Gale

So yesterday was my Uncle Gale's funeral.

We showed up right on time and were seated immediately. All the way there I was holding back the flooding tears. And when they started to play that wonderful song, "I can only Imagine" the flood gates were opened. Even tho I didn't know my uncle incredibly well, it was just so overwhelming. He's a loved one and thats all that matters.
My cousin, Kyle, preached a great message. A few more songs were played. Then we had a sharing time of memories of who he was and being with him. The last time I saw him was in April.

We were at my aunts house for a family reunion and all my family members and I were exchanging hugs and I didn't even notice him sitting in the corner when he rubbed my back and said, "well, do I get a hug" In turn I didn't even say anything but gave him the biggest hug I had in me.

After the ceremony we were escorted 45mins to the cemetery and when we got there my cousin preached a few more words, then, because my uncle served in the national guard, they shot off 3blank rounds, that by the way , scared the day lights out of me; and then we left and went to my aunts house and had a wonderful time. Saw a lot of family I haven't seen for years. Served my uncles favorite foods, including taco's and doughnuts. ;)

He was the most patient, loving, funniest person I knew.
And I was thinking, you know, he died right before Christmas, how sad, but then God said to me,
yes, I took him home early, but he got the greatest gift of all and he is now in paradise with me. No more sorrow, no more pain, trials or doctor visits. He's with the Lord now and thats the best place to be.

I had to share this because he was really special and I really loved him.

God Bless,
Mandie

May you all have a very blessed special Merry Christmas!

Glendale Glitters Christmas Recital

Last night was the Christmas recital at Glendale Glitters. Every year my teacher gets invited to bring all her singers to sing there. And its always so much fun!

We started rehearsing in September! Yes, that early. It paid off. This year was just a bit different tho, she did have one of her talented pianist come to play a piano piece. I felt his pain as he sat at the piano Thur. night trying so hard to play his song with all these distracting noisy girls! haha But he did very good. We must have ran the program 30times before calling it a night.

Yesterday was the big day! We had to be backstage at 5pm sharp. Then we had to wait for Lori to get there to hand out our passes so the Security guards could let us in(ok, they really were nice tho!). It went by sooo fast! I'm sad its already over.
It was very hard to keep all the girls quiet while the other singers were on stage. Some of those girls are very obnoxious and bratty! The only time they obeyed was when Marshal was in charge. Oh well!

Quite a few little girl groups went before it was out turn to go on stage. Here is the first song we sang(not all of my group, actually, 4 of these girls aren't even in my group hehe).
Me, Emily, Ally, Karlie, Erin and Julia. Then right after us Tiffany and Rachel sang Silver Bells. I LOVE their voices. So pretty.

The second song we sang was, yes, Santa Baby. I was so nervous about singing this song because we have never had a boy dresses as 'santa clause' gawk at us while singing! But we were fine. If you want to watch, here is the link, http://www.youtube.com/user/AmandaN93/u/7/--571VeQejI

Anyways, despite my nervousness and my horrible cold, I think I did pretty darn well! ;)
And here is the Peace, Peace, Peace song that the whole group got to sing. :)

It was a great success! Now, I will say that after us a group of elderly women came to do an act after us and kudos to them for getting up there and being active etc. But, the way they dressed so not right even if you are 80 and don't care(yes, they ranged anywhere from 65-80). So anyways, Emily and I were in the bathroom fixing up before going out and this lady comes in, in her skimpy outfit and her stick body and says " you guys did such a wonderful job, such lovely voices!, now, just think keep this up and one day you can look just like me!" No thanks, I'm good. It was gross.
Here are a few fun shots! Rachel and Madison

Stephen and Joah

Emily, Erin and Karlie being goof balls! haha
















Abby, Emilee and Rachel
And one last one, not my favorite, but its pretty much the only shot we got together, Em and I. :)
Sorry this is sooo long, but I had to get it all in. haha

Random fact: I'm wondering how long its gonna take to get this glitter spray outta my hair.

Verse:"For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose". Philippians 2:13

Hope everyone has a great day!

Mandie