In Loving Memory of Eddie Smith
The Family Fold misses our dear Eddie Smith, and asks that you remember our friend, Don Rhodes, in your prayers.
Easter 2023
Hope you’re having a blessed Resurrection day. We will still be celebrating tomorrow (Monday, April 10th, 2023) at 4:00 P.M. at our Family Fold Church Gathering on The Patio. Join us, if you get a chance.
“I will know my Savior when I come to Him by the mark where the nails have been.”
Flat Tire + Palm Sunday
We were on the road to Jacksonville, Florida on Thursday; but we didn’t make it past the Augusta-Richmond County line due to one of our tires going flat… We’re rescheduling Mom’s appointments at Mayo Clinic, and we hope to make the journey again soon. Thank you all for continuing to pray for us.
Come jam with The Family Fold!
Please join us for our “Family Fold Church Gathering on The Patio” tomorrow (Friday, March 24th, 2023) at 5:00 P.M. We like to follow it up with a little jam session like what you see in the video below. Bring your acoustic instrument, and pick along with us.
Next week we will travel to Jacksonville, Florida to take Mom to some medical appointments at Mayo Clinic. More to come on that in the next e-newsletter. Please send extra prayers our way. Thank you!
Family Fold Weekend… An Irish Jig + Church on Sunday
It’s a rainy night here in Augusta, Georgia with more rain projected for Saturday. So, weather-permitting, we will have our Family Fold
Church Gathering at The Patio on SUNDAY (March 19th, 2023) at 5:00 P.M. (Please note the later start time thanks to longer daylight.) Join us, bring a friend, and bring your acoustic instrument to jam with us after the service.
Hope you had a happy St. Patrick’s Day! Here’s a little Irish jig for you… “Kitty’s Wedding.”
3/11/23 Church Gathering
Soon we will share musical selections with you from that weekend. More to come…
Family Fold in Dahlonega
We are on the road to Dahlonega, Georgia for Opa’s memorial service. It will be tomorrow (Saturday, March 4th, 2023) at 11:00 A.M. at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Episcopal Church (1188 Hamp Mill Road, Dahlonega, GA 30533). Thank you for all of the prayers that you have said for our family. Please remember us all tomorrow at the memorial. And please pray that The Lord will give Mom extra strength for this road trip, and keep us all safe on this journey. Thank you!
My cousin, Christopher Armijo, created this montage below and set it to more of Opa’s salsa music. He plays the trumpet and sings on this number.
We had a blast last weekend at our “Family Fold Church Gathering!” We’re thankful for everyone who came out, and we hope you can join us again soon. We plan to get together next weekend (either Saturday or Sunday, March 11th or 12th). Keep your eyes peeled in our e-mail newsletter or on this website for the latest updates on that.
We hope you enjoy our rendition of “The Old Rugged Cross.”
Family Fold Church Gathering set for February 26th
It was pouring rain last night here in Augusta, Georgia; and it is a soggy, cool morning today. Mom said, “Let’s wait until it drys up and warms up.” So, our solution is to have our Family Fold Church Gathering TOMORROW (Sunday, February 26th) at 4:00 P.M. on The Patio. We plan to jam a little afterwards, so feel free to bring your acoustic instrument with you. It would be grand to see you, and we hope you can join us.
Family Fold Live Music in Dahlonega
We ask that you send extra prayers for us when we travel to Dahlonega, Georgia for Opa’s memorial service. It will happen on Saturday, March 4th, 2023 at 11:00 A.M.at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Episcopal Church (1188 Hamp Mill Road, Dahlonega, GA 30533). Please pray for our whole family, that we will have a safe trip, that Mom will have extra strength for the journey, and that God’s blessings will be upon us as we sing/play music at Opa’s service. Thank you for caring!
Another facet of my grandfather’s music… We hope you enjoy “Green Eyes,” featuring the trumpet of George Armijo…….
The Re-Start of “Family Fold Church Gathering” + Remembering Opa + Ricie Update + New Merchandise
The Family Fold is excited to announce that after a 3-year break (which we never wanted to take), we are restarting our “Family Fold Church Gathering.” Weather-permitting, it will be on Saturdays at 4:00 P.M. on The Patio. We will follow it up with a little jam session, so feel free to bring your acoustic instrument. We hope you can join us sometime!
In other news, we are grateful for your prayers for Mom regarding her health insurance. That did get straightened out, thank The Lord! We also found out that in April, Medicare will begin for Mom. This is a lot of new stuff that we’re learning here, so if you have any advice or Medicare tips, please share with us.
A few weeks ago, Mom took continuing education courses and renewed her nursing license. We are praising God that He has made Mom well enough to accomplish such a thing!
Thank you all for caring about Ricie. Please continue to hold her in your prayers. She still wants to walk again; get back to playing that big, upright bass; and many other things. Please keep praying for God to restore her 100%, and keep her safe and well.
The Family Fold has new merchandise! This is our latest t-shirt design, and we also have stickers available. Let us know if you are interested.
If you follow us on social media, you may have seen our prayer requests for Opa (my grandfather, George Armijo, Ricie’s father). He did go on to Heaven a few days ago. We miss him very much, and our family is grateful for how you’ve been holding us up in prayer. We hope you enjoy this “bootleg video” of us jamming to “When The Saints Go Marchin’ In” with the wonderful jazz musicians in Dahlonega, Georgia.
George T. Armijo of Dahlonega, GA, died on Thursday, February 2, 2023. He was born on December 9, 1942, in Cheyenne, WY, to George and Angel Armijo. He graduated from Cheyenne High School, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wyoming, and did graduate work at Georgetown University. He was a music teacher in Jackson, Glendo, Riverton, and Ten Sleep, WY.
In 1975, Mr. Armijo joined the United States Army as a bandsman. He served as a trumpet player at Ft. Carson, CO, and the School of Music in Norfolk, VA. In 1975 he was commissioned a Warrant Officer and commanded bands in Ft. Gordon, GA, Ft. Huachuca, AZ, Third Infantry Division Würzburg, Germany, and Ft. Rucker, AL.
Mr. Armijo was an active member of musical organizations wherever he was living. He was a member of the Casper Civic Chorale and sang with the St. Elizabeth’s choir in Dahlonega, GA. He played with symphony orchestras in Cheyenne, WY, Casper, WY, Augusta, GA, and Virginia Beach, VA, volunteered with the Casper College and University of North Georgia bands, and enjoyed playing with the Jazz Jam / Cindy Bell and Friends group in Dahlonega. He always had his trumpet with him and performed or “sat in” with musical organizations in Europe, South America, and the United States.
Mr. Armijo was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Helen Payne. Survivors include his wife, Kristi Armijo; son, Greg Armijo of Duluth, GA; daughter, Ricie Eubanks (Patrick) of Augusta, GA; brother Joe Armijo of Bozeman, MT; grandchildren Angela Armijo-Hurtado (Miguel) of Duluth, GA, Christopher Armijo (Michael Hartwell) of Bloomington, IN, Jacque Armijo of Toronto, Canada, and Eryn Eubanks-Miller (Greg) of Augusta, GA; great-grandchildren Clay Owens of Michigan City, IN and Ethan and Katie Owens of Duluth, GA, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at a later date, with burial at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA. The family would appreciate memorials to St. Elizabeth of Hungary Episcopal Church, 1188 Hamp Mill Road, Dahlonega, GA 30533 or Forgotten Clefs, 612 S. State Rd 446 Apt. 28, Bloomington, IN 47401.
Looking to 2023… New Year’s Greetings!
My husband, Greg, has been telling me for weeks that his Christmas gift for me is so unique that no one else on the planet would have it……. On Christmas morning, I was thrilled to receive this original watercolor painting above. I had no idea what the gift would be, and I never dreamed it would be custom artwork. This painting was done by the talented Frank Carstarphen. He and his wife, Linda, are dear friends of ours. This place on the corner of 11th & Broad Street in Downtown Augusta holds a multitude of precious memories for my band and many friends of ours. For a lot of us, that’s where we met. And… It is where Greg & I met. I’m very thankful for such a sentimental gift! I will cherish this painting forever. It represents so much for me. #familyfoldredvan #ourstorybegins
Do you have memories of The Family Fold’s Metro Coffeehouse days? We were blessed to have 6-years of playing music there every Saturday afternoon. Please share your stories with us. That will make our day!
Quick, Specific Prayer Request for Ricie…
The new year brings new health insurance for Mom. We have been working on this for 6-weeks and have done everything we can to speed the process. (If we had our way, it would have been all taken care of 6-weeks ago.) Please pray for God to makes these companies act quickly so she is not without any health insurance coverage. She needs her medicines, her physical therapy, and her doctors’ appointments. Thank you for caring and praying!
It’s that time of year when The Family Fold likes to play for you “Auld Lang Syne.”
We pray you have a blessed 2023!
Thank you for praying for us and being with us in spirit this past year.
We are grateful to God for you being a part of our Family Fold.
Christmas 2022 with The Family Fold
Merry Christmas with Love from The Family Fold! We hope you enjoy our rendition of “Mary’s Boy Child” above.
Your prayers for Ricie are such a gift to us! We are thankful she can celebrate Christmas at home. Last year, she was in the hospital in Florida; and 2-years ago, she was in our local ER in excruciating pain. So this year is better, praise God! Please keep your prayers going for her.
We also thank The Lord that last week Ricie & Patrick celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary.
We have loved ones who are celebrating their first Christmas in Heaven.
Y’all may remember praying for our friend, Mary Anne, who crossed over last month. Her sister/best friend, Myrtle, took sick and went on to Heaven, too, this month. As it has always been, Mary Anne & Myrtle are together again like two peas in a pod!
Also, the daughter of The Family Fold’s late guitarist/vocalist, Jim Jewell, crossed over. I know Gail is rejoicing in Heaven with her daddy, our “Precious Jewell.”
Please say a prayer for all of their loved ones here on earth. Thank you!
On December 23rd, Maybelle celebrated 5-years of being The Family Fold’s beloved cat! She is so affectionate and smart. I believe she thinks she’s a little Doberman, haha!
Update from Ricie
“Happy Monday! Hope you all are doing well. I’m doing fine, just a little bit impatient for my progress. I’m still unable to walk. We went to Mayo Clinic two-weeks ago for outpatient visits, but I got admitted to their hospital during that time. I am happy to be back home now. The fractures in my back weren’t new and did not require surgery. They fitted me for a back brace to help with the healing and the pain. I’m hoping everyone has a great Christmas. I would be out and about seeing everybody, but it’s cold and flu season, and I can’t walk. Thank you all for praying for me. Don’t forget to keep on praying for me to get back to doing everything I want to do. Thanks! And thank You, Lord Jesus, for getting me this far and continuing to do more.” ~Ricie Eubanks
The outpatient became an inpatient…
Prayer Alert for Ricie… Although Mom had good followup appointments (Brain MRI & Infectious Disease) yesterday at Mayo Clinic, it was discovered that she has fractures in her spine. We spent the night in Mayo ER, and she was admitted to the Mayo Hospital in the wee hours of the morning. Please pray for her! She has excruciating back pain. Please pray for her medical team, and please pray for God to bring healing to her spine. Thank you!
“Thank You, Lord, For Your Blessings On Me”
Happy Thanksgiving from Mom & Me! We hope you enjoy this song we filmed for the holiday.
In a few days, we will travel to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. We will be there for a few days as Mom has several doctors’ appointments. She will have a brain MRI, a kidney ultrasound, see neurology, neurosurgery, and infectious disease. Please pray that she will get good reports from all of these people. And please pray that we will have a safe and smooth trip.
A few weeks ago when we were talking with someone from Mayo Clinic, he said they were all familiar with Mom and knew her name. He said that her case has been presented so many times and they have learned a lot from her… Wow!
This Thanksgiving we are especially grateful for how God is helping and healing Mom, and we are thankful for every prayer that you say for her. Please keep on praying!
We pray that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend, and we thank The Lord for you.
Preparing for Florida travels… And thinking about that city where the roses never fade.
Greetings from Mom & me! We hope you’re doing well. We are preparing for our trip to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida that will happen shortly after Thanksgiving. We will be there a few days for several followup appointments Mom has there. Please pray for us to have safe travels and for her to get good reports.
(And if you feel compelled to give a little gas money, we do continue to keep Mom’s fund open. The links are still on this website.)
A few weeks ago, some of our church friends gave us these beautiful roses.
Roses always make me think of one of my all-time favorite gospel songs about Heaven… “Where The Roses Never Fade.” Below you’ll find a rendition of this song with a dear friend of mine, Margaret Frost. She’s been in Heaven several years now, and another sweet friend of The Family Fold joined her there this month. Our little Mary Anne crossed over. Please especially remember her best friend/sister in your prayers, Myrtle.
Peace, prayers, & blessings as you get ready for the Thanksgiving holiday. Know that we are grateful for you!
“I am going to a city where the streets with gold are laid, where the tree of life is blooming, and the roses never fade. Here they bloom but for a season. Soon their beauty is decayed. But I am going to a city where the roses never fade.”
All Saints Day with The Family Fold and The Saint Paul’s Choir
On All Saints' Sunday in 2021, The Saint Paul's Choir performed "My Last Days On Earth." The melody was written by Bill Monroe, and Eryn Eubanks wrote lyrics for it. Although the song is originally bluegrass, Eryn arranged this version especially for organ and choir. Big thanks goes to Keith Shafer (organ), The Saint Paul's Choir, and Paul Roberts.
“I see my time is drawing nigh,
Soon I’ll bid this world goodbye;
For my Lord above is calling me home,
But I shall not travel alone.
In Heaven, forever I’ll live,
This life, I’ll gladly give;
I’ll fear not when my hour comes,
Though it be my last days on earth.
O, Death, where is thy victory?
Christ took away thy sting;
He is The Way, The Truth, The Life,
And He is why I sing!
In Heaven, forever I’ll live,
This life, I’ll gladly give;
I’ll fear not when my hour comes,
Though it be my last days on earth.”
We pray this song is a blessing to you this All Saints’ Day!
The latest from Ricie
I thought you would be glad to see a recent photo and Facebook post from Ricie. As she works on getting better, she is also working on learning a new musical instrument… The Bass Guitar! This instrument has hung on our wall for years, and we are glad for Mom to finally give it a chance. She has always loved her big upright bass the best. The video below, “Watson Allman,” is an old Family Fold favorite that features a fine bass solo by Ricie.
Please keep your prayers going for Mom, and please send an extra one today as she has an appointment with one of her doctors at Mayo Clinic. Thank you!
Audrey on Eryn’s walk with The Lord
Below is an article that one of my music students wrote for a school assignment. When asked if she could interview me for this assignment, I thought it would be for a music class or something like that. When I found out that music wasn’t the topic, I was absolutely honored that she thought of me for this assignment… Wow! Audrey may not be an official journalist with the press, but I think this is the nicest article anyone has written about me… ERYN
Eryn Eubanks is a famous musician who is well-known around the CSRA. She has been playing music since a very young age, and she displays her relationship with God through her music and talent. She has been teaching me music since I was young, and she has inspired me in my walk with Christ as well. She loves the Lord; her story and testimony has inspired me, and I hope it will inspire many others that hear it.
Eryn has been a Christian pretty much her whole life. She isn’t sure what age she was saved, but it was quite young. However, she remembers to this day, the first time she went to church. Sunday, April 24, 1988 was her first time going to church, and she was only ten days old. Her grandparents were the ones to take her, and they raised her in the church. They always took her to church every Sunday, because her parents were busy working most of the time. She always knew what salvation was, and she knew that Jesus was always with her. She has sensed God’s providence play throughout her whole life, in every aspect. From being born to a wonderful family, to her amazing church experiences, and by her bad situations turning into good ones, God’s providence has always made a way for her. She says that when any concert she does goes well, that is because of God, and otherwise, she can’t do anything without him.
Eryn always tries to spend time with God throughout the day. She goes by the saying “Pray without ceasing”. She always tries to glorify God through everything she does. She makes time to read devotionals and daily Bible passages, and she sings gospel songs anytime she gets the chance. She also enjoys mediating on scripture throughout the day, and falling asleep to the Christian radio station at night. Eryn also establishes God honoring priorities through all she does. She makes sure she goes by his word in all choices she makes. She still gets overwhelmed sometimes, but keeps going for God’s glory.
Eryn has two Scripture passages that have always meant a great deal to her. Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” This verse helped her get through her open heart surgery. She found out she had to have the surgery on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. Her mom and dad ordered her flowers with that verse on a card during that time, and later that day, her husband gave her that exact same verse. The verse came to her one more time during the day, and this verse helped her get through this hard time. She saw it as a promise from God, and that promise was fulfilled with a successful surgery. Eryn also loves Phillipians 1:6, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” This verse has helped her during her life right now, because her mom is having some health issues. It has also inspired her in her music career.
God has impacted her life in so many incredible ways. Just by the way he orchestrated her life, her rescue from death with her open heart surgery, and the Lord rescuing her dad from a deadly case of pneumonia when she was only eight years old. God had preserved her and her families life all these years, and he still does. She has many eye opening experiences which moved her close to God, including her surgery and when she broke her leg and couldn’t walk for six months. The Holy Spirit taught her how to keep a positive attitude during all situations. She hasn’t had any challenges with non-believers because she is a Christian. She had been very fortunate. Most people know that she is a Christian, but those who don’t believe have never given her a problem, which she considers to be a blessing.
Eryn’s walk with God and her career and life in music have brought many relationships into her life. During her homeschool experience, she got to build her relationship with God and her grandparents. She also got to meet her lady friends and her husband. Because public school was so bad, homeschool opened doors for her that have led to where and who she is today. When she was asked what advice she would give to a young person who wants to serve the Lord, she said that you should always stay close to him. Pray and give your heart to him on a daily basis. Make sure to know and study your Bible, and do your best to find people who teach the Bible properly. Serve the Lord in all you do and bring glory to him. Use your gifts, no matter what they are, to glorify him.
Eryn Eubanks’ life and testimony pulled at my heart strings and really helped me learn what a real relationship with the Lord looks like. She lives her life for him, and never gives up even in the hardest of situations. She has inspired me and helped me get where I am today in my music career and walk with Christ. She sees the world through God’s eyes and loves the Lord with all her heart. When she walks into the room, you can just feel the presence of God radiating off of her. She always has a smile on her face no matter the situation, because she knows God is always there, and I aspire to be just like her, and live for God in everything I do.
-Audrey Barefield (May 14, 2022)
In Memory of Tom Bock
The Family Fold is thinking of our friend, Tom Bock, and remembering his loved ones in prayer. Tom’s celebration of life service happened on September 25th, 2022.
We were blessed to meet him at Club Magnolia one Masters Week many years ago. Each April, we would be so glad to see him again because he would sit nearby for hours listening to our band and clapping after every song. He would tell us that he would rather be there at Club Magnolia taking in our music rather than out at the golf course. Wow! What a compliment to receive during golf’s biggest week! And whenever we saw him, I always had to sing for him “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.” That was his song.
We post this song in his honor, as well as a video from Club Magnolia to give you a sense of those happy times.
Thanks be unto our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ, our Family Fold will see Tom Bock again, over the rainbow.