ART n VON at ShoutLife.com

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>Art and Von are lifetime friends. Both are happily married (NOT to each other) and both family's enjoy lifetime friendship and fellowship.

When Art n Von first met they were very involved in secular music. Von played keyboards, guitar and was lead vocalist in several popular local bands, as was Art.

Both families ended up spending several years apart. Both wound up in Kentucky. Art in Eastern Kentucky, closer to his wife, Mindy's family, and Von in Western Kentucky caring for her terminally ill father.

Art and Von affectionately call themselves, THE BLESSED DYNAMIC DUO!

ART:

My father, Howard Elswick, passed away when I was a young man, of cancer. To this day I am very thankful for the legacy of music that my father instilled in me, My dad was an accomplished guitar player. I am a PROUD father of three children, Jon, Greg and Sara (who is the youngest and determined to get her driver's license at the very first opportunity), My son, Jon is happily married and expecting a child ANY moment, ( A BOY!!!!) and Greg has served in the military in Iraq. We continue to Praise God for his safe return home! It is hard to put into words what a parent's heart goes through when you have a son thousands of miles away fighting, wondering everyday where he is and if he is safe. Our hearts go out to all parents, spouses, sons and daughters who have loved ones in the military fighting for our freedom. Our prayers continue to rise to heaven for them.

Mindy and I have been married for over 20 years. When Mindy's mother became severely ill with heart issues, we moved her into our Ohio home, where my wife lovingly cared for her until her last breath. Clara passed away just recently. Clara's dying wish was to walk up the stairs to the family church. While Clara was unable to see the fruition of her last wish, our family is comforted by the thought of Clara climbing the steps into her new home, HEAVEN!

VON:

My husband, Tony is the greatest blessing to me. In our over 20 years of marriage we have endured heartache, trials and tribulations. Through it all the Hand of God has blessed us with the ability to praise in SPITE OF THE STORM, and to come to know that we are made stronger when we think we are our weakest. (Ain't that an AWESOME God thing???) GLORY!!!

My father, Luster Barrett, fought such a courageous battle with cancer. My mother, Juanita, had suddenly passed away, my oldest son Kevin, (who is afflicted with Cerebral Palsy), had fallen and was dealing with a broken hip (Dr's said he would NEVER walk again, but WHAT do they know???? He is walking today, with a distinctive limp, but praise God, walking) ANYWAY, after mom's sudden death, dad was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, they gave him three months to live....So, I packed my bags with the blessings and encouragement of my awesome husband, Tony and headed to Beaver Dam, Ky to care for my dad.

I ended up caring for him for over three and a half years. What a precious gift that time with him was. So much happened to me spiritually during that time. (I thought that I was spiritually strong when I headed down to Kentucky to care for my daddy, but WOW, was I in store for the most wonderful legacy handed down to me by God's awesome Hand. I watched my father praise God EVERY day that he suffered, with JOY and no mumbling about "why him?" I learned that each and every day is a new beginning. I guess in short, what I am trying to say is....watching my dad die a little bit every day, I was taught how to LIVE. In prayer every evening he would always say this...

"Father, despite what this world has laid upon me, I have enjoyed this day with You!"

.... you can be sure that no matter WHAT this world throws my way.... I'm gonna ENJOY the Grace of God, I'm gonna revel in it!!!

OH, and while I was away from home all that time.... yes, it was hard, we suffered financially, emotionally at being apart every day... but you know what happened???? MY MARRIAGE ONLY STRENGTHENED!!!! GLORY!!!!! How many couples can go through something like that and come out stronger???? Well, if the couple is seeped in the Word, wrapped in the Love of Christ, YOU CAN GET THROUGH ANYTHING!!!!

ART AND VON on their music:

Today, we endeavor to share aspects of life with Christ to anyone that will lend us an ear. On our journey, as we continue to be blessed with music, word and song, we acknowledge and accept that we are just tools, and our Lord and King is the master craftsman that works the cogs and turns the wheels. It is SO not about us, but about how God uses us to share the Good News of Salvation, Grace, Mercy and Love. Von has a motto that she says everyday and means with all of her heart. "IT'S ALL GOOD". Yes, It's ALL GOOD.

Art n Von are both members of the Christian Songwriter's Network. An awesome FREE site where Christian songwriters, new to the craft or professional can gather hone their skills and enhance their talents. Von is a co-administrator there and we both invite you to share in the fellowship on CSN with us. Just click the link below to check out one of the most awesome Christian Songwriter networks on the internet.

You can also hear more of our music by clicking the banner below: