Runs in the family - just look and see!

Good Evening! Sis. Karla this is especially for YOU! When Alayna walked in, my first thought was Tom Landry and of course - the "boys". The Dallas Cowboys that is. Sis. Mandy said this was a present from Grandma Orange. It is really cute. I know you love pictures, so here they are. Of course, Howie jumped on Bro. Kenny's lap this morning and I could not resist and then Sis. Elms reminded me that Alayna and I had on the same colors so here we are.

I will tell you a secret, there are more coming that are even more special - that is all I am going to say. hehehehehe!

What do YOU want to happen in YOUR church.....YOUR city?

Good Afternoon! WOW! What a service and it all started in Sunday School or rather it really started with a burden for souls. This morning in SS, Sis. Elms challenged us to "WRITE" our vision for "our" church and "our" city. At first you see a blank sheet of paper and you are expected to fill it out. But not really, there were no expectations, only realizations. It is our church and it is our city, we welcomed the space to put our vision. It was an opportunity to rekindle all those many wonderful visions that each of us have sat on many days desiring to see God do.
I dove right into it and I would like to share with all. I know there are many that were in SS today that will read this but for those "Lifers" that were not in there to hear all the many wonderful visions. I know You would love to hear so that your hearts will be continually stirred. (Not like this morning worship service was not reason enough to rejoice because it was.) If God chooses to never bless me again, I have been blessed in an abundance that would definitely suffice for the rest of my life. This morning being one of them.

In MY church - these things ARE happening in the midst of our lives.
(however, I have a desire for MORE!)
1. UNITY among the brethren at all times.
(there is only (1) goal and that is salvation and heaven.) - that includes everything worthwhile.
2.CONSTANT CONCERN for the lost.
(More than just, oh I want them to be saved)
Relationship-the Word-Relationship-the Word-Relationship-the Word. Need I say more?
3. Plans for a bigger church because all of the above has taken place.

In My City - it happened this morning, glory to God!

I see us as a "Lighthouse" both physically & spiritually

--a building where one (both lost and saved) can run into and be safe

--a body that when one enters: the presence of God is so strong that one becomes an overcomer by His Spirit almost instantaneously!

My brothers & sisters - let your faith be built by what we experienced this morning. We are all a part of the great outpouring of the Holy Ghost that God is releasing. This is only the tip of the iceberg. God is moving on our behalf. His promises, let me say again, His promises are yea and amen. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so. We as a body of believers said so this morning and God moved.

I thank the Lord for the mighty works that were done this morning and what is happening and moving in the Spirit world as I write this.

Be encouraged and remember: Through Christ I CAN!

Sis. Elms left us with this last question:
What will I do to make MY vision come to pass?

Remember they will be "WON by ONE".

Enjoying Life!

Good Evening to all my fellow bloggers! I have been thinking a lot lately - I know that could be scary but I have been doing it anyway. It is amazing how the cycles of life goes and what happens in each of them. I have learned to enjoy them all. Everyday here is a day closer to heaven. Some may not like that kind of talk but it is true. I look forward to heaven and just being there trying to catch my breath from being totally overwhelmed with God's glory that all I can say is "Holy, Holy, Holy"! I so looked forward to snow this weekend but more than that, the time to relax again and come enjoy the peace of the slowness of life. I do not think for us of "Life" that it is of coincidence that the last two weekends that things have slowed down. I firmly believe that this has been a time for us to piece together our desires to move to a higher and greater level of worship, witnessing and walk with our Lord. I am blessed to be surrounded by the greatest bunch of saints. I encourage all of us to continue on the course that has been set before us and have great faith to see all that God is doing and going to do. Remember, God is going to do exactly what HE said HE would do. How true! Putting one foot in front of the other is a great way to get to another place and new place. We have a newness that is flowing through all of us and God is willing to complete His Promises. We are not perfect, but as we do the right things on a daily basis, we become perfected by HIM. Be blessed and enjoy knowing as we serve HIM, He is doing great things on our behalf.

Twas the Night Before...........

Well........here we go to finally get back into the "routine" of things. I have rather enjoyed the lack of routine. I am sure from the reading I have done on the blogs that some have a home that is in much better shape than when Friday began. Guess what? Us too! We have used this time to our benefit. I am excited about the "WORD" that I was privileged to hear this weekend and and am looking forward to being with all the many "worshippers" of Life Tabernacle on Wednesday. I know that the weather has put a stop to many people going many places but it will never stop the Lord's desire to be worshipped. I know this is nothing new to any and all of you who flood thru these blogs. I just want to encourage all of us to put this weekend as a special memory of how the Lord will slow our world down and give us that down time we have so desperately needed.

Have a great start of a new week and still bundle up because it will be cold and we may just get some snow and who knows another restful weekend.

God bless you all!
P.S. Just wanted to throw in a picture with the post. hehehehe!!

P.S.S. Monkey see monkey do - one changes their background and we all follow suit, well most of us. I like the change.

Children's Choir on January 7th

These are just a couple of pictures from that night for you to see. I know you hated to miss and especially when the children are singing. I took a few shots of them at choir practice and thought I would share them with you and the blog world. ENJOY!!

Sitting by the Fire

Today has been a day of relaxation and I am so thankful for it. I have done a few things but I have been glad to not have been running around doing this and that. I need times like these just to sit and enjoy. Most of all, just to sit. The fire has been an added and extra pleasure. I really don't believe I will ever live in a house or have a home without a fireplace. It is a must for me. I also dreamed of having one when I was younger. When I was single and lived in Little Rock, I was tickled when my apartment had a fireplace. The irony was I lived there during the summer and never has a chance to use it. One of the apartments we have lived in since being married, Kathy was 5 years of age at the time had a fireplace and we loved it. We were so thankful too. Why? One year, Feb 1996 during "Because of the Times" the ice was so bad that it was so heavy on the wires that several transformers blew. Ours was one of them - we were in the cold for a very long time. Our fireplace was all we had and we were very glad.
Fireplaces always make me think of slowing down to relax and enjoy. So whether you have a fireplace or not I hope you take this time to sit, relax and enjoy. Did I mention those words enough to entice you to do so? I hope so!!

Exciting News for a 7-year old

Today is the big day! Howieman has finally lost his first tooth! He was so excited and giddy! I wish I would have had the video on but I was too excited myself to even think. I love to watch anyone truly smile but especially a child, it is so neat and just "real". Here are a few pics trying to get the shot of his tooth gone without it looking goofy was tricky. I am still not sure if we succeeded, I am sure you will enjoy it anyway.

Howie is super excited and he asked if we knew the phone # to the tooth fairy. I said yes and Dan said no. It was funny to say the least!

Guess what - we have no cash in the house. Tooth fairy is making a run to take care of business. LOL!!

Tammy's 5 Things Most People Don't Know

5 Things Most People Don't Know about ME!!!

1. Some may know but with the amount of people that come in and read this who knows or who remembers. LOL! Anyway, I lived in Riverside California when I was a little girl. I was in 2nd grade. Which for everyone's information, my dad was in the Air Force and we were stationed at March AFB that is only 7 miles from Bro. Booker's church in Rialto. I was there in 71 & 72. Those of you of knowledge - think back and tell me what churches was there during that time and who the pastors were. Who knows Sis.Elms - maybe there was a Fosters Freeze nearby and we went to it. =))That was when I was introduced to Disneyland and even went to a taping of the game show, "Let's Make a Deal". If you are under 40, you probably don't have a clue of what I am talking about. I remember California being the most fun all of us kids ever had living. We did so many things out there to include, Laguna Beach and going to see car races somewhere. We even went up to Bear Mountain - it was not snowing as we went up but on the way down it became a snowstorm.

2. Lynn - this is for you. I was a band nerd in high school also and college for that matter. We went to State every year and even won sweepstakes one time. It was a lot of fun. What most don't know is that I went to college on a music scholarship - I was one of the highest paid non-music majors. I spent most of my college life being involved in music. So why did I not major in music? Remember this is only what others don't know - not the why hour? Just teasing! But get this -trumpet is not what I played - French horn is the primary instrument that I received all of my accolades on.

3. I lettered in tennis in high school and then when I was teaching high school in Alexandria they asked me to coach the tennis team there and I accepted. Cute skirts but just too short - that was very short lived for me! LOL! I enjoy playing all different sports but those days are over - I like Sis. Ronda wrote on hers was a tomboy growing up and really enjoyed being outside.

4. I was privileged to be at the 2nd Inauguration of President Clinton. I was in the orchestra in Alexandria and the choir & orchestra was invited to go and perform at the church service the morning of the swearing in. It was a great honor to be on the grounds and nearby allt he excitement that was going on. It was bitter cold on those days but it was well worth it. The subway was definitely an experience along with downtown Washington DC.

So many things all of a sudden that floods my mind, which one do I chose?

5. Okay, here it goes: I have read how some hate the rain and tornadoes. I personally hate to drive in it and have my share of being in bad rainy situations. However, if I had my druthers - I love to sit on the back porch while it is raining and just watch & of course drink my coffee. Sitting with family and/or friends and relaxing to the voices of each other sharing stories is truly something that floats my boat. I could do that for hours and as some of you know - I have!Okay, there are my five and now it is time for me to tag.

This is going to be a surprise but since Bro. Jason and Sis. Julie now have a blog for their upcoming wedding. Julie and Jason consider both of you tagged.We all look forward to yall's 5.

To all - have a great day and be blessed in Jesus name.

Why I chose "Blessings from the Bryants"

For so much of my life if not all, I can look back and see the hand of the Lord guiding and moving on behalf of me and my family. Sometimes there has been trials but I have learned to enjoy them as they come because I AM GROWING through them. I believe that today and will always believe that.

I just have to post this picture of my wonderful family
Please bear with the red eye, I forgot to set the camera correctly before getting Sis. Kim to take the picture. Oh well - life goes on.


I am so thankful for the family that God has blessed me with. First of all, putting Dan & I together was no short of a miracle that Cupid was definitely involved in. It is amazing how things (LIFE) works when you fall and I do mean "fall" in love. Which reminds me, the comment that Bro. Kris made about Sis. Elms post about having a crush on Bro. Elms. That is exactly how it should be. There is no one I would rather be with at ANY given time than my "sweet" husband. He has always been my hero and always WILL! Anyway, back to my blessings - then there are my wonderful children. Very different in so many ways but the main thing that they share is a "love for life". I love to watch them play together especially when they think no one is watching. I love watching both of them grow up. Being they are so many years apart makes things very interesting. However, I would not change a thing. I love them both so dearly. They truly are "my treasures!"






Cute picture of Kathy and Howie huh?
Yes it is!



Here are a few pictures of my family, this is Kathy Liz with my mom and then again with my sister Kathy, who so graciously put her life on hold for all of us during Howie's time of illness that I truly believe that God has healed. Thank You Jesus. Here is one of Howie with his Papa Herschel, they have a lot of fun together when out at the country home, just being a boy and his grandpa.
Continuing on with my blessings to include my immediate family. My parents did instill in me that doing the "right" thing is always the best choice. My brother and sisters have always been a "boss" to me being I was the "baby" of the family. I am glad of their good taking care of me.
From there I have to go to "Life Tabernacle" and what a blessing it has been to be among such an annointed church family. Yes, I came from a great church which grounded me in several areas but here at "Life" I have grown up in the Lord. Thanks so many times over to all the many saints here in Wichita Falls.
I guess I should end this now for a short while - I have to go and download some pictures to put with this post.
Until then - May God Bless You Richly!!

Well, I think I am finished for a short while. I will see you blogging!

We have FINALLY started!

Here we go! This is the first posting of our "NEW" blog. I am so sorry, I did not start this earlier. I was thinking I was too "technically challenged" - not anymore! LOL!

I have truly enjoyed all the posts from everyone else that I, we right, just had to start one also.

Pictures will come soon!

Let us see how this works and go from there.

I love the 5 things that others don't know - definitely neato!