ABOUT THE GARMS FAMILY
David and Kris Garms have always enjoyed music and their love for music has been passed down to all of their children. David plays the 12 string guitar, while Kris plays the upright bass (if you can't be a bass singer, why not play the upright bass?). Both sing beautifully; David usually shares his voice by singing lead while Kris makes her alto voice soar through harmony. Kris is also Great Adventure Gospel Band's main keyboardist.
David enjoys providing for and leading his family, and Kris thrives while being a stay-at-home mom. As principal and main teacher, they enjoy the privilege of home-schooling their children.
Ben, David and Kris's oldest son, is 18 years old, and is quite the musician of the family. He loves music and plays multiple instruments including: guitar, banjo, bass guitar, and piano. When not doing work around the acreage or playing music, Ben enjoys photography, art, and anything to do with firearms! Ben is our bass singer and does a good job rolling out the low notes. He is the second graduate of the family; he graduated from homeschool in June of 2009.
Facts at a Glance...
- Ben's favorite Bible verse: Joshua 24:15
- Favorite Southern Gospel Groups: Legacy Five, the Cathedrals, Greater Vision, Gaither Vocal Band, and Signature Sound.
Taylor is 17 years old and is the artistic one of the family. As soprano of the group, she sings either melody or descant. Taylor plays mandolin, piano, fiddle, guitar, and jaw harp. During her free time, she can most usually be found with a drawing book and pencil, or doing computer work on her story ideas and managing websites. The nutty one of the family, Taylor loves making her family members laugh with corny jokes, yet there is a serious side to her (maybe).
Facts at a Glance...
- Taylor's favorite Bible verse: Philippians 1:27a
- Favorite Southern Gospel Groups: Legacy Five, the Cathedrals, the Talley Trio, the Booth Brothers, and the Gaither Vocal Band.
- Visit Taylor's website: www.GodlyGirlhood.org
Uli, age 16, is the newest member of the family and loves to laugh! Orginally from Russia (no, she is NOT a foreign exchange student), Uliana (Oo-lee-on-ah) is living with the family permanently. She is learning mandolin and when not performing with us is taking pictures during our concerts. Uli enjoys writing stories, songs, and poetry and keeps up on her journeling.
Facts at a Glance...
- Favorite Bible Verse: Romans 15:13
- Favorite Southern Gospel Groups: Legacy Five, Booth Brothers, the [former] Gaither Vocal Band, and Signature Sound.
Leesha (14) is a cheerful young lady who likes to play with her younger brothers and sister, and she entertains them well. She sings a lot of lead (melody) and is working on learning harmony. She shares her talent while playing the dobro (also known as a steel guitar or resonating guitar). Leesha also plays the mountain dulcimer. As the official bookworm of the family, she can sometimes read several books a day! Leesha enjoys writing short stories, playing with the family's cat and any kittens she has, observing nature, drawing, and doing math (just kidding!).
Facts at a Glance...
- Favorite Bible Verses: Psalm 150
- Favorite Southern Gospel Groups: Legacy Five, the Cathedrals, Signature Sound, Greater Vision, and the Booth Brothers.
- Visit Leesha's website: www.MyFathersWorld.zoomshare.com
The inventor of the family, Sam (9) keeps the family busy with the games he invents, his new stories, and interesting ideas. He likes to play with his younger brother and sister, and has recently discovered the world of books and reading (Sam is becoming the second bookworm; Leesha still holds the title of champion bookworm). He sings and is working on harmonica and piano with a little drumming activity on the side. You will hear Sam sharing some of his favorite jokes on stage as well. Sam also enjoys playing different sports activities, drawing, and playing cars.
- Favorite Bible Verses: Matthew 10:29-31
- Favorite Southern Gospel Groups: Booth Brothers, Signature Sound, Legacy Five, and the Cathedrals.
Jayme is our seven year old Christmas present (born on December 22nd, 2001) and still is our little bundle of joy. She plays fiddle and is very interested in piano. Jaym-Jaym (her fond nickname from all of us) also sings and sometimes will pick up a little harmony. She likes to draw, play dolls, and help Mommy out with housework. An outdoorsy girl, you can find Jayme outside playing jump-rope, ball, and having adventures with her brothers.
- Favorite Bible Stories: The story of Samuel (1 Samuel 1-3) and the wise man and foolish man (Matthew 7:24-27).
- Favorite Southern Gospel Groups: Booth Brothers, Signature Sound, Legacy Five, and the Cathedrals.
Caleb (5) is U.S.A.'s next comedian as he keeps us in stitches with hilarious comments and goofy faces. He is definitely an energetic boy as he enjoys cars, balls, trains...basically anything that moves or he can move. Caleb sings at the top of his lungs (when he's not feeling bashful) and plays the 'coukulele' (translation: ukulele). Caleb steals the show when he plays his instrument!
- Favorite Bible Story: John the Baptist (Mark 1:1-8).
- Favorite Southern Gospel Groups: Boother Brothers, Signature Sound, Legacy Five, and the Cathedrals.
All the Garms kids: (L-R) Taylor, Jayme, Whitney, Caleb, Leesha, Sam, and Ben
Whitney (23) is David and Kris's oldest daughter, and though she does not perform with the Great Adventure Gospel Band, she is very talented and has the gift of a caring spirit. Whitney, the Garms' first homeschool graduate, is currently out of the house and doing "solo work."
Whitney is gifted in public speaking. She competed in speech tournaments and reached the national homeschool competition twice (California, 2000; Tennesee, 2002). Whitney placed sixth in the nation for her rendition of "Gone is Gone" in the humorous category (2002).
She loved to serve the elderly and anyone in need. Whitney is one of the world's best babysitters, just ask her younger siblings!
GRADUATION VERSE: "I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
OUR SPECIAL MINISTRY: MAL
Our Friend Mal (2007)
DURING OUR GREAT ADVENTURE (the story will be added when time allows), God led our family to an elderly man who was staying at a campground in Arizona. Arriving in Parker, AZ, we had gotten our rig settled and were planning to take a drive around the area. Sitting down for lunch on our first day, we noticed an elderly man sitting all alone outside of his travel trailer, staring at us. Kris suddenly had the urge to invite him to lunch. He declined lunch but came over and joined our family at the picnic table. As we ate tuna sandwiches, the man ate a cookie and told us many stories. Malvin, Mal for short ("not Mel...Mal," he informed us), instantly became our friend during our four-month stay in Parker. The kids fished with him, visited him, and when they, with their short attention spans, got tried of hearing Mal's stories, Dad would sit for hours, patiently listening. When Mal chose to return to Nevada for the summer, we said goodbye, sadly knowing it would probably be the last time we would see him, as we had to return to Minnesota. He was 78 years old.
Mal and our family kept in touch through letters over the next two years, and we often wondered how we could make it happen to see him again. We had even invited him to come and visit us. Of course, being in his late 70's, and eventually early 80's, Mal declined.
But one day...
David and Kris received a letter from Mal and didn't show it to any of the children. Mal expressed interest in coming to Minnesota.
Then life changed...
After church one April Sunday in 2005, our family had been enjoying a good lunch of tuna sandwiches (not that we live on tuna, it just looks like it!) and were making plans of going to a park later. We have a large sliding glass door in our kitchen, where Kris happened to be looking outside at the beautiful sunny, spring day. An old blue GMC pickup pulled up alongside our driveway. The truck and its trailer looked familiar. Suddenly, Kris erupted in squeals and tears of delight, "It's him! He made it! He came!" Then the rest of the family realized: it was Mal from Arizona!
In the mysterious letter, Mal said he was coming to "visit us" for "two weeks." He had asked David and Kris to not tell the children about his trip from Nevada to Minnesota, just in case something happened to him along the way. It was a complete surprise, and the family knew their lives would never be the same.
That "two week visit" has turned into a stay for the rest of Mal's life. He had previously lived in his travel trailer on our land with just electricity, no water or sewer, until it became clear that he couldn't live out in the trailer any more. He had lived his entire life as a bachelor, and for various reasons had no connection with his extended family, so we have "become" his family. This past year we built a 26' x 26' addition onto the front of our house which we call "Mal's Room". He now lives in our home with us. We take care of washing his clothes and bedding, daily cleaning, helping him shop, taking him to the doctor, etc.
It has been a learning and rewarding experience assisting Mal through the many ups and downs of life. We ask for prayers for Mal and strength and grace for us as we continue to stand by him.