Good Morning!

Good Morning!

Wow, is it sad I can't remember the last time I said that? Sitting here with my coffee typing this up while my kids play in the next room. I laughed as I saw Micah barreling after Joy on his knees as fast as he possibly could. Its funny, the bumps and noises I hear used to bug me, realizing the neighbors (who actually are usually gone this time of day) may hear and complain. I am starting to accept it and even enjoy the comfort in those little familiar noises my kids make. Micah is trying to talk to Joy. Joy is grinning back at him and telling him something she learned probably from the latest Madeline and he smiles back before they are off again. Joy walks in with a pretty dress she has changed into, looking for her usual affirmations and I smile knowing my girl who I know is gorgeous truly believes it too and loves to hear her Mommy say it.

Its interesting though. How often do we get out of bed not anticipating the best, hoping we can just make it through the day, often worried about what lays ahead of us at home or at work or even down the road, say a month away or more? I was thinking about this topic of worry. I often used to tell people I was concerned, not worried. In my head that was okay. Concern for others is a good thing but I often wonder if I overused the word because I didn't want to admit I still had my worrisome moments and I still lost faith at times. In Matthew 6:25-33 (NASB), we get a very clear message:

“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

God definitely doesn't mince words here. "You of little faith!" He lets us know to not worry, what He takes care of and then calls us out! How easy is it to let worry consume us, get the best of us, stop us from moving forward, from having complete and utter faith in the One Who Made Us?? 

I truly believe worry affects more people than most realize and that worry stops us from truly enjoying the life God GAVE us! Remember the song, "These Days" by Mandisa in my previous post?

So I'll learn to love these days
Life along the way
In the middle
Of the crazy
God, Your love is so amazing
Through the ups and downs
You're the only hope I've found
Lord, You meet me
In the madness
So, I'll learn to love these days

God not only loves us through it all, he is in the MADNESS. If He is in it all, why worry at all? 

Okay, not so easy right? But let's pray on it a bit? Find encouragement and "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness," not yours, yes? It makes sense. So I leave you with another song to get your day going or keep your day going. (And yes, clearly I am a Mandisa fan.) If you want the link to "These Day," go back 1-2 posts. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnmWwudeqfM 

As always,
     Melis

Passed that milestone...

Still listening to "These Days" by Mandisa... Still working on that attitude though :) 

To all of you who prayed for us, thank you! I had a rough week physically. I got my first ever migraines Wednesday and Thursday and David was working nonstop shifts as usual. Joy had a fabulous week at VBS thanks to our wonderful church, Cedar Grove Community Church!  Friday was insane but calmed down with some good friends over for dinner. It was nice to be able to finally relax and enjoy the blessing that they are to us (as well as their adorable daughter). We made it through that milestone and look forward to the many milestones and times God will lead us through in the future. Feeling hopeful as I see God working. I know God is going to work all of this out! Be encouraged. God is so REAL!

That's all for now...
    Melis

Blessed & Distressed... I am Stronger!

Hi Friends,
  Was about to write yesterday after a victory around here but then decided to wait for day 2 and then life flipped on me a bit. But that is what I am about... sharing the ups and downs, being real. So...

Yesterday, David got our 2nd car running again and was able to pay the registration. Such a big thing right now! This week we have enough going on, it was going to be a huge challenge with one car. It also gives me hope for upcoming weeks as I try to schedule things for the kiddos and I. We are no longer completely limited to David's 60 hour weeks! (Yes, that is right.) 

Today, I woke up, took Joy to VBS with a huge smile on her face and then was able to get out on my own a little while David took Micah and then picked up Joy for me. (He even had to take a longer route back due to an accident on the highway.) However, sometime after I got into a conversation that turned a little sour for me. And even though I knew I had no reason to let someone get me down, I just haven't been able to fully shake the feeling.

Tonight, David is going to finish cleaning the house for our inspection tomorrow. So ready for that to be over. They are trying to make up for everything that hasn't happened for years around here. So, feeling a little down here but trying to keep my head up. Started looking for Mandisa's new song when I realized it wasn't out to see yet but decided to play some others of hers. I love her music but clearly have missed quite a few. So, for you, I have included the link to the lyrics video and also the actual lyrics below. Be encouraged! There's more where that came from!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tezG4LRNzw

"These Days"

I never liked Mondays or bad news
Or breakin in new shoes
And mornings when I can't find my phone
Nobody likes traffic or short nights
Or situps or long flights
But sometimes that's just the way it goes
It's funny what you use to help me grow...

So I'll learn to love these days
Life along the way
In the middle of the crazy
God your love is so amazing
Through the ups and downs
You're the only hope I've found
The Lord you meet me in the madness

I'll learned to love these days
I'll learned to love these days

I can see a silver linin
When the sun's not shinin'
Even when you choose to bring the rain
Oh, but I'm trustin your leadin'
'Cause your Lord of all my joy and all my pain

So I'll learn to love these days
Life along the way
In the middle of the crazy
God, your love is so amazing
Through the ups and downs
You're the only hope I've found
The Lord you meet me in the madness

I'll learned to love these days
I'll learned to love these days

I could wait the hundred years
You gave me here the days when you near
The days when I was out there
Lookin for what comes next
Oh, cause every minute,every hour, everyday
Is such a gift and I can say
I'm thankful for each day

So I'll learn to love these days
Life along the way
In the middle of the crazy
God, your love is so amazing
Through the ups and downs
You're the only hope I've found
The Lord you meet me in the madness

So I'll learned to love these days
I'll learned to love these days
I'll learned to love these days
I'll learned to love these days

Feels a little abrupt but that is all that came out of my swirly whirly brain today. Have a good day and pray & think on that, okay? Its something I definitely need to work on.... learning to love even THOSE days :( lol.

That's all for now...

Melis

What a Week- For Daddies of Angels...

Life has been crazy lately. I know so many of you can relate. I wanted to recount our family weekend, a family visit and post photos of some of those times we have had recently but I will admit that's not so easy. David works 2 jobs and I do my best to hold down the fort at home and keep the kids happy and alive. However, this week is a week in which as hard as it likely is to be, it will be filled with many wonderful memories. Joy goes to VBS at our church, Cedar Grove Community this week and she I am sure will have a fabulous time. I am so thankful for all of the volunteers in our church that will be serving this week so my girl can have a blast learning more about Jesus this week!  

Today is Father's Day. I am thankful for my Daddy but also for my hubby who is working yet again instead of at home with his family. He works so hard for so little and plods along, never missing work unless he absolutely must. He is a wonderful example of a husband and father! 

However today, I am also aware of what else this week brings. On Friday, we will be remembering our little Squirt vividly, as that is the day our angel was due to be born. So many of you know this month has been hard on us but this week the pain has already hit with a vengeance. I have memories of good and bad from going through the first trimester to the ultrasounds and then the day we saw no heartbeat was there anymore. I have already fought back tears at least 3 times today and I can only imagine how hard it has or will hit my sweet hubby. One of the things I have felt more and more in my heart is to be a part of the movement that is bringing these angels and what their parents go through out into the open, that is is alright to talk about, good to talk about and that so many deal with a loss of a child in utero and afterwards. One of these groups posted a nice poem today for angel daddies. I think this is especially important to remember today as so many Daddies hold down the fort when Momma is dealing with her own grief. So go ahead and click if you dare. I warn you it will likely bring a tear to your eyes but I thought it was poignant and helpful for where we are in our lives. 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151476901953016&set=a.306732548015.148003.265529163015&type=1&theater

And continue to pray for us. Its a busy week and with Friday just around the corner, I am sure things will not get much easier. I thank you all for reading and praying for us. I hope to bring some smiles to your faces sometime soon. Have a wonderful Father's Day!

*Melis*

Check in!

Hi friends! I know its been awhile since I have posted. We have been doing quite a bit and David is now officially working 2 jobs so I have been up to my ears in my kids. I hope and pray you all are doing well and will hang in there while I continue to sort it all out and share soon enough. Meanwhile, I think its getting A LOT closer to bed time. Thanking the Lord for my sweet family tonight. Don't forget to hug and kiss yours too! Have a great week! 

*Melis*