I just wanted to take this time to thank the men & women in the military for giving their lives so that WE can be free.
In 1998, right after graduating high school I knew that I wanted to join the US Air Force. I was 18 years old, didn't really know what I wanted to do with my life. I knew I wanted to go to college, but didn't have once picked out or a way to get there even if I did know where I wanted to go. I was scared, I was young, but I felt BRAVE. I have God on my side, how could I go wrong?
Even though I didn't end up going overseas anywhere or actually fighting in combat - I feel as if I had a part in serving our government & I felt very PROUD to do so. The Air Force helped mold me to the person I am today. I am very disciplined in pretty much everything I do, responsible, neat/organized and timely. I truly feel these characteristics came from being in the military. I was stationed first in Texas (where I met Tim) then we got stationed in Utah.
EVERYWHERE we would go - if we were in uniform - off base - people would come up to us and hug us and tell us THANK YOU for serving. It was the most unique thing I had ever seen. Especially in Texas people did this. We would go off base for lunch & people would hug us! Right in the middle of a Taco Bell. Isn't that funny?! I felt kind of silly, because I had a desk job. I definitely understand their kindness though & gratitude. I hold everyone serving in the armed forces in HIGH honor now. I have great respect, those people...their families...ALL go through A LOT! Separation, constant worry of their family member serving while they are away, just everyday sacrifices to be related to someone serving...it can wear on you.
So let's just take this time to pray. Pray for those serving in Iraq right now. Pray for those serving everywhere right now (even if it's a desk job person in Texas...like I was!). Everyone of those people go through things everyday - make a lot of small (or large) SACRIFICES so that WE can live a free life. No one serving should go unnoticed. Pray for their safety, for their families, for our government. Pray for our President. Let's remember - we shall never FORGET those men who died for us so that we may live a life of FREEDOM.
Love,
Melissa
Achoo!
Oh my goodness, whatever is growing or flowing in this California air is NOT agreeing with me! Please pray for me as I am having a hard time with my allergies. :( I am thinking I might need to get to the doctor next week to get a Rx for allergies.
My eyes are just watering, it looks like I have been CRYING all day long! My nose is a faucet and my sinuses are just throbbing. I have been taking (all at once everyday) -
- - Aleve Cold/Sinus
- - Claritin (the Target brand works better for me than the original)
- - Flo-Nas (nose spray)
- - Visine Allergy eye drops
I feel so drugged up! I took a 2 hour nap today (well I did go to bed at 1:30am this morning so that may have something to do with it). But I feel icky.
In other news my sis made it back to Idaho today! :) I miss her already. We have a great bond, and I think this trip was really healthy for us (especially since I haven't seen her in almost 3 YEARS!) - - we really had a chance to bond & talk. We went to the beach, had 2 girls' nights out with family, went to my nephew's baseball game, shopped, went to Downtown Disney and shopped, she went to my church, she took Haylee to the park (I had to work on Monday and she had a full day with her niece Haylee! They both loved it)...and shopped. :)
Haylee is already saying "I sure miss my Aunt Liz". She brought tears to my eyes saying that (no, not my allergies! LOL). Poor girl. I wish Aunt Liz (and Uncle Al!) lived closer, but at least it's only a 3 hour flight. Haylee & I are already planning a girls' trip up to Idaho hopefully next year! :) Maybe in the Springtime! We shall see! I love you Liz!! Have fun camping...you better update the blog I made for you. ;)
Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone!
Love,
Melissa
My eyes are just watering, it looks like I have been CRYING all day long! My nose is a faucet and my sinuses are just throbbing. I have been taking (all at once everyday) -
- - Aleve Cold/Sinus
- - Claritin (the Target brand works better for me than the original)
- - Flo-Nas (nose spray)
- - Visine Allergy eye drops
I feel so drugged up! I took a 2 hour nap today (well I did go to bed at 1:30am this morning so that may have something to do with it). But I feel icky.
In other news my sis made it back to Idaho today! :) I miss her already. We have a great bond, and I think this trip was really healthy for us (especially since I haven't seen her in almost 3 YEARS!) - - we really had a chance to bond & talk. We went to the beach, had 2 girls' nights out with family, went to my nephew's baseball game, shopped, went to Downtown Disney and shopped, she went to my church, she took Haylee to the park (I had to work on Monday and she had a full day with her niece Haylee! They both loved it)...and shopped. :)
Haylee is already saying "I sure miss my Aunt Liz". She brought tears to my eyes saying that (no, not my allergies! LOL). Poor girl. I wish Aunt Liz (and Uncle Al!) lived closer, but at least it's only a 3 hour flight. Haylee & I are already planning a girls' trip up to Idaho hopefully next year! :) Maybe in the Springtime! We shall see! I love you Liz!! Have fun camping...you better update the blog I made for you. ;)
Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone!
Love,
Melissa
A little bit o' this...a little bit o' that!
Alas, it's time for Liz to head back to the great land of IDAHO. :) Where potatoes are born. ;) (just kidding Liz) It was FUN having her here!!! I hope she shows our blogged pics to everyone...and even some I couldn't blog (you'd better!). I am just kidding by the way. :)
Today we went shopping for touristy California objects for her to take back home with her. Then we headed off (just me, Liz and Tim...Haylee stayed with Grammy!) to Riverside to see one of Tim's brothers - Mark (his wife) Kathy, and her friend Kimmie. We ate and then went to see a local band - - you guessed it - - HOBO JAZZ! This time in a coffee shop basement. Yes, it was interesting to say the least. The music was FABULOUS as always! The people were a bit odd. Right Liz? Some very strange individuals to boot! A fun time was had by all. A great way to say goodbye!
Here are pics...just fun pics for a just FUN time!
Today we went shopping for touristy California objects for her to take back home with her. Then we headed off (just me, Liz and Tim...Haylee stayed with Grammy!) to Riverside to see one of Tim's brothers - Mark (his wife) Kathy, and her friend Kimmie. We ate and then went to see a local band - - you guessed it - - HOBO JAZZ! This time in a coffee shop basement. Yes, it was interesting to say the least. The music was FABULOUS as always! The people were a bit odd. Right Liz? Some very strange individuals to boot! A fun time was had by all. A great way to say goodbye!
Here are pics...just fun pics for a just FUN time!
Ya ya SISTERS!
I love my sister. :) It's so good she came because we have had time to catch up and I think God put this visit right where it needed to be in our lives. I am SO happy you are here Liz. I LOVE YOU!
We've had a lot of fun. Tonight my mommy-in-law (she thinks she just my mommy though, LOL) took me and Liz out for a NICE dinner. ;) yah! It was great, huh Liz?
We've been having a lot of fun!!! Yipeee! I'm gonna be sad when she leaves on Saturday. :(
We've had a lot of fun. Tonight my mommy-in-law (she thinks she just my mommy though, LOL) took me and Liz out for a NICE dinner. ;) yah! It was great, huh Liz?
We've been having a lot of fun!!! Yipeee! I'm gonna be sad when she leaves on Saturday. :(
Patience
Sometimes it's SO hard to have patience, isn't it? I think especially if you are a parent. ;) Some days even trying to go to the bathroom in peace is NOT an option. Ha ha. But seriously...trusting the LORD is the BEST thing we could possibly do.
REST IN THE LORD, AND WAIT PATIENTLY FOR HIM.- - PSALM 37:7
At times we just wonder why we are WHERE we are & what is the reason? But it's not up to US to know. It really isn't. God wants us to know that He is in control & sometimes He may even put something in your way to make sure you know He is there & that you should fully put faith into Him. :) I just think that is amazing - because we have a God that loves us SO much.
Last Sunday was gratitude Sunday at our church. It was so cool because the Sunday prior (Mother's Day) he had asked the church to email pictures of things we are grateful for. So I went home right away (LOL!) and emailed pictures of Haylee, me & Tim, Haylee & her little friend Gracie, Haylee & her cousin Lilly, and some pics of us as a family. Our church is BIG so you can just imagine my surprise when we walk into the huge auditorium to see a picture of my Haylee's face on the FRONT screen! It had her face & then the word "grateful". It was SO awesome!! My sister took pics of it as I didn't have my camera. Hopefully she'll share with me once she gets them downloaded. ;) Anyway, they had screens all over the lobby with all our pictures as well as well as a bunch of other families pictures.
Liz & Haylee eating dinner on our porch!
Haylee "did my hair" tonight & made me a PRINCESS! Aren't I beautiful???!! :)
REST IN THE LORD, AND WAIT PATIENTLY FOR HIM.- - PSALM 37:7
At times we just wonder why we are WHERE we are & what is the reason? But it's not up to US to know. It really isn't. God wants us to know that He is in control & sometimes He may even put something in your way to make sure you know He is there & that you should fully put faith into Him. :) I just think that is amazing - because we have a God that loves us SO much.
Last Sunday was gratitude Sunday at our church. It was so cool because the Sunday prior (Mother's Day) he had asked the church to email pictures of things we are grateful for. So I went home right away (LOL!) and emailed pictures of Haylee, me & Tim, Haylee & her little friend Gracie, Haylee & her cousin Lilly, and some pics of us as a family. Our church is BIG so you can just imagine my surprise when we walk into the huge auditorium to see a picture of my Haylee's face on the FRONT screen! It had her face & then the word "grateful". It was SO awesome!! My sister took pics of it as I didn't have my camera. Hopefully she'll share with me once she gets them downloaded. ;) Anyway, they had screens all over the lobby with all our pictures as well as well as a bunch of other families pictures.
Liz & Haylee eating dinner on our porch!
Haylee "did my hair" tonight & made me a PRINCESS! Aren't I beautiful???!! :)
More pics from today!
Wow I am so TIRED! We just got back home from a FULL day! First we all went to church, then to Newport Beach, then to Disneyland (Tim & Haylee went to the park to see Tim's family who were at the park - my sis and I stayed at Downtown Disney & looked at all the stores). :)
Then we went to the movies to watch Shrek 3! It was so cute. ;)
Here are the pics from today (and some on Haylee's blog also):
Then we went to the movies to watch Shrek 3! It was so cute. ;)
Here are the pics from today (and some on Haylee's blog also):
She's HERE!!!
My sis flew in yesterday afternoon from Idaho (really from Spokane, WA - where she drove last night & flew out in the morning). It's great to see her again!! :) We talk all the time, so it's not really like we haven't talked in 3 years - but she looks GREAT!! I love it that she's here!
We went out last night to Macaroni Grill with my sister - Liz and my sis-in-law Brandie. We had a lot of fun!!
Busy week for us! I will post more pics later.
Girls' night out! Afterward we went to Golden Spoon for frozen yogurt. Yay!
We went out last night to Macaroni Grill with my sister - Liz and my sis-in-law Brandie. We had a lot of fun!!
Busy week for us! I will post more pics later.
Girls' night out! Afterward we went to Golden Spoon for frozen yogurt. Yay!
To the Mamas
I hope everyone had a BEAUTIFUL day! I got a sweet card from my princess. Also Tim got me my favorite flower - Gerbera Daisies (see Haylee's blog for a pic). I also had a mini shopping spree at one of my favorite stores in the mall. It was a fantastic day filled with family & LOVE! :)
A big hugs to all you Moms out there,
Melissa
A big hugs to all you Moms out there,
Melissa
This is my confession...
I haven't read my Bible in FOUR days - I got a new prayer list & have been slacking. But I promise promise promise I am catching up tonight, tomorrow and Sunday. :)
Sometimes Satan gets in my way & I'm just too tired to read, or something happens & I am the only one that can take care of it. Or life just gets in the way. Thank you Lord that you are all forgiving & will never leave our side. Even when we stray. Isn't God good? He's sooo good & blesses me everyday. Through my daughter, through my husband, through thoughts, words, books, the Bible, emails, all of YOU guys.
The "news" I was supposed to hear about, I heard something. :) But I will know MORE next week, which will be nice. But I'm not going to get my hopes up, God's Will will be done (that sounds funny!).
My honey got me my favorite flower tonight...gerberia daisies! The red ones! I like them so much I made Haylee some flower bows for her hair (see her pics from the stable last night). He's so sweet! I'm too tired to go take pics, but I will tomorrow I promise.
This weekend is going to be ME getting burnt out in the sun. I will just tell ya now! LOL. My sister comes in 8 (count 'em - EIGHT) days!!! So tonight I fixed the guest bathroom shower head (it leaked), and have to fix the shower curtain. Tomorrow & Sunday all day I will be sanding and re-painting 3 HUGE plantation shutters - pray for me! It is a lot of hard work, but I HAVE to get this done. Haylee's shutters are so gross...possibly dangerous, they flake old paint. So have to fix that. Plus I have to paint the other living room one I started a couple months ago, ha ha! Yes, I procrastinate, so what. ;)
Anyway...I'm more excited than words for Liz to come visit us. I don't even know what we'll do, but she's never been to California, so definitely the BEACH! And the harbor/jetty! A few outdoor malls. Maybe I can find an outdoor concert or something. It'll just be nice to visit since I haven't seen her in almost 3 years!
Have a fabulous weekend...I'll post more this weekend I am sure. :)
Love,
Melissa
Sometimes Satan gets in my way & I'm just too tired to read, or something happens & I am the only one that can take care of it. Or life just gets in the way. Thank you Lord that you are all forgiving & will never leave our side. Even when we stray. Isn't God good? He's sooo good & blesses me everyday. Through my daughter, through my husband, through thoughts, words, books, the Bible, emails, all of YOU guys.
The "news" I was supposed to hear about, I heard something. :) But I will know MORE next week, which will be nice. But I'm not going to get my hopes up, God's Will will be done (that sounds funny!).
My honey got me my favorite flower tonight...gerberia daisies! The red ones! I like them so much I made Haylee some flower bows for her hair (see her pics from the stable last night). He's so sweet! I'm too tired to go take pics, but I will tomorrow I promise.
This weekend is going to be ME getting burnt out in the sun. I will just tell ya now! LOL. My sister comes in 8 (count 'em - EIGHT) days!!! So tonight I fixed the guest bathroom shower head (it leaked), and have to fix the shower curtain. Tomorrow & Sunday all day I will be sanding and re-painting 3 HUGE plantation shutters - pray for me! It is a lot of hard work, but I HAVE to get this done. Haylee's shutters are so gross...possibly dangerous, they flake old paint. So have to fix that. Plus I have to paint the other living room one I started a couple months ago, ha ha! Yes, I procrastinate, so what. ;)
Anyway...I'm more excited than words for Liz to come visit us. I don't even know what we'll do, but she's never been to California, so definitely the BEACH! And the harbor/jetty! A few outdoor malls. Maybe I can find an outdoor concert or something. It'll just be nice to visit since I haven't seen her in almost 3 years!
Have a fabulous weekend...I'll post more this weekend I am sure. :)
Love,
Melissa
Faith...in things unseen
Hope your week is flying by. :) Mine is actually going by painfully SLOW it seems! The "news" I was suppose to (or should I say anticipating on) hear about - I haven't. I don't know if it just wasn't mean to be (God give me grace) - or - if God is trying to teach me a lesson in faith. I know sometimes, and HE knows because only HE knows me inside & out - that I can full give to Him & in the next breathe take it back from Him.
Why don't I just let Him take control & lead? I guess because the answer is simple. I am human. :) I'm also one of those people who has to know the ending before I begin. It has been hard on me to just fully have utter faith & leap! So hard, but I'm trying. I guess that is all I can do.
I got my new prayer list today - man...it just makes me realize that no matter how bad of a day I have ~ it does NOT compare to what others are going through right now. Just know that - whatever YOU are going through right now...God is in control & trust me, it cannot be worse than what some of these others are enduring. The pain. There was a 3 month old that died from SIDS. The mother's brother was on his way over to his sister's house to comfort her - was rear ended & died. I mean, nothing we are going through can compare to the pain that woman is feeling right now. At least I hope not, if so, please let me know & I will say a prayer for you too!
On a lighter note ~ just having fun with my baby girl tonight. I made us matching hawaiian flowers to put in our hair:
Oh & here are a couple of plants that one of my friends started for me ~ a spider plant & an ivy (I think?! Sandy?! LOL). Anyway...I don't usually have a green thumb, but she ensured me I couldn't kill these...I'm SO excited they are growing so big! I mean, they both came from a few little stems (except the big long ivy branch on that one):
Love to you all today ~ Melissa
Why don't I just let Him take control & lead? I guess because the answer is simple. I am human. :) I'm also one of those people who has to know the ending before I begin. It has been hard on me to just fully have utter faith & leap! So hard, but I'm trying. I guess that is all I can do.
I got my new prayer list today - man...it just makes me realize that no matter how bad of a day I have ~ it does NOT compare to what others are going through right now. Just know that - whatever YOU are going through right now...God is in control & trust me, it cannot be worse than what some of these others are enduring. The pain. There was a 3 month old that died from SIDS. The mother's brother was on his way over to his sister's house to comfort her - was rear ended & died. I mean, nothing we are going through can compare to the pain that woman is feeling right now. At least I hope not, if so, please let me know & I will say a prayer for you too!
On a lighter note ~ just having fun with my baby girl tonight. I made us matching hawaiian flowers to put in our hair:
Oh & here are a couple of plants that one of my friends started for me ~ a spider plant & an ivy (I think?! Sandy?! LOL). Anyway...I don't usually have a green thumb, but she ensured me I couldn't kill these...I'm SO excited they are growing so big! I mean, they both came from a few little stems (except the big long ivy branch on that one):
Love to you all today ~ Melissa
P*R*A*Y*E*R
To my beloved, faithful, loving blog viewers. :) I just thought I'd type this for you! You are special to me & inspire ME & love ME for who I am. For you make me feel blessed.
I was reading my Daily Walk Bible tonight...I'm in the book of Nehemiah - which again I find interesting! I've never once read Nehemiah all the way through in my 27 years of life. Before the chapters there is a little paragraph that I would just like to share with you tonight...
"Pray like it's up to God; then act like it's up to you." Those words are found nowhere in Scripture, but they contain problems and anxieties to him. 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God' (Philipians 4:6). Take a lesson from Nehemiah. When troubles come, turn your problems into prayers...pronto!
But once you have prayed through your problems, don't expect angels to finish building your walls! Pick up your trowel and finish the job God has given you. 'Continue to work...for it is God who works in you' (Philipians 2:12-13) is a great balance to achieve. Pick a situation in your life that needs prayer coupled with preparation. Pray it through, work it out and share it with a friend or family member!"
I found this little insight to be intriguing given the circumstance that has been placed in front of me this past week or so. :) God is amazing, we can't shout it enough.
Love to everyone! I am hoping to really get more pics of Tim & I to put on here. He's not a huge picture taker & I find it really hard to smoosh our faces together and extend my arm out to take my own couples photo. LOL! Hmm, maybe I'll have Haylee take a pic of us soon!
Have a great week!
Love,
Melissa
PS ~ CAN I SAY ENOUGH HOW EXCITED I AM THAT MY SIS IS COMING FROM IDAHO TO VISIT US IN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS? IN FACT, 12 DAYS AND COUNTING DOWN! I CAN'T WAIT LIZ, I MISS YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH!
I was reading my Daily Walk Bible tonight...I'm in the book of Nehemiah - which again I find interesting! I've never once read Nehemiah all the way through in my 27 years of life. Before the chapters there is a little paragraph that I would just like to share with you tonight...
"Pray like it's up to God; then act like it's up to you." Those words are found nowhere in Scripture, but they contain problems and anxieties to him. 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God' (Philipians 4:6). Take a lesson from Nehemiah. When troubles come, turn your problems into prayers...pronto!
But once you have prayed through your problems, don't expect angels to finish building your walls! Pick up your trowel and finish the job God has given you. 'Continue to work...for it is God who works in you' (Philipians 2:12-13) is a great balance to achieve. Pick a situation in your life that needs prayer coupled with preparation. Pray it through, work it out and share it with a friend or family member!"
I found this little insight to be intriguing given the circumstance that has been placed in front of me this past week or so. :) God is amazing, we can't shout it enough.
Love to everyone! I am hoping to really get more pics of Tim & I to put on here. He's not a huge picture taker & I find it really hard to smoosh our faces together and extend my arm out to take my own couples photo. LOL! Hmm, maybe I'll have Haylee take a pic of us soon!
Have a great week!
Love,
Melissa
PS ~ CAN I SAY ENOUGH HOW EXCITED I AM THAT MY SIS IS COMING FROM IDAHO TO VISIT US IN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS? IN FACT, 12 DAYS AND COUNTING DOWN! I CAN'T WAIT LIZ, I MISS YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH!
God has a plan for YOU
Isn't it amazing that we were each born - created specifically by the hands of our Creator - and each and every one of us has a plan, a purpose for our existence! Well, I find that just amazing & miraculous. :)
I just wanted to share a little bit about me on here, since it is my blog and all. (Tim's too, but I promise you'll never see him on here, LOL. He's not a writer ~ but I do read to him what I write!)
Just a couple of years ago I came across a stumbling block in my life. It's way too personal to type up details on here & besides it is not something I tell just anyone. This stumbling block was something I had been holding onto for YEARS. By years I mean over 20 years. I finally one day decided to let it go. The reason behind letting it go - it was ruining me as a person. It got into my heart and left a bitterness that only Satan can feed. It was damaging myself, my friends, relationships and sadly my marriage. I would say it was THE hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life.
For those of you who truly know me, you know. Thank you for standing beside me & caring for me & understanding. Thank you for you are my dearest friends & family. Thanks for those who listened as I tried making sense of my life & helping me make decisions to move forward with the future. Even thanks to those that weren't there for me at first, but came around later & acknowledged my hurt & pain. Everyone - in one way or another - taught me a lesson in life.
Ever since then - something has been forming in my heart. I actually don't think I was aware of it at first. Maybe I was trying to ignore it because I didn't think I was good enough to do anything good for God. I wasn't and am not - by any means - perfect or even close to it. I do not claim to be. There is only ONE who is of pure perfection & my light shines pale to His. But definitely I felt a tugging on my heart of wanting to do something amazing with my life, my testimony (no matter how painful my past), my faith for HIM. It was almost like when I first received Jesus Christ as my Saviour. I was nine years old. I wanted to shout it out on top of mountains that Jesus is the WAY, TRUTH, and LIFE. :) I even wrote everyone I knew & told them they were "in for it" if they didn't receive Him as their Saviour. I know that is the wrong way to go about it, but try telling a nine year old that. ;) I just want to do something good for God - something that makes a difference in someone's life - I just want to stand on that mountain top & praise His HOLY name & drag everyone with me!
I am a passionate person. I think a lot of people are. So for months I've been praying, looking in my church's bulletin, praying, and just wondering "where do I fit in - in this big picture?". I am not and do not want to do this for MYSELF, so please do not get me wrong. I want to honor God. In every way acknowledge HIM. One day my pastor made an announcement of a "prayer circle" that our church does. Someone emails it out to you & you pray. I thought to myself, well that is a start. That is easy enough, anyone can pray. ANYONE can pray. Can just anyone pray? I received my first prayer list last week. My heart literally BROKE for each & every person on this prayer list. This prayer list is a heavy-duty one. I cried as I prayed for Danny Morales, an eight MONTH old baby who had open heart surgery. I was saddened as I prayed for a teenage girl who dedicated her LIFE to Jesus & had some sort of lump on her spine in which she needed surgery to remove. I have been crying every single Sunday service. I really honestly think God is softening my heart. I wonder if He does this sometimes to people to humble them before Him - I believe it helps when you are praying for someone to FEEL their pain. Does that make sense?
I think I may have found my calling (or at least one God has in store for now!) - I am at peace when I pray for others. I have been trying to instill the importance and the POWER of prayer in my daughter, Haylee. If you've been reading her blog, you know her HOPE for the FUTURE is to pray. Out of the mouth of babes. I think maybe if we ALL stopped and truly just put your heart into someone else's shoes - imagine losing all of your children in one horrid car accident - imagine never being able to hold your babies again - imagine going home to an empty house that used to be filled with noises of little feet & giggles. Can you imagine and put your HEART in someone else's? Can you pray for those people like they are related to you? I feel God has instilled this ability in me. I am not bragging. I am simply stating...God is amazing. He knew way back when I was HURTING that He was FORMING my heart into a heart of a prayer warrior. I truly believe this.
I truly believe He has a plan for ALL of us. Are you listening to Him? If you are listening, are you following? He has big plans for you too. He creates us for a single purpose. You are not just here just to be here. You have meaning. :)
I love you guys - if you got this far thank you for listening to my thoughts & feelings. I love everyone that leaves me sweet comments. Even if you don't, I know you're reading. Have a blessed day! Love ya....Melissa
I just wanted to share a little bit about me on here, since it is my blog and all. (Tim's too, but I promise you'll never see him on here, LOL. He's not a writer ~ but I do read to him what I write!)
Just a couple of years ago I came across a stumbling block in my life. It's way too personal to type up details on here & besides it is not something I tell just anyone. This stumbling block was something I had been holding onto for YEARS. By years I mean over 20 years. I finally one day decided to let it go. The reason behind letting it go - it was ruining me as a person. It got into my heart and left a bitterness that only Satan can feed. It was damaging myself, my friends, relationships and sadly my marriage. I would say it was THE hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life.
For those of you who truly know me, you know. Thank you for standing beside me & caring for me & understanding. Thank you for you are my dearest friends & family. Thanks for those who listened as I tried making sense of my life & helping me make decisions to move forward with the future. Even thanks to those that weren't there for me at first, but came around later & acknowledged my hurt & pain. Everyone - in one way or another - taught me a lesson in life.
Ever since then - something has been forming in my heart. I actually don't think I was aware of it at first. Maybe I was trying to ignore it because I didn't think I was good enough to do anything good for God. I wasn't and am not - by any means - perfect or even close to it. I do not claim to be. There is only ONE who is of pure perfection & my light shines pale to His. But definitely I felt a tugging on my heart of wanting to do something amazing with my life, my testimony (no matter how painful my past), my faith for HIM. It was almost like when I first received Jesus Christ as my Saviour. I was nine years old. I wanted to shout it out on top of mountains that Jesus is the WAY, TRUTH, and LIFE. :) I even wrote everyone I knew & told them they were "in for it" if they didn't receive Him as their Saviour. I know that is the wrong way to go about it, but try telling a nine year old that. ;) I just want to do something good for God - something that makes a difference in someone's life - I just want to stand on that mountain top & praise His HOLY name & drag everyone with me!
I am a passionate person. I think a lot of people are. So for months I've been praying, looking in my church's bulletin, praying, and just wondering "where do I fit in - in this big picture?". I am not and do not want to do this for MYSELF, so please do not get me wrong. I want to honor God. In every way acknowledge HIM. One day my pastor made an announcement of a "prayer circle" that our church does. Someone emails it out to you & you pray. I thought to myself, well that is a start. That is easy enough, anyone can pray. ANYONE can pray. Can just anyone pray? I received my first prayer list last week. My heart literally BROKE for each & every person on this prayer list. This prayer list is a heavy-duty one. I cried as I prayed for Danny Morales, an eight MONTH old baby who had open heart surgery. I was saddened as I prayed for a teenage girl who dedicated her LIFE to Jesus & had some sort of lump on her spine in which she needed surgery to remove. I have been crying every single Sunday service. I really honestly think God is softening my heart. I wonder if He does this sometimes to people to humble them before Him - I believe it helps when you are praying for someone to FEEL their pain. Does that make sense?
I think I may have found my calling (or at least one God has in store for now!) - I am at peace when I pray for others. I have been trying to instill the importance and the POWER of prayer in my daughter, Haylee. If you've been reading her blog, you know her HOPE for the FUTURE is to pray. Out of the mouth of babes. I think maybe if we ALL stopped and truly just put your heart into someone else's shoes - imagine losing all of your children in one horrid car accident - imagine never being able to hold your babies again - imagine going home to an empty house that used to be filled with noises of little feet & giggles. Can you imagine and put your HEART in someone else's? Can you pray for those people like they are related to you? I feel God has instilled this ability in me. I am not bragging. I am simply stating...God is amazing. He knew way back when I was HURTING that He was FORMING my heart into a heart of a prayer warrior. I truly believe this.
I truly believe He has a plan for ALL of us. Are you listening to Him? If you are listening, are you following? He has big plans for you too. He creates us for a single purpose. You are not just here just to be here. You have meaning. :)
I love you guys - if you got this far thank you for listening to my thoughts & feelings. I love everyone that leaves me sweet comments. Even if you don't, I know you're reading. Have a blessed day! Love ya....Melissa
Lift up the family in the accident...
The bad accident I blogged about last night...it was on the news today that two children were killed, one 4 year old and one 2 year old. Two little girls. :( Also, the 5 year old brother was rushed to surgery & died last night at 9pm. My heart is BROKEN for this family, can you imagine?
Here is the story:
http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1681224.php
Here is the family's website:
http://chriscoble.googlepages.com/
Let's lift this family up...let's pray.
Blessings today,
Melissa
Here is the story:
http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1681224.php
Here is the family's website:
http://chriscoble.googlepages.com/
Let's lift this family up...let's pray.
Blessings today,
Melissa
Crazy day!
I can't type much about this topic right now ~ but on Monday afternoon please lift me up in prayer & be thinking of me. Don't worry, I'm perfectly healthy, it is not my health or anything. :) Just think of me please!
On my way home from work today - WOW - I forgot that Tim had called me 2 hours earlier, he was on his way to take a test for school. He had said there was a horrible car accident. I actually, honestly didn't think much of it. Car accidents happen everyday right?
Little did I know, 2 hours later...WOW. Let me first explain that usually it takes me only 20 MINUTES to get from my work place to Haylee's school to pick her up. There was SO much traffic it took me 2 HOURS to pick up Haylee! At first I was upset because I thought it was just crazy California traffic on Interstate 5. I mean, it's not UNusual to have traffic on a Friday afternoon, but good grief! When I finally passed this accident that happened over 2 hours ago, it was the most horrifying. My eyes welled up with tears. It was a diesel truck that had crashed into the back of a mini-van - - which I am SURE had children in it since I saw a child's blanket on the ground and a toy. There were probably 3-4 other cars involved and they were also smashed. It was horrible, my heart jumped up into my throat. I feel like MY own life just flashed before me. It could have been me, or someone I know, and even though it wasn't, I humbled down & prayed.
Tim told me later they had to helicopter the medics down to pick up some bodies and there were some fatalities. How horrendous. I was so sad! Please be in prayer tonight for these poor people involved, I don't even know who they are. God knows.
Anyway - on a lighter note, the traffic jam made me take out my church's prayer list & I just went down and prayed for those individuals. I can't wait to write cards for these people! I just hope that they get it at just the time they need to hear encouragement. I just want God to use me in the best way possible. I feel really small alone, but by God's side I can make a huge difference.
I hope you all have a wonderful day. Also, to my friend "Kimba" I just want to say that I've been thinking of you since you came to me today - just hang in there and God has a plan for us all. Sometimes it seems like people deceive us - but God has a reason for everything He does. I'll be praying for you! You know I love ya!
Take care & have a fabulous weekend everyone!! :)
Love ya ~ Melissa
Here's a pic of me & my precious girl:
On my way home from work today - WOW - I forgot that Tim had called me 2 hours earlier, he was on his way to take a test for school. He had said there was a horrible car accident. I actually, honestly didn't think much of it. Car accidents happen everyday right?
Little did I know, 2 hours later...WOW. Let me first explain that usually it takes me only 20 MINUTES to get from my work place to Haylee's school to pick her up. There was SO much traffic it took me 2 HOURS to pick up Haylee! At first I was upset because I thought it was just crazy California traffic on Interstate 5. I mean, it's not UNusual to have traffic on a Friday afternoon, but good grief! When I finally passed this accident that happened over 2 hours ago, it was the most horrifying. My eyes welled up with tears. It was a diesel truck that had crashed into the back of a mini-van - - which I am SURE had children in it since I saw a child's blanket on the ground and a toy. There were probably 3-4 other cars involved and they were also smashed. It was horrible, my heart jumped up into my throat. I feel like MY own life just flashed before me. It could have been me, or someone I know, and even though it wasn't, I humbled down & prayed.
Tim told me later they had to helicopter the medics down to pick up some bodies and there were some fatalities. How horrendous. I was so sad! Please be in prayer tonight for these poor people involved, I don't even know who they are. God knows.
Anyway - on a lighter note, the traffic jam made me take out my church's prayer list & I just went down and prayed for those individuals. I can't wait to write cards for these people! I just hope that they get it at just the time they need to hear encouragement. I just want God to use me in the best way possible. I feel really small alone, but by God's side I can make a huge difference.
I hope you all have a wonderful day. Also, to my friend "Kimba" I just want to say that I've been thinking of you since you came to me today - just hang in there and God has a plan for us all. Sometimes it seems like people deceive us - but God has a reason for everything He does. I'll be praying for you! You know I love ya!
Take care & have a fabulous weekend everyone!! :)
Love ya ~ Melissa
Here's a pic of me & my precious girl:
I love prayer!
Today was National day of Prayer - I hope everyone got a chance to pray. I did at my lunch time. I actually joined my church's prayer circle a couple of days ago. Today I got the email for the week. There were SO many requests, and you would believe how many were people with cancer and even babies having OPEN HEART surgery! My heart was breaking the more requests I read. I think God has called me to be one of His prayer warriors. :)
I sat, ate my lunch, read my requests & PRAYED. I think I'll print them out & pray everyday for the week before I read my Bible at night! (Which I've just started again) I have a Daily Walk Bible and I'm SO far behind (blushing now). I even emailed my pastor & told him how bad I felt, but he said to not worry & to pick up TODAY. So I did yesterday, in Ezra. Ezra is interesting too. I read the intro and just KNEW God needed me in that chapter, on that day. He is just amazing.
Speaking of prayer - I have a request. I have a possible opportunity that I just have to take if it's God's plan. This is going to happen within the next week or so, can you just keep me in your prayers to make sure this is God's will? Thank you much! I love you guys!!
I sat, ate my lunch, read my requests & PRAYED. I think I'll print them out & pray everyday for the week before I read my Bible at night! (Which I've just started again) I have a Daily Walk Bible and I'm SO far behind (blushing now). I even emailed my pastor & told him how bad I felt, but he said to not worry & to pick up TODAY. So I did yesterday, in Ezra. Ezra is interesting too. I read the intro and just KNEW God needed me in that chapter, on that day. He is just amazing.
Speaking of prayer - I have a request. I have a possible opportunity that I just have to take if it's God's plan. This is going to happen within the next week or so, can you just keep me in your prayers to make sure this is God's will? Thank you much! I love you guys!!
Numb
I just feel blah today - right now. My heart was SO heavy when I drove to pick Haylee up, I shed a few tears. It's just crazy. Another person at my work got fired today. This girl was in my office & I was really enjoying getting to know her. You know, I really love my job & what I do. I really love what my company stands for. It's just sad that two people who I really got to know got fired within one month of each other.
I know God puts things in my life for a reason. I think the reason why I'm working at this place is for faith. Faith in God. Faith that I will lean on HIM alone & put my trust in NOTHING else. I do believe that God does this for a reason. When things like this happen, I just wonder why though. I don't even question God anymore because I know that He does have a reason. I'm pretty sure I know why my friends got fired. But God knows the ultimate reason & He knows what He is doing overall. :o)
With every life experience I feel like I'm growing. I know that sounds silly, but wow is it so true! Sometimes it makes me look at things, life in a WHOLE new light. I take for granted so many things, so many moments I have with my daughter, with my husband - - I am really trying not to complain about things so much lately. I really think God is working on my life somehow - I'm not sure what His direction, but everyday I rest in the fact that He will not give me anymore than what I can handle & I gave my life/soul to Him a LONG time ago. I am just REALLY learning what it is like to put my total FAITH in Him. :o) It's amazing to see the results.
I wish I could pour my heart out on here - but I will leave you with this. Putting all your faith in God is NOT an easy task. It takes practice, it takes prayer and it takes a heavy burden off your shoulders.
I know God puts things in my life for a reason. I think the reason why I'm working at this place is for faith. Faith in God. Faith that I will lean on HIM alone & put my trust in NOTHING else. I do believe that God does this for a reason. When things like this happen, I just wonder why though. I don't even question God anymore because I know that He does have a reason. I'm pretty sure I know why my friends got fired. But God knows the ultimate reason & He knows what He is doing overall. :o)
With every life experience I feel like I'm growing. I know that sounds silly, but wow is it so true! Sometimes it makes me look at things, life in a WHOLE new light. I take for granted so many things, so many moments I have with my daughter, with my husband - - I am really trying not to complain about things so much lately. I really think God is working on my life somehow - I'm not sure what His direction, but everyday I rest in the fact that He will not give me anymore than what I can handle & I gave my life/soul to Him a LONG time ago. I am just REALLY learning what it is like to put my total FAITH in Him. :o) It's amazing to see the results.
I wish I could pour my heart out on here - but I will leave you with this. Putting all your faith in God is NOT an easy task. It takes practice, it takes prayer and it takes a heavy burden off your shoulders.
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