The day after Christmas

The day after Christmas, a time when everything returns to normal.

Life settles down, people's bank accounts are drained and this name "Jesus" is forgotten.

Who is Jesus? And why do we only recognize Him at Christmas time?

We see signs telling us He is the "Reason for the Season", but what about all the other seasons? Isn't He always the reason?

Why yes, He's the entire reason we can be saved. Saved from this world, from this pain, from this evil.
Christmas gives me a sense of hope and a peace knowing that everything will be okay, almost like a glimpse of heaven.

People seem happier, merrier, and more loving.

Customer service is fantastic and even random strangers ask to carry your bags to your car.

Sometimes I wish this world wasn't fallen and I wish emotions weren't so confusing and pain wasn't so real and families weren't so broken and jealousy wasn't so evident. But then I remember that Jesus is with me through every season and He isn't more evident at Christmas time, He is just recognized as He should be.

That baby, that lay in that manger 2000 years ago grew up and died for us.
An innocent man, hung on a cross, for you and me.
That is a reason to praise Him through every season.

I remember the promise made from the very beginning,

"I will put enmity between you and the woman,
    and between your offspring and her offspring;
he shall bruise your head,
    and you shall bruise his heel.”

                Genesis 3:15

and I cannot wait.

Christmas is a glimpse of what is coming.

Come soon Jesus.

Melanie

Timing

I was sitting in my math class, entirely frustrated and wanting to pull my hair out because I didn't understand a word that was coming out of my professors mouth. Looking around I realized I wasn't the only one giving the professor that blank "I don't understand anything that you are saying" look. You know the look i'm talking about, the one where you feel like your professor is highly too intelligent to ever simplify the information enough for an undergraduate bachelors seeking student to understand. Yeah, that look.
I decided to just write down everything I possibly could and hope to "magically" understand it later that evening.
Well, that "magic moment" didn't come.
I sat and tried to understand the information for several hours and ended up more frustrated and slightly more confused. I decided to just go to bed instead of racking my brain for knowledge that I knew wasn't there.
I woke up the next morning and realized I had a quiz that day on the information that I was clueless on. So I decided to get some help before my class from my professor.
I left her office still confused, prepared to fail the quiz and feeling really discouraged.
I got to class and everyone around me was freaking out about the quiz as well, considering we all had no idea what was going on.
She hands out the quizzes and all of a sudden the information clicked. I understood exactly what I needed to do and I could easily see how to solve the problem. I began writing as quickly as I could and when she called "times up" I had just finished.
We handed in our papers and she told us the answer we should of come up with...I was correct!
I cannot explain to you how all of a sudden all the information clicked in my head, but it did.

When I told this story to my friend Lauren, she immediately looked at me and said "God".
And that's just it. I honestly believe this was in His timing.
After I processed internally what had just happened, I was able to see how sufficient the Lord's timing truly was.
Most of the time I desire things to happen in my time because I can be a little impatient and I hate the unknown. But the Lord never promises to give us everything we desire right at the moment we desire it. However, He does teach us that His plans are far better then our own and that is why the Old Testament writer in Proverbs 3:5&6 tells us,

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths"

I need to trust in the Lord with all of my heart and know that His plan for me is far better then any plan I could write for myself. 

He knows the desires of my heart and listens when I cry out to Him. But He also is the writer of my future and knows my story from beginning to end. I find great comfort knowing and trusting the author of my life. 

The Lord is teaching me patience. He's teaching me that timing is everything. 

And most importantly, He is teaching me that His timing is sufficient and better then my own. 

I am amazed at the Lord's timing. I can see Him even in small things, like my math quiz. 

I am continually reminded of his faithfulness and His promises.

Melanie

My Princess

My sister recently received a book titled His Princess from a friend.
She let me read the first page...it brought tears to my eyes.

"I chose you before the foundation of the earth to be My princess. You are royalty even when you don't feel like a princess. I will wait for you until you are ready to start living the amazing plans I have for you. I know you don't know where to begin or how to become what I've called you to be, so let Me teach you day by day. Start by recognizing who I am: King of kings and Lord of lords. The Lover of your soul. When the two of us meet alone together every day, I will show you how to let go of the things in your life that are holding you back from the blessings I want to give you.
Remember, My child, just as I have chosen you, I have given you a choice to represent Me to the world. If you are willing, I am here to give you all you need to complete your calling"
Love,
You King and Lord who chose you

A peace settled over my heart after reading this letter.
A peace I haven't felt in ages.
Let me let go of the things in my life holding me back from You.

Melanie

Patience

In the past month, God has been teaching me things I never thought I needed to learn, things that I hadn't even thought of before He placed them on my heart. 
When I openly asked God to teach me this month...boy did He answer my prayer.


In my New Testament class, my professor gave us a list of key chapters to study, memorize and recite on a quiz. I now know that Galatians 5 is fruits of the spirit. John 10 is Jesus as the Shepard. Romans 13 is obedience to the government. 2 Thessalonians 2 is the antichrist. 
1 Corinthians 13 is the love chapter. We all know that, don't we?


 "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things"
1 Corinthians 13:4-7


I have heard these verses spoken at weddings, I have seen them printed on anniversary cards, I have been taught them in sunday school, I have highlighted them in my own Bible. 
But God has been teaching me exactly what they mean.


Love is patient. Alright, patience. Seems easy enough.
Well, not exactly. I'm not always the most patient person on this planet. I would rather know now then later. Wouldn't we all? 


The neat thing about God is how patient He is with me even though my heart fails Him every day. 


"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever"
Psalm 73:26


If God is patient with me, why should I deny that patience to someone else? 
After all, God is love and we can only love because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19) 


When I read 1 Corinthians 13, I begin to see that this theme of "love" that I had to memorize for a quiz goes much deeper than human love. 
God's love is a gift to humanity and we ought to see it as just that, a gift. 
I'm continually amazed that the only reason I can love is because He first loved me. 


I'm thankful for His patience with me and His kindness.


Love is patient.


Melanie

Romans 1:12

"that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine"


I've been reading through the book of Romans and this verse really stood out to me. Paul's desire to be mutually encouraged by other believers is inspiring. I never realized how great of a blessing other believers are in my walk with Christ. 
The knowledge of those wiser then me, the zeal of a new believer, the vulnerability of a close friend, the questions of a seeker. 
We have all been the seeker, the zealous new believer, the vulnerable close friend and some of use are already pouring out wisdom to other believers. 


God designed us to be in relationship with each other. To pour into the new believer, to help the seeker find answers, to be the vulnerable friend and to seek wisdom.


Being at a school with other believers I forget the power a new believer has on my heart. I forget what it's like to be so on fire for Christ and to excitedly search the scriptures, truly wanting to know more. 


Paul says in Romans 12:11 "Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit" 


If you're anything like me, those words are a little confusing, so I looked a few of them up, I translated it like this, "Do not be lazy in enthusiasm, be passionate in spirit".


A friend told me recently, "Remember, in everything, we can find Christ" 


Where ever you are at, Christ will meet you there. 
He is all and He is in all. Colossians 3:11


Melanie

Being two places at once

Whenever I get home from school it's a flood of emotions. Don't get me wrong, I am so so so happy to be home with my sister and my mom, I love them dearly, but I cannot help but feel like something is missing.

My emotions range from happiness one moment to sadness the next. Really, I'm an emotional wreck for the first week.

I've processed through why I am feeling what I am feeling and I came to a few conclusions.

1. Trying to make two places home is hard work

I chose to go away to school, I desired to move out, live on my own, and experience college. I wanted the community of a dorm, I wanted the freedom that college brought and I wanted the independence. That being said, two weeks before I moved away, my childhood house was sold and we were moving to a new town. It was a lot to take in. Not only was I moving away, but when I returned for breaks, it would be in a brand new house, a new neighborhood, and neighbors who I didn't know. It was hard.
I was battling to make Cedarville my home at the same time I was trying to make Toledo my home.
I did not think it was possible to have my heart in two places at once.

2. Community is everything to me.

Wherever I find myself, now or in the future, I know that this statement is true. Community is something I love, something I value, something I cherish. During high school I had a great community and great friends but I knew this was going to come to an end when I moved away. I knew I was going to have to start over and that terrified me. My first year of college, I found 4 best friends. I found my community. We could not be more different, but I love them the same.

Hilary, my spunky roommate and accountability partner. She is so special to me. We have had two years together and we are fully prepared for our third year as roommates. I've learned to appreciate her and value the time I have with her because it is rare, but all the more special. We could not be more opposite, but our strengths are enhanced through each other. I thank God for "randomly" giving me a life long friend.

Lauren, my understandable and loving friend. She shows me grace everyday and I am thankful for that. She teaches me through her innocence and loves me despite my OCDness. She makes me laugh until I cannot breathe and I love it. I thank our RA's for setting up a freshmen dinner that first week otherwise we would not of met. God knew what He was doing :)

Chelsea, my adventurous and free spirited friend. She shows me what it means to love those in need. Never have I met someone more willing to leave something so familiar and so comfortable to serve in an uncomfortable and dangerous area. I admire that. I desire that kind of faith. Chelsea, you teach me the power of love and I thank God for you.

Victoria, my polar opposite friend. Let's face it, we could not be more different and I love it. I love it because I know this friendship is not one I chose, but one He chose. Regardless of where we are at, how many miles separate us, you are still one of my best friends. Your heart is incredible. You give when you have nothing and you love unconditionally. God has shown me how to love others through you.

In Toledo, my community changes. I still have my friends from school, but in a different way. We connect via text, phone, skype and the occasional visits.

My sister will always be my best friend, my community in both places. 

Sister, my beautiful, strong, and loving friend. You teach me to dream and to be free. You teach me to learn exactly what it means to be me and to embrace who I am. We are silly, yet serious, we laugh and cry and I wouldn't change one thing about you. You are you and because of this you bless me and countless others. I thank God for giving me not only the best big sister, but also the greatest and most loyal best friend.

3. I am learning my purpose at school and at home...they look very different.

At school I am an RA, a student, a friend and an employee. I have a purpose and I love it. I feel like I am where I belong and I trust the One who placed me there.
At home, my purpose changes. I am not an RA and I am not a student. Sometimes, I feel like I don't have a purpose and that is hard.
I remember my sister telling me something over Christmas break and it has stuck with me ever since. She told me that just because I don't have the same purpose I have at school doesn't mean I do not have a purpose at home. Maybe my purpose at home is to grow, read, write, relax and do things that I enjoy because when the semester starts, these things are harder to do.
Words of wisdom right there sister, thank you :)

I know that a lot of college students who move away wrestle with this and I want to challenge you, just because you feel like you do not have a purpose now that you are home, does not mean that you don't.
Solomon said it best in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven

a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

a time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

a time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

a time to tear, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

a time to love, and a time to hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace"

Your purpose looks different then mine, but you do have one at home...find it.

Melanie 

      

This got me thinking.
Thought I would pass it on.
Enjoy :)

"I know that he married a pridefully independent woman that could potentially ruin him, yet he loves her the same"
http://juliannamorlet.blogspot.com/2010/06/its-been-good-year.html

Bitterness

"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger"
Ephesians 4:26


This verse hasn't always settled with me well. I am an internal, therefore sometimes I need to go to bed angry in order to finish processing why I am angry, don't I? 
Well, no.
I don't believe God gave us this command in Ephesians just to be overlooked.
If it was something humans naturally did, would God need to command this of us?
No again.
I've discovered when I go to bed angry, bitterness begins to seep into my heart and then that bitterness begins to grow.
I know what bitterness feels like. I've battled it all my life. I've let bitterness seep into my heart and have control over me. And quite frankly, I don't want it controlling me anymore.
Obviously God understands the destroying ability bitterness has on human hearts therefore he commands us to not let the sun go down with our anger.
All of a sudden, this passage isn't quite so unsettling. 
It all makes sense.
Yes anger is real, yes I do get angry, but I don't have to let it control me.
I need to control my anger, not let my anger control me.


Melanie 

I have been on a journey to find myself.

I have learned that I am incredibly independent.

This can be good and this can be very bad. I realized that my independence can make me stubborn, something I need to work on, but I also realized that my independence inhibits my ability to depend on friends, family, and if I’m not careful, God.

I grew up believing that I needed to be independent. I believed that I needed to be able to support myself because there are “no guarantees” in life. I believed I didn’t need to depend on anyone because I was told I needed to take care of myself.

As much as I admire the women who taught me these things all my life, I discovered I can depend on people; it’s called a community.

God has been teaching me the importance of friendship and loyalty and the difference it makes in my life when people come along side of me and feel with me.

Sometimes words are painful, sometimes they sting, but they also have the power to speak truth.

I’ve also learned that I am an internal. Well, I’ve known that because my sister’s been pointing that out for years. But I’ve recently discovered just what this means.

It means that, I process in my head before I am ready to discuss what I am feeling. It also means I can’t always process with people because I walk away from conversations even more confused then when I went in.

I’ve found that society tries to change internals. We live in a world where people believe in immediate fixing. We desire a quick and easy solution but sometimes quick and easy isn’t always right. Sometimes we need to think and process and internalize and that is okay too.

Internals can’t be externals and externals can’t be internals but I do believe we compliment each other.

My sister and I are quite the pair. I learn from her and she learns from me. She is an external and I am an internal. It has taken us years to appreciate this about ourselves and about each other. I just thought she was strange for always talking about how she was feeling and she thought I was normal for suppressing how was feeling. She wished she could be like me and secretly I wished I could be like her. At least she understood how she was feeling. 

I appreciate her bold personality and I appreciate her ability to teach me. Sometimes I think she knows me better then I know myself. Maybe that’s why God made us sisters, someone has to understand me ;)

Melanie

1 Peter 3:11

"...let him seek peace and pursue it" 


Food for the soul. 
God is teaching me. 
He's teaching me about friendship, about relationships, about myself, about loyalty, about trust, about love, about what it means to truly love Him. 


Even though it may seem at times like this world cannot get any harder, or the pain cannot get any worse, I know I was not made for this world, and that brings my heart peace. 
I know that my trials and my pain allow me to grow.
James wrote a whole book on it! I read the book of James today and it taught me to persevere through trials because it produces steadfastness, be doers of the word, tame my tongue, be slow to speak, quick to listen, and slow to anger, wisdom is from God, live for today and enjoy the present, and never stop praying. 
I'm learning from James. His wisdom is from above and I desire such wisdom.

Finding Your Voice

This has been on my heart to share for awhile as I've been trying to find "my voice".
Certain circumstances have led me to understand the importance of finding my own voice and ultimately God's voice.
I feel sometimes as Christians, we have many people in our lives telling us "the best way to live" or "the right way to be in a relationship" and quite frankly, I hate it. I do not believe there is one way to live or one way to be in a relationship.

God has created each of us unique and each of us in His own image, therefore, none of us are the same. What makes humans unique is their variability. We aren't simply cookie cutter models of someone else.
I am me and you are you and that is okay.


I am an internal processor. I try to figure things out in my head before I discuss them with other people, if I don't, I end up saying things that I don't mean, don't believe, or haven't had the time to figure out on my own therefore I find myself going along with the best fit answer.
I have learned that it is okay to process internally. It is okay to not always have the answers when someone asks for them, and it is okay to be me.
It is okay to find my voice when dealing with a struggle.

I love talking to my friends about what I am going through because I desire for people to come along side of me, walk with me through my struggles, and love me despite my flaws. But sometimes, despite great intentions, I get too many voices and too many people telling me different things and it makes it harder to live. I want to always be me and never lose sight of that. I know what I was created for and I know I have a purpose but my purpose looks very different from everyone else's purpose and that is okay.
God has been teaching to me slow down, to listen, to find Him, and to find me. 


I have been overwhelmed recently with a peace I cannot explain.
Even though, in moments, it feels like my world has been flipped upside down, I have peace.
Even though I am drowning in a million worksheets, papers, and exams, I have peace.
Even though I am struggling, I have peace.
And even though I may feel alone, I have peace.
I have a peace that I cannot describe but it is a peace not due to my own work, but a peace that can only come from Him.
I desire to hold on to this peace and remember what this feels like when i'm desperately searching for it.

Finding my voice has sent me on a journey, a journey of prayer, writing, processing and thinking.
But it's times like these when I know God is working because I can feel Him.
Even though conviction sucks, I am thankful for it because it is a gift.
Conviction means, God cares enough about my heart to change something in my life in order bring glory to Him and that is a gift in itself.

Melanie

For when I am weak, then I am strong

Coming back to Cedarville after a wonderful break with my family was bittersweet.
I was excited to see my friends and have life return to normal, but my heart was torn because I felt something missing.
My desire was to be back in Florida with my siblings, I desperately wanted to fast forward the clock, graduate, get a teaching job at a middle school near my family and start my life, close to them.

I was hurting because I know Cedarville is what God has planned for me but sometimes it's hard not to dream.

This past week, the weather has been beautiful. High of 80's and sunny. When I walked to class last week, I could not help but smile.

"And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God"
Romans 8:27

Thank you Lord for a little piece of Florida.

My younger brother Benjamin has been calling or texting me almost daily from my dads phone.
I love to hear his sweet little voice and listen to him tell me about his day. He's so intuitive, asking me questions about my day and really wanting to know me as his sister.
Being able to answer the questions he has about God, science, theology, college, grades, math, the Bible, and life really blesses me. I valued my time with him in Florida and I valued being able to share what I do know in order to teach him.
From dance parties, to doodle jump, to swimming, to throwing the football, to late night card games, to long discussions about life, my time in Florida was one I will not forget.
Ben really blesses me, in ways I cannot explain and even though I desire to be with him, and my other siblings, God has shown me my purpose is here...for now.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness...For when I am weak, then I am strong" 
2 Corinthians 12:8&10

A new desire

This morning I decided to explore my dad’s new neighborhood looking for a good spot to draw. A spark has been relit in my heart, the desire to draw again. In high school I drew all the time. I doodled, painted, worked with clay, I was always doing something artsy, but since college, I lost that desire and that ability. I forgot how freeing it was to pick up a pen and literally draw what is right in front of me.

I found that again this break and I love it.

For my birthday, I was given a journal to draw in and I was so excited. It was probably one of the greatest gifts because it was unexpected and something that was so familiar to me but so distant (if that makes sense).

This journal has relit the spark that I thought I lost.

Drawing is something I can escape through, much like writing.

I can also connect with God through my drawing, like this morning.

I found a quiet spot in front of the lake and sat down and drew what was in front of me. I listened to Jesus music and just sat in His creation.

I listened to the birds, watched the ducks dive underwater, felt the warm Florida air and even felt the mist from the fountain.

Really, I was in heaven.

I wasn’t even worried about the 8ft long alligator my stepmom kept warning my sister and I about ;)

A familiar song came on my ipod, one I have recently begun to skip over because I tend to really drive songs into the ground, and this was one of them. But this morning I decided to leave it and I decided to listen to what the lyrics were really saying.

“I know you've heard the truth that God has set you free

But you think you're the one that grace could never reach

So you just keep asking, what everybody's asking”

The constant question being asked in my head: Am I worth it?

The devil would tell me no, but the Lord has promised me, yes.

“You’re worth it, you can’t earn it. Yeah the cross has proven that you are sacred and blameless, your life has purpose. You are more then flesh and bone can’t you see your something beautiful, yeah you got to believe that you are someone worth dying for”

When I sat there listening to this, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Jesus died for me, He didn’t have to, but he bore MY sin on that Cross.

“It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished

This I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom”

I’m grateful for my time in Florida. Not only to spend time with Dad, Caron, Ben, Nick and Cassidy, but for the time to do things I enjoy and to reconnect with God through something I forgot I loved so much.

I am thankful for a simple, blank journal.  

Being in Florida with my family can bring many emotions. Some good, some bad, some sad, but this year i'm really discovering just how much I love it and how much joy my little siblings bring me. It seems so surreal to be all in one place.
Last night we were all outside playing football before dinner. Just to run around with them, play, and be free with ALL my siblings was something I wish I could experience more.

Cassidy was in her own little world playing soccer, but she does have quite the soccer moves
I would stop and kick the ball to her in between passes and she would giggle and smile. Precious :)

See? Soccer player in the making :)

Got some bonding time with Fric and Frac while step mom went to work. 

We worked on a puzzle. Winnie the Pooh to be exact.

It's 500 pieces...so still working. 

We were also able to take Ben on a little shopping trip to Walmart. Thankful for the time spent just with Ben. 

As you can see, I got a little sun today ;)

I am so so so thankful for the time i've had with my siblings and I wish I could be in their life more then just one week a year. 

They're a special group of kids and I love every second of being with them.

It's a blessing :)

Melanie

A Meaningful Card

Tonight my family took me to Olive Garden to celebrate my 20th birthday.
My mom, the amazing woman that she is, got me a very special card.
Immediately I began to cry as I read what it had to say.

Dear Daughter,
I don't often tell you how much it means to have a daughter like you- how it's hard to imagine what life would be like without you- without our talks and special times. If you weren't my daughter, something very special would be missing, because having you was one of the best things that ever happened to me.
Happy Birthday.
With love,
Mom

Love you mom.
Thankful for the sacrifices you have made over the years to raise Sis and I. You are special to me.

Melly

Grasping truth

The moment when you are trying so hard to hear truth, but all you hear are the lies.

It goes a little something like this:

Lie: you are unloved
Truth: you are more loved then you can comprehend

Lie: he will hurt you
Truth: its not in His nature to hurt

Lie: you are unworthy
Truth: you have a purpose. I have given it to you.


Lie: he will leave
Truth: I will never leave or forsake you


You are getting the point. My head spins with these lies and when I am overwhelmed by them, it gets harder to hear truth. It gets harder to open my Bible and I end up breaking down when I just can't take it anymore.
Hearing truth is one thing, believing it in my heart is another thing.
The Lord is patient with me as I endure through this and I am forever thankful.

My good friend Chelsea gave me this verse and again, I feel thankful for the power of scripture.

"Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with Him,

we will also live with Him;

if we endure, 

we will also reign with Him.

If we disown Him,

He will also disown us;

if we are faithless,

He will remain faithful,

for He cannot disown Himself"

2 Timothy 2:11-13

Thank you Chelsea :) 

A thousand years

Can't. stop. listening.

Maybe you will enjoy it too :)

Psalm 90

A prayer when my heart is heavy.

"Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
You return man to dust and say, "Return, O children of man!"
For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.
You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning;
in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.
For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed.
You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence
For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty;
yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. 
Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you?
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Return, O Lord! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil.
Let your work be shown to your servant, and your glorious power to their children.
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us;
yes, establish the work of our hands!"

The camel and the eye of the needle

Last night my friend Molly and I decided to go lay under the stars behind our dorm.
I needed a break from studying and Molly is a great friend and always willing to go on adventures with me :)
We grabbed a bunch of blankets, bundled up and headed outside.
Back home in Toledo, I can't see much of the stars but here in Cedarville, the stars are so vivid. I was looking forward to just laying down and seeing God's handiwork.

We talked, laughed and I was shaking because I was cold (normal)
Molly told me she loved the biblical analogy of the moon. Seeing as I never heard this analogy before I asked her to explain. She told me the moon doesn't produce it's own light, the sun casts the light on the moon, therefore because of the sun we can see the moon. This is the same for us. We cannot shine the Gospel on our own, God shines His light on us and therefore we can be seen.
I love this. Don't you?

We also got onto the topic of Jesus's parables and His reason for speaking this way throughout the gospels. I asked her what her favorite parable was and she said the camel and the eye of the needle. Really, this is a fantastic parable and has been running through my head all day.

Jesus states in Matthew 19:24 "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."


During this time period, in order for a camel to enter the gate called the eye of a needle, it first had to stop and have all its bags removed. After dark, when the main gates were shut, travelers or merchants could 
use the smaller gate, through which the camel could only enter crawling on its knees. 


Brilliant.


It's easier for a camel to enter the eye of the needle then for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
We have to fall on our knees before God. Humble ourselves before the King.
Really, I am getting goosebumps.
The power of Jesus's words in this parable. Oh how I wish I was there to hear him.


Let us fall on our knees and humble ourselves before the King.

Happy Birthday little sister!

This is my little sister Cassidy.

Today she is 3 years old!
Hard to believe my baby sister is already 3!!
Happy birthday to a spunky, sassy, beautiful little girl.
Love you Cassidy! Can't wait to see you soon!

Love your sister,

Melanie

Happy Birthday little brother!

This little man is my younger brother Nicky.

He was born today just five years ago. He’s a whole hand now, it’s a big deal!

I love this little boy so so much. He makes me smile with his kind, sweet, innocent little self and I love having a “mini me” J

Happy 5^th Birthday Nicky, I love you very much and I can’t wait to see you.

Love your sister,

Melanie