Ladies, I'd like to tell you about my two church families.

My original "home church" I attended for the first thirty years

of my life. I was born and raised in that little church. When

I was a freshman in high school the church went through a

rough church split... just trust me it was bad. That was well

over twenty years now and that place is still suffering from

that time. It was just like watching a blooming flower wilt

and die right before your eyes. Somewhere around eight or

nine years ago I remember sitting with my cousin talking of

how I desired and refused to give up hope in seeing the place

revived and pushed forward. This was a hard core Southern

Baptist church. In the year 2000 I met some new friends from

where I was working and was invited to attend a Ladies Retreat

with them. Shortly after ended up attending there for the last

seven years.

I'll start of the story line of my "second church" with this

picture.

This is a photo of the long awaited steeple at New Life Church.

So my second "church family" was not run across by accident.

It became the place God would use to stretch, teach, grow and

most important heal me from some things in my past. While

at the new church I never gave up my prayers for my "church

back home".

Ladies, I have to share I am seeing God in this present season

begin to answer the prayers I've prayed for my first church

home. It's so amazing to see how He is unfolding this. The

cousin I mentioned earlier....yeah, he's the church's new pastor!!

Meanwhile, for the last year God has gently been preparing my

heart to return back home.

Now, my heart has been crying inside at the thought of leaving

where I am now. I love this place and these people that are like

family. My decision was made last Sunday to follow Him no

matter the cost.... and with that decision came instant peace!

I told my mentor (at the present church) and her words to me

I'll never forget. She trust what ever I do because she knows

that I seek to follow God's will for my life. That is huge to

hear someone say that about your life and walk in faith.

The church back home is going through an season of healing

after a twenty three year old battle. It is at the edge of change

waiting to fly.

Thank you God for this answered prayer. May you continue

to heal and restore. May we once again be a city on a hill that

cannot be hidden. May this lampstands light shine once again.

I love you. Amen.

Well, I wanted to give you an update on a prayer request. The new
student that we've been waiting on was finally able to come today.
However, it was so bad that he couldn't even stay for the full two hours
he was scheduled to stay. He was trying to escape from the building
and coming after the workers. My boss couldn't believe that he wouldn't
respond to a positive environment as opposed to the harsh (almost
abusive) one he was in. My thoughts were that it's all he's ever known...to
him that was his "love" or bond. He was offensive to our showing him a
caring behavior.
All day my heart has been so heavy for not just this boy but to a WORLD
of hurting teens. They don't even have to be a "problem" child to feel this
way. Abandoned- neglected- abused- victims. I LOVE teens they have
always been so near to my heart. I have worked through church with them
for years. I have always heard this saying that by the time they are teens
that it's like pouring concrete and it's hardened and so hard after that to
change. Things like this just fuel a flame in me- Thank you Jesus. They/We
have been fed so many lies by satan that we don't even know how bad it is.
I am committing this week to pray for our teens. Will you join me?
God Bless~

A fellow blogging Siesta and friend posted along the same lines today as I'm going to try and venture. It's one of those times where the same message keeps appearing. God is trying to drive a point across to me and I'm trying so hard to listen. At church our Ladies group this week reached the midway mark in the "Patriarchs". This study has brought me to a place that I'll never stop pursuing His Word. The very first week of study I was captivated by two words-- Your Name. Our culture today seems so consumed in making a name for ourselves. Teenagers are so desperate for this in wanting somewhere to be accepted. To have a certian brand, a certian style, a certian group, be in a certian place to be known as a certian someone. Adults are no better at this.
The very next week after Bible study began I was asked to speak to the Youth at our church. I began to search every concordance and commentary I had on the word- name. For the first time I just stood in awe at the glory of His name. I've known about Him and heard about Him all my life but never been consumed by the majesty of His name. I have never been on my face before like this past month. To give up the name we have desired for ourselves and surrender to instead for our identity in His name. I would like to share a short devotion I read today. It is from a book called "God Calling".

No Other Name
My name is the Power that turns evil aside,
that summons all good to your aid. Spirits
of evil flee at the sound of "Jesus". Spoken
in fear, in weakness, in sorrow, in pain, it is
an appeal I never fail to answer. "Jesus"
Use My Name often. Think of the unending
call of "Mother" made by her children. To
help, to care, to decide, to appeal, "Mother."
Use My Name in that same way- simply,
naturally, forcefully. "Jesus"......

Peace in Him

Do you remember where you were six

years ago? I vividly remember the day

well. It was my very first semester back

in college. I was sitting in an English

class when this young fellow came in

out of breath. He was telling us that the

Twin Towers had been hit by a plane.

All I can remeber thinking was- wow. I had

no idea of course the horror of what was

going on until I saw the t.v. I could not believe my eyes-- over and

over we saw it and I still couldn't believe my eyes.

It was so surreal like it was happening somewhere else.

American flags everywhere. Prayers

being prayed everywhere. American's for a fleeting season

united as one and had returned to Him in prayer. Just to think

what our Nation would be like if we turned our United focus

back on Him...

A Life that Matters

I have a prayer request....
We have a new student starting next Monday. He is a twelve year old autistic boy. He is originally from around New Orleans and for the last five or six years been tossed around in foster homes. He is right now in a psychiatric ward and he has busted out windows there. We are a small school and only one worker has had experience with this type of aggressive behavior. Please pray for safety but most of all pray for this young boy. I don't know to the extent of what they "realize" but I do believe they know who they can feel safe with and trust. For once in his life-- just like any "regular" boy his age I would like him to
"experience" that in however in his life he can. I want to be God's hands in this.
On that note I have to share this... Over the summer we had a student that is nonverbal and we worked with him on sign language. It was like he could do it but only if he wanted to. I wanted so bad for him to "get it" because I knew it would change his life forever. It was like two steps forward and one step back. One day I was so frustrated I had his hands trying to get him to form a "word" and I just in the moment stopped and prayed over him. I promise as surely as God answers prayers from that day forward he was showing out with his signing!!
How so is that like us.... How many times God must think Melanie, I want so bad for you to "get it" because it will change your life forever! Ladies, let's keep going deeper with Him I want us to "get it". I'm tired of satan trying to knock us that step back.

Remaining Faithful

I joined a wonderful group of ladies for my first group Bible Study. We are three weeks into the "Patriarches". Even though I knew that Abraham and Sarah had Isaac after their childbearing years...I still didn't realize how long of a wait they had. Abraham's journey was much like our own- with it's twists and turns. The times we take the leap and step out on faith, times we laugh in doubt- others in sheer joy and there are the times we have to...wait. In a devotion I read today the question was asked "How are you at waiting on God?" When I read this I sat straight up on the edge of my seat anxious for what God was fixing to say to me.

I have always related life as to a puzzle. I don't know maybe the outer pieces are our salvation and Christian standards. Then God has all the other pieces set off to the side and in His timing He hands us a piece. We set that piece into place and then.....wait on the next one to be revealed. I know there are things to do in the waiting period- a preparing and training stage.

Surley there must have been those times in Abraham and Sarah's walk when it looked like the waiting period was about to end and the promise be fulfilled. I know God's timing is perfect and never late. However, the waiting season feels never ending in my life. Waiting to be a wife, waiting to be a mother, waiting for His calling in my life to be revealed. So, how am I at waiting...this week not very good!


I read this tonight in my Matthew Henry Commentary:

"No word of God shall fall to the ground; for he is faithful that has promised, and God's faithfulness is the stay and support of his people's faith...God is always punctual to his time; though his promised mercies come not at the time we set, they will certainly come at the time he sets, and that is the best time".


What are your thoughts on the question "How are you at waiting on God?"

My sweet Siesta, Sharon at Sit With Me Awhile, has just given me my first award! I thought some this week about easing out of Blog Land but this unexpected treat has encouraged me to stay. This "place" is a source of encouragement, support and accountability that I know personally I need.

About this award:

"This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you've been awarded please pass it on to others who you feel are deserving of this award."

I would like to pass this award on to a new found Siesta~ Stacey at What is to Come. Stacey shares a huge passion for Special Needs Ministry for His kids with me. Please be in prayer with us about this ministry. I feel it is the next area of ministry that is going to need a voice in our churches. Keep a look out for these families...they need our prayers, love and support. I was just helping last week with VBS and along with our four Autistic kids- another two showed up "out of the blue" (I think not... God is good and supplies a need).

Much love...