tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20619549565941221792024-03-13T23:45:08.318-04:00Life's a Dance"When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It's to enjoy each step along the way." Wayne Dyer -
Hopefully this blog will inspire you to enjoy each step!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12613638768125722692noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061954956594122179.post-13162505848660753862015-01-23T11:52:00.000-05:002015-01-23T11:52:43.718-05:00A Coach Can Change Your Life!Linking you to an article I wrote that was published on my Company's Blog site...<br />
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<a href="http://consulting.resourceassociatescorp.com/blog/bid/168544/Be-a-Coach-Change-a-Life">http://consulting.resourceassociatescorp.com/blog/bid/168544/Be-a-Coach-Change-a-Life</a><br />
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Thanks for reading!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12613638768125722692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061954956594122179.post-38689063445635833522014-12-07T15:58:00.000-05:002014-12-07T16:23:08.125-05:00Boys are taking over this house...Last night I had my first breakdown of this second pregnancy. I had a moment of thinking that as a mom to only boys, that they would grow up viewing me as only the woman who would do their laundry and have their food on the table. I watched my sweet 16 month old boy play, running back to me periodically to give me a kiss, and I thought to myself, "This won't last.... soon I'll just be 'Mom.' The one who harps on him to pick up his room and hurry to the supper table."<br />
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My husband pressed to figure out why I was crying. Though I knew he wouldn't understand or he'd try to fix it before I was ready to be fixed, I unloaded. "I want to be a stay at home mom. I don't want to go out of town every month and leave my kids at home once they are in school. Soon, they'll just be doing everything with you and I'll just be the cook...." That sobbing continued for much longer than I'll let on.<br />
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Before I knew it, I was over it and my husband and I continued playing with our little man on the living room floor. By 1 am we had constructed the coolest matchbox track ever! We have more plans for that track too... paint, ramps, bridges, and other items to help it to resemble a real town.<br />
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Then it hit me. Growing up I was a tomboy. I played with matchbox cars and with dirt. I wasn't sure I wanted kids because I didn't know if I would know how to be a mom to little girls. Now, God has put me exactly where I am supposed to be. With two boys that need a mom who will be able to relate to them. A mom who will sit up until 2 am painting acrylic on their racetrack so they won't smash it by mistake. I don't hunt. I love the outdoors but, I can't bring myself to kill anything. But, as my husband reminded me - when he takes the boys hunting, he wants me to come too so they can each be in their own tree stand with one of us. That I'll do! I will get on the four wheeler with them, I'll play in the woods and the dirt with them, I'll stomp in the creek with them, and I won't spend a minute worrying about whether my hair looks good or my makeup is on.<br />
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I'll let them be boys. And, I'll also teach them how to be men. I will teach them to make their beds, cook, clean up the dishes, and run a load of laundry. With my husband, I'll help them to become strong men and also very resourceful future husbands or happily single men - whichever they may choose. I've been placed in these shoes for a reason, and I won't take that lightly. I vow to live the life I was given with gusto, enjoy each and every moment, and just be mommy!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12613638768125722692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061954956594122179.post-24823185344902968302013-08-13T11:54:00.000-04:002013-08-13T11:54:15.656-04:00Becoming Mommy & DaddyWe spent the last nine months or so preparing for this moment. Jason and I knew this day was coming, and it seemed to take so long - and now it's arrived in the blink of an eye. Today we woke up husband and wife - tomorrow or the next day we will probably go to sleep as Mommy and Daddy. What a difference a year makes!<br />
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The growth our relationship has experienced over this time has been immeasurable. We experienced many hardships getting to the point where we could finally become parents and it took longer than we had originally hoped. But, God is pretty amazing. Well - HE IS amazing. He knew just how long He needed to mold us into the parents we want and He wants us to be. He knew there was work left to do in our relationship to make us the best Mom & Dad we can be, and He made sure to take the necessary time to make that happen. Our marriage is firmly planted and we are more ready and committed as a couple to take on this new journey in our lives than we thought we ever could be.<br />
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It's so hard to believe that today is the last day this house will be so quiet for many many years. The next time we walk back through our door we will walk through it as a family of three, probably very weary and unsure of how we will ever figure out how to be parents! But, we'll walk with faith - and like with everything else we've faced before we will learn our way through.<br />
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22 years ago this month, I was able to witness my oldest niece be welcomed into this world. Since then I've had 4 more nieces and nephews follow. As I've watched them grow into young adults, I am thankful for the wisdom now to know that time will go too fast, and that this little baby will be grown far too soon.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">So - here is to learning as we go, living in the moment, appreciating every step of the way, and loving each other through it!</span><br />
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12613638768125722692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061954956594122179.post-55172358603800415192013-07-19T16:57:00.001-04:002013-07-19T16:57:25.105-04:00Maternity PicsWe are getting closer and closer to the big day! Hard to believe our little guy will soon be making his debut into our world! I wanted to share our recent maternity session... A special thanks to Bethany Sauer Photography for helping us to capture these moments!<br />
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<a href="http://bmsauer.wix.com/bsauerphotography">http://bmsauer.wix.com/bsauerphotography</a><br />
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12613638768125722692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061954956594122179.post-9213255892197727862012-09-13T13:27:00.000-04:002012-09-13T13:27:56.578-04:00See You in Another Life....Here's something radical - and you may think I am crazy, but I've come to believe over the past few years that we get to live life over and over again. I don't believe that we get to live the "same" life over with the "same" people playing the same roles, and I don't believe it's another shot to do it again and again until we get it "right" but I think we get to live multiple lives over multiple time periods and experience many different things...<br />
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Think I am nuts yet? For the record, know this, I believe in God, and I believe in Heaven - but, who really knows what "Heaven" is? Is Heaven in fact more chances at life with the people we love? What's apparent to me, is that the few things that remain the same over our multiple lives are the lessons that God wants us to learn. And He will present them to us over and over again until we "get it." We make choices in each of our lives that propel us to the next place. Whether our choices are right or not, they are stepping stones to where we are supposed to be.<br />
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So many people, myself included, worry about every choice they make, in fact we scrutinize our choices so much that we fear ever making decisions at all. And when we finally do, we then question that. God gives us the discretion to make decisions, and I believe ultimately, we can't be wrong, because it's what was meant to be. Those decisions we made continue to help us to create ourselves and become who we are really meant to be.<br />
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Occasionally, I look back over the years and wonder how I could have let myself make that left at the fork in the road, when I know now I should have gone right... And then I remember, God leads you to where you are supposed to be. If you take a thousand detours along the way, that's just fine - because it's not about the destination - it's about the journey. That journey is what makes you whole when you get to your destination!<br />
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Second guessing what you do is a natural feeling, second guessing what you do when you have OCD is painful! So for me, many shots at life over multiple time periods, is very very comforting... Perhaps we create our own Heaven, and this will be mine.<br />
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The second piece that I believe remains the same over our multiple lives is the fact that we have soul mates. From the words of a Facebook friend, "<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[129].[1][2][1]{comment490183937664095_6104803}..[1]..[1]..[0].[2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[129].[1][2][1]{comment490183937664095_6104803}..[1]..[1]..[0].[2]."><span id=".reactRoot[129].[1][2][1]{comment490183937664095_6104803}..[1]..[1]..[0].[2]..[0]">True soul mates will be drawn to each other time and time again throughout the course of many lifetimes." First, know that a true soul mate, in my eyes, is not the typical definition - not simply someone to be romantic with, but instead someone who fits the following:</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent">"A soul mate is not the fairytale ending of the
perfect match who fits you and your lifestyle like a comfortable glove…
But a soul mate is someone who will pull you out of your comfort zone…
putting you and your mind into places where in the past you may have
feared to go… a soul mate is someone who </span><span class="userContent">through the natural progression of the relationship will make you step
beyond what you saw as your limits… proving to yourself that you have no
limits, except those that you have created in your own mind… a soul
mate is someone who causes you to look deep within to discover that you
were already whole and complete, but life with them simply adds cream to
the top of what was already decadent… a soul mate is someone who is
beaming with pride while watching, supporting, and nudging you through
all of this as you learn, grow, evolve, and refine the masterpiece that
is you…" ~ Debi Hebelt</span><br />
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<span class="userContent">So, as you make your choices, try not to second guess them so much. They are part of the journey. Also, know that those people (family/friends/acquaintances, aka SOUL MATES) in your life - the ones that may be in it for years, the ones that come in and out and reappear over and over again at different monumental times during your journey, or even the ones that are there for only a short time - you will be seeing them again. They will play a part across multiple planes, don't be sad if you don't see them again in this life and don't question it if they are not currently playing the role you think they should.... Because, I find comfort in the words of Desmond Hume of the popular TV show Lost, "See you in another life, brotha"</span><br />
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</span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12613638768125722692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061954956594122179.post-73272361700094481672012-05-19T14:48:00.000-04:002012-05-25T13:40:30.565-04:00Life in 30 years...I've read many lists recently about what someone should have experienced by the time they turn 30. I've decided I'd rather create my own "list" about what I myself have learned as my 30th birthday approaches. I don't like the idea of having to accomplish what others have expected me to accomplish by now, but I'd rather celebrate those things I have found important in my own life... Here is what I have discovered about life in 30 years.<br />
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Mom was almost always right. I say <i><b>almost </b></i>because I can't quite give her permission to be right about everything from here on out just <i><b>yet </b></i>;) Mom always told me that I would miss "this." She always said that I would want to come back to different ages, and when I was in high school, and I was wishing my life away - she knew one day I'd miss it.<br />
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And, I do. I miss the simplicity of life back then. In finding my own diaries and reading the entries from 1996 recently, I realize now how much fun it would be to be able to go back. At the time I hated it, I felt like there was so much more out there in the world to experience and I was stuck. I couldn't wait for life to happen. What I failed to realize was, life was happening. My girlfriends and I used to talk all the time, we would spend Saturday nights getting dressed up and go dancing and to carnivals and fairs, and then we'd have sleepovers. 30 years has taught me to not take things for granted. Even if I think what's happening in my life at a given moment isn't enough, one day I'll miss it and realize how great it really was. 30 years has taught me to<b><i> live in the moment.</i></b><br />
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Mom was right about what boys wanted back then, and she was right when she told me to focus more on me. I spent many years trying to find the right person, and mom spent many years worrying about my never ending search for the perfect person. It wasn't until I lived alone with my girlfriends and tried being single that I realized that searching for the perfect person is senseless, nurturing your own soul and becoming the best you can be is purposeful. That is when I was able to meet the right person. 30 has taught me that<b><i> I am responsible for my own happiness, I can't depend on someone else to do that for me. I know I've found the right person because </i></b><b><i>he has seen me at my worst and he still loves me unconditionally. This is the right relationship to nurture.</i></b><br />
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God will always give me the right friends in my life at just the right time. I've lost touch with many people over the years, but I will always love them. I see clearly what our purpose was for knowing each other during that season of our lives. 30 has taught me that<b><i> I need to be more present in my friendships and</i></b> <b><i>tell them what they mean to me because there is no way of knowing when we may lose touch.</i></b><br />
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God's timing is perfect. It's useless to expect things to happen in my time frame because God has a plan for me. When he knows I am ready to experience something or have something, He will bring it to my life. 30 has taught me to<b><i> be patient and trust God's will, because He has NEVER let me down.</i></b><br />
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My family has been tested through the years. We are a family that hugs, says I love you every time we speak, cries together, and laughs together. 30 has taught me that <b><i>my family will be there for each other through anything and everything, no matter what it is, and I am lucky, because not every family is this way</i></b>. <br />
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Time flies by. It goes too fast. Be happy that it's Monday, don't wait for the weekend to get here. 30 has taught me<b><i> not to wish my life away.</i></b><br />
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Pets don't live long enough.<b><i> 30 has taught me to take a break from my daily to do list, and lay on the floor with my dogs.</i></b><br />
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Growing up, I couldn't wait to leave my small town. Now that I've moved away I am sad thinking of what and who I left, knowing my kids won't know exactly where I've come from... <b><i>30 has taught me to appreciate my roots, and get back to them as often as I can.</i></b><br />
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There is no one else in the world exactly like me. My purpose in life is to inspire others and live my life so that those who may not know how to express their emotions will be moved to do so. <b><i>30 has taught me to live on purpose and be who I am, not who I am expected to be.</i></b><br />
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I've learned amazing things in the last 30 years in addition to what I've listed here. Quite frankly, turning 30 scares me. Getting older always scared me. But, if what I have learned in the last 30 years can inspire me to live the next 30 better than I did the last, than I suppose life is going to be pretty great!<br />
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12613638768125722692noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061954956594122179.post-75049397277866572482012-02-24T19:18:00.003-05:002012-02-24T19:45:08.529-05:00Using the Past to create a Positive and Purpose Filled FutureWe all struggle. Believe me. Our struggles may be different, but we must have faith in God that He will pull us through. We can't let Satan creep into our hearts. We cannot focus on the past, and what we could have done differently - all we can really do is truly be in the here and now. That's all any of us can do. God dropped a few quotes in front of me this week that have spoken to me. Perhaps they will speak to you too.<br /><br />"God doesn't always give us the blueprint for our lives, but he always gives us the next step."<br /><br />"Whether it's the best of times, or the worst of times, it's the only time we've got."<br /><br />"Learn from the past, set vivid, detailed goals for the future, and live in the only moment of time over which you have any control: NOW."<br /><br />This last one I really needed to hear. I have a tendency to focus entirely too much on the past. On things I can't change. I have a feeling you might too. We can't. All we can do is keep moving forward. Yesterday is over. Today is a gift - appreciate it. We can choose to accept our fate and make it a positive experience. Are you with me?<br /><br />I wrote my purpose statement 5 years ago, and now I am finally learning how God wants me to put it into effect. "I exist to serve by inspiring others." What will yours be?<br /><br />I want to help everyone I can. But more than ever I am feeling moved to help prison inmates. I want to help them see that life isn't over. Life doesn't stop because you are on the "inside." God is using them to do something - I want to help them learn how to allow God to fill them with His spirit, and let the change take place. God wants all of us, including inmates, to use our experiences and make an impact and difference in the lives of others - it would be selfish of all of us not to use that gift. I want to help them to make that shift in thinking - take what's happened to us - and affect others. Make the shift from being externally directed and internally focused, to being internally directed and externally focused.<br /><br />God recently placed an old friend in front of me. He's a part of my story in this life, as I am in his. He shared with me the impact I had on his life many years ago. Without my knowledge over the course of the past 12 years, our chance meeting, changed the way he lived his life. In his words, "Because of you I began to look at things around me a little bit differently....changing the way I look at the world. I began to believe in things like perseverance and what just a simple smile can do to someones day, just to name a few. Years and years ago I would have never known that for a brief moment in time a person could dramatically enhance an others life so profoundly!"<br /><br />God truly is amazing. Miraculous, really. What this recent encounter with my old friend has taught me is that when I am lost, God will lead me back. If I continue to live my life on purpose, I will continue to make a difference, just as I did with him. And just as he had done - and continues to do to me.<br /><br />May the Holy Spirit move you to inspire, may he move you to find peace. I'll keep on writing because it completes my story - you all keep on living a purpose filled life...Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12613638768125722692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061954956594122179.post-57666098982299055182010-05-07T17:55:00.005-04:002010-05-07T18:21:26.364-04:00Managing Your EmotionsI have been in the worst of moods lately, a terrible funk, distancing myself from those I am closest to ... perhaps it's my depression sneaking back up on me, or possibly just an overactive moment of OCD. You see, once I get a thought in my mind, I can't seem to shake it. So when my emotions start to roll in another direction, away from the life I am living - I tell myself that God must be telling me something. He must be warning me that "I'm unhappy, and should run away." I've done A LOT of running away in the last 13 years because I thought God was telling me to. Some of the running was in the right direction, other times I later felt regret... So, how in the world do we figure out what God is actually telling us to do?! <br /><br />I've been asking myself recently, what is your purpose in life? What are your core values? During a work conference this past week, I heard, "Peace of mind comes when your life is in harmony with YOUR true principles and YOUR values, and in no other way." Certainly, my behavior, actions, and thoughts the past few weeks were not in harmony with my principles and values. God wouldn't want that. God would not make me feel something that would tempt me to go against all of my beliefs. He would never encourage that. If I trust in God, he'll get me through these emotions and lead me appropriately in whatever direction He wants me to go. He'll do it the right way, not Satan's way.<br /><br />I've let Satan take control recently - and I, with my faith in God, need to climb back up out of this hole and back into the light.... I have not yet figured out how I am going to do that. But I have discovered that acknowledgment is the beginning. I can no longer just run, I must grow. Once I do, God will lead me exactly where I am meant to go next, and it will be invigorating.<br /><br />I've just started a book - one God led me to, called "Managing Your Emotions, Instead of Your Emotions Managing You" by Joyce Meyer. I am only on page 17 - but I know that it's going to help me see the light a little more clearly. <br /><br />I'd like to leave you with one key point from the book that I'm already taking away:<br /><br />"There are times when the Holy Spirit is leading us to do something, our emotions become involved, so we get all excited about doing it. The emotional support helps us feel that God really does want us to do the thing. We perceive the emotional support to be confirmation of God's will.<br />At other times, the Lord will move us to do a certain thing, and our emotions will not want anything to do with what God is revealing to us and asking us to do. They give no support at all.<br />At those time it is harder to obey God. We are very dependent upon emotional support. If we lack understanding about the fickle nature of emotions, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Satan can use them - or the lack of them - to keep us out of God's will.</span> I firmly believe that no person will ever walk in God's will and ultimately in victory if he takes counsel with his emotions."<br /><br />So - with that said, my emotions can't be trusted these past few weeks. Satan has taken complete advantage of that and led me far from God's will. God would never lead me to His Will by making me go against everything I stand for, Satan would. My prayer to God is to lead me back to Him and forgive me for straying...Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12613638768125722692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061954956594122179.post-2262443051501051732010-03-14T16:00:00.002-04:002010-03-14T16:24:02.268-04:00I Can Only Imagine... Part 2Because I was in a hurry yesterday I didn't elaborate on some of the other things that were also going through my mind. These thoughts are still present and have not gone away. As I stood there singing the hymnals my mind was also focused on being thankful for the little things. I can't describe why, but the fact that Jason was standing next to me singing the music made me happy. It felt nice to know that he was not just standing there, but instead he was letting God's words flow freely through him. Strange, but I think it might have bothered me had he stood there silent. I also enjoyed how he held my hand throughout the entire service, and every time he squeezed it I knew it was his way of showing his emotion to me during certain moments. Several times we exchanged glances and when we talked later, we found out, we were thinking the exact same things. These are the little moments that make life worth living - and so many times we ignore them when they happen.<br /><br />The fact that today he has the song "I Can Only Imagine" stuck in his head, and we keep finding ourselves singing it - and then saying "I love you" tells me we are on the same page ... funny how as time passes, you think you might be drifting apart because there are so many moments you are each doing your own thing, but in fact, you are drifting closer together as one! That's exciting!! And, I today, am so thankful. <br /><br />We both talked about how life is so short, we need to stop sweating the small stuff. We talked about how one day, we want our kids to think back about how much we taught them and more importantly how much we loved them and taught them to love one another and God. I've found myself worried from time to time that Jason and I don't go to church and have a church family. We've both been exposed to so many hypocritical people who only follow God on Sundays so we were having a hard time in this area. But, I realize that God is leading us where we should be. He gives us moments like yesterday. He opens our hearts to His glory. And, even though we don't have a church yet, He'll be leading us the whole time.<br /><br />Today I am so excited to be alive. I am so fortunate to have so many wonderful people in my life. Jason and I are so blessed to have found each other after all the roads we have both been down. God's plan for me has been amazing. My heart is so open right now, I can't even describe all I am feeling.<br /><br />Jason and I have been reflecting on the song and this weekend. And we've grown closer yet again. Today he said, "I can only imagine our future together and having kids with you one day." I am enjoying the present and looking forward to all that is to come. Recognize the little things - life is full of them!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12613638768125722692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061954956594122179.post-77206860869476191832010-03-13T18:18:00.003-05:002010-03-13T18:49:39.636-05:00I Can Only Imagine...Today I accompanied Jason, my boyfriend, to a funeral of a long time family friend. Unfortunately I had never gotten to know this man we went to see laid to rest. As we drove to the church, my expectations were just really to be there for Jason - I didn't realize how much attending this service would affect me. The moment we sat down, I began to look through the pamphlet at what was to come, and felt a wave of emotion come over me. I sat and watched this man's wife and their two daughters smile as they hugged everyone, and began to dread the day that I will be in the same position. Immediately, everyone who I had ever lost flashed through my mind, and both my grandfathers were present in my mind.<br /><br />We sang Amazing Grace, and I learned more about the man I was there to pay my respects to. He was a marine in the Vietnam War, brilliant, and a devoted husband and father. What struck me the most was how everyone spoke of his Faith. Even though he was dying of cancer, he was content knowing that he was living out the plan God had for him, and if dying now was part of the plan, so be it, he was ready.<br /><br />Then it happened. A woman from the back of the room stood, microphone in hand, and prepared to sing the song, "I Can Only Imagine." She asked us to focus on the portrait of Jesus above the alter, remember all those that we've lost and really listen to the words of the song. I've heard the song many times, and love it, but today - it came to life....<br /><br />I can only imagine<br />What it will be like<br />When I walk<br />By your side<br /><br />I can only imagine<br />What my eyes will see<br />When your face<br />Is before me<br />I can only imagine<br /><br />[Chorus:]<br />Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel<br />Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still<br />Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall<br />Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all<br />I can only imagine<br /><br />I can only imagine<br />When that day comes<br />And I find myself<br />Standing in the Son<br /><br />I can only imagine<br />When all I will do<br />Is forever<br />Forever worship You<br />I can only imagine<br /><br />But it didn't end there. After I watched Marines salute him, listened to the guns, and watched them present his wife with a flag, I continued to think about both of my grandfathers. I thought about the sacrifices and awful things one of my grandfathers faced during World War II. My heart was crying out for God to comfort me. <br /><br />And then, the following song was played and the lyrics spoke right to my heart.... For all of the loved ones you have lost - Let the following words sink in:<br /><br />Our prayers have all been answered. I finally arrived.<br />The healing that had been delayed has now been realized.<br />No one's in a hurry. There's no schedule to keep.<br />We're all enjoying Jesus, just sitting at His feet.<br /><br /><br />Chorus: If you could see me now, I'm walking streets of gold.<br /> If you could see me now, I'm standing strong and whole.<br /> If you could see me now, you'd know I've seen His face.<br /> If you could see me now, you'd know the pain is erased.<br /> You wouldn't want me to ever leave this place,<br /> If you could only see me now.<br /><br /><br />My light and temporary trials have worked out for my good,<br />To know it brought Him glory when I misunderstood.<br />Though we've had our sorrows, they can never compare.<br />What Jesus has in store for us, no language can share. (Chorus twice)<br /><br /><br />You wouldn't want me to ever leave this perfect place<br />If you could only see me now<br />If you could see me now<br />If you could only see me now<br /><br />--------- God is taking care of all of us... You just have to believe.... I felt God reach out to me today, and He asked me to not take a single moment for granted, but to also have Faith in his Will....Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12613638768125722692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061954956594122179.post-26850248076829918702010-03-03T13:27:00.004-05:002010-03-03T14:21:20.745-05:00A little direction...Over the last 18 years I have watched my nieces and nephews grow up. Wow, it's hard to believe that that much time has gone by. I am certainly thankful for the experience of being an aunt before being a mother, as I have learned so many wonderful lessons about how I will raise my own children one day... <br /><br />In watching them grow, I have been able to relate their hardships to those of my own youth, and try my best to give them advice or lend an ear that doesn't tell them how/what to feel, or what to do, but instead let them find their own way with my support. Each and every one of them has their own struggles to overcome, including divorce, self-esteem issues, addiction, or missing the loving arms of a parent being nearby.<br /><br />I am proud of them for who they are becoming and am happy to see them overcome their struggles in their own way. They don't realize that they are also teaching me to be a better person as well. I've watched them do so many things, that I wish I would have done when I was their age and am thankful that they were able to experience it! <br /><br />As they wish for the things that all young people do (making their own rules, getting a driver's license, graduating, getting a job, turning 21, getting married, getting their own house)and I did as well - I ask them to take the following words of advice with them -<br /><br />Live in the moment. Don't wish your life away. I know the future is exciting and that you want to be at the next stage of your life, but when that comes, there's always the next thing. Just let things happen, don't worry about what is going to happen because it won't get you anywhere. Live for the moments you are in right now… because you aren't guaranteed the future, and what a shame it would be to put your happiness on hold! Stop waiting for your life to start - you've already crossed the starting line! You can't always plan ahead, sometimes you have to plan to be surprised.<br /><br />When you think you can't go on anymore, you can, and you will. When you think love is 'just a game' it can be – you just have to learn how to play. Every road you travel down will lead you to where you are supposed to be just trust and have faith even when it seems like God is wrong – He isn't. If you are with someone, and you get into a fight, it shouldn't mean it is over – it simply means this: decide what you will put up with and what you won't and find a way to make it work or leave. Love is fragile – handle with care; but remember bruises WILL heal so don't be so quick to walk away. Love takes time.<br /><br />Take the time to smile at a stranger, to wave at a neighbor. Take the time to listen to a friend, to call someone out of the blue. Take the time to write someone a letter. Give yourself permission to laugh. Answer that phone call you don't really feel like taking right now. Go outside. Breathe in life. Forgive. Trust. Stop being jealous. Call your brother. Call your sister. Call your mom. Call your Dad. When you drive by their house and you are in a hurry - stop for a minute just to give them a hug. Donate your time, your money. Write down your thoughts. Believe in something. Believe in yourself. Stop looking for something, wait for it to find you. Own up to your mistakes. Say sorry. When you talk to children, get on their level. They will teach you something every minute. Play on the slip and slide, even if you are embarrassed. Video tape it. Act like a kid. Go barefoot in the mud. Tell the truth. Surprise someone. Turn the TV off. Cuddle on the couch. Say what you are thinking. Take your time. Earn your money. Don't settle. Don't judge. Give up your seat. Make it a point to walk in the mountains. Don't jump over the puddles. Walk barefoot through the stream. Get muddy. Sit in the grass. Dream. Set goals. Surprise yourself. Kiss hello and goodbye. When someone hugs you let them be the first to let go. Pay it forward. And above all, love yourself. And LIVE your life.<br /><br />For Chelsea, Devin, Cassy, Moriah, Dylan, and LydiaMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12613638768125722692noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061954956594122179.post-76873556501015021652010-02-23T16:56:00.001-05:002010-02-25T17:00:10.476-05:00Life's CurveballsMy brother recently told me about how he became a catcher in the little league many years ago. It all started when his coach needed someone to catch batting practice for him. The coach asked several players to catch for him, but none were willing. He noticed my brother sitting by himself on the bench and the coach asked him if he’d like to try. The coach threw my brother a curveball and my brother caught it. He had no idea what the big deal was as the coach exclaimed, “No one catches my curveballs! I just threw him my curveball and he caught it!”<br /><br />As he became an adult, this moment in his life led him to some interesting realizations. Life throws us curve balls ALL the time. We can either let them fly by and miss the lesson or we can choose to recognize what’s coming our way, catch it, and achieve that which no one seemed ever to have thought we could!<br /><br />Hearing his revelation reminded me of Olympian Noelle Pikus-Pace, an American skeleton racer. She was favored to win the gold medal in the Torino Olympics in 2006 when a tragic accident, at team trials in Calgary shattered that dream when she was hit by a runaway bobsled. Noelle suffered a compound fracture to her right leg and was told by the doctors that her Olympic career was over.<br /><br />Noelle had other plans. She feverishly began rehab and returned to competition two months later. Noelle went on to win World Championships, by the largest margin in history, while breaking the track record in St. Moritz, Switzerland, and again becoming the first American woman to obtain the title of World Champion in the sport of skeleton.<br /><br />During the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, Noelle missed the podium by a tenth of a second, but didn’t let that ruin the moment. Her response, “This has been the best race of my life, I gave it all I had.”<br /><br />Both Noelle and my brother realized that it doesn’t matter what the rest of the world does. It matters what you do. It matters how you react to life’s curveballs. How will you to choose to respond to the curveballs that come your way? When faced with challenges, both personal and in your business, will you remain seated or will you stand up?Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12613638768125722692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061954956594122179.post-83025170017744501182010-02-23T12:19:00.002-05:002010-02-23T12:27:26.736-05:00You are the Author of Your Own Life StoryHow many times have you stopped to think about the role that you play in your own life? My guess is that you have not thought about this very often. I have exciting news for you – you are the author of your own life story! Take a moment to ponder your answers to the following questions. Are you filling the pages of your book with the best possible story you can think of, or can you make it even better? Are you letting someone else write the pages for you? More importantly, as you look back through the chapters, what themes do you start to see? Do you find that you consistently run into bouts of bad luck, or are there lots of times that something good is coming from everything that’s taking place? If you want to write the future chapters of your life story differently than you did the previous, you must first figure out where to focus.<br /><br />Have you ever met someone who just seems to have all the luck? They have the happiest marriage, their children are well behaved, their jobs actually make them happy, and opportunities seem to fall into their laps. That’s not to say that bad things don’t happen to them, but when they face a challenge they find a way to turn it into a positive. On the other hand, how about those people that you’ve met that something bad always seems to be going on? Those people have rocky relationships, their children may get into quite a bit of trouble or they disrespect them, and everywhere they turn a door is slammed in their face. When something good finally happens to these people, they say things like, “This won’t last.” And then, it usually doesn’t. Why? Even though good things happen to them, they continue to focus on the negative.<br /><br />I am sure you know of someone who faced an emotional trauma in his or her childhood, and as an adult begin to attract the same types of people and situations into their lives over and over again. We must all acknowledge that our problems are coming from within, and not necessarily from the “outside world.”<br /><br />So, how can you make sure that you are the person who attracts the things into your life that you actually want? Take control! It starts with your attitude, as well as recognizing that the way you’ve always done something doesn’t always provide the results you are looking for. Become the type of “being” that you want to attract. Recognize the negative conditioning that took place in your past and put more positive in. Seek a mentor or coach to guide you through the steps of reaching your goals and finding your life’s purpose.<br /><br />Write a life story for yourself that is worth reading. Inspire yourself, and you’ll inspire the world!<br /><br />“You don’t attract what you want, you attract what you are.”<br />- Dr. Wayne DyerMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12613638768125722692noreply@blogger.com0