football game, but the band gathers in an area a little way from the stadium where they warm up, then, led by four motorcycle policemen and their big drum on the cart, they march down the road and into the stadium.  People line the short inner campus road and walk along by the sides until the band goes into the stadium.   The band really gets the crowd pumped up.  We did win by a large margin.   

Their drum line is great, but we haven't mastered the uploading of a video yet, so will send these two links from 2017 which show their standard pregame program.  The campus area was filled with easy ups and several thousand people.  Many remain loyal even when the team isn't at the top.

 Part 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsUzjoYkkx0

in the second part they spell Gators

Part 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1clJcdyFriE

We went to a baptism on Saturday.  This little boy, the oldest son of the young lady being baptized, warmed right up to Mike who did the "flyaway Jack .. flyaway Jill" with the little bits of paper on his fingers.  The little boy wanted to try it, so Mike put the papers on his fingers and it was hilarious to watch him when they didn't flyaway when he put his fingers up. He shook his fingers and would look and laugh and shake them again.

 The youngest one, on the right, after the baptism, put his hands up on the clear partition that separates the font from the people and tried to climb up -- "I want to go in the pool."  he said.

As we count our many tender mercies here, along with, of course, the blessing of being able to be here together, we include a nice apartment that also has a garage attached so we can go from our apartment to the covered parking under the institute, thus escaping rain and humidity, 

the fitness room which has plenty of equipment for us to keep as fit as we can be, a good sidewalk down the side of the road so we can get in a good walk, a good car to drive - thanks to our friends the Holyoaks in St George who sold us the perfect car, the missionaries and the youth of the YSA,

President Janson and Elaine, our FHE group and the other friends we have made here.

and of course, all of you - our friends and family wherever you are.

We love this scripture - and we are deeply grateful to always be able to trust our Faithful God.

Deut 7:9 - Know therefore that the Lord they God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.