Parousia is a band comprised of four sisters singing together both in harmony and with many instruments, but it was not always this way. It all began with simply singing. Rachel had learned to sing at a very early age, and when Sarah was old enough to get out a few notes, they sang together in the church band every Sunday. As they grew older, it did not occur to them that they could harmonize until one Easter Sunday when their mom suggested a song for them to sing as a special for church. She explained to them that they did not have to sing the same notes all the time in the song, but could have their own, separate parts. Showing this to them on the piano was all they needed to begin their exploration in this new realm of fascinating melody improvisation and harmony altering. Rachel would sing, and no matter what the song was, Sarah would sing the harmony with her. Rachel had always had so much passion for singing, and no matter what the task at hand, throughout the house could be heard Rachel's voice ringing bright with Sarah's following in harmony. It did not take long before there was something more they wished to attain in this new discovery. In consequence, Hannah was then snatched up and commanded to sing lead while Rachel was taught a harmony, Sarah taking the second harmony to explore with. Together the three formed chords and challenged themselves with songs to practice with and sing for church. A capella was what they loved, and on perfecting their sound with each other carefully and critically, they moved forward. Instruments were not used when the girls sang in the early stages. Each one of them started on piano, and as time progressed they continued to learn more and expand their musical abilities. Intentions were not set on anything in particular, only a pure love for making music and learning. Since that depiction portrays a view of perfect, inhuman children, I am compelled to mislead my reader no longer. You may rest assured that the children were human and even normal. Being quite normal, competition continually raged as new instruments came into view and each child selfishly desired to learn all she could in bettering her siblings. This is actually a healthy environment for young musicians to learn in, and among the four sisters was included their brother. They were soon inspired by a young, acoustic band, and for the sake alone of fun and some acknowledgment in town, Rachel, Sarah, Hannah, and their younger brother Stephen joined together to sing and play songs that they had copied from favorite artists. There were no climactic aspirations in this endeavor however, and it soon dwindled to nothing as they went through their teen years. Nothing… as a band. Individually, each still competitively worked at their instruments and gobbled up new musical knowledge, and the three oldest girls still enjoyed squeezing their harmonies in tightly together as they only grew stronger with every new song sung in church. Rebecca, through all of this, quietly sat and watched. She loved the piano, and soon dramatically passed each of her siblings in this instrument, one by one. She eventually settled in as piano player for church, and surprisingly, there was no jealousy in this. This is perhaps because she crept into the position so subtly, attacking everyone with her sudden pro-abilities, that the others simply sat back in awe, inwardly deciding that she deserved every bit of it and simply letting it go. Rebecca helps her siblings as they progress on piano, and has never put any of them down for their lack thereof. She received a Christmas gift in 2006 of her beloved acoustic bass, which she was impressed upon to learn quickly as the girls decided to, once again, perform together lightly and see what came of it. Her voice was found, and without being given so much as shadow of a chance to object, was handed a part as the now "quartet" sang together. There was a difference in their desires at this time as what it had been previously, and all were sincere and finally loving as they sang and practiced together. Stephen went solo in his musicianship as he sort of "outgrew" the girls, Hannah found her niche in a fiddle she is in love with and continually growing with in repertoire, Sarah discovered contentment and happiness in her music to God, Rachel realized just how much music truly meant to her, and Rebecca... has become aware of her limitations, which, by the way, do not exist. Music does something to people, consciously or unconsciously. Music can bring out any emotion in a person, and reaches them sometimes where they never thought they could be reached, or even knew that part of them existed. There is a depth within each of us that only God can touch, and He will use His children to work through in this process of freeing us from ourselves. This band has one desire, and that is to be used in this manner for God. We do not seek fame or fortune, but to sing for God's people, and to be an encouragement to all that need it. Being nothing in ourselves, it is up to our Lord Jesus to bless our music and make it sound to you the way He needs it to. Yes, it is a ministry, and Parousia is but servants in the hands of God. This is our freshman project and our hope is that these old songs re-sung, will touch you as much as it did us singing them. We love the old songs and hope to continue re-singing them in the future and making them new again to a new generation! The above is a short compilation of the past, a past that deserves a book’s length of writing this journey that seems to have only just begun. Only God knows where it will take us, since He has already written this book and is the One turning the pages as we travel along. Thank you for reading, and we hope you get a chance to listen to our music! Lord bless you all.