Guest Post - Tif from Southern Belle

I’m so excited to have Tif here today! She is one of the lovely ladies hanging out on my side bar this month and I’ve loved getting to know her! And she’s a fellow Texan Blogger!

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I am so seriously excited to be guest blogging here on "Finding my way in Texas"!  I have searched and searched my brain for a topic to blog about, and since my blog is about finding ME in my own life...I thought I should share a bit of what I have found in ME in my life!

Now, this passion goes way back to before I was born!  My Memaw sang in a Gospel Quartet called "The Rhythmettes" when she was young...they were even on the radio (that will be a future post on my blog...I have the ACTUAL recording of that day), ANYWHOO...then my Daddy played the drums and sang in a band called "The Ramrods" (who were just inducted into the Birmingham Record Collectors Music Hall of Fame, class of 2011).  And while I was little he was with a group called "The Lamplighters".

This is him...in the middle, behind the drums...with the smile that looks so familiar!

The Ramrods

My Daddy was always singing!  I loved and STILL love to hear him sing!  Now...when I was a little girl my Memaw used to play recordings of her and her gal's singing together and she would sing to me. The first song she taught me was "This Little Light of Mine" and still to this day...it's my favorite! I get so excited when I find out we're singing it in Church! (I sing in the Choir). As I grew up, I always loved to sing. I was in the school choir in 4th and 5th grade...but my life took another path for a while and singing was pretty much kept to the shower!

Fast forward to 1 1/2 years ago. I'd been attending my Church for several years and I had fallen in love with Contemporary Christian music and decided I wanted to sing again! Our Church has a worship team for the main Church...but we have a Chapel on the property that holds a "Traditional" service and I found out they had a Choir! So...I decided to try and find out how to join! Once I found out I had to audition I was a nervous wreck...stage fright has ALWAYS been a major issue for me! BUT despite being terrified, I made an appointment and went in to audition...I sang "Amazing Grace" (which is another one of my favorites!) and I was shocked when I was told to show up the following Sunday!

Now...mind you...I had not sang with a Choir or in any setting since elementary school...so I didn't know how to read music (still don't lol)...and had no vocal training at all!  It was suggested that it wouldn't hurt to have some lessons to learn to control my voice.  I had no clue where to begin with that...then someone told me that one of the women that sings on our main stage gave singing lessons!  I was SO excited...her name is Sarah Kelly and she is the rock and roll version of a Christian Singer!  She is so awesome and totally down to earth!  Anywhooooo...I found out her email address and emailed her as soon as I got home!  Weeks went by and several emails were sent with no response...so I figured that she was no longer giving lessons...I was so bummed!  (BUT...God wasn't done.....)

After about a month, my husband and I walked into the Church for services one day and a gentleman that serves asked me if I'd ever gotten a hold of Sarah, and I said no.  He pointed to the other side of the Church and said, "There she is...go ask her!"  I just held my breath and walked up to her...but before I could get my entire name out she said "OH...are you the Tiffany that emailed me about classes?"  I said "Uh...yes...I did"  "Well, Tiffany I am starting a school and I have one spot left open for my artist development class and was going to give you a call today and offer it to you!"

I was floored.  Excited.  Terrified.  I looked over at my husband...and he pretty much just waved me on (as in GO FOR IT...DO IT).  I said YES!  That was last August, the class began in September of last year, and I have written and recorded (demos) 3 original songs...written and sung my little ol' me!  I am still in the class and LOVE LOVE LOVE it!  If you'd have told me 2 years ago I'd be writing, playing (piano) and singing my own...OWN songs I would have laughed myself out of a chair!

I have NO CLUE where this journey will take me, and I don't ever expect to be famous...but if I can BLESS someone with a song I have written...then I think I'm the luckiest girl in the world!  All songs are stories, but the ones about faith, blessings, trials, revelations, glory and God...well...they just make me so proud to be who I am...right here...right now.  And wherever God leads me is exactly where I am supposed to end up...and I gotta tell you...this ride...is God's AMAZING GRACE over my life!

WOW!  I've talked your ear off!  Seeeee...that is why I'm called the Rambling Southern Belle! LOL!  Thank you so much for taking the time to get to know me a little better!  It has been so much fun doing this guest post!

Remember...write down your dreams, your fears, your ambitions...take a class, learn something new...chase those dreams you write down!  You never know where you'll find yourself...someday!

XOXO,
Tif

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Tif! I got so excited for you reading this! I too have a passion for music and worship! I have to admit that I am a little jealous of your "lessons"! Hehe But I am so thrilled that God has directed your steps and lead you to pursue your passions! You can check out some of Tif's original songs here!