This is the third time I have heard you and it never gets old! Can't wait until next time!

I like it best when you play backwards. I think I can put my head under the piano and play "Brother John", but that's the best I can do.
Age 9, Southern Illinois

Read more “Kids’ Comments.”

Hi. I am Lee Buchholz, President of the Washington, IA Optimist Club. I recently hosted our annual Youth Appreciation Dinner. Washington High School students who are invited to attend are students who were spotted doing something good above and beyond. Their names were submitted by a staff person to the guidance counselor's office. These students, and their families, are then invited to the Youth Appreciation Dinner.

It became my task to find a speaker who could congratulate and inspire these students to continue their good deeds. A friend of mine gave me a flyer regarding Laurel Jean…Upon contacting her; it became evident that she was the person for the job.

Laurel Jean provided dinner music while we were eating and then spoke to the group regarding her life and experiences. I have met parents and students after this event who have thanked me for having Laurel Jean. They have remarked what a great example she is for not being restrained by her handicap.

Laurel Jean's music is entertaining, pleasant and also bears a message. The audience was especially appreciative of the fact that she also composes her own music. She sings as well as plays, so she is well worth the effort to schedule her for your next need.

While in Washington, IA, Laurel Jean also did an assembly for third, fourth and fifth grade students. The teachers and students were anxious to share with me what a great job she did. Laurel Jean appeals to all generations.
Lee Buchholz, 2013 President, Optimist Club, Washington, Iowa

Laurel Jean has been dedicated to assisting CRANE for the past four years. CRANE is a non-profit organization of volunteers aimed at educating inner city youth through fun and interactive learning processes in the arts, sciences, and life skills. CRANE runs special programs during the Charleston, SC Recreation Department Summer Camps.

 
Several years ago CRANE ran a summer program," Creatures Around Charleston", to teach the children about animals, reptiles, birds, and sea life. Laurel Jean, Audrey Gunter and the team of Dixie Land Guide Dog Users, Inc. came out to work with the children that summer. They immediately bonded with the children. Because many of the children have learning disabilities and other problems, it was very enlightening for them to see how Laurel Jean and her associates had overcome their own difficulties living with blindness.

Each summer after that Laurel Jean came in to sing Christian songs, read, and teach the children about her own personal challenges with blindness. She has often brought her keyboard to play and teach the children music. It is inspiring for the children to interact with Laurel Jean. Because there are often around 60 children, ages 5 -12, Laurel Jean always has brought additional people (Audrey, Shelby, Taylor and others) to share. Although the children are often divided up into smaller groups for closer interaction, Laurel Jean has entertained all 60 children at one time.

 
Not only does Laurel Jean have excellent rapport with the children commanding their undivided attention, a challenge few accomplish, but she has gained their love and respect. They anticipate her return and many want hugs and affection.

 
Laurel Jean has my highest regards and appreciation!

Patty Smith, Director of Summer Programs for CRANE
 

Dear Laurel Jean,
As we have always been, we were so blessed to have you to come and share the joy of the Lord in song with our congregation at Pennsylvania Avenue Free Methodist in Ottumwa, Iowa. This was the first time you came to Ottumwa, though Nancy and I have enjoyed your spirit-led worship when we pastored in Peoria. Our congregants gave many positive reports of the Lord working in their hearts through your songs of encouragement and worship. And the children were indeed excited when you spent time in Sunday school with them.

We love you and highly recommend your ministry to other congregations that are seeking the face of the Lord. God bless.

Pastor Tim and Nancy Ward, Pennsylvania Avenue Free Methodist Church, Ottumwa, Iowa

Laurel Jean,
You and your friends were, and are, a joy and a blessing to our church.  I've discovered on my journey that God knows exactly what He is doing.  He certainly knew what He was doing when He sent you our way!

Pastor John, First Christian Church, Brownstown, Illinois

Laurel Jean,
You cannot imagine the joy that you and your friends brought to us! To hear your wonderful talent and to enjoy your sense of humor during our Worship time was a great blessing to us all. I have shared the experience with other friends because I was so amazed by your sense of God's grace and gifts. We will definitely plan another time together.

 Rev. Bonnie Miller, Rehobeth United Methodist Church, Rehobeth, South Carolina

Laurel Jean,
...It was such a blessing to hear from so many people how your music had really made this Mission u's plenaries more meaningful and more enjoyable...Thank you for doing double duty leading the study and leading the music. I know the participants in your class were blessed and inspired. Then all of us got a little taste of your abundant musical talent!

Rebecca Rochester, Dean, 2014 Mission u, United Methodist Women, South Carolina Conference

Laurel Jean,
I was in your class at 'Mission u' in Spartanburg...I want to let you know that I really appreciate the follow-up information. The course was excellent and I truly enjoyed your presentations. I have been thinking about your comments regarding 'the eyes of my heart.' That will stick with me for a long time. I shared that thought with my prayer group today and we all agreed that those are God's eyes, His ways of looking at people. That is Grace, His gifts to us so that we can see as He sees. I have also shared your CD and really enjoy it. May God continue to bless your ministry.

Peggy D., Easley, South Carolina

Hi, Laurel.
The (talking) Bible arrived last week as scheduled and my dad loves it!!!! He asked me to express his thanks to you...May God continue to bless you in all that you do. This really made his day!

Denise Nurse, New York, New York

Dear Laurel Jean,
…Thank you’s are outpouring from everywhere in Concordia in response to your presentation for our International Lutheran Schools Week All-School Assembly. Many people approached us to thank us for such an enjoyable and inspirational day. You touched so many age groups in our crowd…preschool, elementary, high school, middle-aged and senior citizens…Chinese, Japanese, Norwegian, Vietnamese…It was so much fun to watch their faces! What a gift to reach so many age groups and nationalities at one time!
The (volunteer) Braille workers (honored during the presentation) were so impressed. You made their work so much more important to them. We pray that God continues to bless your ministry.

Your friends at St. Paul’s Lutheran Elementary School, Concordia, Missouri

Hello, Laurel Jean,
I had an opportunity to meet you and to hear your ministry at Fairview Presbyterian Church outside of Princeton, Indiana.  I am glad that you were able to come to our little country church. During Sunday School, you typed out each of our names on your Braille writer.  Mine hangs on my bulletin board above my desk and I see it nearly every day.  Thank you again for sharing your mission with us.  I enjoy reading your Newsletter.

Becky R

Laurel Jean,
All in our Victorious Missionary Family thoroughly enjoyed your show. They loved the spiritual songs, as well as the zanier ones. I noticed a lot of mouths dropping open when you played that song backwards. Amazing! Your sense of humor warmed their hearts, and made for a fun-loving experience on top of the special liturgy celebrating 45 years together. We are so grateful you were available to be a part of our 45th anniversary event. Thanks again and God's special blessings on you and your ministry.

The Victorious Missionaries

Thanks again for making the show one of the best ever!

From all of us on Country Gold, WRAY Radio, Princeton, Indiana

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you...from the bottom of our hearts and souls. Everyone really loved your dinner music and program for our Christmas Party, and some said that was the best program we had ever had. Will keep in touch.

From the Women of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Hanahan, South Carolina

Hi, Laurel Jean,
I enjoy your album, Mood Swings. It has a wide variety of music genres.  Thanks again for coming to our church.

Bill, Pekin, Illinois

Dear Laurel Jean,
Thank you so much for your message of Christian sisterhood, comfort and promise of continuing prayer.

Debbie, Bradenton, Florida

Good morning Laurel Jean...
What a blessing you and Dixie Land Guide Dog Users, Inc. placed on us yesterday at our Vacation Bible School at St Thomas!! We were talking about you long after you left!! You know, the adults there were quite interested and educated in many ways about guide dogs and broken eyes. I say the bigger the impression on the adults, the more they will share what they've heard with other adults and children! Praise God! The children really enjoyed hearing what you all had to say...Thank you all for educating us, sharing your ministries with us, and SHINING the love of Christ with your neighbors! God bless you and your ministries and every step you take! Thanks again for those brailed cards - the kids LOVED them!

Denise, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, North Charleston, South Carolina

Dear Laurel Jean,
Everyone was greatly impressed with you and your ministry for our meeting of the Full Gospel Businessmen, Lincoln land Chapter. People certainly left differently than when they came. May the Lord bless you abundantly in all that you do.

Full Gospel Businessmen, Lincoln land Chapter, Springfield, Illinois

Laurel,
...We are so very blessed to have you at Grace. I LOVE it when you sing and play for us. It is very obvious to see and hear that you and your ministry are anointed. I can't wait to see how God is going to use you next!! Blessings to you my sister in Christ.

Kim Harris, Music Director, Grace United Methodist Church, Charleston, South Carolina