Sunday, April 15, 2007

All That Happened at the 53rd Family Reunion




Great! Fantastic! Amazing! Just a few words that were used to describe our 53rd Family Reunion that happened this week-end. To get the party started, Saturday night was a concert that featured the releases of my new CD and Bryce's CD. After some praise and worship, I was introduced by my husband who bragged on me much more than I deserve. After singing five songs, Blake and I introduced Bryce. I first spoke and gave a brief history of Bryce's singing which began at five years of age singing the solo part of Isaac in an Easter musical, progressing to elementary school talent shows, runner-up in the 2005 Exalting Him National Talent Search, to the current time of his solo project. Then Blake took over and said, "He is also the guy that picks on me and torments me, but I will give him credit for teaching me how to play basketball. Would you please put your hands together for my big brother - BRYCE ALLARD!" Bryce brought the house down singing the first five cuts from his CD and I was the proud mom. He was followed by Tim Spell who gave us an amazing hour of his vocal abilites. Immediately following, was a wonderful reception which included four different salads, gourmet crackers, veggies, specialty cookies, mango-peach tea, and an assortment of fresh fruit complete with fresh strawberries and a chocolate fountain. There was a large board set-up where people could write congratulatory notes to Bryce, and then Bryce was presented with a Spumoni ice cream cake. He loves Spumoni ice cream and was so happily surprised. We had many guests, but topping the guest list for Bryce was his dear friend, Tyler Sullivan from Sacramento, California and Laura and Felicia Cardoza. Laura is the mom of one of Bryce's school mates, Chuck, from Kindergarten to sixth grade. Chuck wasn't able to attend, but his younger sister Felicia came with her mom. This was such a great surprise for Bryce and he had a great time visiting with them.
Sunday morning, Tyler sang "Play It Again." It was fantastic! He has also recently released a new CD. Of course, Tim Spell sang and then he preached an incredible message about The Good Samaritan. He spoke of how the thieves were communist, socialist, and marxist, and the priest and levite were capitolists. His sermon also instructed people to suppress prejudice. It was just an outstanding message. After a fabulous lunch at P.F. Chang's, we returned to the evening service. Again, Tyler sang and Tim Spell sang and preached. His message was about spiritual dehydration and hunger. I won't take the time to give you the whole thought, but it was awesome. The snapshots are, Bryn and Spell, Bryce, Blake and Spell, and Bryce and Tyler.
It was such a happy time, but I am now completely exhausted and hear my pillow calling my name.

21 comments:

  1. Sounds like a great time, I am so happy that all went well, God Blesses, my "HOME" Church in Delano, all the time, I was so sorry that I could not be there, things just didnt work out, I know that you and your son blessed others with your singing, I am proud to say that "that's my pastor's wife and family" I love you and your family so very much, God Bless you, Cher

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  2. It sounds like you all had a wonderful time. Congratulations to you and Bryce on your new projects. They are AWESOME!

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  3. Cheri - thanks for your sweet comments.

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  4. Mark - thanks. Wish you, Deb and Sheldon could have been here. You would have loved Spell's messages.

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  5. I'm glad ya'll had a wonderful time. It's always so special with things are "just right" and it sounds like it was. Blessings to you and yours.

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  6. Linda - thanks for dropping by. Blessings to you, too.

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  7. It does sound like a wonderful time, and I'm glad everything went well! I thought that was Tyler Sullivan in the pictures, and then it was confirmed when I read your post. I met him and his sister Katy last year at our Jr. Camp. He did a great job leading worship, and his sister was one of the sweet girls in my cabin. Anyhow, I'm glad you all had a blessed time, and may you have many more happy family reunions.(if the Lord tarries)

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  8. Hi, Carol - Thanks for dropping by. We really did have a great time and it was so special for Tyler to come. He and Bryce have been good friends for a long time. Tyler sang several special songs and he did a great job. My favorite is "Play It Again." It is a jazzy tune with a big band sound and he does a great job vocally. His sister Katie is a sweetheart. I believe she is going to travel with us this summer on the WAY Choir tour.

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  9. So glad everything went great! May you and your church be blessed with many more family reunions!

    www.iluv2prshim.wordpress.com

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  10. Hi, Helen - wish you could have been here. It really was great.

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  11. Jana, I am glad to hear that you had such a fantastic family reunion. All of you are so amazing.

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  12. Thanks, Debbie. You are so sweet.

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  13. What a wonderful time you all must have had. I'm so happy for you and for Bryce in your musical accomplishments. It's so awesome to use your talents for the glory of God!

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  14. Glad to hear your "family reunion" was so good. What a wonderful way to bring everybody back home for time of togetherness. When I pastor (LOL!) a church I'm going to start that tradition.

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  15. Thanks, Karen, for your nice comment and for dropping by.

    Sheree - I think you would make a great pastor! LOL Our church has really enjoyed anniversary time since we changed it to family reunion. We always have an elegant reception and we usually have nice (wedding like) invitations made and sent to all that have been connected to the church and especially those that have strayed. I always look forward to family reunion.

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  16. Congratulations!! Wish we hadn't missed it!!

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  17. Hi, Jana! I wish you could have been here, too.

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  18. Hello Jana and congratulations to all of you. The party sounds wonderful and I wish we could have been there.

    Keep up the good work with your family and with your church.

    Love,

    Shirley
    www.shirleybuxton.wordpress.com

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  19. Hi, Sis. Buxton - it was wonderful and I wish you could have been there, too.

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