INTO THE PATIENT WAITING...

Where do I begin to describe all that the LORD has been teaching my little heart about Himself? He is such a patient Shepherd and the past two weeks in Europe have given me an even deeper glimpse of how much I need Him and His guidance in every area of my life : ) That is a little tid-bit as to what I am Learning About Him - but perhaps you all would like to see a few pics of the adventures the LORD has put me on in order to bring me to a deeper realization of my need for Him and His help. Yes, I went all the way to Europe! For 2 weeks (and I still have one week left in Europe) I have been traveling all over. From little Zettlitz to the huge Berlin and then driving through the Alps to seeing beautiful Venezia (Venice), Italy. All of this was something the LORD has been bringing about for some time and I have had the priviledge of spending these journeys with a dear friend of mine, Tim Haugrud. Yep...a boy : ) It would take too long to tell the whole story, but all I can say is that the...

Alright everyone - it's HERE!!! I'm heading off and will keep everyone posted on all my adventures as well as keep you updated about everything the LORD reveals to me : ) Here is a pic... And the ADVENTURE BEGINS !!!

For some time now I have been contemplating a new blog design that matched my style - and allowed me to put pictures up on a fairly neutral screen...so here it is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What do you think? Any feed back would be great! Is the picture too dark? Do you like the placement of the words on my picture? What about the new background layout? Does it serve the purpose of catching the eye while yet giving the user a clear idea of what my blog is all about? OH! And did you like the verse? This very verse has spoken volumes to me over the past week and my hearts desire is to know The Patient Waiting of looking for His coming, directing my heart into His love and serving Him faithfully until He, my Bridegroom, returns. There is so much I have learned from this simple verse - and I will have to take another blogspot (sometime soon!) to share with you my gleanings from the Word on what it means to patiently wait for Him. A lesson I don't think the Lord will ...

Where do I begin!?!?!?! Summer is already half-way through and I'm still trying to get ahold of everything our Great God has taught me already. I think I've been stretched, pulled and turned-upside-down many times this past summer; all in order to make my realize, once again, what a Faithful God we have and how He will provide for the needs of His children. I'm going to put up a few pictures of each of the different camps I was able to work at so far this summer (I still have another camp to work at, and that is Camp Enosh in Topeka, KS) and a little "blurb" as to what went on at each of the camps. GIRLS RANCH HAND The LORD gave me a wonderful opportunity to work with 7 young girls at THRBC and be the speaker for Ranch Hand 1. It was so good! Because the group was smaller than normal, we were all able to bond really well and open up with each other about struggles, problems, and insecurities we all face in our lives. We worked with the horses for about 6-10 hours...

There is no way I could resist the tempation to put this little "story" on here that happened to me today - I have never laughed so hard nor been so stunned by a 2-year-olds perception. Here it goes: I was at Target in between class period just browsing around...being really bored because I didn't need to buy anything and I wasn't looking for anything. But I found a cute and modest dress on the 75% rack for only 4 dollars! It was black and had red flowers printed abstractly on it. I picked it up and was rummaging around to see if there were any more great dress deals (because I LOVE a bargain!). Suddenly, this little boy with blond hair and blue eyes comes up to me...he looks up at me, scrunches his little face and says with utmost curiosity, "Why are you buying a spiderman suit?" My mouth dropped open. What? I had picked up a spiderman suit? Then I looked at the items hanging on my right arm. Oh yes - that 4 dollar dress was the culprit. So I looked at the ...

Can you believe it? On December 18th, 2009 I'll be a college graduate with a B. A. in English!!! This afternoon, I had the wonderful privilege of enrolling in classes for the last time ; ) It certainly has been a challenging, growing and productive 4 years for me at UCO. Just being at college, especially a secular one, has challenged me in my faith in numerous ways...and I thank my Father in heaven for using college as a place to teach and train me of how to be a follower of Jesus Christ my Lord. Many times I didn't share Christ when I should have and the Lord has taught me through those lessons that I need to seize every opportunity to talk about Jesus! He is the HOPE that this world is looking for, not political leaders or world organizations...it's Jesus, God's own Son who came to save sinners from the death that they deserved by dying in their place. God gave me so many opportunites to share about Him in my homework responses, topics I picked to write papers on, 20 ...

Should I let you all know what I am talking about?!? --- Or perhaps just make you all guess? --- Well, I would prefer to do the former, because who knows what is going through everyone's minds right now! : ) Here is a hint: I am going to GERMANY!!! This trip is through my college, University of Central Oklahoma, and is counting to my last official elective for my major! Of course, this isn't like any normal class...we will be doing alot of tours through many historic sites, visiting memorials, exploring a new city and my favorite part is the fact that I get to meet new people : ) New people means new opportunities... ...and another way to share the Good News of Jesus Christ! --- The trip will be from March 12th - 19th...and I hope to keep everyone posted with pictures and news and the adventures that will be encountered on this trip. --- Oh! But wait! There is more! One of my dear and best friends, Anne-Marie Gaynier, is going with me!!! Praise the Lord for a fun, outgoing, upl...

This is for you Anne in Peru... ...I think of you often, pray for you often, and miss the sweet fellowship we often share together. The Lord is teaching you so much in Peru! Continue to let Him be your Guide, your Instructor, and your Light. Might people see in you, as I see in you, our Savior's love and compassion for this whole world; a world that is lost in sin, a world that is searching for love, and a world that will only be truly satisfied when they draw from the Living Water, Jesus Christ our Lord. In This Photo: Anne's Feet (left), Melissa's Feet (right). Taken at the World War Memorial in Washingto D.C.

God has placed my family on quite a journey with my brother Stephen...so much has happened in the past 2 1/2 years with him. Incase some of you are out of the loop with my brother, he was diagnosed in May of 2006 with a brain tumor. He had surgery 2 weeks after being diagnosed but they couldn't remove the tumor because it was directly inside his optic nerves. Meaning, if the doctor had removed the tumor then he would have woken up with no vision. But, we praise the Lord that he gave the doctor wisdom not to take the tumor out. After the surgery, he went into 28 treatments of radiation to stop the tumor from growing. We didn't really get major results back about the radiation treatment until early 2007. The radiation had done it's job! It had stopped the tumor from growing for a time. Due to all of the surgery and radiation and already deterioration of Stephen's eyesight, he isn't able to drive because he has a very limited peripheral vision. Despite all of these dif...

My dear friend Anne has already discovered another "life" I have...hahaha. I figured I should inform all of you about it as well, now since you all are on the edge of your seats in-front of the computer screen wondering what I am going to say next. It's not THAT big of news - but I currently have another blog entitled: http://www.scrawlinandscribblin.blogspot.com/ I am enrolled in an English Literature since 1800 class this semester and it is online. Therefore, part of my job was to create a blog and write on it every week something I have learned in my reading throughout the week. It's quite fun and I am loving finding all these "spiritual" meanings in people's writings. It is especially interesting having the Bible alongside while reading and comparing/contrasting how the world thinks vs. how our wonderful God thinks. So - incase any of you are bored and want a brief literature analysis, check out my blog! : )

FAMILY

Spring 2 0 0 8 Semester Schedule Tuesday/Thursday 8:00 - 9:15 am "Foundations of American Education/Field Experience" PTE3023 9:30 - 10:45 am "Ethnic American Literature" ENG4823 11:00 - 12:15 pm "Adolescent Psychology" PTE3153 1:00 - 1:50 pm "Part IV Biblical Greek" PSYH3140 2:00 - 2:50 pm "Basic Photography" JOUR1213 (tentative) Should be a fun and busy semester! I decided to keep everything on Tues/Thurs and leave Mon/Wed/Fri open for piano lessons, bible studies, lunch with people, studying, and traveling. Pray that I would use my time wisely for His service and for His glory alone.

Well...to be completely honest with this screen I am looking at (and perhaps you are viewing) I am feeling a mix of emotions at the moment: nervousness anticipation joy thankfulness pangs of hunger for the fresh chocolate chip cookies lying on the counter and excitement as I jump into this new world of " b l o g g i n g ! ! ! "