Blogging Break

Hi Friends and Family, Thank you for reading my blog over the past year or so. I'm taking a break, mainly so I have time to work on other things. One day I'll return, and I'll let you know. Blessings - melanie

Just the simple things

I have my husband back! hee hee Basketball for Scott and the boys was officially over MOnday pm when Zach's All Star team came in second place. We all wish they had won. But mostly I'm glad it's over. It exhausted all of us and challenged our marriage. Scott's being a coach and age commissioner for the community basketball league was more time consuming than we anticipated. He did a great, great job. I love to see Scott in action because his passion is youth sports and he is truly so great with kids. Such a motivator and encourager.

But I've missed the simple things. Last night Scott grilled hamburgers and then just the two of took the dogs for a walk. It's such great weather and we took the dogs to Champion Forest where they can run in the woods, and all that makes me so happy.

Today I cleaned and did laundry and did some work and i'm ready to leave tomorrow for the Hearts at Home conference in Detroit. How fun!

Where are you planted?

I was blessed yesterday by two things. First, I went to a Bible study group in Indian Trail. They had just finished doing the study at the end of my marriage book. So we just talked and I just shared some of the things God continues to teach me in marriage. They were such a fun and loving group, a group of women so obviously seeking God. So in doing ministry I was blessed. And you know, I've been so busy that just for a moment I had thought about not going. I'm so glad that I did, however, because it was such a great feeling knowing that the book I wrote helped women in their marriages.

Then my devotional ran yesterday and it was an invitation to have a relationship with the Lord, or to recommit to a relationship with the God who loves you. It was part of the devotionals that run through Proverbs 31 Ministry - see sidebar. I got an e-mail from the office that many people had responded that they accepted Christ. How amazing. How much fun it is to be obedient to God and to know that He's using me. There is truly no better feeling!

In Psalm 1:3, 4 we read:"He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers."

So it makes me think about: Where are you planted? Wherever you are planted is the place God wants you to bear fruit, to take whatever that next step of obedience is, to cling to Him. And then we will bear fruit and prosper!

Company in town

I've been having fun with my relatives. My sister Natlie and her daughter Christi and her son Matthew came into town Saturday. Of course, we immediately were off to a basketball game, All Stars this weekend. I'm glad they got to see Zachary play. That was special. Christi is so fun and so grown-up - driving in just a few weeks. She and Natalie are starting a cleansing fast - does not sound like fun to me! But I admire them!

We celebrated Matthew's 13th bday by letting the boys skip school Monday to go to Dave and Buster's. We've had that planned forever, so even though Tyler missed last week with being sick - again - I let him go. Tyler has called Nat/Christi/matthew about a million times before they come to visit. Now of course he thinks he needs a cell phone - that 7 year old! I don't think so!!!!!!!!

Then Nat and Christi went up to the mountain house to enjoy some girl time, while Matthew is staying here in boy world. He just fits right in - likes to hang out and do the boy stuff, and he brought his unicyle - very cool.

I wish my relatives lived in town.

Heartlight devotional

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March 4, 2007




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=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================

I Got God!, by Tammy Marcelain

Special Note: Tammy has been very open about sharing her son's
journey in his battle with a brain tumor and the challenges
involved with doctors, chemotherapy, radiation, and faith -- see
the links at the bottom of this page. She is part of The Coffee
Group.
Jack and I were sitting on the couch the other night. We were watching our favorite show, Deal or No Deal. This show drives me crazy. When I say "our favorite show," I mean my kids' favorite show. I just enjoy being a part of their excitement and listening to their advice for the contestants. My oldest son, Derek, is always pushing for the contestant to open one more suitcase. Jack and I are both saying take the money and go home. My daughter, Sophie, doesn't give her two cents very often.
Jack was playing his Game Boy at the same time we were watching the TV. He was sitting right next to me. The commercial for H & R Block came on the television. You've probably seen them. The punch line is, "I got people." You hear it a half a dozen times during the commercial.
At the end of the commercial, Jack, with his nose in his Game Boy, says, "I got mama." Tears, tears and more tears streamed down my face. I said, "Yes, you do Jack."
My meager human heart was swollen with emotion!
My meager human heart was swollen with emotion with those three words: "I got mama." I love Jack so much. Even now, to write those words makes me cry.
What must God feel when things are hard for us and we say in no uncertain terms, with no waiver in our voice, "I got God."
There was no waiver in Jack's voice when he said, "I got mama." Jack knows I can not fix his brain tumor, but I am by his side ALL the way .. and God is at our side ALL the way.
I don't know God's plans for Jack. I pray for healing, but I don't know if that is in God's big scheme of things. However, no matter which case gets opened, there is peace and confidence in knowing, "I GOT GOD!"
God has said,
"I will never fail you. I will never forsake you"
(Hebrews 13:5 NLT).
---------
(c) 2007 Tammy Marcelain and The
Coffee Group

Thank you, friends

I got so many supportive phone calls and emails after sending out a big prayer request last night. I had just hit the wall - tired, Scott leaving all week, basketball practice every night, speaking Weds. - and then Tyler woke up sick and the doctor said expect him to be out all week. Poor guy - and poor me:) is how I felt last night.

It's not my favorite thing to ask for help, or frankly, to need help. But man - i'm so glad I sent that email because I was just overwhelmed with love and support. I never would have felt that if I hadn't admitted my need.

My next post is from heartlight devotionals and it just put everything in perspective.

Things that have made me smile lately

1. Tyler talking with a lisp because he's missing his two front teeth

2. Sitting in the gym at a basketball game, with Scott on one side keeping the clock, and Zachary on the other side keeping the book.

3. My twin sister natalie and I were talking about how tired we are all the time- one of our favorite topics of conversation. She said, yeah, i decided to just accept it and i fix a big pot of coffee in the afternoon.

4. Natalie and her kids are coming to visit in a week!

5. Zachary made the All-Star basketball team.

6. Walking the dogs on a sunny afternoon.

7. I'm going to a conference in two weeks, started to think i need a couple more professional outfits - and was completely blessed with two new jackets this week. The first one came from wendy in the p31 office - she found a cute jacket at walmart for $1, and it fits great! Then my friend Debbie had a pink and brown jacket that doesn't fit and she brought it over Friday - and it fits and i love pink and brown. Isn't that cool?!

8. That I get to go this conference! I'm going to the Hearts at Home conference to help out my friend and fellow Proverbs 31 speaker,Renee Swope. It will be so much fun and the way it all worked out is a miracle.

9. Amy and Mike bought a new house!

10. Encouragment, challenge, prayers, and listening ears from good friends.

11. Hearing from two Bible study groups who did my What a Husband Needs from His Wife book/bible study.

12. Getting my hair colored and i like it.

13. And the one that made me laugh out loud. I woke up one morning with dog hair stuck to my night cream lotion - Emma, yellow lab #2, likes to sleep with a pillow. If you don't laugh, you'll cry!