Lowry Christmas

Every year my mom's side of the family gets together for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is acctually a big deal because a lot of them live out of state. This year we had the Christmas party in McLoud. Rachael and I got a VISA gift card from Maw-Maw. We had a great time!

What do you do with your extended family?

Brandon and Rachael

Christmas Morning at the Werner's

Merry Christmas!

We had a great Christmas this year! On Christmas Eve (after the candlelight service) we went to see The Nativity with both our families at the bricktown Harkins Theater. It was a good movie and we had a great time together.

After the movie, Rachael and I spent the night at my parents house. As always, I was up around 2:00 am. I love to get up early on Christmas morning, shake the gifts, play XBOX, read the Bible, and just enjoy Christmas!


I got everyone else up around 6. We opend our stockings, exchanged gifts from siblings, then opened gifts from mom and dad!









Rachael and I got things to hang on the walls in our house, a 10 person camping tent, some XBOX remote chargers, new coats, and much much more!






This year was the first Christmas with Rachael as part of our family. We gave my parents a picture of Elizabeth with some scripture. Rachael did a great job putting it together and it turned out to be a great gift!

How was your christmas?

Brandon and Rachael

The WHC Candlelight Service

Christmas Eve at Western Hills
Our church held it's annual Christmas Eve candlelight service this year. We did some new things and it turned into quite the production! I made some short videos, the CBI kids did a manger scene, we had special musicals by the orchestra, on the harp, and more!

We finished it all up with lighting the candles and singing Christmas carols around the room. It all went very well thanks to the sound and video teams... great job guys!



How did you like the service this year?

Brandon and Rachael

Christmas at the Tuter's

Christmas at the Tuter's
This year we had Christmas at the Tuter's on the 16th. Every other year Jonathan and Kristina go out of town to be with Jonathan's family for the holidays. This is a picture of me and my 10 month old niece Jasmine Small. She is learning to walk and speak and is getting old enough to be a lot of fun.

I have lots of pictures of other Christmas stuff and more stories to go with them. I will update again soon (it is hard to update without having internet at my house but our new camera should help).

Brandon and Rachael 

Christmas Eve Gift!

Christmas Eve Gift! (a family tradition)

Every year on Christmas Eve my family plays a game that has become more and more significant. On Christmas Eve (from midnight to 11:59pm), you try to be the first person to say "Christmas Eve gift!" to somone else. If you catch someone first, they are supposed to give you a Christmas Eve gift (although most never do give a gift it is fun to play). This year I got my dad, brothers, sister, and wife (my mom caught me off gaurd... but my dad set her up to do it). I am still working on getting my Grandma (she is pretty good).

So as I want to say... Christmas Eve Gift! to all! :)

Merry Christmas!

-Brandon and Rachael

Our New Christmas Present!

One of the things Rachael and I wanted was a new camera before the baby came along in April. The Lord has provided a great digital camera with 6 megapixels and 10x Optical Zoom. We got it as a Christmas present from Rachael's parents.




We can't believe how good the Lord's blessing is and that He would choose to bless us! We are stil praying for a new shed, a dishwasher, and money to fix our car before the baby comes. I know that God will provide! Please be in prayer for us as we take on this new adventure!

Brandon and Rachael

#1 OU Fans!

Rachael and I went to Jon and Beth's house with my family, her family, and others to watch OU play OSU. We are both BIG TIME OU FANS and this game was important. Winning this game would mean that Oklahoma would go play Nebraska for a BIG 12 title in the championship game!


I am happy to report that OU beat OSU for the third year in a row!


About 5 days after the game, Jonathan and Kristinia called and offered tickets to the BIG 12 Championship game in Kansas City! We were SOOOO excited! Rachael made a sign, we packed up and headed off to the game!


We had a great time with Jonathan and Kristina! We were able to make it a two day trip thanks to the hospitality of the Jestes' cousins.




This sign, Rachael, Kristina's hat, and myself ended up on national TV!


This is a picture taken with OUR camera at the BIG 12 Championship Game! We had seats on the 50 yard line about 15 rows up! It was amazing!



SHOW YOUR TEAM SPIRIT! Who is your favorite NCAA football team?

Playing in the Snow / Getting Stuck :)

Rachael, Alisha, Adrianne Lauren, Jonthan, Justin and I went to the park to sled after this last snow we had. The snow was very deep (about a foot) in most places. We had a great time.


Jonathan tried out a few tricks... they didn't work so well. He had a sore behind for the next week. :)





The snow was so deep that it made a creek bed look like it was part of a field. Alisha and I took off out into the field and, as you can see, got a little stuck. Mine was pretty easy to get out because I saw it before it happened and was able to make some adjustments.





Alisha wasn't so lucky...






Alisha burried her car into the creek, crack the ice, and water came up through the snow and made a pond. We tried to push it out but it was to late... she sunk her car into the 5+ foot deep creek!


My dad had to come in his new truck and pull it out (I think he enjoyed that). Alisha broke something on her car and had pay $150 or so to fix it.

Although it wasn't fun at the time, we can look back and laugh at a good memory made.


Any comments?




Brandon and Rachael

Putting Up Lights

A Christmas Tradition
Every year, right after thanksgiving, we help my parents put up Christmas lights at there house. Rachael and I had a great time doing this and getting into the Christmas spirit! This will be our first Christmas as a married couple...

So from our house to yours, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

*And remember, Jesus is the reason for the season.

Brandon and Rachael

CBI Presentation / Character Focus

Children's Presentations
CBI is going VERY well. We are taking the children through the Bible in one year. Many of the children are memorizing large chapters in the Bible and nearly all of them have memorized the books of the Bible! Rachael and I are so blessed to be able to serve the children and parents in WHC through this ministry.

Character Focus Ministries
God has blessed our efforst with children. The dream of Character Focus is becoming a reality! Rachael and I will be going to Richmond, VA with a large group of young people to administrate a children's conference for about 500 children for 2 days! We will be training volunteers, traveling, site seeing, and sharing the gospel! We are excited about this new door the Lord has opened for us.

Please keep us in your prayers. Pray that God will bless our ministry as we serve the children and families of America!

PS - I will be updating the Character Focus site within a few week. Check it out at www.characterfocus.com.

If you would like me to learn more about how you can be apart of this trip to Richmond in June, please leave a post!

It's a Girl! (Elizabeth Grace)

The Newest Member to Our Family... Elizabeth Grace!

We are having a baby girl! We are both so exicited about this new life the Lord has given us. Both of us thought that the child would be a boy (because boys are dominate on daddy's side) but we feel so blessed to know we are having a precious little girl.

Rachael and I went to the doctor on December 5 with both of our parents. We were glad that they got to share in this exciting event. After the appointment, we went to celebrate by eating Mexican food downtown.



Please pray that Rachael and the baby stay in good health. We are so excited about what God is doing in our lives... and we both can't wait to be parents!

(By the way, we are half way there! Only 20 weeks to go!)

In Rachael's office we held a name poll to help us decide what the name should be. Elizabeth Grace beat Samantha Joy by a number of votes. Leave a post and let us know which one you liked the best (just for fun).

Brandon and Rachael

We just finished the Harvest musical at the church. It was a big success! Hats off to everyone who helped.

Have a happy thanksgiving from Brandon and Rachael! 

Why We're At War

I just recieved this email today and thought it was a great explination of why we are at war in Iraq. I hope this encourages you to continue to support Bush and life him up in prayer daily.


STORY BEGINS...
The other day, my nine year old son wanted to know why we wereat war...My husband looked at our son and then looked at me. Myhusband and I were in the Army during the Gulf War and we would behonored to serve and defend our country again today. I knew that myhusband would give him a good explanation.

My husband thought for afew minutes and then told my son to gostand in our front living room window.He said "Son, stand there and tell me what you see?"

"I see trees and cars and our neighbor's houses." he replied.

"OK, now I want you to pretend that our house and our yard isthe United States of America and you are President Bush."

"Our son giggled and said "OK."

"Now son, I want you to look out the window and pretend that every house and yard on this block is a different country" my husbandsaid.

"OK Dad, I'm pretending."

"Now I want you to stand there and look out the window and pretend you see Saddam coming out of his house with his wife, he hasher by the hair and is hitting her. You see her bleeding and crying. He hits her in the face, he throws her on the ground, then he starts to kick her to death. Their children run out and are afraid to stop him, they are screaming and crying, they are watching this but do nothing because they are kids and they areafraid of their father. You see all of this, son....what do you do?"

"Dad?"

"What do you do son?"

"I'd call the police, Dad."

"OK. Pretend that the police are the United Nations. They takeyour call. They listen to what you know and saw but they refuse tohelp. What do you do then son?"

"Dad.......... but the police are supposed to help!" My son starts to whine.

"They don't want to son, because they say that it is not their place or your place to get involved and that you should stay out of it," my husband says.

"But Dad...he killed her!!" my son exclaims.

"I know he did...but the police tell you to stay out of it. Now I want you to look out that window and pretend you see our neighbor who you're pretending is Saddam turn around and do the samething to his children."

"Daddy...he kills them?"

"Yes son, he does. What do you do?"

"Well, if the police don't want to help, I will go and ask my next door neighbor to help me stop him." our son says.

"Son, our next door neighbor sees what is happening and refuses to get involved as well. He refuses to open the door and help you stop him," my husband says.

"But Dad, I NEED help!!! I can't stop him by myself!!"

"WHAT DO YOU DO SON?" Our son starts to cry. "OK, no one wants to help you, the man across the street saw you ask for help and saw that no one would help you stop him. He stands taller and puffs out his chest. Guess what he does next son?"

"What Daddy?""He walks across the street to that old ladies house and breaks down her door and drags her out, steals all her stuff and sets her house on fire and then...he kills her. He turns around and sees you standing in the window and laughs at you. WHAT DO YOU DO?"

"Daddy..."

"WHAT DO YOU DO?"

Our son is crying and he looks down and he whispers, "I'd close the blinds, Daddy."

My husband looks at our son with tears in his eyes and asks him. "Why?"

"Because Daddy.....the police are supposed to help people who need them... and they won't help.... You always say that neighbors aresupposed to HELP neighbors, but they won't help either... they won't help me stop him... I'm afraid.... I can't do it by myself Daddy.... I can't look out my window and just watch him do all these terrible things and... and..... do nothing... so... I'm just going to close the blinds.... so I can't see what he's doing........ and I'm going to pretend that it is not happening."

I start to cry, my husband looks at our nine year old son standing in the window, looking pitiful and ashamed at his answers to my husband's questions and he says..."Son"

"Yes, Daddy."

"Open the blinds because that man.... he's at your frontdoor... "WHAT DO YOU DO?"

My son looks at his father, anger and defiance in his eyes. He balls up his tiny fists and looks his father square in the eyes, without hesitation he says: "I DEFEND MY FAMILY DAD!! I'M NOT GONNA LET HIM HURT MOMMY OR MY SISTER, DAD!!! I'M GONNA FIGHT HIM, DAD, I'M GONNA FIGHT HIM!!!!!"

I see a tear roll down my husband's cheek and he grabs our son to his chest and hugs him tight, and says... "It's too late to fight him, he's too strong and he's already at YOUR front door son.....you should have stopped him BEFORE he killed his wife, and his children and the old lady across the way. You have to do what's right, even if you have to do it alone, before its too late." my husband whispers."

THAT scenario I just gave you is WHY we are at war with Iraq. When good men stand by and let evil happen, THAT is the greatestatrocity in the world. YOU MUST NEVER BE AFRAID TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT! EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO DO IT ALONE! BE PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN! BE PROUD OF OUR TROOPS!! SUPPORT THEM!!! SUPPORT AMERICA SO THAT IN THE FUTURE OUR CHILDREN WILL NEVER HAVE TO CLOSE THEIR BLINDS..."


I thought this was a great reminder to us to continue to pray and support our troops. Let's not forget those who are defending our country. Let us lift them up in prayer daily. Feel free to copy this and pass it on to anyone that you think needs to be reminded of the price that must be paid for freedom and justice.


Our family is doing great. I am trying to get some pictures of some stuff we are doing so check back soon and I might have them up.

Brandon

Church Ministries Going Well

Things are going well at the church. Rachael and I are currently serving in CBI, Character First!, Patch Club, and working in finances and video production.

CBI
CBI is going great! We are so happy to be a part of this program. The Lord has allowed me to play the role as director under Mike Jestes. It seems to get better each week. Rachael and I are teaching a group of nine children during the small group time. They are doing wonderful at being faithful in their Bible memorization assignments, scripture reading, and daily devotions. We have put many programs into play and things seem to be going very well. I believe the parents are in-tune to what God is doing through this program. May it raise up mighty warriors in His name!

Character First!
Character First! is going pretty well. There are still some things we are trying to work out but for the most part things are fine. I guess my biggest prayer request for that ministry is that the young people would find God in such a way that they would place their focus on Him more then self. Many of them already do this but we have to be able to do this as a team if we are going to make a hudge impact for the kingdom. Many children are being ministered to through this program on a weekly basis and our young people do a good job of setting a good example for them. May God use those who are right before Him in a powerful way!

Patch Club
Patch Club is going pretty well. We are looking forward to our first opportunity to preform in church for our parents. The kids love the weekly story and the games we play and they seem to enjoy singing the songs too. I think it is a great program for the children during the choir time at the church. I guess the only thing we need are a few more young people that are willing to serve with us during this time. We only have Rachael and I now and we really need a few more.

Finances
Rachael is working as the finacial secritary at the church. She enjoys the job but is looking forward to being a full time mom in April.

Video Production
Chris Haywood and I are pretty much on top of things during the video room at the church. I really enjoy working with each volunteer that helps us on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. We are currently filling DVD orders for about 5-10 members each week. DVD's are available each week for $5 (pretty good if you ask me). I hope that we will soon begin advertising our DVD's more and doing more with the equiptment we have. I can see the Lord doing great things through the technology developement (although He doesn't need it to do great things). I think He want to use the video team at the church to minister to hundereds and thousands of people on a weekly basis. Please pray for direction.

Things are going well at home. Rachael and baby are still fine. Please pray for our car to be done soon so we will have more then one vehicle.

I have Luke and Justin this week. We are going to just hang out and have some fun. I got a new toy (XBOX 360) and we will be using it this week. I got the XBOX because I got a great deal on it. DOn't think I would ever pay $400 for a game system!

Rachael is going to stay with her granny tonight. Pray for granny that God would continue to be merciful to her and give her good health until her passing day.

Jon is working at Jersey Mike's now. He likes it a lot.

We are going to buy a shed soon. Pray that God will help us get a good one at a good price.

More updates to come!

In Christ,
Brandon

Our Baby! A Gift from God...

Baby Werner's First Picture
The Lord has blessed us with a new member of the family! We went to our first doctor's appointment on Monday, October 16, 2006. We so excited about the many ways God is blessing us with this new child... and I can't wait to be a daddy! We are very happy with Ann (a midwife who will be helping us deliver our child). We learned a lot during this visit and even got some pictures of our new baby (posted)!




Profile Shot of the Baby
We do not know the gender of the child yet but feel much closer already through the technology used to help us see and hear our precious baby. It causes one to question how ANYONE could say that this little child of the Lord's is not a life?! We both are very excited about this new life God has brought into the world through us.


The Beat of Life
Please pray for Rachael and the baby's health. Also pray that God would be glorified through this bearing and delivering of a new life. Finally, I ask you to pray that God would make me to be a living example of His glory so that when our child looks at His daddy, he will see Jesus in me. We value and appriciate all your prayers and look forward to giving more updates.



In Christ,
Brandon Werner

Lots Of News!

To begin, we are going to have a baby! This little blessing will be joining our family at the end of April 2007. Rachael is doing well and has had minimal morning sickness. She is VERY grateful. Our first doctors appointment is scheduled for Monday.
Rachael finished school and is now an official LPN. However the Lord didn't lead in the direction of a nursing job but rather opened the doors for a financial secretary position at the church.
In July, Brandon resigned from Hobby Lobby and excepted a part time position at the church doing video work. We are both working on Character Focus Ministries and preparing for some potential upcoming children's workshops. We are both enjoying what we are doing and feel we are in the center of God's will.
We'll keep you posted!

Going Well

Things are going very well. We have been able to do a lot at the church in the video room and in CBI recently! I am excited to see what God has for us there.

School and work are going well for both of us. Rachael will be done with school in June and Brandon is working at Hobby Lobby and at the church.

We are enjoying our new lives together and are learning a lot from each other and the Lord. Pray that He will continue to grant His wisdom and grace as we grow closer to each other and Him!

If anyone wants to stop by and see the house, just give us a call!

Many Blessings!
-Brandon and Rachael

December 31, 2005 - Our Wedding Day

To all those who played a part...
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you have done to serve us through this event. We pray that GOD would richly bless your lives.

We Love You All,
-Brandon and Rachael Werner 

We're Married!

We're Married!

More updates to come soon!

FROM:
Brandon and Rachael Werner :)