Give the Gift of a Smile- Costs Nothing

If you know me at all you know that orphans are close to my heart. I read this on a blog this morning, and I just had to share it with you. I don’t know this child’s story, but God does. He is holding her close to His heart, and He loves to see her smile! Will you STOP right now and click on this link. take a minute to read the short story and click the “like this” button on to the right of her picture. This precious little girl will be thrilled beyond your wildest imagination! As you close the page say a prayer for her and take great joy in knowing that you have blessed her tender little heart! If you would, please pass the link on to others so that they too can share in her joy. Let's run the "Like This" counter up a couple of thousand and bring some incredible happiness to this little girl! Thank you for taking the time to give the gift of a smile today!


God Bless you,

Melissa

A Message Received

I don’t believe anything happens by chance. I awoke this morning feeling physically uncomfortable and very overwhelmed. As I sat in silence with my laptop, clicking through the archives of a blog that I have come to love, God met me with this video, and gave me with just the message I needed to hear.



God’s creative method of delivery makes me smile! Thank you Lord, that you are I big enough to carry my burdens and sustain me through every trial.

Sustained by His Grace,

Melissa

"Fallen Chains"

The more dwell on the attributes of God the more I stand in complete awe of Him. His grace, mercy and everlasting love are truly indescribable! Their depth is unfathomable. As I look at my life and realize the vast number of mistakes I have made- how many times I have let the temporary pleasures of this word become my first love, have allowed my heart become filled with envy, or consumed with fear, etc. the more I realize how unworthy of Him I am. Yet, despite it all God remains faithful. He stands ready to embrace me (each of us) no matter how far I /we stray from the path that he has made. He is waiting for me to truly believe that He will break the chains that bind me so that I can live freely and abundantly in Him. Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!

This song was written by Lexi- an amazing 16 year old girl with a beautiful heart for the Lord. As I was reading though her blog today I came across this powerful analogy that she has written. I pray you will soak this in!

"Your life is like a song, playing the melodies of your past, present, and future. Your very own song started the day you were born and each day a new measure is added to it. Along the course of the song, there will be beautiful harmonies and enchanting music; but with the good, there will also be mistakes too. Your song may skip a few notes or mess up a chord because you struggled with the One who was writing your song. You wanted it written your way, and in the end it turned out awful. But just like you, your song is gently picked back up by the Composer and a new, more beautiful tune is then created, reminding you that even though you messed up, there is still hope and a new beginning. I want you all to remember that your life is a song…and that someday that song will be played in Heaven before our Savior. When you go about your day, don’t struggle with the One who is writing your story, your song…but instead rest in the music He is making with your life and be willing to sing it out LOUD, no matter who is listening. Your life is a song…sing it beautifully."I Pray that I will live worthy of His calling! That my life’s song will be pleasing to the audience of One!
Thank you God for your mercy! Thank you Lexi for your song, and your beautiful heart for Him! God bless you!
Only By God’s Grace,
Melissa

Gifts for a Good Cause

Most of us have, in some way, been impacted by cancer. Battling cancer is perhaps one of the hardest battles a person will ever have to fight. The battle can be made easier when you have the support of family, friends, and perfect strangers encouraging, praying and offering support in other tangible ways.

Today I invite you to link arms with me, and many others in supporting Stacy, an amazing, faithful servant of the Lord, in her battle against breast cancer. For today only, all sales from Sarah’s treasure box will count towards raising money for Stacy. Sarah’s Treasure Box necklaces make great gifts for all ages. Simply put in the notes “fundraiser for Stacy” upon check out, and the cost of your purchase will go to support Stacy in her 16 week course of treatment.

Thank you becoming the hands and feet of Jesus for someone in need! I encourage you to take some time to read Stacy's blog ( linked above). I am certain that You will be challenged, encouraged and blessed.

In His Grace,

Melissa

"Forever’n Ever’n Always"

Have you ever been so absorbed with reading something that you lost all track of time, or thought about what you had read throughout the day, eagerly anticipating the time when you could again submerge yourself in the story-picking up where you left off? I have….

A little over a year ago, while on the internet searching for a blog template, I came across a blog that captured my attention, and my heart at first glance. I was captivated both by the beauty, and the softness of the design, as well as the richness of the text. The author so elegantly wove true stories, breathtaking photography, and deep faith into every post.

Recently, I became reacquainted with this blog, and again I was drawn to its beautifully woven content. With a passion for orphans, and a dream to one day adopt children of my own; I thoroughly enjoy reading the stories, thoughts, and perspectives of this homeschooling mother of nine children (seven of whom have been adopted).

More than the captivating stories however, it has been humbling to read this blog and have the Lord use it is to speak words of encouragement, and truth into my life during times of discouragement and doubt. Through these challenging, faith filled posts I have been continually reminded of the faithfulness of God. I have been challenged to surrender my hopes and dreams for His perfect will, and too trust Him more fully with every detail of my life.

There are no limits to the lengths that God will go to, or the mediums that He will use, to speak into the lives of His children. All He needs is an obedient heart willing to be used for His purposes. I am thankful that He has used the blog of a perfect stranger to remind me that His grace, mercy, and loving kindness are “forever’n ever’n always”. Thank you, Jill for sharing your story.

If you are looking for some encouragement from the Lord today I encourage you to visit Jill’s blog. If you are looking for a personalized blog design take a look at http://mydesigningsite.blogspot.com/

Amazed by His Grace,

Melissa

Summer camp week in blogland

I was recently introduced to a blog written by an amazing stay-at- home mom. I have no idea how she has time to blog. She must follow all of the amazing time management secrets from Bill Allison, or something. But, whatever her methods may be she has enough time to put some fun, inspirational, and thought provoking publications on her blog.

All this week she is doing a summer camp thing. Each day she has a different theme for her post. And she is inviting her readers to join in the fun. Yesterday’s theme was Music Monday.

This week had a busy start for me, so I missed the first day of "camp." It’s kind of like missing a day of school. You have to play catch up when you get back. Okay, maybe not. But, I thought it would be fun to take a trip back in time a few years to my days as a church camper. Oh yah, and there were those two weeks that I spent at CEF training camp. There was intense training taking place, but it was done in a camp setting. What little free time I had was spent doing things that were very much camp.

So, what makes summer camp summer camp? Is it the food? Sleeping in drafty cabins? Waking up before the sun in hopes of getting at least a lukewarm shower? Is it the crazy team games, or the ever-popular talent show?

While all of those things have definitely played a part in my camp experiences. I think if I had to state one thing that made camp what it was. I would have to say it was the songs and chants that we had. It seems we had a song for everything!

There was Deep and Wide at breakfast; leaving out some of the words as you went. (If you weren’t awake before the song started you were by the time it ended.) Then there was singing the little ditty whenever someone at your table was caught eating with their elbows in the table. There was the mail time tune, and the chant coxing specific campers and councilors to sing while we ate. We sang Peace like a River, and learned songs in African to incorporate into our summer ministry. In case you are wondering, I can still sing them today.

We never called it a day of church camp before we sang around the campfire. Music definitely played a huge part in my camp experience! What was your summer camp experience like?

While you tell me about your memorable camp experiences I'm going to work on my post for today's theme- God stories.