A call to Anguish...

Just listened to another powerful stirring call...a call to 

"anguish"...yes...a call to be broken with the heart of Christ!

I encourage you to watch with PRAYERFUL HEART!

"Call to Anguish - by David Wilkerson"

I'm reminded of the Hymn...

Let Your Heart Be Broken

 

Let your heart be broken for a world in need

Feed the mouths that hunger,

soothe the wounds that bleed.

Give the cup of water, and the loaf of bread.

Be the hands of Jesus, serving in his stead.

 

Here on earth applying principles of love.

Visible expression, God still rules above.

Living illustration of the living word,

to the minds of all who've never seen or heard.

 

Blest to be a blessing, privileged to care,

challenged by the need, apparent everywhere.

Where mankind is wanting, fill the vacant place.

Be the means through which

The Lord reveals His grace.

 

Add to your believing deeds that prove it true,

knowing Christ as Savior, Make Him Master too.

Follow in His footsteps, go where he has trod;

In the worlds great trouble risk yourself for God.

 

Let your heart be tender and your vision clear;

See mankind as God sees, serve Him far and near.

Let your heart be broken by a brothers pain;

Share your rich resources, give and give again.

The more I seek Him, the more I find...

"And ye shall seek me and find me, when you search for me with ALL YOUR HEART!" Jer 29:13

The more I seek Him,

The more I find Him.

The more I find Him,

The more I love Him!

I want to sit at your feet

Drink from the cup in your hand

Lay back against you and breath

Feel your heartbeat

This love is so deep

It is more than I can stand

I melt in your peace

It's overwhelming...

The more I seek Him

The more I find Him

The more I find Him

The more I love Him!

This love is so deep

It's more than I can stand

I melt in your peace, it's overwhelming...

And it's Beautiful!!! I love you Lord!!!

Joys forever more...

"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fullness of Joy. At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." Psalms 16:11

Had the wonderful joy of SURPRISING my family last weekend!! It was all rather last minute. I was thinking about all I had to do, and the stuff I had to move home (which has multiplied) and wondering how I was going to manage it all in only one trip. Then I talked to my mom on the phone and she told me about how they were having a big canoe trip and weekend with friends and how sad she was that I would miss the weekend (Since I still had 2 wks to work!) After I hung up the phone, I was like, "Why don't I just drive home and surprise them! It's only 10 hours (ha ha), and I can drive all night after work Thursday and be home for a full weekend before I have to work again on Tuesday!!"

So......that is exactly what I did! Thursday am I got up early and packed, loaded down my Honda with as much stuff as I could cram, and then left for work. When I got off work at 11:45pm, I headed North on I-35.  I arrived at "Country Loven' Farm" at 9:30 am...almost 10 hours later!!! You should have seen the look on my parents and brothers faces when they saw me. (I snuck into the kitchen where everyone was, but my mom had her back to me and didn't see me. What made it more funny is, she was TALKING ABOUT ME to some friends. So I got in on the conversation. Initially everyone else saw me, but they kept quiet. When she finally turned and saw me standing at the foot of the stairs, her jaw about hit the floor. It was GREAT!!!!!)

So we all had a wonderful weekend together, and had a blast canoeing the Buffalo!! I've grown up on this famous Ozark river, but have been out West for the past few summers, so it was great to get in on the family fun again!

Now I'm in Texas for my last few days of work....then heading home one more time before I leave for CA, Korea, and more adventures. God is good...and I am sooo blessed!!

Where in the World is Melody???

I've had a few e-mails from concerned friends... "Where are you Melody? What's up with your life? Things have been kinda silent on your blog. Is everything ok?" And I just chuckle...

Everything is more than "ok." Yes, my life continues to be full and blessed!! (Just see pics above!!) The problem is, it is sooooo full and blessed, I've not had time to write about it. To catch the highlights of where I have been or what I've been up to...you have to be a friend on FACEBOOK!

Here's an overview from the last 6 weeks - Facebook Style :-)

May 3rd - Melody wants to GROW FAITH like potatoes!!! ;-) [Note - if you haven't watched the documentary, it is great! Not the movie, the DOCUMENTARY in the special feature section of the movie.]

May 4th - with a heavy heart, is reminded this earth is NOT our home...we're just passing through!! [Friend's child drowned!]

May 8th - Melody has seen AGAIN this week....His Strength is Perfect!!!

May 10th - I just called and wished BOTH my MOTHER'S a Happy mothers Day!! I am sooo blessed!!! [Still have warm memories of their visit here in TX this spring!!]

May 12th - Melody had to call a CODE BLUE tonight!!! [It was too late...his heart recovered, but his brain never did! He transferred to ICU and family pulled life support a few days later...soooo sad! I can't ask myself "If only" - God is in control...]

May 13th - Melody is sooo proud of her sister SANDRA....graduating and about to join our ranks of "REGISTERED NURSES"!!! [Sandra completed Nursing and we all celebrated in Oklahoma for her Nurse's pinning ceremony!]

May 14th - Time to mark your calenders and plan to attend our first ARMe Bible Camp!!! It's a conference you don't want to miss! It's gonna be AWESOME!!!! http://www.armebiblecamp.com/ [This is one of the ministry projects I've been working on this spring with a team of dedicated leaders. Our speakers will be Pastor Ivor Myers, Pastor Doug Batchelor, Pastor Stephen Bohr, Evangelist Emmaneul Baek, and Taj Pacleb! We are thrilled and know it will be an awesome conference!!]

May 16th - Melody is learning new things about Medical Evangelism from Mr. Fiedler, and enjoying time with OA family! [Mr. Fiedler was one of my favorite teachers in highschool, and I still enjoy listening to him share! He's gained quite a reputation for his knowledge in SDA church history.]

May 17th - Melody is hanging out at Ouachita Hills Campus in AR, with Tim and Sunny!! It is soooooo green here!! [Went over with them to Alistair Huongs graduation!]

May 18th - Melody is thankful for His GRACE...and energized for a wonderful new week!!

May 20th - Melody is having fun training in my REPLACEMENT at work! She's gonna be great!! [They've had me doing specialized "plastic surgery patient" care, so now that I am leaving, they wanted me to train in a replacement!]

May 21st - Melody is praying about WHAT TO DO next?! It's exciting walking by faith, because you never know what Great things God has in store around the next corner, and I'm approaching another corner... ;-)

May 22nd - KOREA - here I come!!! (God has opened the doors for me to work with a mission team doing child/youth evangelism for a couple weeks this summer! I'm excited!)

May 26th - Melody is on a treadmill that keeps going FASTER!!!! Help.....stop this thing!!! ;-)

May 27th - Melody is seeing how long she can burn the candle at both ends and still LIVE! ;-) Worked til midnight, and haven't been to bed yet...leave for airport in a hour!! (You're RIGHT, I am nuts!!!)

May 30th - had a great evening with old Loma Linda friends, and thankful for Sabbath tomorrow!!! [Traveled to CA for Dave/Vanessa wedding weekend, and then to help Tim and Sunny drive to Ohio!]

May 31st - Melody is TIRED...but enjoying vacation with friends. Tomorrow is the BIG DAY for Dave and Vanessa!!!! Congratulations guys!!!!! [See slideshow and post below for more glimpse of this beautiful occasion!]

June 1st - is helping Tim and Sunny move to Ohio!!! I even get to help drive the big 26 foot truck....YEAH!!!!

June 2nd - 1:15 am - is having fun reading Tim and Deb's status updates...we are all on our computers (well 4 out of 6 of us) and we are all crashing after a long day!!! I drove the big 26 foot Penske all afternoon! Wooohoooo!!!! [Written from Flagstaff AZ]

June 1st - 8am - Grand Canyon HERE WE COME!!!! This is not my first time, but it's fun to be with everyone else when it is their FIRST!! ;-)

June 3rd - drove the big truck ALL the way from CA to OK (all but the first 4 hours - my daddy would be sooo proud of me!) Praising the Lord to get it here safely...and excited to be having Dad and Mom Holland join our travel crew for our last LONG day of driving to OH!!

June 5th - It's 1:18 AM....and we arrived safely to Sunny and Tim's new home in Ohio!! We've set up our air mattresses, and tomorrow will unload the truck! Praising the Lord for safe travels!!!! ;-) (PS: I am going to miss driving that BIG truck...it was a blast!!!)

June 5th - 6pm - Truck unloaded, food for Sabbath ready, rooms in house are in progress...still can't decide where to put mirror! (It's a looong story!!) We are all pooped!! Praise the Lord for a day of rest!!!

June 7th - Got to take a quick trip to Illinois and visit Carolyn and 3ABN!! Enjoyed touring the sets and seeing more behind the scenes!

June 8th - Melody has enjoyed the time with Tim/Sunny and family and is heading back to TX to finish her contract!! Then on to NEW ADVENTURES...

June 9th - Melody missed both flights out of Ohio today...first one was over-booked, second one had mechanical problems!!! (So....sigh....I got a free round trip ticket and get to hang out with family for 1 more day...minus all my luggage!!) [During this extra day, we toured the National Airforce Museum in Dayton. Even toured all the planes that the President - as recent as Clinton (yeah!) have ridden in!]

June 11th - I did NOT make it to my destination airport but am very glad to be ALIVE!! Wildest flight of my life! (Now I've got to figure out how to get to Killeen as I'm not ready to fly again right now!!) [This flight, obviously also had problems, due to weather! It's a long story I will write out soon, hopefully! Or maybe you can read about it in the next SetApartGirl online magazine!]

June 12th - The storms are still raging, but I am back in TX safe.....FINALLY!!! And I'm thankful for human guardian angels! [God sent someone to give me a ride from Abilene (where we had our emergency landing) all the way to Killeen! What a huge blessing!]

June 13th - Melody is listentening to: "My redeemer is faithful and true....everything He has said He will do, and every morning His mercies are new, my redeemer is faithful and true..." (I LOVE IT!!!!!)

June 15th - Melody can't go to sleep because she's reading the new SETAPARTGIRL online magazine!!! Wow...it's amazing how all our articles fit so perfectly together!!! I am sooo inspired!! http://www.setapartgirl.com/

June 17th - Melody is LOVING the life God has given her!!!!!

June 18th - Melody just finished a 60 hour work-week (5 twelve hour shifts in a row!! Wow! I am dead tired!!!)

June 19th - Melody is taking some extra time SET-APART (from FB) for her greatest LOVE, Jesus Christ!! "Oh taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the [woman] that trusteth in Him. O fear the Lord ye his saints, for there is no want to them that fear Him!" Ps 34:8-9

Yep, just acknowledging what has been obvious to everyone else...I've been on the treadmill too long, and need a break from it all. Don't get me wrong...I love FB, and I'll be back, but it can take up precious time, and since time is very limited right now as I am working soooo hard to finish up this contract and get ready for my next adventures, I decided I'd take a step back from it for a bit! Thus...my final and most recent status update...Besides, now that I'm off Facebook for a bit...I can actually take time to update my blog!! Yeah!

So...you see, it's been a full 6 weeks!!! ;-) All I can say is, through it all...God is good! All the time, God is good!!!

And they lived...Happily Ever After!!

*Thanks Wanda, for the Great photos!!

To see the professional slideshow - click here Rowena Curtis Photography

In tribute to Dave and Vanessa...

Being a true romantic at heart, it's always exciting when another one of my girlfriends get's engaged and starts planning her wedding! I'm all ears, for all the excitement and all the details!!

Last summer it was my sister Sunny's big day...this summer it was Vanessa's!!

From the very beginning I've enjoyed watching Vanessa and Dave's love blossom (it all started in the California poppy fields). And when Dave finally asked Vanessa to be his wife...well, you can just imagine the excitement for us all!! Then there were the trips to "David's Bridal" (how ironic is that), and trips to more wedding stores. What a fun time of life!!

Well, this past May 31st, they finally tied the knot...in the most beautiful and sacred way I think I have ever seen! I knew Vanessa was working like crazy trying to iron out all the details...but since I've been away in Texas this spring, I had no idea...just how many details. Once the big weekend came, it was evident...there was much thought, prayer, and planning in this wedding.

Of course, the setting was scenic, as you can see by the pictures. But more than a beautiful scene, and a lovely bride and groom, was the emphasis they put on God and His glory and honor. It was a beautiful tribute to a marvelous Creator...the author of true romance! I was inspired and impressed...and very blessed.

So Vanessa, you did good...on your man, on your day, and most importantly...on making a memory that ultimately glorified God!! May the rest of your love story be as beautiful as the beginning...and grow more beautiful through the years!!

And don't ever forget...your girlfriends will always love you!!

Our prayers...God's answer...

Isn't it interesting?? Much that perplexes us in our Christian experience is but the answer to our prayers... I can only smile thinking about it all...and the times when I've asked "Why" and God has softly replied, "But Mel, that's what you prayed for! I am only answering your prayers!"

Soak in the depth of one author's insights below. It is profound!

• We pray for patience, and our Father sends those who tax us to the utmost; for "tribulation worketh patience."
• We pray for submission, and God sends sufferings; for "we learn obediently by the things we suffer."
• We pray for unselfishness, and God gives us opportunities to sacrifice ourselves by thinking on the things of others, and by laying down our lives for the brethren.
• We pray for strength and humility, and some messenger of Satan torments us until we lie in the dust crying for its removal.
• We pray, "Lord increase our faith," and money takes wings; or the children are alarmingly ill; or a servant comes who is careless, extravagant, untidy or slow, or some hitherto unknown trial calls for an increase of faith along a line where we have not needed to exercise much faith before.
• We pray for the Lamb-like life, and are given a portion of lowly service, or we are injured and must seek no redress; for "He was led as a lamb to the slaughter...and opened not his mouth."
• We pray for gentleness, and there comes a perfect storm of temptation to harshness and irritability.
• We pray for quietness, and every nerve is strung to the utmost tension, so that looking to Him we may learn that when He giveth quietness, no one can make trouble.
• We pray for love, and God sends peculiar suffering and puts us with apparently unlovely people, and lets them say things which rasp the nerves and lacerate the heart; for love suffereth long and is kind, love is not impolite, love is not provoked. Love beareth all things, believeth, hopeth and endureth. Love never faileth.
• We pray for likeness to Jesus, and the answer is, "I have chosen thee in the furnance of affliction." "Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong."
  

The way to peace and victory is to accept every circumstance, every trial, straight from the hand of a loving Father; and to live up in the heavenly places, above the clouds, in the very presence of the throne, and to look down from the glory upon our environment as lovingly and divinely appointed.

-Author Unknown-

You're NOT GUILTY anymore...

“It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, doesn’t matter what you’re coming from, it doesn’t matter where you’ve been. Hear me tell you, I forgive.

You’re not guilty anymore. You’re not filthy anymore. I love you, mercy is yours. You’re not broken anymore, you’re not captive anymore. I love you, mercy is yours.

Can you believe that this is true. Grace abundant I am giving you. It’s cleansing deeper than you know. All was paid for long ago.

You’re not guilty anymore. You’re not filthy anymore. I love you, mercy is yours. You’re not broken anymore, you’re not captive anymore. I love you, mercy is yours.

There is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Jesus. You’re not guilty anymore. You’re not filthy anymore. I love you, mercy is yours. You’re not broken anymore, you’re not captive anymore. I love you, mercy is yours.

You are spotless. You are holy. You are faultless. You are whole. You are righteous. You are blameless. You are pardoned. You are MINE! You’re not guilty anymore. You’re not filthy anymore. I love you, mercy is yours. You’re not broken anymore. You’re not captive any more. I love you, mercy is yours.”

Praise the Lord, IN HIM who is our judge, lawgiver, and King....our Righteousness...we stand NOT GUILTY anymore!!!

Announcing the GREAT THINGS of THIS month of MAY!!!

To read some powerful articles, go to http://www.setapartgirl.com/

Wow...for the month of May, where do I begin???

With this month comes my sister Sandra's graduation from Nursing, my brother-in-law Tim's graduation from Medical School (He will now be a MD/PhD), one of my closest friend Vanessa's dream wedding to her best friend Dave, and my preparations for the big move with Sunny and Tim to Ohio. Besides these big monumental events though, there are lots of little things that make a difference in each and every day...

Yesterday it was delivering a warm banquet of Spring flowers to someone I appreciate, today it was spending some of the midnight hours in prayer and then waking up to discover the latest issue of SET-APART GIRL ready to read! Today it was also getting the routine "Happy May First" message from my college friend Mary, and having a good talk with one of my childhood best friends Val. These are blessings I just cannot keep to myself, but must share!!! Big things are exciting...but it's also the little things that make a big difference!

Happy May everyone...and remember...

"Happy is that people whose God is Lord..." Ps 144:15

Sharing the Colors of Spring with those I love...

"Bloom where you are planted!"

Flowers have always been a favorite of mine...in fact, as long as I can remember, I've always been "Mom's lil flower girl" picking everything I found, and revealing in its beauty. So it is even today. Every place I travel, I am always looking for the local beauties and the life and color they display. Last spring it was the California poppy fields and the famous Southern CA Daffodil Hill which I just heard will be closing to the public after this season.

Well, this year my discovery has been the Texas bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush. (Not hard to spot in spring!) And I have been extra spoiled in the fact that My Mom and brother from Arkansas came to visit, and my Mom Holland from Oklahoma also came to visit and enjoy the beauty with me. Below are a few of my favorite pics from our time together!!

One of my handsome brothers...just so you girls know there are still some good ones out there, in the making...a true Warrior poet and man of God!

I love you guys, all of you!! Thanks for coming and enjoying spring with me, and brightening my life!

Sometimes I wonder what God can create from all the brown and drab of my life...the mistakes and failures, and the times I've wasted. Yet God is in the business of miracles, and in bringing beauty from ashes. And if he can do it with the soil of our earth, He can surely do it with me! What hope and courage that brings!

"For the desert shall rejoice and blossom as a rose." Isa 35:1

I am tracking YOU!!!

This month my personal "Site-Counter" for this blog hit 10,000.....(Granted many of those hits are repeats!) Anyway, it's been fun to watch as I've had "repeated hits" from almost every continent. However, I've lost track of all the different countries around the world where people have visited from, so I just added a new feature "Cluster maps" to start visually tagging all the countries that I have page hits from! (Should have done this a long time ago!) So whoever is reading this, tell your friends they need to stop by....and let's get this "Cluster Map" clogged!!! ;-)

"Banana's 4 Bangladesh" is launched...

Before any more time goes by, I'd like to OFFICIALLY announce the website: http://www.bananas4bangladesh.com/

Please visit!! It shares about "The Moskala's Ministry of Love" and the Country that has captured my heart...I'm sure it will capture yours as well!!

"He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." I John 2:6

It's tough to be a Nurse that cares...

Texas nursing is really no different than nursing in Oklahoma, California, Colorado or anywhere else I've been. They are still the same sick people, struggling to ward off some deadly disease, cope with the new realities of life, or simply make it through more meds, more treatments, and just another day....

Nursing can be very depressing sometimes though...you see the sickest of society, in times and conditions that are less than flattering, and in circumstances that are often very grim. Pain, discouragement, despair, and hopelessness are all around you...and so is frustration, anger, complaining, and sometimes downright rudeness from those who haven't learned how to cope with their lot in life. As one quote goes, "If your day is going wrong, just pass it along to someone else!" And so, although trying to mend the wounds, soothe the fears, and bring some hope to my patients and their days, I still often get mistreated and lashed out at.

But then again, should I complain....I am certainly not the first to walk this path!

"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Isa 53:5

"Don't let yourself care too much! You have to be tough so things don't effect you." I was once cautioned by an older wiser nurse. "After all, death and pain are all around you....constantly!! You can't cry every time a patient dies (I usually do), you can't stop and wonder what it must feel like to have just received such dreadful news (I wonder), you can't dry every tear they shed (I still try)....you just can't let yourself care!"

Yet...with all that admonition, it hasn't changed me much....because I can't help it...I still care!!

Oh, I've learned how to have more professional composure, I've learned how to pick up and go on, I've learned how to know when to share and when to be silent...but I still care! I just can't help it! I pray that somehow, while they may be losing their opportunities for health in this life, that they'll somehow find hope for the next life to come!

Some of my patients I'm able to share Christ with in words, but most aren't ready...so I just share about Him in my actions, for they say, "Actions speak louder than words!" Yet I still pray for and care for each one!

There's a couple patients that have impacted my life in a more dramatic way these last few weeks.

Let's start with Kyle* - a bronzed 17 year old, athletic, good looking and obviously very talented young man with his whole life ahead of him. However, he didn't have a whole lot of respect for his parents or for the important things of life. He was just having fun!! Then one day this past weekend, while in the fast lane speeding with friends, their vehicle rolled. Now he's a paraplegic, for life!! And with the desperateness of a hurting child he clings to his parents for support. He wouldn't even allow me to give him his meds.... "Mom - will you give me my pills?" His brother gives him hugs, and when his dad leaves he hollers, "I love you!" as if it may be his last.

How many young people today are going to have to roll their cars in the fast lane of life, before they wake up to the reality of the value of life...the value of their family, the value of health and arms and legs that move?? It's sooo sad....but I am afraid, it will be many more.

Then there's Miss Becky*, a sweet 49 year old abdominoplasty and breast augmentation patient. Desperate to be more beautiful and reverse the signs of age, she's paid thousands to have a professional "tummy tuck" and "breast enlargement" and liposuction job. Yet it is obvious that she does not know God and her life will continue to be empty and shallow...even if in a more beautiful form.

When will she discover that true beauty is not made up of a sleek trim frame, or alluring curves, but rather it comes from having a living relationship with Jesus Christ....in the heart...a meek and quiet spirit, a humble servants heart, an attitude of love and gratefulness, a giving spirit?

Then there is Mrs. Lindsey* - a patient that has Congestive Heart Failure and is forced to wear oxygen everywhere she goes. She's in the hospital for Pacemaker repair, but hopes to be home soon. When we meet and she learns about my travels and that I don't even have my own place, but am staying with friends, she sweetly offers, "Well if you ever need a place to live when you are here, you can come live with me?!" I think she is joking, but the more she talks, I realize, this lady is serious. She doesn't know me from Adam...or should I say, Eve...yet she has bonded with me and is inviting me to come share her home!! What a giving spirit.

While no longer beautiful in outward form, there is a radiance and life in her eyes that even 72 years have not dimmed.

Then there's Mr. Morris* - an elderly man that was happily enjoying his retirement years when suddenly he had a stroke, and now he can only move one half of his body. He's sooo large he is difficult to turn, and he is getting bed sores. When I approach him and ask how he's doing, he whispers "Horrible." With some more prodding about where it is "horrible," he finally points to his head... "Up here it is horrible!" Ahhh...now I understand. I take his hand gently in mine. "It must be tough lying here feeling like there's nothing you can do, huh?" I softly begin. Tears come to his eyes as he nods. We talk some more. His body may be crippled, but there's obviously nothing wrong with this 80 year old man's mind. Finally I ask, "Do you know Jesus?" he shakes his head. I tell him about my story and how Jesus has changed my life. Then I softly ask, "Would you like to know Jesus? Would you like to make things right with him?" His whole body shakes uncontrollably! He cannot speak, he only cries...Finally he says, "Yes..." And I help him pray.

It may be close to the end for Mr. Morris...yet, it's still not too late to make things right! As long as there is life, it never is...

Then there's Mr. Henry* - Diagnosed with metastatic bone cancer, he barely gets around and lives in pain. His family has signed the DNR papers and stand beside him in support. We do all we can to keep him comfortable. But one evening, with an extra burst of energy he says he has to go to the bathroom. A bedpan will not do, he wants to walk there himself. Two people steady him as walks to the commode with his oxygen line in tow. Once there it is evident that he's not getting back to bed without major assistance. He is collapsing! Three of us literally drag him back to his bed and he dies in our arms along the way. For Mr. Henry there is no more chances. He will never see another day. While we knew his death was coming, it is so sudden and unexpected. All the nurses break down...even our CNA is crying.

And so our patients come, and so our patients go...some to their rest, some to rehab, and some to what they hope will be a improved life! But each one impacts me...and no matter the pain, I am determined to not grow hardened to it all!

If Jesus heart still breaks for our pain...and has for thousands of years now...why do we consider it such a sacrifice to carry "his cross" for just a few years...

"For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now." Rom 8:22

And so... "Jesus [too] wept..." John 11:35

No, I will not just turn and walk away! I am determined, I will continue to reach out and CARE....

*Names and some circumstances changed to protect identities.

Radical Feminity...dusting off the woman of Proverbs 31!

As women, in the modern world and church, we are fast loosing sight of the true spirit of femininity and passions that God has called us to uphold. In place of seeking to become the woman of Proverbs 31, we have been seeking to become the independent self-sufficient, new super-women of the modern age (aka "Martha Stewart"), cut and dried with clothes and make-up in place...a batch of cookies in the oven...an agenda that would make the Queen of England blush, and a calender of activities that would make our grandparents turn over in their graves. We try to do all the right things, have the right looks, go the right places, date the right guys, and even show our face in just the right "good Samaritan activities"... but more than not, it has become all about us!

What is life going to give us...what is God going to do for us...what is true love going to win for us?? When we stop a moment to take a breath, have a massage to de-stress, and take some "me time" to keep from turning into a mess, we discover, "Maybe being this woman of the new age isn't that spectacular after all. Maybe there is something more!"

Could that something more be "Biblical Christ-centered Femininity"??

Being a carefree-country-girl-tom-boy from my early years, one who didn't care about fashions much less wearing dresses or staying in the kitchen with the girls, most would not have looked at me as a champion of sweet simple godly femininity. "Come on, she'd rather be building a fort in the woods, climbing a mountain, or planting trees!" But actually, surprise of all surprises, I am!! I am a huge champion of Biblical Christ centered femininity, and I have been for most of my life. However, the older I get, the more important it has become to me.

No, I'm not talking about the quaint prissy type of woman that can't get her fingers dirty, or play in the rain. I'm not talking about the fragile pale princess that can't do good deeds unless a guy is watching her or make any decisions on her own. I'm talking about the Christ centered vigilant woman...the woman that will do whatever it takes to take care of others, comfort the hurting, and rescue the lost! (This can get pretty dirty sometimes!) I'm talking about the daring kind of woman that will do whatever it takes to guard her heart...even if that means acting by principle instead of emotions! (In other words, she doesn't play around with guys just for fun!). I'm talking about the woman that will at all cost take care of her body (it's not just to be used as an "Entertainment center" but rather was designed to be a "Holy Temple"). I'm talking about the kind of godly Christ centered femininity that will jealously guard her bridegroom and love (Jesus Christ) with a holy jealousy and passion that will not let go!

The woman of Proverbs 31 was definitely a hard worker...and she was beautiful in her own rite, but she wasn't consumed with "herself." She was consumed with others...to minister and to serve, to feed her household, to be productive and do things that count for eternity!

This morning I was reading in John 6 and when I came to verse 27, I came to a thoughtful stop. While the passage is not about women, it really spoke to my heart about the type of "Woman" God wants his daughters to be. It goes like this:

"Labour not for meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give to you."

The thing that sets apart (no pun intended) the woman of Proverbs 31 is that she doesn't labour for "meat that perishes." She labours for that which is eternal...the welfare of her household, her husband, and her walk with God!

And straight and simple, I believe that is what God is calling us to be as women...set-apart for Him! He desires us as woman to labour for things of eternal value! Forget the foolishness and vanity...forget trying to climb the ladder of prestige or popularity...forget about making money and trying to be on top of a worldly career! We don't have time for that... In Matt 6:33 it encourages us:

"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and ALL these things shall be added unto you!"

I don't know what "all these things are," but I'm pretty sure it means that God will take care of my needs, and He'll take care of where I should be. My task is to re-evaluate the priorities of my life and to put away anything that is keeping me from seeking Him first. My goal is to learn to put my time and energy where it really matters, in nurturing relationships, winning souls, and saving the lost for God's kingdom!

I may not be all elegant and dignified, wear robes of silk and purple, or make fine linen to sell (I did try a few times, but always decided playing with the boys in the mud was more fun)...but I long to be the woman of Proverbs 31 that will never let my lamp go out ("Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Ps 119:105), that will always be quick and ready to offer a hand to those in need, that will do good to my husband all the days of my life (even before I ever know him), and that will be more concerned with others than I am with myself!

No, that doesn't mean "girly things" don't matter to me! I may be a country-girl grown-up tom-boy, but just in case you were worried...I am still a true girl and romantic at heart. I do wear dresses now....sometimes....I love children, and I actually love working in the kitchen! And my closest friends are not boys anymore, but a group of priceless treasures...godly, set-apart, beautiful feminine girls! (Yes, if there are any guys reading this, these kind do still exist! But in case you were hopeful, I'm not passing out numbers. You have to find them yourself, and I suggest the first place you look in the search is "Jesus Christ.")

But more important than all of this beautiful "girly stuff," I am a champion of Biblical Christ-centered femininity...the kind of femininity that will do and dare to live for God...even if its unpopular, even if it means getting a little dirty, and even if it means doing things completely different than the rest of the world. I wont ever be on the cover of a vogue or beauty magazine (never wanted to) and may not be beautiful to the vast populous of the world, but that doesn't matter.

After all, my only goal is to please my true bridegroom, Jesus Christ!!

"Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised." Proverbs 31"30

[End Note: In my pursuit of this goal over the last 10 years, there is a special couple that have been a huge blessing and inspiration in my life, and that is Eric and Leslie Ludy.

I was first introduced to them by my friend LaRae, when she gave me their book "His Perfect Faithfulness." (This book has been revised and expanded to the current title "When Dreams Come True" - Eric and Leslie's true story of how God brought them to each other and scripted their love story.) Authors of almost 15 books now, all dealing with living the set-apart life for God, and getting out of the world and closer to God, they have had a huge impact in my life! Back in 2005 I started attending their seminars and retreats...I've been to six of them now, and can't wait for the next!

If you read any of Leslie's work, you will see how (while we are very different and come from different perspectives and backgrounds) she's blessed and encouraged "godly femininity" in my life in a profound way. And she has become a true inspiration and friend. Well, this past fall, she shocked me by asking if I would be willing to help write for her new girls Online magazine, "The Set-Apart Girl." I love to write, and I definitely am a champion of godly femininity, but I was humbled at the prospect. What an honor, to consider the opportunity to share beside one of my favorite authors and inspirations!

Unfortunately, the last few months have been busy ones, (including another "Set-Apart Discipleship Retreat" that I attended and actually filmed in the Ludy's home), and I have had no time to write...much less time to think about writing. But things are finally beginning to settle down again, and this March will be the second time I've been able to contribute to her magazine!

As I've already mentioned, Leslie is a huge champion of Christ centered Biblical femininity...seeking to pull girls out of the pit of the modern "Play-girl" and point them to their true anchor and Love in Jesus Christ. Her last article "Captivating Selflessness" shows what God is truly calling us to be, Set-Apart Selfless women of service, honoring Him! Turning our eyes from the media and the images of the world to focus our eyes on LIVING in the POWER of JESUS CHRIST.

I've been encouraged by Leslie, and I'm honored to be able to stand with her to encourage others...to be truly "Set-Apart Girls" for God! To visit "Set-Apart Girl" go to:

www.setapartgirl.com

I invite you to check out their ministry and consider attending one of their discipleship retreats. If you do, you're life and walk with God will never be the same again!

And oh yeah, before you're done, don't forget to check out my article in this March issue of "Set-Apart Girl." It's called "Jealous Love"...and it's about a love you don't want to miss!!]

From CA to TX ~ Put mouse over picture to see captions!

God continues to answer prayer...from California to Texas!!

Well, here I am finally in Texas...exhausted, tired and trying to catch my breath, but feeling very very very blessed! I have a job, a roof over my head, family not far away, and my life continues to be over-filled with blessings and answered prayers....more than I can count!!

Yes, as most of you know, I've spent most of the last 6-7 months doing various ministry projects and working with my Advent Hope ministry team in Loma Linda, CA: Very fulfilled, lots of adventures, but no job and no money! Since the economy has gotten tighter, getting another "Travel Nursing job" has become more difficult than I imagined. I started praying for another job back in November...but even after several months, there was no hope on the horizon. So.....I just kept doing the daily tasks and projects that I knew God was calling me to do, and amazingly, He supplied my needs and kept taking care of me. (Even to paying for over $600 in mechanical problems that I've had with my car the last two months! I didn't have the cash, but He always sent it right when I needed it.)

Well, at the last minute, towards the end of January (just after I'd invited Amanda to come stay with me for a couple weeks) I got a call that my Nursing Agency had an opportunity for me to go work in Texas for a few months! "Texas!?" I exclaimed... "Would God lead me back to Texas?? I'm all settled here in Loma Linda." Of course I forgot that I had also been praying for some time that He'd help me move OUT of Loma Linda and start to get out of the big city environment of Southern California..... "Maybe this is His way of doing that?" I mused.

I was deep into editing "Set-Apart Life" sessions for the Ludy's, preparing for Amanda to come, and now....NOW, I had to start thinking about packing for Texas!!

Not long after, as you've seen in the previous posts....Amanda came to visit, and what a great time we had. But I was also beginning to really feel the pressure. As she and I swamped our bodies with fresh fruits and veggies, watched Nedley lectures, and studied the Bible, after she went to bed, I stayed up nights trying to get my first round of edits completed on the Ludy videos, and began to mentally plan and pack for my soon coming move to Texas. I would have to leave for TX only 2 days after Amanda went home....that didn't give me hardly ANY time!!!!

My friend Season was preparing for her 26 mile Marathon in Huntington Beach and I felt like I was preparing for the mental marathon of the decade!! I didn't think I could do it...it all seemed sooo impossible, so fast, so last minute, so overwhelming. But one day at a time, one night at a time, with God by my side and lots and lots of prayer....I made it through!

Finally....tearfully....after Celebrating Season's 26 mile Marathon Victory, my early birthday, and many answered prayers with Amanda, I said goodbye to my Loma Linda friends and I hit the road....headed over 2,000 miles for Texas....all alone in my Honda car, packed to the gills! (I was sooo tight on space, I even packed food around my spare tire, and prayed the whole way I wouldn't have a flat!) I didn't try to make the trip in one day though...I stopped the first night in AZ to visit my childhood best friend Heather and her family. Then I spent Sabbath in OK with my Holland family. Grandma Hiner was in the hospital and struggling with her health, so it was kinda sad. Mom and Dad also made me a cake and brought it to the hospital where we were congregated to be with Grandma. But they couldn't light the candles for fear they'd set off the sprinkler system in the whole hospital....so they just sang, and I didn't get to make my wishes. (I thought it might have been kinda fun to set the sprinklers off, but no one else thought so!)

Then the next day, on my actual birthday, I headed for Temple TX. (It's kinda funny, because when I started travel nursing, three years ago, my first day as a travel nurse was on my birthday, and it was on a job in East Texas!!)

All the drive from California to Oklahoma, I had either listened to sermons, music, or prayed. One particular prayer was for a place to stay. "God, I've been soooooo busy I haven't had time to even look for a place to live in Texas! I don't have the slightest idea even where to begin!? So far when I've gone to my nursing jobs you've always provided the perfect place to stay with a church family or friends....but I don't know anyone in Temple, TX....could you find someone for me again??" It was a big prayer of faith. And to make it bigger, I added "And God...If possible, could you provide a furnished apartment, separate from someone's home so I wont be in their way...in the country a bit, and at a low price so I can save as much possible for paying my bills?"

A few hundred more miles down the road I would pray again, "I know this may seem like a selfish request, because beggars can't be choosers they say, but please....a furnished apartment....surely you know of someone down there who has one available they would let me rent? I know this is a small thing for you, and you delight to have us share the desires of our hearts." (God was smiling upon me I know and I can just imagine Him thinking.... "Oh Melody, how I am going to bless you! Just you wait...")

But time went on and I knew and heard nothing. My mom had tried to contact some friends she knew in the area, but no word. Then Sunday morning came and I was to leave Oklahoma and make the final leg of my journey to Texas. I still didn't know where I was to stay. I resigned myself to the fact that I would probably just need to rent a motel.

Right before I left home, I looked on the Internet for church phone numbers and stumbled across one, not only the church number but also the Pastor's number. When I called, the Pastor pleasantly answered. I told him I was a "Travel Nurse" looking for suggestions on a economical place to rent or stay, was single, and wanted to be close to a church family, and did he know of anyone? (I didn't tell him what I'd asked God for.) Well, he and his wife talked things over and they called me back. "We have an apartment, fully furnished," he said. "We built it for our daughter, but she doesn't live with us anymore. It's open right now. We're a ways out in the country, so it may be farther then you care to drive, but you can use it if you want, and we'll even give you a good deal on rent!" I was speechless....it sounded exactly like what I'd been praying for. Privacy, furnishings, in the country, economical....I could hardly dare believe. They gave me directions and told me I could go ahead and come that night.

Once I got on the road, I had another surprise. Another lady called me....the Pastor had given her my name and number and she also wanted to welcome me to Temple and help in anyway she could. It turned out we'd met about 6 years before, and while I hadn't stayed in touch, she and my mom were still friends. When I did arrive in Temple, she and her husband met me and escorted me out to meet the Pastor. They told me I could come live with them in their home if I wanted, as well! I was speechless at the love and welcome. However, when I got to Pastor Harbour and his wife's home, I knew that....at least for now....this was the Oasis I had prayed for and it was exactly what I needed!

How could God be sooo good and answer my prayer sooo specifically!!!! My heart was aglow and my mind filled with amazement. I don't deserve such tender love!!

Yes, God is good, and treats us better than we deserve. That first night back in Texas, as the sun set on yet another birthday, I sunk into a warm comfortable ready-made bed, and my heart danced with happiness. I hadn't needed to rent a motel after all. And I had found some more loving Christian friends. I would miss my old ones from California, but for now I had found my resting place...and my marathon...at least for now, was finally over!!


Follow Up Notes:

Here I am...three weeks later...still getting into my routine, but still glowing with amazement at how God always provides. I miss my roomates dearly, and find it strange to have a room (much less a apartment) all to myself, but the refreshment of having time alone with God has been a blessing from Heaven.

Work is fast-paced and rough at times, but going well. I thought I was going to be working 3p-3a (a very difficult grave-yard schedule), but without my asking, they changed me to 11a-11p!! The perfect schedule. "Before you call, I will answer...before you speak, I will hear!" Again, God knew what I needed!

The first four hours of my shift they usually have me make rounds on all the patients, and help the nurses with admissions and various needs. I love it!! I've already gotten to talk to many patients about Christ, pray with people when I saw a need, and help one man even learn how He can make peace with God before He dies. (He cried and cried!)The rest of the shift I have my own patient load and get to juggle all their needs, plus try to chart and grab a lunch/supper break somewhere.

My first day on the floor I actually met a Nurse who was a former SDA who hadn't been to church in years. I told her about the church here in Temple and that it was a really friendly church and she should come visit. Then I added under my breath, "I haven't been there yet, but if you come to visit, I'll be friendly!" She laughed. :-) I am still praying that she will come!

The local church has turned out to be friendly and has welcomed me with open arms. I look forward to making better friends and being involved. They put on a beautiful Valentines Banquet, and although I was just barely here, they invited me to attend....an opportunity I would never miss as I love Valentines.

The Pastor and his wife are wonderful Christ centered, Bible centered people, and we've been having an incredible time getting acquainted. We're on the same wave-length, and have a lot in common, so I look forward to working with them. Carla and her husband (my old friends) have also been a blessing, showing me around and giving me rides in their "Arctic Cat" on their country property. They just exude the love of Christ to everyone.

It's nice to be only a few hours drive away (in contrast to 2 days drive away) from both my families (Arkansas and Oklahoma) and I plan to visit them both as much as I can.

Grandma Hiner continues to struggle with her health. She's been in the hospital for 2 weeks, come home, gone back to the hospital and come home again. She has CHF and her heart is slowly failing. We are praying that a recent surgery will help her get back on top again. Please join me in this prayer.

Oklahoma Academy has asked me to help with a Week of Prayer for their students, so I've been organizing materials together for that. Much of this I've already put together for Advent Hope. OA's also asked me to help with filming a "Sanctuary Concert" they are doing in Oregon this spring with the life size model of the Messiah's Mansion. Pray that God will bless this endeavor.

Amanda is continuing to study the Bible and grow and flourish. She's hitting all the deep Bible doctrine topics hard....I tell her sometimes, "You don't have to worry about that right now...just focus on your walk with God!" But she's got a sharp mind and is willing to dig, and I know God will continue to bless her for it.

I'm still not done with the Ludy videos.....in fact, I haven't touched the project since I left CA, I've been sooo busy!! But with God's help, I pray to get back on track with this soon. They have been soo gracious and understanding. On an extra special note, Leslie asked me to help write for her online girl's magazine, read by young women all around the world. My first article "My Perfect Valentine" went in this February issue.

And my newest big ministry project is an exciting ministry called "ArMe Bible Camp Ministries" that some friends and I are developing. The name is meant to represent our need to be equipped, trained, and "armed" with the Word of God for all battlefield fronts of life! This is still just getting off the ground, but we're hoping to host our first training camp this summer. The retreats will be intensive training trageted at helping youth and young adults with specific areas of the Christian walk. While we hope to host "Training camps" in a number of Spiritual disciplines and topics, our first camp will focus on teaching people how to study the Bible and really get into the Word for themselves. I'll share more details as things come into place, but please pray for this upcoming venture!!! We're really excited about it!!

In closing, and on a humerous note...since I was just talking about being "armed".....while I'm living in a rural area in the country (about 30 mins from my work) there's no need to be afraid of anything. Only a few miles away lies one of the biggest military bases in the whole United States....Fort Hood, Kileen TX. (I had no clue!!) There are army helicopters flying overhead, or men in uniform going through the check-out lines with me when I buy groceries....so I am well protected. (Smile smile!) But even if I wasn't....I wouldn't worry....I'm willing to go where-ever my Lord leads me, for when He leads, I know He will provide, and as long as I wear His armor, I know I have nothing to fear. (Eph 6)

A friend once shared this quote.

"How come a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor when a commission by our Heavenly King is considered a Sacrifice?"

Hmmm....goood question!! I pray that however God commissions me, or however He answers my prayers or does not answer my prayers, I will consider living in His "Special Service" an honor, not a sacrifice!!

God is soooo good....

Amanda and I have continued to have fun God-scripted adventures together...and we continue to marvel at how God brought us together. (Read previous post from Aug 20th, 2008 for details!) It's been such a blessing praying, reading the Word, teaching her how to live in such a way that will give her Health and strength (physically and mentally) and talking of the Life God has called us to live! Here we are at "Huntington Beach" this past Sunday where we went to celebrate our friend Season completing a 26 mile Marathon! It reminded me of the Marathon we all have to run....only ours isn't over in 5 hours because ours is called "The Race of a Lifetime" as depicted in Heb 12:1. Thankfully, none of us run alone....for Christ is beside us, and whenever we fall down, He even picks us up and carries us. The whole marathon experience brought tears to my eyes more than once as I contemplated the significance of it all. (Just ask Amanda!)

Amanda rented some bikes for us, and we had a blast riding down the coastline. Reminded me of when I was a kid...

Here we are at The Bodhi Tree vegan restaurant where we celebrated Season's completion of her Marathon. They also sang me a "early" happy Birthday! ;-) Amanda and I got to experiment with some more healthy Vegetarian food. It's amazing how well she has done since she came to visit. I cut all dairy, meat, sugar, caffeine, sleep meds and any other addictive or damaging foods out of her system, and she has been feeling soooo much better. God is good! Soon she will be going home, and I'll be heading to Texas for my next 13-week Nursing assignment, but I know God will continue to lead and bless both of us. I'm encouraged of the verse in Phil 1:6 that says, "He that began a good work in you will carry if forth unto completion!" I can't wait to see what adventure God has for me around the next corner...If like the past, I know it will be incredible!! :-)))))

Another Miracle from God...let me introduce you to Amanda!!

My friends and I met Amanda and her husband up in the mtns this summer...some would say by chance, but we all know that God was directing our paths. (Read previous post for more details!) Now Amanda has come to spend a couple weeks with me...and we've been having a blast together as you can see....as I've been showing her the exciting life and adventure God is calling each of us to live! First off though...it starts with having a healthy mind and healthy body!! So NEW START....here we go!!!! ;-)

As part of this "Lifestyle Program" I'm helping Amanda do, we've been on a 3-day Juice cleanse. Now we are preparing to start "raw foods" and so had a hay day at the farmer's market this morning!! ;-) The next step will be to show her how to cook healthy, yummy, and attractive Vegan!! (One of my favorite hobbies!)

Climbing Mtns together...Amanda is doing sooo good! I am soo proud of her!! Today Val and I took her to Mt. Rubidiox near Riverside.

I love this pic at the top of the mtn, for it inspires me of my aim in life. I march and live for Christ who paid the ultimate sacrifice on His cross...and whatever "cross" He asks me to carry...I will gladly carry for Him, for He's already carried the ultimate cross for me!!

Be careful what you Pray for, because you might just get it!!

Wow....where do I even begin....my cup runneth over!

This month has been packed....with answered prayers and overflowing blessings! Let me share just a few:

• Spent the first weekend of January at another powerful "Set-Apart Life Discipleship Retreat" in Colorado with the Ludys. (This is my 6th retreat with them!!) I was a student, but also filmed the entire 8 part series for them, which we will soon have available on DVD! I've been editing for hours, and still have hours to go, but it will be soooo worth it! (It's powerful, so let me know if you want copies!!!)
• Was contacted by a gal I haven't heard from in months (had met by "Divine Appointment" in the mountains this past summer - read the story from my previous blog post if you haven't!) and she asked if I would be a "spiritual mentor" for her and help her with some spiritual and health issues she was struggling with. I was delighted, and knew that God was orchestrating another "Divine Appointment" in our lives together. As we discussed her life and situation further, I felt convicted to invite her to come stay with me for a couple weeks so I could help guide her in a whole lifestyle change program. (I keep praying that God will bring the people to my door that He wants me to "love and reach.") Well, she felt convicted to come....so WALAAA....2 weeks later (and one day after my Peruvian roommate left for a 3 week visit to Michigan) Amanda has moved in! The enemy has really attempted to destroy her life over the last 8 years, but God has a purpose and plan for Amanda and He has slowly been wooing her back to himself. It's been sooo exciting and beautiful seeing how her heart is opening more and more....and the changes she is making. Who knows, she may even turn into a "Vegan Vegetarian" after this experience!! I have a feeling that 2 weeks if not going to be enough time to fit in everything I want to show her! (Please keep us in prayer, that the enemy will not derail the plans God has in place for her!)
• Have had car problems, or this struggle or that as finances have been low lately....but I'm overwhelmed, because just in the nic of time, God has continued to pay the bills, just when I needed most! I have been speechless at times! God is soo good! I can testify more and more of that every day!
• Had another beautiful evening of prayer with Advent Hope friends - Praising God and interceding! I can really feel God's presence and can't wait for this time together with friends!
• Have been praying that if God wants me to work, He will supply the job.....finally a Travel job opened up in TX....and they just happen to need me to start Feb 9th. (Right after Amanda will leave! Perfect timing....God must have planned!) So have frantically been seeking to get all the paperwork together and tie up loose ends here in Loma Linda with everything I am involved in. (Texas wasn't where I thought of going....but I know God has a plan since He opened the doors! But I'm not saying goodbye to Loma Linda forever....I'll be back, after 13 weeks!)
• Also, this last month God has opened several new exciting ministry opportunities....Can't share specifics for now, but stay tuned. It's exciting!!

God continues to bless and amaze me in a thousand ways. Sometimes I feel like I'm on a roller coaster that is going way too fast, and there is no way I will ever stay on....yet I've come to realize more and more.... "Of my own self, I cannot do anything truly worthwhile...it's only through God's strength and power." And so the more I surrender to Him, and lean upon Him, the more I know that truly.....even if headed through life on the "Speed Boat"....I'll be ok, because He is in charge....and the destination is Heaven. And the faster I get there, the happier I will be!! From God waking me up every morning, exactly on que, to supplying my little and large needs, and even filling the desires of my heart....I couldn't ask for a better companion, a better guide, a better friend, or a better King. I love the life He has given me, and most of all....I love Him!!!

"Thank you God for all you are doing in my life! I am speechless....and overwhelmed, but soo utterly thankful!!! I love you...teach me to love you more.... Amen!"

All Night in Prayer...entering the New Year!

This year started on a beautiful note as a group of us gathered together to spend all night in prayer! (Yes, you heard right!) Instead of hosting a "New Year's Eve" party....which I had thought about doing, I felt convicted in my prayer time that we should spend the night welcoming in the New Year with prayer. I didn't think many would be enthused about it, but with God's help I pressed forward anyway. Amazingly, over 25 people were part of this incredible night of prayer as we lifted our hearts to God in praise, testimony, confession, and prayers of Intercession. When it's God's idea, it's always TONS better and bigger than you thought possible!!!

What was personally impacting to me though (besides the actual prayer time) was the fact that a couple members of the group (people I did not really know) had been praying for just such a event. One girl (not a SDA) had been praying about what to do New Year's Eve, and didn't really want to attend any local parties, yet she didn't know where to go. As she was reading her Bible, God impressed upon her mind that she needed to go to "Melodys." But she didn't know a Melody and so told God, "That's not one of the options!" Later she felt the same conviction again!! She still didn't know what to think though, and just brushed the thoughts aside. Then a friend told her about our group. She was sooo excited and came, but she did not realize my name was "Melody" until 30 minutes into the evening, when someone called my name. She then excitedly pulled me aside.... "Your name is Melody??" she asked increduiously??? "Yes! Why?" I replied. "Because God told me to come to Melodys for New Years Eve, but I didn't realize that was your name when I came!" I got goose bumps as she talked....I couldn't believe it! I mean, I know that God knows my name....but does He seriously, honestly, really KNOW MY NAME????

Yes, of course....He knows my name, and yours too....and all the details of every aspect of each of our lives!! God is soo incredible!! All He longs for is us to turn to Him....and surrender....and He will lead and bless in ways never thought possible!

The evening was such an inspiration and blessing to so many of us, that we plan to continue this beautiful time, on a more regular basis....and I am excited, because we need it sooo desperately!! I think God knows we need it too...and maybe He's calling your name too...to be a part of a prayer movement like never before!!

Mel's 2008 in Review ~ Happy Holidays!!

Merry Christmas friends!!!

Can't believe another year is now almost History?! In place of sending Christmas cards or a Newsletter, I decided to post a "Christmas Card Newsletter" here on my blog. How's that sound? (At least all my electronically advanced friends can keep up with my life.) As you can see by the pics above, God has truly blessed me with a Wonderful Life filled with lots of love and lots of friends. Of course, life isn't all just fun and roses...I've had my hard knocks this year as well. (We don't take pictures of those times...) But through it all, God has been teaching me to Trust Him even more.

Some of the things I'm grateful for this year include:

• God's Grace amidst pain and trials


• Finding greater joy in deep soul-searching prayer


• Watching my sister Sunny's courtship and marriage to her True Love, Tim - the Love that was worth waiting for! (And yes, I will wait for mine as well.)


• Stepping out in Faith and watching God provide


• Visiting Bangladesh - an experience that broke my heart and also helped me see my heart for what it truly is - totally lost without a Savior!


• Enjoying the gift of FRIENDSHIP with some of the greatest people in the world


• Realizing there is more joy in "giving" then in "getting"


• Having incredible books and resources constantly within my reach to help me grow. (Check out my previous blog post about the book "Intercessor" by Rees Howells, or get the newest book by my friend Eric Ludy "The Bravehearted Gospel")


• Seeing God answer prayer...and personally knowing His LOVE!!

Yes, God has been soooo good to me!! One thing I'm really thankful for this year is, "The gift of being adopted." At the recent GYC it was a joy to be reunited with my second family, The Hollands. Since I wont be spending my usual Christmas with them home in Oklahoma this year, it was special to spend some time together at GYC and to just share and enjoy the LOVE God has given us as a family. They have been such a blessing and inspiration in my life over the last 17+ years...loved me when I was unlovely, and encouraged me on when I didn't think I could go on. Yes, I have been very blessed and doubly spoiled, not only to have my own family, but also to experience the joy and love of adoption.

But there's an even more important ADOPTION that has changed my life...and that is what I am most thankful for this Christmas. That is the adoption that God has given me. He chose me and loved me before I had the slightest idea what that love meant. (Just like my friends who adopted baby "Harper" - a little Korean girl handicapped and outcast in her culture, I was a babe, and I had no idea the gift He was giving me or the life He was preparing me for.) I struggled along, seeking to walk, seeking to win His love...but despite my best efforts, I kept failing. I was handicapped and hopeless. While my outward life may have seemed beautiful to the world, my inward heart was a mess...filled with pride and selfishness and sin! And just like the city of Dhaka in Bangladesh, it was impossible for me to fix, impossible for me to clean, impossible for me to heal alone. But even though I doubted God's love and power, and often pushed Him aside over the years as I sought my own stubborn way, He has STILL loved me and kept following after me, claiming me as His own. Yes, I still have much to learn about this LOVE, yet it is a LOVE that is becoming more and more real...and it is an "Adoption of Love" that has forever changed my life!! What precious precious LOVE, a LOVE that will not let me go!

"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him IN LOVE: Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." Eph 1:4-7

I pray that this IN LOVE experience with God can be real for all of us. Times are tough all around...we can see the signs of the end drawing closer. And we must know this LOVE and not only know it, but be sooo grounded in it, that nothing, no storm, no tempest, no economical crisis, no relationship, no worldy attraction, no earthly tie....can pull us away. Otherwise, we are going to be like the five foolish virgins, caught unprepared when Christ comes to take us home!

Sending Christmas Hugs and Greetings to you all.
My love and prayers are with you!
Mel

PS: To encourage you in your journey of building a "Faith that Endures," I invite you to listen to a recent talk I gave on this subject. Also - if you haven't done it recently, go back thru the last 13 chapters of the Great Controversary! It's powerful!! ;-) Merry Christmas everyone!

Mel's Version ~ T'was the Night before Christmas...

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through Mel’s house
Everyone except Mel was dreaming, even the pet mouse.
The Christmas lights were shining and soft music filled the air,
It was warm and cozy and Mel wished her family could be there.

The rabbit was nestled all snug in its bed,
While visions of carrot sticks danced in its head.
And Susy in her ‘kerchief, and Cristy in her cap,
Had just settled down for a short night’s nap.

When out in the driveway there arose such a clatter,
Mel sprang from the computer to see what was the matter.
Away to the window she flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the wet grass green
Gave the lustre of mid-day like never before seen.
When, what to Mel’s questioning eyes should appear,
But people unloading gifts and wishing each other "Christmas cheer."

Mel went back to thinking as she returned to her task.
"God, I want to give you something special this year...but my heart, is this all you ask?"
But God just smiled at Mel as He prepared to send His gift, the Morning LIGHT,
And Mel realized, it was His gift, not hers, that made Christmas Eve such a special night!

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12

"Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you." John 12:35

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." II Cor 4:6

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." I John 1:7

Prayer & Romance God's Way ~ Thoughts on GYC Seminars

GYC was powerful this year...at least from what I did hear. Between helping with Registration or late nights at the booth, I had a hard time getting in on many of the seminars. I did enjoy Justin Kim's morning devotionals though, and I managed to catch a couple of Nathan Renner's seminars on The Three Angel's Messages - very powerful! But otherwise....I missed out. Thank God for audioverse!! (Yes, I love you guys...and you know it!!)

Since I've been back here in Loma Linda, besides catching up on some much needed sleep, I've been on AudioVerse listening to a few that I had heard were really good. I could jot down a bunch of notes here...but for now, I want to share about two seminars that have not only blessed my life, but I believe will be a big encouragement for many of my friends. They revolve around the topics of "Prayer and Faith" and "Dating and Romance." Ahhhh....now you can't wait to see what I have to say huh? I can just see the curiosity growing...

Well, what I think or have to say does not matter....and believe me, I could say a bit. But let me share the highlights of what these two seminars have given me....

GYC Seminar by Pastor Jerry and Janet Page ~ A Life of Prayer

- We must not only pray in Christ name, but by inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
- Our greatest need - a revival of primitive godliness. This revival can only be expected in answer to prayer...1Sm121


Pastor Jerry and Janet shared story after story of how God has answered prayers and worked in their lives. From their own conversion experiences, to watching others lives grow and change.

Janet talked about how she doesn't teach any new method or doctrine, just that we must take time to spend with God in prayer.

- God says, "Will you just be STILL in my presence?"
- Start your day, not pouring through the testimonies or heavy topics, just take your Bible and stay there until you get Happy with God....let God lead you!
- Praise God, confess your sins, pray for guidance...Pray scripture...

She shared about a women that was wanting to get a divorce, but how she began to pray with this woman and encourage her...don’t complain about his faults, praise God for what He has done in your lives. Look for ways to praise your husband....and the more she did, the more she loved her husband! Their marriage was saved and turned around!

Then she talked about pain and trials and how....even in these, we must learn to praise God. She lost her first husband (also a Pastor) to a drowning accident....and didn’t know how she could go on, but although she cried, she sought to praise God in the trial and despite her pain. And she had such peace. She went on, "There is power unleashed when we choose to praise God in our trials! God needs people that will surrender their pain and trials to Him, and let His name be glorified."

"In the future life, we shall see that some of our seemingly unanswered prayers and disappointed hopes have been among our greatest blessings." MH 474

Her husband shared about how, often we think we are awake when actually we are asleep. Of course, none of us think we are asleep...we think we are awake....but most of us are just sleep walking. Then he shared secrets of prayer that their team has learned...

1. Power of united prayer - pull together
"Where two or three are gathered together, God is in the midst"

2. Pray much, preach little
Early apostles....Prayed for 10 days, preached for 10 minutes and thousands converted
Today, we pray for 10 minutes, preach for 10 days, and hope someone gets converted.
"At the sound of fervent prayer, Satan’s whole host trembles..."

3.Claim the Promises, and expect Great things
"It’s part of God’s plan to grant us in answer to the prayer of faith that which he would not bestow did we not thus ask..." GC

4. Be earnest in Prayer...
God answers every earnest prayer
Power given proportionate to the unity of the members and the faith expressed

Their personal testimony of prayer for their conference and church over the last 10 years has seen offerings go from less than $100,000 a year to over 3 million a year at SoCal campmeeting....

II Chron 16:9 - God wants to shew himself strong on behalf of them whose hearts are perfect towards Him.

Janet encouraged everyone to Journal God’s blessing....the more you remember what God has done for you, the more He will do! The more you remember, the more He pours out his blessings upon you!!

And finally, if you are praying with a sincere heart, God is working...you may not see evidence of this right away....but HE IS WORKING!!!!

[I love Jerry and Janet and hope to get them down here to Advent HOPE to help with a prayer weekend in the future. Janet has already told me she will come....if we can find a time where both our schedules fit!]

The second seminar I am going to share about here is by Dr. Mills on relationships. I haven't listened to all of the series, but this one I heard, really had some insightful concepts that I wanted to share with all my single friends. So enjoy... ;-)

GYC Seminar by Dr. Phil Mills ~ Love and Friendships

"God wants you to have a match made in Heaven...But if you are looking to others for the happiness only God can supply, you will be disappointed in marriage. Once you have found fulfillment in God, then you can be happily united with another."

Things to Watch for as you look for a potential marriage partner:
- Observe those that are faithful
- Note those that take responsibilities and fulfill them
- Don't miss those that see what to do and do it
- Become better acquainted with those who are studying the Bible and have a genuine prayer life - Watch those who are always thoughtful to clean-up after themselves and helpful with others
- Take note of those that seek out the lonely and befriend the strangers
- Watch how people interact, watch for those that are humble and teachable
- Be guarded with those that don't work well with others or have difficulty with authority
- Note those that are upbeat and positive when life is difficult
- Note those that are adaptable and uncomplaining with an unexpected load
- Learn to appreciate those that are happy and content no matter their situation
- Look for those well adjusted people who are not restless but at peace with life
- Look for those that are courteous and thoughtful to old and young alike
- Listen to conversations, see who are supportive or critical
- Pay attention to those who know how to economize without being shabby
- Look for those that have spiritual insights and promote the spiritual growth of others
- Take note of those that are concerned with health and lifestyle
- Take note of those that are tidy, attractive, yet modest in their dress
- Do they seek to please the Lord in their dress, or are they slaves to fashion
- Watch for those that are not argumentative about their beliefs, but just quietly live their convictions

Become a student of human nature! People SHOUT out what they are really like if you just watch and observe...

Alan & Nicole Parker also talked last GYC on how to know if you've found THE ONE. They brought up some really profound thoughts that I've never forgotten that go right along with what Dr. Mills was talking about this year.

If you think you've found the ONE.....Pray pray pray!!!
(The following is from Adventist Home pg 45)
- Weigh every sentiment, watch every development of Character, know someone over time...
- Ask yourself "Would married life be happy with this person?"

The three MOST IMPORTANT Questions to consider
- Will this union help me Heavenward?
- Will it increase my love for God?
- Will it enlarge my sphere of influence/usefulness in this life?

If the answer seems to be yes, make haste slowly! Study the character...are they Selfless to others? (See questions above that Dr. Mills mentioned.) How much is this person like Jesus? The more you have in common, the better off you are.

- After 5 years we don’t even know what our spouse looks like, we only know how they act!!
- True Love is based on qualities not passion

How much does this person and I have in common?
- Spiritually
- Socially
- Intellectually
- Habits
- Good fit, enjoy same things
- Lifestyle
- Doctrine
- Integrity, truth
- Trust
- Personality - Can you work well together personally and in ministry?
- Friendships
- Goals and dreams
- Communication
- Ability to say "I am sorry" and work out problems
- Promote each other to positive growth and closer walk with Christ

God warns us of following our hearts in the choice of a marriage companion.
Just because someone is a baptized SDA, does not mean they are a safe person to marry!

Wow...lots of powerful concepts there!!! So for all my dear friends out there that are "Looking for True Love," involved in what they think is "True love," or like me "Waiting for True Love"....let's keep these things in mind.

Marriage is the second most important decision (after that of choosing to follow Christ) that we will ever make. Let's make this choice wisely!!!!

To hear more great seminars and talks from GYC - click on the following link: GYC 2008 on AudioVerse

Intercessory Prayer...what can it be??

I have just finished reading a mess-up-your-life kind of book: Rees Howells "The Intercessor." This biography of Rees Howells was written by Howells’ friend and colleague, Norman Grubb (in cooperation with Howells' widow, son and secretary, and having at his disposal Mr. Howells' letters and the transcribed talks where he told many of the stories in the book). If you haven’t ever read it, you should. Well, maybe not. If you’re happy with the way you are, don’t. Because it might stir things up.

Born in South Wales October 10, 1879, Rees was always a good boy. As a youngster he loved to be in church "under the influence of God." When he was 22, he left Wales for America with the ambition to see the world and make money. When he got to America, he got a job with his cousin Evan Lewis and continued living the religious life he had lived in Wales. Thus when his cousin asked him one day if he was ‘born again,’ he was miffed. "My life is as good as yours," he said.

However over the next weeks, his cousin kept at him. After a time of seeking, an illness and hearing the testimony of a converted Jew, he saw himself for the sinner he was, and personally accepted Jesus into his life.

Shortly after he returned to Wales in 1904, the Welsh revival broke out. He became involved in it and worked at discipling new converts. However, he and his friends sensed spiritual needs in their own lives. And so in the summer of 1906 they spent their summer holiday at the Llandrindod Wells convention (a Welsh equivalent to the English Keswick Conference) where Howells made a pivotal decision.

From the first meeting, Howells was deeply moved. The realization dawned on him that the Holy Spirit was meant to be more than just an influence in His life. In his words:

He said to me, "As the Savior had a body, so I dwell in the cleansed temple of the believer. I am a Person. I am God, and I am come to ask you to give your body to Me that I may work through it. I need a body for my temple but it must belong to Me without reserve for two persons with different wills can never live in the same body. Will you give me yours? But if I come in, I come as God, and you must go out. I shall not mix Myself with your self."

This precipitated a five-day struggle in Mr. Howells. From the first, he realized it was an unconditional surrender, of which he said:

"I had received a sentence of death, as really as a prisoner in the dock. I had lived in my body for twenty-six years, and could I easily give it up....I wept for days. I lost seven pounds....Nothing is more real to me than the process I went through for that whole week. The Holy Spirit went on dealing with me, exposing the root of my nature which was self, and you can only get out of a thing what is in its root. Sin was canceled, and it wasn’t just sin He was dealing with; it was self...the root of all sin!"

Some of the things he came to a point of surrender over:

1. His love of money: "The Lord told him that He would take out of his nature all taste for money and any ambition for the ownership of money."

2. His choice in making a home: "I saw I could never give my life to another person, to live to that one alone. Marriage would be given as a gift to assist my work for God, not as a selfish gift just to please my own body."

3. His ambition:"Supposing he had a mission in a town and another mission opened in the same place; if there was jealousy between the two, and it was better for the town only to have one, then it would be his which would have to go."

4. His right to a good reputation: "As he was thinking of men of the Bible who were full of the Holy Ghost, and particularly John the Baptist, the Lord said to him, "Then I may live through you the kind of life I lived through them."

Finally on Friday of that week he came through. The book continues with stories of how God worked through this man teaching him faith and intercession as he prayed for the sick, prayed for the salvation of friends and acquaintances, gave up raising his own son to work as a missionary, traveled without any money in his pocket, bought estates, established a Bible school, and prayed for international events, especially during the World War II. And all the while God also continued to deal with his self-life.

Does this ring familiar to you as it did for me? I wonder if it isn’t on exactly this issue – the surrender of the self-life to the Holy Spirit – that we who have come to Jesus are most radically sifted. It determines whether we grow or remain stunted, are useful to God or detoured from completing His assignments because of our own agendas, will someday see our life’s efforts pay off or will see everything we have done go up in smoke because it was done through self.

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

"Therefore I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – which is your spiritual worship." Romans 12:1

"Jesus takes us over for His enterprises, His building schemes entirely and no soul has any right to claim where he shall be put." Oswald Chambers

"Being filled with the Holy Spirit means that I am willing to live the life that Christ would have lived if He were in my place..."

Ouch....this thing called "Surrender" is not easy! It's a slow painful crucifixion...a dying process. Yet, if we are to be ready to meet Christ when He comes, it must happen. For self, nothing of self can be alive and face Christ. Self is sin, and all sin will be consumed.

This book "The Intercessor" has been hugely challenging to me. And it is powerful, not just about praying for others and seeing miracles and answers to prayer, but about an inner heart change, and living a life set-apart, filled with the Holy Spirit, and patterned after Jesus Christ. I have friends that have encouraged me to read this book for several years now, but I put it off. I only wish I'd read it sooner.

I encourage you to read it, read it NOW, and I pray that it can be the same encouragement for YOU!

A "Giving" Christmas...

Tis the Season to be jolly...and this year has been no exception! Since I can't make it home for the Holidays (sniff sniff), I decided it was time to create my own joy. So Dayana and I went shopping for the perfect Christmas tree...and we found it! (Believe it or not, it was the cheapest on the lot, and all 8 feet of it I managed to stuff in the trunk of my little Honda!) Then we invited a few of our favorite girlfriends over to help decorate it. We made popcorn and cranberry strings, and had a glorious riot....as usual! Then one morning soon after, as I was praying, God impressed me with the idea of making this a more "GIVING" Christmas. Instead of the usual White Elephant Party that we usually have, I decided to ask everyone to put their $5-10 dollars towards helping needy children around the world. I put together "stories" and "scenerios" (thankfully, I have lots of Missionary friends), and wrapped these projects, then put them under the tree. Then people took turns drawing a child or project to support! It was awesome.... To see pics from this fun Christmas, click on the following Facebook links.

Decorating Our Tree or Advent HOPE's Giving Christmas

"It is more BLESSED to GIVE than it is to receive." Acts 20:35

Truly this is the best kind of Christmas!! Now I'm off to GYC. ;-)

Prayer Inspiration Weekend

This last Weekend, Dec 6th, Advent HOPE hosted a "Prayer Inspiration Weekend" with visiting friend and guest speaker, Dave Steward. Above are a few pics of the afternoon retreat we took that finished with an "Agape Banquet." God really blessed! To enjoy some of the inspiration from this weekend, click on the following AudioVerse link! Prayer Weekend Talks

Happy Thanksgiving

At the table of plenty...

Dayana's First Thanksgiving!

Pondering life and Thanksgiving...

While the computer keyboard has been silent the last few weeks, my mind has been staying active...and I've been doing a lot of thinking.

I guess things just haven't been the same since I came back from Bangladesh....it wasn't long....my time over there, but I have to admit, it has really given me a fresh perspective on life and service...I just don't see things in the same light anymore. What exactly God is doing in my heart, I don't know...but whatever it is, I pray He will keep doing more.

Yesterday was THANKSGIVING!! It's a Holiday that holds many memories and sentiments for me. Many good, some sad! It was on this day 11 years ago that my Holland family and I lost our dear Debbie. She was only 25 and died from Colon cancer. At the time I didn't understand "why" God let her die...I still don't. But now...I've come to realize even when I don't understand "why" certain things happen, I can still trust God!!

Thanksgiving is also a very happy time...and is a time to reflect back on the years and how God has blessed. It's the favorite Holiday of my family in Arkansas, and it's a holiday that I have only missed celebrating with my Mason family three times in the last 15 years. (Once because I was overseas, and the other two times have been the last two years since I've been living out here in CA! I guess I'm growing up more and more, and at the same time, it's not so easy to go home when home is over 2,000 miles away!)

But what is "Thanksgiving" really all about anyway?? Is it just a time to spend with family stuffing our faces? Is it just a time to spend goofing off and enjoying friends?? I mean, I can't point any fingers...that's what I've been doing. And yesterday was just another one of those times!! Had a blast at my best friend Valerie's home, and enjoyed the time with our Loma Linda friends....had a great meal....didn't get too stuffed, but was sufficiently filled....took a walk, sang our lungs out around LLU campus, played word games, and watched an inspiring movie "The Sixth Inn of Happiness." It was a great day.... Yet behind the gaiety and fun, my heart was burdened...and there were questions in my mind...questions that have been plaguing my heart ever since I walked the poverty laden streets of Bangladesh. "Isn't Holidays like this and my life suppose to be about soooo much more?? How I can enjoy this bounty when there are sooo many starving around the world?? How can I sleep in peace when so many can't sleep at all??"

I am probably sounding very "melancholy" at the moment...and it's probably because I am! But God is doing something special in my heart...and I don't know what He has in store or where He is taking me! But I guess it doesn't matter....as long as He walks beside me!

"And the LORD, He it is that goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed." Deut 31:8

Singing "I will wear a crown in my Father's House"

Thanksgiving walk around Loma Linda University

Dayana and Mel ~ 5am Prayer time

This morning, about 4:55am, Dayana and I once again found ourselves on the steps of Burden Hall, waiting for Prayer Group to begin. The weather was crisp and chilly and we clutched our blankets close as a shooting star zoomed overhead. It was beautiful! I opened my Bible to Psalms 92 and began to read about the magnitude and wonders of our God. Then we just sat in "awe" of it all for a few moments...

Then I broke the solemn silence in laughter... "Look at us Dayana! We can't even get our colors to match. We look like Hobos here clutching our blankets!"

And it's true! We did! We both had rolled out of bed at 4:45am and had to work to pry our eyes open. I had put on black sweats and a blue sweatshirt, a black scarf and a brown hat. I'd pulled on soft rainbow blue socks and quickly jumped into cheap white tenni shoes. And now I sat wrapped in a bright green blanket! What more amusing site could I be?? Dayana's attire wasn't much better...And yet, here we were, bowing before the God of the universe, pleading for His Holy Spirit and blessing...

Would we dare to go dressed like this before some earthly magistrate or king?? Would we dare to even go to work dressed like this? Of course not....yet, here we were before the King of the Universe...looking just like Hobos!

After I'd finished laughing about it, I paused to contemplate it all. Whether I was wearing nice clothes or a mismatched rainbow of styles, it didn't really matter to God did it? The most beautiful clothes I could wear, or the greatest deeds of love that I could summon forth, were only but filthy rags anyway....for it says, "We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away..." Isa 64:6.

Yet, I am sooo grateful that the God I serve, takes me, in all my amusing and hopeless styles of filthiness, and holds me close, and says, "Come now and let us reason together. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow..." Isa 1:18

Amusing as this whole situation was (And I took pictures just to prove it), it reminded me of this quote from steps to Christ.

"Jesus loves to have us come to Him just as we are, sinful, helpless, dependent. We may come with all our weakness, our folly, our sinfulness & fall at his feet in penitence. It is His glory to encircle us in the arms of His love, and to bind up our wounds, to cleanse us from all impurity." pg 52

Wow - what a beautiful personal and loving God we serve!!!

The Hobos come to pray...

In a World that's dying...

I'm back, but WHERE am I??

This is the all too sobering question of the moment....I'm back home, in my snug little comfort zone again, with all my friends, and all those that I love, but WHERE am I?? Something seems amiss! Something seems wrong...

Could it be that God doesn't expect me to stay here...could it be that He opened my eyes in Bangladesh, not so I would SEE better....but so that I would become something MORE??

I'm still pondering this question, as I sort through the maze of my life....a life filled with trials and challenges, a life filled with joy. I've made my mistakes, and I've stumbled and fallen, yet with God's strength, I've picked myself back up, and I've moved on. My life has been filled, my life has been full. And it's been full of good things. This last month has been especially rewarding as I've focused my time around service and around ministry....around doing good....to the least of these! I can surely be proud of that fact, right?!! Or can I?? Does it really matter what I've done?? With the billions lost and hurting on our planet, does my little feeble efforts really matter? Maybe they do...maybe they don't! Maybe it's not about ME anymore....maybe it's not about what I've done or where I've been....

Maybe WHERE I am is not where I am suppose to stay....maybe God is asking for MORE....

I just listened to an incredible sermon by my friend, Eric Ludy! And it's challenged me to the core, in a new way....like never before...I encourage you to LISTEN and be challenged as well!

http://www.ericludy.com/ericludy.com/Featured.html

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Matt 16:24

My little "Heart-throbs" in Bangladesh...

"Can I adopt you????"

I'm back from the other side of the World!!!

I bet you all thought I dropped off the edge of the earth, didn't you?? Well, I have about thought that myself...if you've ever been to Bangladesh, it feels like the edge of the earth! (In actuality though, it's only the other side of the earth....13 hours difference!)

This last month has been an incredible blessing (most of which I spent on a mission trip to Bangladesh, as I've mentioned in my last couple posts!). But I've been incredibly busy, and most of the time, not even near electricity...let alone a computer with the modern convenience of Internet! (And when I did have Internet, it was slow as molasses....and just trying to communicate with my mom was all I could do, let alone update a blog. So this has been on the back burner....but let's see what I can do now about catching up!!)

Curtis, Janine and I, left for Bangladesh the 14th of September...it was a long and tiring trip - 14 hours across the Pacific Ocean to Hong Kong, hours of layover there, then another 4 hours to Dhaka Bangladesh where the hot balmy monsoon weather greeted us, along with Dr. Moskala's open arms! ;-) Dr. Moskala took us to his dental clinic, a sweet cool haven in the midst of the wild city, where we crashed and slept for hours. Well, at least Curtis and Janine did! I woke up at 8am the first morning, and was ready for the adventure, but it was mid-afternoon before my teammates opened their sleepy eyes! Dr. Moskala gave us time to rest and re-coop from the long journey though, so that was a blessing.

That first week was spent visiting Dr. Moskala's "Schools" in the slums. This is where he has rented a small shack, building, or bamboo lean-to and is seeking to give them some type of education, which they would never have otherwise. And his teachers are doing a marvelous job!! We got lots of awesome video coverage for CCBN, and also got to participate in the classes. I taught them basic health and hygiene principles along with stories and songs. The kids favorite was often "David and Goliath" which I shared, or "Noah and the Ark" which Janine shared with the aid of a felt board that I'd brought along. Most of our students were Muslim and Hindu children, and just bubbling over with life and enthusiasm for what we shared.

Walking the streets was the most heart-breaking of all though....you could hardly go anywhere without tripping over a crippled beggar or homeless mother and children sleeping on cardboard or the bare stone. Everyone is soooo skinny and kids were always begging us for food! Dr. Moskala is always giving away banana's to the hungry, so we began doing that too. One of the first nights there, Dr. Moskala took us to a nice restaurant to eat (the only food that would have been safe for our American stomachs). It cost about $10 American dollars....but when we did the math, we realized that with what we'd just spent on that meal, we could have fed over 350 hungry people a banana!!!!! So...we couldn't stomach the thought of eating out anymore, but instead ate bread and butter and banana's at our room, and focused on giving out MORE banana's. The filth, the stench, the disease and sickness, the poverty, the despair....and the beggars and homeless, too numerable to count, was heart-breaking....and we often came back from our street walks or school trips in tears!!

But God had a lesson He was teaching us....and as our heart's broke, they also grew....

The second week, Loma Linda University's Medical/Dental team joined us, and we headed about 4 hours into the jungle/countryside. This was an all night drive in a huge bus that spent the majority of the time, driving into on-coming traffic!!! Talk about scary!! I had chosen to sit near the front with Raja so I wouldn't get car-sick, and my throat ended up being in my mouth practically the WHOLE trip!!! We were within inches of hitting other cars, buses, rickshaws, and who knows what else, time after time after time!!!! But God protected....and again my heart grew....

This week was a very hectic adventure, for once we got camp set-up and got through the welcoming ceremony, we began seeing between 400-700 patients per day! They were at the gate just waiting to get into the school/compound where we had set-up camp. (Made me wonder about the fact that if we only knew what God had for us in his kingdom, we too would be beating down the gates of Heaven, begging to get in!!!) I was in charge of Registration and Education, and would have been horse within the first couple hours if I hadn't had a great team of assistants to help me teach and keep things organized! (Thanks - Lorinda, Carrie, Chris and others!) God blessed. We taught health education, hygiene, cleanliness, the eight natural laws, and told a variety of non-threatening Bible stories and parables. What fun! Towards the end, Carrie and I even sang them some special songs. (I bet they never heard that kind of music before!!!) At times between the heat, sweat, crowds, smells, and mud, I wondered how long I could hold up...but God was growing my heart.

For pictures of the first TWO WEEKS of Adventures in Bangladesh, click on this link!

The last week in Bangladesh, I was driven 8 hours North....to the Bangla Hope Orphanage!! I have to say, this was probably my favorite part of the whole trip! This is an Orphanage that Americans Dave and Beverly Waid started about 5 years ago, and they have done a marvelous job. Currently they have 69 children all under the age of 6 (with more on the way), and they are doing an awesome job at raising them and giving them an education. While I was there, they put me to work as well! Every day, I did staff worship for the core staff, a couple classes a day for the older little ones, evening worship for all the kids, and then evening worship for the care-giver women. (FIVE meetings to prepare for a day - let me tell you, I was hopping like a Kangaroo!) Plus I spent a lot of time just playing with the kids and reading them stories, and loving on them! You can hardly imagine the joy....And again and again I thought of how Jesus said, "For of such is the kingdom of heaven."

The drive up to the Orphanage was wild (as was most driving in Bangladesh), but unfortunately I inhaled too much smoke and fumes from other traffic around us during the 8 hour drive....so right from the beginning of my arrival at the Orphanage, I felt like I was getting a chest infection. Every day I woke up feeling worse, and by Wednesday, I was feeling sooo sick, I knew I couldn't go on (was worried I might be getting Bronchitis or Pneumonia). That morning I pleaded with God in tears to please HEAL ME so that I could continue to teach my classes and love the children. It wasn't immediate, but He gave me strength to get up...and by noon of that day, I suddenly realized that all my symptoms, pain, congestion and problems in my lungs, had gone away!! It was ALL GONE!!! He had healed me!!! I was ecstatic!! (I never suffered any more problems....and even traveling back to the USA, despite missing 2 nights of sleep....and even more with jet-leg after being back - it's taken me about 12 days to begin to sleep during the night like normal, yet I haven't gotten near to being sick!!! Tired, yes...feeling like my head is in a fog, yes....but no sickness, sore throats or chest congestion!!!) I just praise the Lord! What a great God we serve!!!

But back to Bangladesh.....I soooo enjoyed my time there at the Orphanage, and with new friends, and by the time my week at Bangla Hope was over, I was heart-broken with the thought of leaving all my little ones....for they had adopted me into their hearts. And I had adopted them!! When I left, we all cried....and I'm already dreaming about when I can go back, and what I can do to help these kids....and the many others like them, around the world!!

For pictures of my week at BANLGA HOPE click on this link!

God grew my heart in sooo many ways on this trip....And I'll be sharing some of those ways hopefully, in my upcoming posts!

For now, I just wanted to say, I'm back....and the trip went well!! And to all those that contributed to help make this happen, my deepest gratitude!!!

May God continue to be glorified...

Having an "Anne Moment"

There's one rather large item that I've been keeping in storage for a few years....a special steamer that some precious relative gave me, but I've never found a use for! Well, finally last week, I got rid of it!! I gave it away! What relief!!! No more lugging it around or trying to store it.

Well...today....I found my nicely wrapped steamer packed neatly inside one of my large storage suitcases in the garage. (I discovered it because I am packing for Bangladesh!!)

Well...as you can imagine, I was utterly perplexed at finding it there!! Then the "horror" suddenly hit me.... just like "Anne of Green Gables" gave away her neighbors cow (thinking it was hers), I had given away my roommates huge steamer pan!! Oh no....

Thankfully.... my roommate was more forgiving than Rachel Lynn!! But we all had a good laugh!!

I've been furiously packing for Bangladesh....and getting posters and educational materials ready, and shopping for socks, and medical supplies and other things to take to the Orphanage!! I am very excited, but very exhausted!!

Also, to add to the fun moments, I have a new roommate.....from Peru!! I think it's interesting that I had actually planned to go work as a missionary in Peru this fall, but it didn't work out. I guess God had something more special in mind! Instead, He sent a "Peruvian missionary" to me!! Yep, He sure did! Dayana came to volunteer full time with Creator's Call. And we are very happy to have her here! She is a real sweetheart!! (Be watching for pictures!)

So....life's exciting, but I am very blessed....and now, I am thankful it is Sabbath!! And...if you don't hear much from me for a few weeks....well, know I am having a blast in the warm tropical monsoon season Bangladesh, loving and hugging dozens of little ones!

Keep me in prayer!!

"Of such is the kingdom of Heaven..."

Photo by Meg

Well....where do I begin? It seems that I can't keep up with this blog anymore...just too many things going on!!

The most recent exciting news is: I'm going to Bangladesh!!! Can you believe it?? I am still getting over the shock myself!!

I'd been praying all summer about a couple specific mission opportunities, but none of them came together as I had hoped! Then just a little over a week ago, I talked with Paul (the coordinator for the Loma Linda University Medical/Dental mission trip that is going to Bangladesh in Septemeber) and he talked about the fact that they could still use some help in "Health Education" if I was interested in going with them. Well, I grew very excited at the prospects, although to be honest.....Bangladesh was the last country I'd thought or prayed about reaching this summer! Anyway, the difficult thing was, I didn't have much time to prepare....they were leaving in 3 weeks!

Well, I decided to come home and pray about it....so I stalled on action for another 3 days (which left me with 2.5 weeks), and made things seem even more impossible to pull together! Finally I had peace to put my feet in the water and see what God would do!! If I could get the financial support I needed, as well as get all my paperwork together by the deadline....I would move forward!

I'm here to report, that God has worked in an amazing and incredible way......far beyond my imagination or hopes!!

Even though I was sooo short on time, and even delayed some more to pray about it all, He is working everything out perfectly. A number of friends came forward in my plee for support (Thanks to all of you that were a part of this!), and the very next day after I decided to put my feet in the water, I had enough financial backing to pay for my Visa expenses (which the group was sending off that very day), as well as make the down payment on my ticket! Thankfully, the price hadn't gone up yet! (And I'm once again reminded...though God may not work on our time-table, He is always on time...never late!!)

Furthermore, I'm not only going to be assisting with "Health Education" with the medical team, but the doors have opened up for me to go volunteer at the Bangla Hope Orphanage while I'm there, where I'll be doing a variety of things....but most importantly, getting to love on the children! I can hardly wait!!!

So, all in all, I'll be gone a little over three weeks. And my date for departure (Sept 14th) is fast approaching!! I'm soooo excited and humbled at this incredible opportunity, and just pray that God will use me as well as our team, in a very special way!

If any of my blog readers would like to contribute.....I'm still accepting tax-deductible donations*....which will go towards sponsoring waiting Orphans as well as building a web site that will continue to support the needs of the "least of these" around the world. My vision and dream is expanding, so pray for me, that God may truly be glorified!

"In as much as you have done it unto the least of these, you've done it unto me..." Matt 25:40

"But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matt 19:14