The Bontragers!

Sunday evening part of my family and I listened to the Bontrager Family Singers (from Kalona, IA) at New Hope Christian Church in Marshalltown.

I had heard them once before (last year), and earlier this month my sister heard them when she went to their annual Turning Hearts Celebration.  Unfortunately she had a seat in the far back and wasn't able to see them very well, so she talked Papa and I into coming to this concert.

The Bontragers are dairy farmers, and I liked their down-to-earth personalities.  They are extremely talented, but still seemed like kind and friendly people who would happily don work clothes and do farm chores.

The boys shared funny stories about their family and jokes, and gave good mini-sermons.  Allison (above center) played the violin sensationally, and Chelsy (above left) did some great keyboard playing to accompany the singing.  The young ladies and their mother have very good harmony and made a good trio.

It was special to see the whole family singing together.  Mr. Bontrager gave a couple good messages.  In one he preached on the sanctity of traditional marriage; it was refreshing to hear him speak on the topic.  

 In another message he preached about how it is important to know Jesus and be saved; just going to church won't get you to heaven.  

Of all the songs they performed, the song Do Right, which the younger children sang, has stayed with me the most.  The lyrics have a simple beauty and truth: "Do right till the stars fall.  Do right till the last call.  Do right when there's no one else to stand by you.  Do right when you're all alone; do right though it's never known.  Do right since you love the Lord--do right, do right."

The Bontragers' signature song is their Sibling Cooperation act.  You can watch their double cooperation act on Youtube here.  The three youngest children have recently added a third act.  It's intriguing to watch and demonstrates not only cooperation, but multitasking at its finest!

After the concert I talked with Chelsy Bontrager who writes at It's a Beautiful Life!  She always has interesting things to post, and this coming month in particular her blog will be buzzing with activity as she posts every weekday in October!  Meeting a fellow blogger put the icing on the cake for a beautiful evening.  Be sure to check out her blog and check the Bontragers' schedule to see when they will be singing in your area.