Making Cookies

While in Canadian Kaiya and I did several fun projects together. Making christmas cookies was one.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

I hadn't done much to decorate the house since we were going to be away for Christmas, but then felt a little bad that Shawnean and Jono would be left alone at home (they're staying with us for the moment) without any festivities, so I put out a few Christmas knick-knacks. Still didn't put me in much of a Christmas mood.

But now, here in Canadian, TX, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. There's snow and a Christmas tree!! Whoohoo!!

6 Weeks is a Long Time

Brian was gone for over 6 weeks this last trip to the Dominican Republic (DR) and Haiti.

Along with the usual quarterly visit of visitng the team and checking on the ongoing work in the DR, he went to Haiti to assess the property and buildings in order to see what repairs and needs would need to be done in order to prepare the camp in Lagosette for summer groups of 2010!!
It wasn't as bad as expected, but there's alot that needs to be done to make it ready for campers. Hopefully we'll be able to raise the funding to make those repairs and equip the camp with beds, stove, fridge etc, as well as having a team of people come in to help with the manual labor. Will continue to keep you posted on that.

While hopping back and forth between the DR and Haiti, Brian was able to participate with the Magi Project going on in both countries. One group of people he lead up to El Morrito in the DR to have their first experience with receiving a Magi gift. Thank you all who participate in the Magi project for both Haiti and the DR. It's a gift in itself to see the look on those children's faces when they receive your gifts. Thank you. Here's a link to view some pictures of the Magi distribution: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?v=feed&story_fbid=683125090065&id=38404127#/video/video.php?v=529680919539&ref=mf

Now that Brian is home we're off for a personal trip. Heading to Texas with my mom to have Christmas with the kids and grandkids there.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Thanksgiving

Spent the day with Uncle Bobby and Aunt Joanne along with her sister, brother-in-law, and dad. Thank you God for family.

Those two sisters can cook up a spread!  Absolutely delicious.  Thank you!

Missed not having Brian and Jono with us.  (Soon!)  Thank you for loving husbands.

Spoke with family over the phone that were in Texas and Vermont.  Thankful for technology.

Made it home safe.  Thank you, Lord.

Snuggled up with Pippin and had a warm, cozy sleep.  Thanks Pippin!  (Pippin is my dog)

Making Contact?

I've not posted anything for quite a while and was dreading having to "catchup", but I am soooo glad that I got back on.  Why?  Because I received a comment on my last blog from an old (not old old) teen-hood friend whom I haven't seen or heard from in ages.

Brenda, So excited to hear from you.  Where are you?  How can I find you?  I'm on FaceBook.  I'll be looking for you!  

Catching up on the blog will have to wait.  There are other "catching ups" I have to do!!

See You Later Alligator

Another goodbye at the Orlando airport.

Praying for your safety while you travel and are away.

Wondering what you're doing when I'm driving, what you're doing when I'm standing over the stove, and thinking you must be having a good time.  I'll miss you.

But, I'll see you later...

My "Other" Boy

It was soooo good to have Jono here for the week.  

His "other" mom and dad were in the country and we were all able to spend some time visiting.

It's so great to have your children marry and to gain more kids without having to go through the whole pregnancy and raising them!  We have wonderful children and are thankful to our heavenly father for his blessings.

November Second

A year since you were "reborn", Daddy. Feels like it was just yesterday. Suppose that's good that it seems like you were just here, but the rawness of realizing you're not here to go see or give a call is still fresh. I know you're having a happy time, where everday is like a celebration, so it's more for us who are locked in time that I say "Happy Birthday" for your first year in heaven. We're getting together with the family here in FL. Uncle Bobby and Aunt Joanne are bringing the family videos ,we're bringing Yahtzee and Momma's bringing the snacks. Love you!

Crossing Old Paths

While Brian was doing a MGM survey trip in Africa, he was able to connect with several old high school mates and heard that one had actually moved to the USA a long time ago. Brian finds his name and number and next thing you know we're driving only 2 and a half hours away to where he's been living for the past 5 years. It was a lovely visit, catching up, making comparisons of how they'd made their journeys to and in the States. Many were eerily similar!!!


We went out on their sail boat and enjoyed the company and the beautiful creation.

Ahhh....behind the helm. Thanks Alan and Becky!

Wedding Bells?

Our nephew and niece renewed their vows on their tenth wedding anniversary and Brian officiated over the ceremony. It was so nice, laid back, and beautiful!

Congratulations Gareth and Kristen!

More Wallaces

Back From Porta Prince

Brian has returned from a healthcare trip to Haiti.

The group visited 7 orphanages, assessed and treated around 600 kids, installed about 300 mosquito nets and distributed about 300 more, and cleaned & covered over 300 mattresses. There were some horror stories of the condition of some of these places, but thanks to the efforts of the team they were able to help these little ones have a cleaner, debugged living space.

Another Road Trip

Yep...another road trip, but this one we did together and Norm Curington (missionary of DR) joined us.

Our route took us to Virginia to visit with the Fair Fax congregation and meet with the mission board. We were graciously hosted by friends and champions of the DR ministry, Mark and Cassey Gibson. They arranged several opportunities for us to be able to catchup with members who've visited and teamed up with the work in the DR during the summer and Magi trips. Even a tour of the monuments in DC were visited.

From there we wound our way (literally....Brian reeeeaaaly wanted to travel along the Blue Ridge Mountain and we were glad we relented because it was truly beautiful) to Tennessee to meet with the Highland View elders and mission board in Oak Ridge.
It was a great trip! Loved traveling with Norm again (have done it many times before in other countries) and being able to see all the different folk that have been such a blessing to us and the DR work.

My Man's Home

I've got my man back home again!

He's returned from a 17 day trip to the DR and Haiti. Checking on the on going projects and missionaries in the DR and then crossing over the border into Haiti to check on the Manna property in order to make a list of what needs there are to get the camp up and ready for initiating groups back into the country.

The plan is to have several come into to help with the Magi distribution in December and then a couple of spring break groups followed by some summer groups. It's truly amazing to see the timing of all this.

While there the school registration was taking place and he was able to see quite a few of the parents of the attending students. He was very pleased with how things were going, and the condition of the property.

New Springbok Fan

Upon Brian return from Africa, he brought Pippin a Sprinkbok Rugby team shirt. Now Pippin is a fan!!

House Projects

Have a new bathroom now. Pulled out the typical mobile home bath, sink and mirror fixtures; and now have tile shower and floors and porcelin sink and fresh paint....it all looks much better.

Last month we worked on our bedroom. Painted the walls and it makes such a difference. Pulled up the carpet and layed out some flooring and am now getting prepared to deconstruct another bedroom while I have the help of Shawnean. Hate carpet!!!

Little by little getting the place a little more comfortable to live in.

Sooo Cool!!

It's amazing the way the Lord leads paths and makes us aware of His outreach.

While Brian and Norm were in Africa, they made contact with someone who happened to be a former classmate of Brian's, who happened to be minister of agriculture in Swaziland, and was able to help Norm and Brian with just what they needed to check out.

While in South Africa they came across Tammie's Dad's books being used to reach out to the people in that area.

Always a joy to witness our Lord in action.

Big Four

Kaiya's birthday was a great reason to pack up Pippin and myself, travel from Orlando, FL through Dallas, TX airport (he's a great traveler and the layover went by quickly with all the attention he received as he pranced through the terminal), and arrive at the Amarillo, TX airport to be able to spend 10 days with the family in Canadian, TX.

Happy Birthday, Kaiya!!!

Making do!

You can take the man out of the 3rd world country, but you can't take the 3rd world ways out of the man.

When one of the wheels came off the farm mower and the shop still hadn't repaired it, Brian found a solution to be able to mow in the meantime. So now you know another purpose for a dolley.

8 Weeks to 19 Weeks

My Baby has grown so quickly!!

Happy 4th of July 2009

Had a great day spent with Momma, Uncle Bobby and Aunt Joanne.

Feasted on 3 types of BBQ'd meats, all types of tangy creamy sides, and topped off with a yummy dessert!!

30 Years!!

Hard to believe we've been married to each other for more years than we had single years!!

Still crazy after all these years!

Happy 30th!!!

Texas Bound

We finally received word that Daddy's tombstone was finished and placed at the cemetary. Momma; my sister, Sherry; Brian; Pippin; and I set out with Daddy's urn to Texas.

The kids (Shawnean, Ashleigh, Wesley) and grandkids (Kaiya and Liam) surprised Pops (Brian) by appearing out of the hotel room next to ours upon our arrival.

It was nice to have them all there as we gathered at the cemetary.

Along the way we were able to visit friends and family, a 2nd cousin with her husband and children that I'd not even met before,

as well as visit a few historic sites.

A memorable trip for sure!

10 Days in the DR

Brian spent the last 10 days in the Dominican Republic. The goal is to be able to make a trip each quarter to spend time with the onsite team members and be of help and encouragement in whatever way possible.

He was blessed to be there again while groups were there and meet new people as well as catchup with those who've been before.

I'd asked Lisa to keep an eye on him and each time he was found out on the soccer field to tell him, "Tammie said not to let you play soccer". Apparently she had to do that several times! He said he was MAINLY being goalee and that wasn't as wearing. I guess so cause he came back without retearing his muscle or gaining a new injury.

Happy Birthday, Brian

DANGER ZONE!!

Poor Pippin has to go through such an obstacle course in our yard.  And I thought I just had to guard him from predators like owls and foxes.

Hmmm...guess I'll have to ask Wesley about this!

Our Gracious Host

During our time in Walls, MS, we (that included Pippin) and the Lambs (that included Harrison); Brad Gautney; Martin Staelens and his two boys, Alberto and Charlie; and David Woodside all stayed at Norm's sister's, Yuvonia, place.  

What a heart of hospitality!!  Lovely, lovely lady....thanks, Yuvonia!

MGM Conference

It was great to see so many who have championed the Manna ministries be there and to dream along with us as we step onward in what the Lord has placed before us. 

 

May Conference Agenda
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Laura Beth Lamb - MC
 
Welcome - Brian Wallace

Introduction - Who is MGM? 

Section I: Why we do what We do
Wrapped in Love & Relationship - Brian Wallace 
Passion for God/A Place for You - Brad Gautney 
Community of Believers - Norm Curington

BREAK FOR LUNCH (11:15ish - 12:15)
Section II: Our (BIG) Dream Jobs
MannaDR 
MannaHaiti
MannaAfrica 

BREAK

Section III: Join the Path - Ways to Serve
Join the Path in the Field 
Join the Path through Local Program Champions
Join the Path through Volunteering with MGM 
Section IV: Admin/Wrap-up 
Section V: Feedback/Q &A/Connection Time (all involved)

We want to thank you for your participation in the May MGM Conference, all those who were able to attend, and those who have been lifting us up in prayer.

Pippin Meets Harrison

Second TIme Around!

Aunt Jojo's peach cobbler is still um, um, good even the next day! Yesterday we celebrated our liberty and honored the men and women who've helped make that possible for Memorial's Day.

We had a spread set before us...

Pippin loved hanging out with everyone...

And Momma dusted off the piano fingers. Nothing better than time spent with family!

Excited

It's amazing how "things" continue to reaffirm what God has laid on our hearts.

The excitement we feel when we share what's happening with the ministry with others and their positive responses.

Doors that open up to people and places to help the ministry "grow".

In a week we and the MGM staff will be having our first conference in Walls, MS. There are several who have notified us of their attendence....and that excites us!!

See you there!

Rain

Rain has finally come to our neck of the woods in Florida. A VERY welcome relief.

Brian tells me how much he's enjoying it, and the line I can always expect to hear when we get rain..."This'll really make things green". He goes on to tell me how much he misses the DR rains.

I think he's forgotten!!!

Introducing.....!!!!!

After sifting through some really "great" (?) names:

Mel
Taco
Samson
Wallace
Tootsie Roll
Joaquin
Socrates
Cutie
Bobita
Wallie


the most fitting for my little guy is............PIPPIN!

Same But Different

Brian has a garden he started, and I wanted to get some herbs and some flowers going myself.

Okay, I follow instructions well. I do the steps, the order and the instructions to a T, do it the same as Brian. So why are the results so different?!

BRIAN'S RESULTS

TAMMIE'S RESULTS

"I've Been Everywhere, Man"

9Brian's back from his road trip that took him from central Florida to Texas, across to Arkansas, up to the Kansas/Missouri border, back to Arkansas and then down to Florida again...and he loved it!! There's talk of doing all his trips by driving instead of flying. He said he loves seeing all the different terrains of this country.

He was able to connect with many that have done service projects in the DR as well as meeting new folks all very interested in the expansion of the outreach work of Manna Global Ministries (MGM). He enjoyed his time at the Levy Youth Retreat and was able to chaperone quite a few of the sessions.

It's nice to have him home for a little bit!!

Not a Replacement

Here's a gift from God to help my aching heart. What a joy he is and I'm reminded all over again of being a new "mommy"!!

Now the part I'm not good at...naming! Any ideas?

Springbok

The Springbok is an antelope, the national animal of South Africa, which the South African rugby team has been named after.

Brian got a Springbok uniform for grandson, Liam, when he last visited his family.

Furture player?

Proud Pops

Where, oh Where, has My Little Dog Gone...?

...oh where, oh where, can he be?

When I wake in the morning and look over at his bed, he's not peeking out of his covers at me.

When I work in the kitchen and turn to give a morsel of cheese to him, he's not there.

When I turn around and he's not doing his silent ninja appearance, I miss him.

Gone 4 days now.