You know, I really love the Lord. He Is. Isn’t that the Truth? He Is. Lovely. Pure. Holy. Above all, in all, Creator of all. He is Life and Love and all things beautiful.
I find myself in awe of Him, usually when I’m doing something seemingly unrelated to His glory. And yet, everything is related to His glory – everything either glorifies Him or steals His glory. How convicting, when I think of my actions – which ones glorify Him and which ones glorify myself?
His plan is so perfect. I am delighting in it. Delighting in Him, in the area He has me now. I love studying His word with my Pastor’s wife. I love leading GAs. I love giving. I love forgetting about the American Dream and focusing on what Scripture says.
I hope this lasts forever.
10.29.2011
10.11.2011
Tuesday Tribute.
Day with my Dad.
Well, afternoon with my Dad. We don't do that often. I don't know why not. Just busy, I guess.
I had a consultation in Anchorage for a surgery I am having done next month. He went in with me to talk to the surgeon also. On the way in, I asked him about what kind of guy he thought I'd end up marrying... and it was really interesting to hear his thoughts. Apparently he and my mom talked about it recently. He talked about (according to him) how old he think the guy will be, what his personality will be like, how he should be taller than Brad and Jeff so that he's not intimidated... how he'll want to do missions and will be outgoing. Really cool.
We got there WAY early, so we went to the mall :) He bought Mom a birthday card, and I bought shoes, and he bought a calendar. Ha.
The consult itself was fine - they couldn't find my video/X-Rays, but assured me they would look at them before the surgery. Phew, right?!
Icecream, pepperoni sticks, and a gun store on the way home - that's how we roll.
So thankful for my Dad, who can communicate his favorite thing about my Mom, who clearly loves me and wants the best for me, who speaks truth and encouragement into my life.
Well, afternoon with my Dad. We don't do that often. I don't know why not. Just busy, I guess.
I had a consultation in Anchorage for a surgery I am having done next month. He went in with me to talk to the surgeon also. On the way in, I asked him about what kind of guy he thought I'd end up marrying... and it was really interesting to hear his thoughts. Apparently he and my mom talked about it recently. He talked about (according to him) how old he think the guy will be, what his personality will be like, how he should be taller than Brad and Jeff so that he's not intimidated... how he'll want to do missions and will be outgoing. Really cool.
We got there WAY early, so we went to the mall :) He bought Mom a birthday card, and I bought shoes, and he bought a calendar. Ha.
The consult itself was fine - they couldn't find my video/X-Rays, but assured me they would look at them before the surgery. Phew, right?!
Icecream, pepperoni sticks, and a gun store on the way home - that's how we roll.
So thankful for my Dad, who can communicate his favorite thing about my Mom, who clearly loves me and wants the best for me, who speaks truth and encouragement into my life.
10.03.2011
Lessons Learned, According To Melissa.
Don't be afraid to be the first one dancing in a group of people. They will enjoy your Sprinkler and Shopping Cart.
Purity does not mean you can only date one boy. Do not plan on marrying the first (or even second) boy you ever date.
Choose everyday to worship. Pray while you are flat on your face, back to the sky - you hear better that way, too.
Call your parents every week. They really do love hearing from their kids, no matter how "wayward" you think you may be. And be prepared to answer, "So what else is going on?" While I'm on this subject, call your grandparents, too. Better yet - write letters. Grandmas love letters. Unfortunately, I didn't fully realize that until I went to college. But it's never too late to start writing letters.
Write letters to lots of people - who doesn't love getting real live mail?
Accept it: life will NOT go how you plan. You might not work in a job for which you studied at school. You might not marry THAT ONE BOY. You might actually be the old lady with 15 cats someday. But it's okay. Because you can also accept the fact that God is still on the throne.
When boys named Ravi say you are a nice dancer and have a face like that of a European descendant, ignore him.
Allow yourself to be captivated: by sunrises, stars, Bible verses, cute shoes, the intricacy of a crocheting pattern, the colors of your own eyes.
Forgive. Let it go.
Don't be so caught up in Things On-Line that you aren't actively engaged in the life you are living. Likewise, don't be so caught up in What Used To Be that you miss What Is Now.
If you like it (and it's honoring to God) do it. Even if others think it is ridiculous. I'm thinking of dancing in a crowd of 8000 people, planking in public places, going on blind dates, acting like a hippie, taking random pictures. Enjoy it. Those times make the best stories later on.
Learn to tell a good story. It can be real or not. But make sure you know how to catch people's attention and keep it. It keeps you and others from being bored, fills awkward silences, and makes you quite popular with the ages five and under crowd.
And don't date a boy who doesn't like listening to made-up stories! If you don't think he would appreciate that side of you, or any other side your personality - however ridiculous it may be - don't date him. What will you have to talk about when you are 65 and it's just the two of you?
As Mom always said, "It's easy to fall in love with the wrong person." So true. Listen to my Momma.
Be good at something creative. Not professional level, necessarily, but be really good at it. It can be reading, writing, story-telling, painting, beat-boxing, knitting, etc. Own it.
Get some sleep. More than you think you need. Whatever IT is you are doing, it can wait until tomorrow. Chances are, you'll enjoy it more then anyway.
Purity does not mean you can only date one boy. Do not plan on marrying the first (or even second) boy you ever date.
Choose everyday to worship. Pray while you are flat on your face, back to the sky - you hear better that way, too.
Call your parents every week. They really do love hearing from their kids, no matter how "wayward" you think you may be. And be prepared to answer, "So what else is going on?" While I'm on this subject, call your grandparents, too. Better yet - write letters. Grandmas love letters. Unfortunately, I didn't fully realize that until I went to college. But it's never too late to start writing letters.
Write letters to lots of people - who doesn't love getting real live mail?
Accept it: life will NOT go how you plan. You might not work in a job for which you studied at school. You might not marry THAT ONE BOY. You might actually be the old lady with 15 cats someday. But it's okay. Because you can also accept the fact that God is still on the throne.
When boys named Ravi say you are a nice dancer and have a face like that of a European descendant, ignore him.
Allow yourself to be captivated: by sunrises, stars, Bible verses, cute shoes, the intricacy of a crocheting pattern, the colors of your own eyes.
Forgive. Let it go.
Don't be so caught up in Things On-Line that you aren't actively engaged in the life you are living. Likewise, don't be so caught up in What Used To Be that you miss What Is Now.
If you like it (and it's honoring to God) do it. Even if others think it is ridiculous. I'm thinking of dancing in a crowd of 8000 people, planking in public places, going on blind dates, acting like a hippie, taking random pictures. Enjoy it. Those times make the best stories later on.
Learn to tell a good story. It can be real or not. But make sure you know how to catch people's attention and keep it. It keeps you and others from being bored, fills awkward silences, and makes you quite popular with the ages five and under crowd.
And don't date a boy who doesn't like listening to made-up stories! If you don't think he would appreciate that side of you, or any other side your personality - however ridiculous it may be - don't date him. What will you have to talk about when you are 65 and it's just the two of you?
As Mom always said, "It's easy to fall in love with the wrong person." So true. Listen to my Momma.
Be good at something creative. Not professional level, necessarily, but be really good at it. It can be reading, writing, story-telling, painting, beat-boxing, knitting, etc. Own it.
Get some sleep. More than you think you need. Whatever IT is you are doing, it can wait until tomorrow. Chances are, you'll enjoy it more then anyway.
10.02.2011
Lessons Learned.
I really enjoy reading advice that people give. You know, the "23 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Was 23." I love them. I really enjoy hearing/reading about what matters to people - what lessons have they learned that make them who they are now? What would they redo? What are they proud of?
There are some girls at church who are in college. When they entered, I gave them freshman year advice: Do not seriously date a boy your first year in college. Sophomore year, the advice was different: Get out of the country and experience something different. While you are Outside, go out of your way to do something for someone else. My advice for Junior year would be thus: Give friendships a second chance. Be the kind of friend you want to have. And then Senior year: Learn how to worship. And do a Bible study with other senior girls.
But the more I've thought, in general, about advice, the more I want to share. I do not by any means have it all together. But I believe that the Lord is faithful, and He does work everything for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. Soon I will post my advice. I don't know if it will have a catchy title, or a certain number of items. But I hope it is valid.
There are some girls at church who are in college. When they entered, I gave them freshman year advice: Do not seriously date a boy your first year in college. Sophomore year, the advice was different: Get out of the country and experience something different. While you are Outside, go out of your way to do something for someone else. My advice for Junior year would be thus: Give friendships a second chance. Be the kind of friend you want to have. And then Senior year: Learn how to worship. And do a Bible study with other senior girls.
But the more I've thought, in general, about advice, the more I want to share. I do not by any means have it all together. But I believe that the Lord is faithful, and He does work everything for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. Soon I will post my advice. I don't know if it will have a catchy title, or a certain number of items. But I hope it is valid.
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