cheers to the 'hood

I still enjoy the occasional chick flick. I watched The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 this week. Granted, the plot line isn't extremely brilliant. Building two movies around the premise of a pair of "magical" pants... very fictional. But it's strange how I am able to identify with this crazy group of girlfriends. I love how different they all are! Life takes them all over the place, but when they're back together again- it's just like old times. *smile* Herein lies the parallelism with my life.

The Fab Four
Caitlin, Michelle, Melody, Emili

Yes, I'm posting this one cause it's el natural (as the French say). Ain't no shame in it.

Location: The white sand beaches of Western Michigan.... holla!

Martha Stewart and the Exodus

At ACE High, we use to name our little pumpkins and gourds that we kept in our locker from Oct-Nov. In loving memory of ACE (R.I.P.), I have named the items in the autumn basket on my desk at work. There's Gordie & Herman & Rumplestilskin & Cleo. This isn't the picture of MY basket, but it does have similar contents, no?

I am very happy to know the Thanksgiving holiday is only one week away. It will be much needed time of refreshment and relaxation at the homestead. I will finally be able to talk to my not-so-little , little brother --> who is seemingly unreachable) as well as the rest of the family. I have always enjoyed being a part of a large family- it makes the holidays happy. When the house fills up again and all the seats in the living room are taken, and I get stuck sitting on the floor- yet again. In a strange way, I like to sit on the floor because it means there are lots of people around me who KNOW me, and I can have the freedom to unleash all of who I am without fear of rejection. They will watch me spin and twirl around the kitchen and think simply- 'that's just melody.'

I will miss my dear friend emili who is sharing this holiday with her in-laws in Michigan, but smile as I remind myself that she will be in Wisconsin over Christmas. Hugs will be given and hearts will be shared over a few cups of Roastery coffee in a few short weeks.

My wonderful, energetic friend Caitlin spurred me to begin reading parts of Exodus this week. I am very familiar with the stories, but it was kind of cool to read them again and see new details that I haven't reflected on in years. This stood out to me:

"Then the Lord said to Moses, 'I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I wll test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.' "

Ex 16:4

The Lord is faithful to provide what we need for each day. We should not stress ourselves out about tomorrow because He will be there to meet us in the morning. There's something about the fact that it was a test of faith. Maybe an encouragement for us to stop relying on ourselves and start trusting God with everything. This has been a common theme God is trying to teach me. I have been reading "Finding God" by Dr. Larry Crabb, and he talks about how often we ask God to remove the obstacle or give us immediate answers or even demand blessings from Him because of our "good behavior"; but that's not how God works. Instead of asking Him to make our lives better, we should be praying for our faith to grow as we learn to rely on the Lord in a different way. I am too focused on myself and my own ability to handle life. I am praying for a heart that learns to need God for EVERYTHING and realize my own ability is nothing compared to the Creator.

Today is my sister and brother-in-laws 3rd Anniversary. Here's a picture to commemorate their wedding day:

manna from the heavens

first snowfall.

there is always something magical about it. i quickly sink into my winter boots and pull my hat on and head out the door. as i drive along the golf course, the tree branches are no longer bare and naked. they are draped in the new snowy blanket. i love this part of winter. when the snow collects on the trees and reaches over the road to create a snowy tunnel.

the temperature is not bad...a balmy 30 degrees. (You come to realize 30 is warm after spending a harsh winter in Minnesota ;-)

This type of weather makes me feel romantic and joyful. A song begins to play in my head in the deep, melodic voice of Doris Day, Secret Love is the title, I think. But that isn't very Christmas-y, so I will post a different song instead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szrqtgAd3h0

here we sit on the wall

PLEASE make all the TALK about politics STOP!!!! I can't take it anymore. I want to atrophy and go limp. I want to plug my ears and eyes (ouchie!) until it's over. I want the better man to win, but I look around and his chances seem bleak. I don't want to talk about judges, state reps or ANYTHING! I just want it all to go away, yet our nation is led blindly into d e s t r u c t i o n... the veil over the eyes of so many, like some sort of spiritually evil trance.

People who feel they should take a stand and make their point by voting neither Republican nor Democratic seem foolish.

Congratulations, you made your point- as our liberty is thrown out the back door all in the name of "change".

America, do you know what this "change" means...really? I don't think you do.

My skin tingles and my hair stands on end when I see him or hear his name. A feeling I am well-familiar with as it relates to my spiritual antenna. It is the Spirit reminding me to Stop! Listen! And be warned! This is evil masquerading as light. But the veil is blinding people... empty promises with no method for action. If he wins, my job and many other Spirit-led places of employment at stake.

Lord, I pray for mercy and grace. I pray for your power to overcome the darkness and the blinders. I rejoice in knowing YOU are my hope and strength in the midst of whatever happens. Thank you that my security does not rest in government. Help our blind eyes and hearts, Lord Jesus.

rejoice in His presence

Received this from a friend... a great reminder for all of us.

Rejoice in ME always! No matter what is going on, you can rejoice in your Love-relationship with Me. This is the secret of being content in all circumstances. So many people dream of the day when they will finally be happy: when they are out of debt, when their children are out of trouble, when they have more leisure time, and so on. While they daydream, their moments are trickling in the ground like precious balm spilling wastefully from overturned bottles.

Fantasizing about future happiness will never bring fulfillment, because fantasy is unreality. Even though I am invisible, I am far more Real than the world you see around you. My reality is eternal and unchanging. Bring your moments to Me, and I will fill them with vibrant Joy. Now is the time to rejoice in My Presence!

-Jesus Calling
By Sarah Young

“Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!”
Philippians 4:4-5 -The Message

“I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.” Philippians 4:12- NLT

“But you are always the same; you will live forever.” Psalm 102:27- NLT

chicken nuggets all in a row

I'm feeling very inspired and chatty today.

Because I've become super involved at my church (which is AWESOME, by the way) I have been meeting alot of people. Sometimes these people ask me if I'm involved with a Sunday School class. Which I'm not. I feel slightly guilty about this for some reasons:

1. I was ALWAYS in Sunday school growing up. It wasn't even an option to skip. (Except for sometimes Danny and I would because we'd get to church 30 minutes late, and it was really embarrassing to walk in a classroom when everyone is facing the door. So we'd both head to our respective gender bathrooms and wait for the last 15 minutes to tick down.)
2. I do want to be involved in a group and learn. It's not that I'm anti-social but here's my beef- WHY do I want to be lumped together with a group of peers who are all equally confused about this awkward transition part of life? WHY can't I go to an elderly people's class and learn with them?!
3. Why do all 20-something groups feel like a single's awareness class?! I just want to go and learn, but I can't because I walk in, and I feel like a piece of NeW single meat dangling in front of all the awkwardly single men...
4. PLUS- because I plan to move on in a year or so, I don't want to form new friendships that will just be getting started and then End. Abruptly.

I'm not trying to close off or protect my heart --> as some people have eluded to. I just want to be happy in the worship service surrounded by the teens I serve on Wednesday nights. I want to focus my passions and sluff off the other things.

As long as I'm here, I should say that I believe very strongly in community. I don't think church is suppose to be without it. Contrary to what our culture teaches, no man is an island. We need the body of believers to encourage, challenge, and call us out on things. I think it's okay to get that community support from my other friend groups.

So goodbye guilt. I still love Jesus. I just choose to be learning and growing outside of the Sunday school realm.

thumbalena skeleton

I woke up yesterday with a throbbing hand. I don't know why, but it has been in pain for the last 2 days and nights. Upon inspection, I am undecided as to whether it is swollen or just my thick hand. Well, actually, I KNOW it's my thick hand...but is it thicker than usual?! That remains the question. Some of my loyal readers (all 2 of you) are probably scratching your heads in confusion. In case your mom never told you, there is a natural thing that makes one side of our bodies disproportionate to the other. You thought it was just you, didn't you? Rest assuredly, we all have it. You're not a freak of nature or atypical nor are you half human/half alien. As to the reason why, ask a doctor. That's not my expertise.

This morning, I have decided to tape my thumb to press against my hand. In the words of my mother, "I think it just needs a good rest."

I knew my one handed typing, over extended double jointedness, incorrect pen holding would catch up to my thumb someday. That day has arrived.