As I write today, Eleanor and I are visiting family in SC. Except for my parents, none of my family had met her. We spent yesterday with my 90 year old grandma. These are very special moments. My sweet baby will soon be 4 months old. Time is flying by.

We are finally settling into normal life in Texas. Yes, it’s blazing hot, but I won’t start whining. There are too many blessings to make up for it. We are right where God has led us and there is no place like the center of His will.

I have missed my Avalon family and look forward to our shows starting in a few weeks. I feel so blessed to have a wonderful ministry in Avalon and now, a wonderful church family at Woodlands Church.

Stay cool. Baby is crying and duty calls….

Janna

So how ya been? (’pause for response…)

I am well and enjoying spending a morning with God. I spoke this morning, via Facebook, with someone who encouraged me about ministry and Avalon. He took time to share a story about how Avalon has ministered to him and how the new album, especially ARISE, has taken him out of his present situation to a higher place in God. I am always humbled at how God speaks to his children through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is an honor to be a vessel and your stories mean the world to us all.

Amy and I are doing well, our girls are hysterical and so loud. Ariah is gearing up for her first ballet recital in which she is a mermaid. She has been a little upset that she has to wear pants for that dance. “Ballet dancers don’t wear pants!” she said. We encouraged her that mermaid dancers do. Shalom is the “bull in a china shop” child. She does everything dramatically… We’ve been singing the B-I-B-L-E with her and now she says Bible all the time. I am not sure she understands what she is saying… she could be asking for a bottle She is so sweet. Definitely our bundle of peace.

2010 has been an action packed time in the family of Avalon. We have experienced both sides of the spectrum of life. I am always reminded that God is not far off but a very present help…  Would you all please help us pray for our dear friend Kristy. She has spend years traveling with us and has maintained sanity on the road through the care of our children. Her family is need of a miracle. Please pray for her and the family. God is in control but we often need to peace that passes understanding to surround us with songs of deliverance. The Mayfield family needs our prayers.

love you all and thanks for all that you do.

have a great week
Jeremi

Hello friends! Summer is here! We are enjoying much needed time off the road with our families! Jeremi, Ariah, Shalom and I are enjoying the Florida sunshine! Our girls are getting so big! Shalom just turned one and Ariah is preparing for her first ballet recital!

I hope everyone is doing fabulous! Our new single (which has been out for a couple of months now) is Alive. Don’t forget to call your local radio stations and request it.

On another note, I have just begun a new devotional… This study is teaching me to strive to be  ”excellent” in everything I do… God has called us all to a level of excellence through Him! We must strive for this in every aspect of our lives- through our children, work, everything! My wonderful hubby just purchased The Message bible for me and I am loving it! I came across this passage, and I wanted to share it with you all…

“Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.”
Philippians 1:10-11 The Message

I hope everyone has an “Excellent” day! Love to all! AMY

Random- my new “repeat” song on my iPod is “How He Loves” by David Crowder… EXCELLENT SONG!!!

Baby Long is here!

Eleanor has arrived and we are all excited……tired but excited. She was born on Feb 9 and was 9.2 lbs and 20 inches. We decided to take time away from touring this time instead of having someone fill in for Janna.

Janna and Eleanor are well and I, daddy, am VERY grateful.

Peace

Greg

Congratulations to Janna and Greg on their new addition, Miss Eleanor Hovland Long!

Happy New Year!

I have decided that this year is going to be my best yet! We (Jeremi, myself, Ariah and Shalom) are staying busy! We are enjoying being home off the road for a few weeks! The weather is warming up (for us FL folks) and spring is around the corner! We will be celebrating Shalom’s first Birthday in March! I cannot believe how fast a year can pass! Ariah is enjoying ballet and getting really good at it I must say! I am so thankful for my family and God’s blessings in our lives!

I’m so excited for Janna and Greg! We are all anticipating the arrival of baby Long!

“Alive” is our next single! Be listening for it and don’t forget to request it at your local radio stations! Thanks everyone for all of your support!

LOVE to all and here’s to a great 2010!

AMY

Wow.  Where shall I begin? So many things going on in our lives, the biggest being the arrival of baby Long.  I am due in just a few, short weeks.  I must admit I’m pretty miserable at this point.  Sleep is hard to come by and I have little energy.  But, I know the end result is going to be spectacular.  I can’t wait to see if we have a boy or girl.  We will definitely be posting our big news when the day finally arrives.

Also, Greg and I are helping lead worship at Woodlands Church in Texas.  We are really enjoying this new opportunity.

Well, hope you are having a wonderful 2010.  I know God is up to great things in all of our lives.  Sometimes, we just have to slow down and see where He is moving.

Many blessings and I hope to be reporting baby news soon.

Janna

What an interesting fall we have been having in the world of Avalon. We wrapped a tour with our great friends, Selah, and toured our Christmas Album, Joy. We’ve laughed and cried together and walked hand in hand through the celebration of new life and the uncertainty of sickness. In all these situations God has proven faithful.

I love how the book of Isaiah says: When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end – Because I am God, your personal God…

We’ve also had the joy of celebrating our 22nd number one single, Arise! Arise is from our newest project, Reborn.

So now what? Well, it’s Christmas season: it’s time to put up the trees, mix up some spiced tea and celebrate each other and the birth of our Lord. This Christmas, Ariah is so excited. She has miny dance recital on Thursday and Shalom is crawling and has a tooth. Where is time going? I also hope Santa brings everything the girls want

We (The Richardsons) would like to thank everyone for spending another year supporting us (Avalon) and our music. It is an honor to get to know many of you and celebrate on this journey together. Thank you for purchasing Reborn and remember it is a great stocking stuffer.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Jeremi

Avalon has achieved something that very few artists have garnered in their musical careers. For the 22nd time in the group’s 15-year history, Avalon has reached the #1 spot with their single, “Arise.” The hit song, which is top of the Billboard Soft AC-Inspo chart, is from the group’s current release, REBORN, which hit shelves September 15th (E1 Entertainment).

“We are thrilled our latest single ‘Arise’ is blessing so many people,” exclaims member Janna Long. “What a great reminder of the abundant life God calls us to.”

“Arise” has also been added to over 30 more stations across the nation, including American Family Radio and the FamilyLife Network. It’s been in the top 5 on the Billboard Soft AC-Inspo chart for 12 weeks, and has also charted on the INSPO, Indicator AC and Monitored AC stations.

“All of us at E1 Entertainment join in congratulating Avalon on the #1 single, ‘Arise,’ from their groundbreaking album REBORN,” states Jim Sturgeon, E1 Entertainment. “I want to thank Christian radio for their continued support of Avalon over the past 15 years. Get ready for the new single ‘Alive,’ coming in January.”

Since its release, REBORN has achieved much acclaim, with stellar reviews from outlets such as ChristianMusicToday.com, GospelMusicChannel.com, Soul-Audio.com, and AlphaOmegaNews.org. All Music Guide claimed, “Hands down, Reborn is the best album Avalon has released this decade,” while JesusFreakHideout.com stated, “Avalon is still one of the best in their game.”

Just days after wrapping up their “An Evening with Selah & Avalon,” the group will perform two more concerts – December 12th in Tallahassee, FL and Dec. 13th in Hollywood, FL – before the year’s end. For more tour information, please visit www.Avalonlive.com.

Hi friends,

Enjoying a dreary Nashville day. However, I have so much to be thankful for. How about you? No matter how life is going, there is always something to give thanks for.

Hope you had a great Turkey Day. We spent time in GA with my family. I ate and ate and ate….. Speaking of eating, I’m now 29 weeks pregnant. This baby loves gymnastics, especially when I’m trying to sleep. We are thrilled about this child coming into our home.

As many of you know by now, Greg’s dad, Curt Long, has been diagnosed with lung cancer. These are challenging days for us all. But, I was reminded in church this past Sunday that God is always working out His plan. Be encouraged today and rest in the peace of His truth.

Bus rolls tonight to begin our Christmas shows. Hope to see you soon.

Janna