Wow what a week! I know I say that every week, but really it seems like this week has been very busy with activities. The good thing is that even though I have been busy, I have also been very introspective. My Walk to Emmaus opened my eyes to lots of baggage I have been carrying around from my childhood and also from some past experiences in my life. The good thing is that I have dumped a lot of it off at the cross this week. :)
My brother is really doing well and Chris and I are going down Sunday to see him. He is actually having a lot more gross motor movement this week and all of the swelling is really down.
Oh - be prepared! I am running the fruit sale for my son's middle school band this Fall (i.e. had a momentary loss of consciousness at a Band Booster meeting) . Just know that Jacob is going to be calling you begging for you to buy fruit. The sale is to raise money for his band to go to DisneyWorld in the Spring and compete in a National level band competition. Their school has never done this before so it is a really big deal. Be thinking of who you might give fruit to as a gift for Christmas!
Love to everyone and have a wonderful restful weekend!
Melissa
Friday, September 28, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
SOMETHING LIGHT........
Well "they" told me that the days right after Emmaus would be kind of strange and hard because of all the emotions you have experienced and all the truths that are revealed to you during your time alone with God. Well, that is the daggum truth! Anyways, I needed to post something lighthearted today and this is my friend Kay's nephew's video of his dog..........ENJOY!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=cgW2IwekkIs
http://youtube.com/watch?v=cgW2IwekkIs
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
This picture of me completely describes how I feel today. Completely out of control and sliding into new unchartered waters of my life spiritually, emotionally and mentally! The funny thing is I love it!
i.e. Man in front of me is my talented nephew-in-law and Abby or Emma is beside me - I can't even tell......This was the greatest place I have ever been on earth. A natural water slide in Arizona that I could have played on with the kids all day. Heaven on earth for me!
Monday, September 24, 2007
My Walk
Wow - I am back and I don't even know where to begin. This was definitely one of those experiences that you tell people "you have have to experience it yourself". But, basically the entire weekend is about God's love and grace.
There were no cell phones, no phones at all. There were no clocks and no watches. You were completely taken out of the "world" and given the opportunity to focus on God and his love for you. It was also an opportunity to recognize and get rid of some baggage that you might be carrying around (whether or not you "thought" you had any or not). We all do, trust me. If we think we don't, we are lying to ourselves.
Anways, I have never laughed so hard in my life. I cried, I laughed, I cried some more, and laughed again. There were so many neat little surprises during the weekend and I made SO many new friends. Friendships that are forever bound together in this experience. I would hightly recommend praying about going on a Walk To Emmaus in your future. It was an incredible experience!
And guess what? My house was cleaned from top to bottom when I got home. Now that is testament to a changed life in Chris :)
I know that my life is forever changed! Thanks to all who wrote me notes and cards - you will never know how much they meant to me - really, you will never know!
There were no cell phones, no phones at all. There were no clocks and no watches. You were completely taken out of the "world" and given the opportunity to focus on God and his love for you. It was also an opportunity to recognize and get rid of some baggage that you might be carrying around (whether or not you "thought" you had any or not). We all do, trust me. If we think we don't, we are lying to ourselves.
Anways, I have never laughed so hard in my life. I cried, I laughed, I cried some more, and laughed again. There were so many neat little surprises during the weekend and I made SO many new friends. Friendships that are forever bound together in this experience. I would hightly recommend praying about going on a Walk To Emmaus in your future. It was an incredible experience!
And guess what? My house was cleaned from top to bottom when I got home. Now that is testament to a changed life in Chris :)
I know that my life is forever changed! Thanks to all who wrote me notes and cards - you will never know how much they meant to me - really, you will never know!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Update On Jeff
Chris went to see my brother yesterday afternoon and he is making really good progress. He was moving both arms a LOT, gripping his hands, moving his neck from side to side and was in very good spirits. Best visit so far...........
Be praying for me. I leave for my Walk to Emmaus tomorrow afternoon. Actually, be praying for Chris - he has NEVER had the kids by himself this long and also had this many things to do have to do (i.e. homework, soccer practices, spend-the-nights, soccer games, AND housework). This should be great! (evil laugh............).
Love,
Melissa
Be praying for me. I leave for my Walk to Emmaus tomorrow afternoon. Actually, be praying for Chris - he has NEVER had the kids by himself this long and also had this many things to do have to do (i.e. homework, soccer practices, spend-the-nights, soccer games, AND housework). This should be great! (evil laugh............).
Love,
Melissa
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Democracy?
Very scary when you can't ask a question anymore in our country.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=iqAVvlyVbag
What do you think?????
http://youtube.com/watch?v=iqAVvlyVbag
What do you think?????
Monday, September 17, 2007
FINALLY - FROM CHRIS
What an amazing time I had this past weekend! I have never been part of anything like this before. Going into the weekend, I did not know what to expect and I will say I was a little apprehensive about the whole thing. The three days I shared with these men will be forever etched in my mind. I have never seen the Holy Spirit work in so many different lives in one place in all my life. It was a spiritual journey shrouded in God's grace. I can't wait for Melissa to take her walk so that we can begin this journey together.
Thank you all for the agape letters that I received on Sunday!
Chris
Thank you all for the agape letters that I received on Sunday!
Chris
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Chris is back.........
I am just now getting around to posting because we have been so busy with school stuff and church stuff and soccer stuff and just STUFF.
Chris got back late Sunday afternoon from Walk to Emmaus and NO he had not been brainwashed, converted to a secret religion nor had he joined a cult. :) But, he did have a miraculous weekend and he is going to share that with you here on my blog later in the week. I leave for my Walk in about 2 weeks and I am excited and nervous at the same time. Not sure I know anyone going.
I have made the decision to cut back my hours at work which means actually leaving the account I work on now and just typing a few hours a day. I will also hopefully be working at the Episcopal Church here in town about 20 hours a week. The getting up at 5:00 am every morning was really getting to me and with Chris out of town so much and the kids involved in so much, I just felt like I was being torn in half with obligations and work. Anyways, that is news from the homefront. Wish us luck with finances since it will cut back on money coming into the house - nothing new for the Browns!!! Love to all, Melissa
If you treat a man as he is, he will stay as he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become the bigger and better man. - Johann Wolfgang Goethe
Chris got back late Sunday afternoon from Walk to Emmaus and NO he had not been brainwashed, converted to a secret religion nor had he joined a cult. :) But, he did have a miraculous weekend and he is going to share that with you here on my blog later in the week. I leave for my Walk in about 2 weeks and I am excited and nervous at the same time. Not sure I know anyone going.
I have made the decision to cut back my hours at work which means actually leaving the account I work on now and just typing a few hours a day. I will also hopefully be working at the Episcopal Church here in town about 20 hours a week. The getting up at 5:00 am every morning was really getting to me and with Chris out of town so much and the kids involved in so much, I just felt like I was being torn in half with obligations and work. Anyways, that is news from the homefront. Wish us luck with finances since it will cut back on money coming into the house - nothing new for the Browns!!! Love to all, Melissa
If you treat a man as he is, he will stay as he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become the bigger and better man. - Johann Wolfgang Goethe
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Friday, September 7, 2007
PLEASE DON'T SAY "BOY" OR "GIRL"
I had to think long and hard about whether to post this or not, but anyone who knows me, knows that I normally say what I think (to my great misfortune most of the time.)
I was recently at a PTO meeting at my son's Middle School and we were in the process of picking out types of shirts to sell for the upcoming Homecoming as a fundraiser. I held up one particular shirt (gray - that same horrible gray we all had to wear in the 70's for gym) and I said "I think boys would probably really buy this one". (We were going to have them screen-printed with the school emblem on front.)
Melissa side-note: At this point, does anyone have a problem with anything I have said during this meeting? I was raised in a conservative home in Chattanooga, Tennessee, went to a conservative elementary and middle school, a liberal private high school, attended a liberal public university and basically have one of the most very diverse educations of any person I know. I don't consider myself judgmental (I make a point not to be because I love the Lord), but I also know right from wrong and have common sense - thank you Momma and Daddy!
At this point, a woman in the meeting spoke up and said "Please don't say boy or girl, Please..........Let's not do that." (emphasis here on "Let's not do that" - hushed tone.)
Needless to say, my jaw dropped to the floor (figuratively, not literally - I AM a Southern Girl you know). I wanted to say "EXCUSE ME?", but in my nice Southern-raised, always scared of getting spanked during Church, God-fearing, Lynrd Skynrd listening, John Lennon lyric-loving, cannot-believe you just said that (but I'm not going to act like I am shocked because I am Southern) voice said "I'm sorry, I mean children, or, um... I mean students".
WHAT IN THE WORLD? Did God not create humans, male and female created He them? Honestly, I actually adapted to polital correctness during the 90's and never even realized it or basically didn't even care I guess, but my goodness, now I can't even call a child a boy or a girl anymore! I can't even recognize the fact that they basically like different things? God help us!
Okay, it is late, I am tired and obviously I am ranting. I never thought I would see the day this was happening and I was starting to sound like my parents. Next thing you know, I will think everything is a McCarthy conspiracy!
Melissa
I was recently at a PTO meeting at my son's Middle School and we were in the process of picking out types of shirts to sell for the upcoming Homecoming as a fundraiser. I held up one particular shirt (gray - that same horrible gray we all had to wear in the 70's for gym) and I said "I think boys would probably really buy this one". (We were going to have them screen-printed with the school emblem on front.)
Melissa side-note: At this point, does anyone have a problem with anything I have said during this meeting? I was raised in a conservative home in Chattanooga, Tennessee, went to a conservative elementary and middle school, a liberal private high school, attended a liberal public university and basically have one of the most very diverse educations of any person I know. I don't consider myself judgmental (I make a point not to be because I love the Lord), but I also know right from wrong and have common sense - thank you Momma and Daddy!
At this point, a woman in the meeting spoke up and said "Please don't say boy or girl, Please..........Let's not do that." (emphasis here on "Let's not do that" - hushed tone.)
Needless to say, my jaw dropped to the floor (figuratively, not literally - I AM a Southern Girl you know). I wanted to say "EXCUSE ME?", but in my nice Southern-raised, always scared of getting spanked during Church, God-fearing, Lynrd Skynrd listening, John Lennon lyric-loving, cannot-believe you just said that (but I'm not going to act like I am shocked because I am Southern) voice said "I'm sorry, I mean children, or, um... I mean students".
WHAT IN THE WORLD? Did God not create humans, male and female created He them? Honestly, I actually adapted to polital correctness during the 90's and never even realized it or basically didn't even care I guess, but my goodness, now I can't even call a child a boy or a girl anymore! I can't even recognize the fact that they basically like different things? God help us!
Okay, it is late, I am tired and obviously I am ranting. I never thought I would see the day this was happening and I was starting to sound like my parents. Next thing you know, I will think everything is a McCarthy conspiracy!
Melissa
IT'S FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE!
Sent from one of my best friends in Nashville (who I have eaten with at Rotier's and unashamedly drank a beer with at 9:00 in the morning in honor of the team, something I shouldn't be proud of, but strangely am), this article actually made me smell the air of Knoxville and the crowd singing Rocky Top. I almost teared up...........you have to be a Vol to understand.
Bruce Newman for ESPN.com
The passion for Southern football begins at an early age. In Knoxville, when football season seems like it might never arrive, they can laugh about the fans who've almost sunk a boat in the Tennessee River. They can sing "Rocky Top." In Arkansas, they can let a "Pig Sooie" fly, like a maintenance drink for a boozehound. A few states over, a War Eagle or Rammer Jammer can keep a man (or woman) from going insane. That's a struggle we've been having for generations.
Why? Well, there are a thousand theories, many having to do with a lack of any other entertainment, but the one in Tony Barnhart's book about the obsession makes as much sense as any: Dominating at football offers a chance for Southerners to feel equal, a chance to avenge past defeats on the battlefield, which is admittedly bizarre, since no one else in the country ever thinks about the Civil War. In the book, former Georgia coach Vince Dooley describes beating Michigan in Ann Arbor in 1965. "I didn't just hear from Georgia people," he says, "but from people all over the South. To go up there and invade the North and come back a winner was the greatest thing for a lot of people. It was as if we had had a chance to go to Gettysburg again."
So these memories are important, a part of our martial DNA, though some memories are a bit hazier than others. My cousin ran out between the hedges in 2000 after Georgia beat Tennessee for the first time in nine years. He tore off his white dress shirt, ran right over to two players sitting on the Volunteers' bench and screamed, "Go back to Knoxville!" (The family's very proud.)
Here's another one I just heard: Two ol' boys were in Baton Rouge, all decked out in LSU gear, tailgating all day. Then, after hours of drinking peacefully next to each other, one guy suddenly jumped the other, quickly getting the upper hand, punching and kicking like a madman. Then he pulled out a knife, apparently to finish the job. Before they were pulled apart, the aggressor screamed at his defeated foe, "I can't believe you named your little girl Auburn!"
Every Southern football fan has a story like that, just like every group has a set of shared experiences. I've never rolled Toomer's Corner after a big War Eagle win, but the people who have will never forget it. New York Times sports columnist Selena Roberts sure won't. Today, she's one of the most respected voices in the world of sports. But when she thinks back to her days as a student at Auburn, she can still see the ribbons of white hanging from the trees. She remembers stealing toilet paper from buildings and walking through the knee-deep sea of tissue. "It looks as close as a white Christmas as you can get in the South," she says.
Each school has its legends. There's the time a potential game-winning field goal was blown back by a sudden gust of wind, costing Mississippi State a victory over Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl, removing any doubt which team God himself pulls for (though Alabama fans might argue by quoting Ezekiel 20:29 ... look it up). There's Billy Cannon's punt return which, almost 50 years after he ran into the Louisiana fog, is still played on the radio in Baton Rouge. There's Spurrier reminding us all that you can't spell Citrus without "U" and "T". There's Buck Belue to Lindsay Scott, and if you need an explanation, you've probably never eaten barbecue cooked at a gas station.
These are the stories told in January deer camps and in spring break condos and over graduation weekend grilled cheeseburgers at Rotiers in Nashville. They keep the dream of football alive until winter and spring give way to summer.
Bruce Newman for ESPN.com
The passion for Southern football begins at an early age. In Knoxville, when football season seems like it might never arrive, they can laugh about the fans who've almost sunk a boat in the Tennessee River. They can sing "Rocky Top." In Arkansas, they can let a "Pig Sooie" fly, like a maintenance drink for a boozehound. A few states over, a War Eagle or Rammer Jammer can keep a man (or woman) from going insane. That's a struggle we've been having for generations.
Why? Well, there are a thousand theories, many having to do with a lack of any other entertainment, but the one in Tony Barnhart's book about the obsession makes as much sense as any: Dominating at football offers a chance for Southerners to feel equal, a chance to avenge past defeats on the battlefield, which is admittedly bizarre, since no one else in the country ever thinks about the Civil War. In the book, former Georgia coach Vince Dooley describes beating Michigan in Ann Arbor in 1965. "I didn't just hear from Georgia people," he says, "but from people all over the South. To go up there and invade the North and come back a winner was the greatest thing for a lot of people. It was as if we had had a chance to go to Gettysburg again."
So these memories are important, a part of our martial DNA, though some memories are a bit hazier than others. My cousin ran out between the hedges in 2000 after Georgia beat Tennessee for the first time in nine years. He tore off his white dress shirt, ran right over to two players sitting on the Volunteers' bench and screamed, "Go back to Knoxville!" (The family's very proud.)
Here's another one I just heard: Two ol' boys were in Baton Rouge, all decked out in LSU gear, tailgating all day. Then, after hours of drinking peacefully next to each other, one guy suddenly jumped the other, quickly getting the upper hand, punching and kicking like a madman. Then he pulled out a knife, apparently to finish the job. Before they were pulled apart, the aggressor screamed at his defeated foe, "I can't believe you named your little girl Auburn!"
Every Southern football fan has a story like that, just like every group has a set of shared experiences. I've never rolled Toomer's Corner after a big War Eagle win, but the people who have will never forget it. New York Times sports columnist Selena Roberts sure won't. Today, she's one of the most respected voices in the world of sports. But when she thinks back to her days as a student at Auburn, she can still see the ribbons of white hanging from the trees. She remembers stealing toilet paper from buildings and walking through the knee-deep sea of tissue. "It looks as close as a white Christmas as you can get in the South," she says.
Each school has its legends. There's the time a potential game-winning field goal was blown back by a sudden gust of wind, costing Mississippi State a victory over Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl, removing any doubt which team God himself pulls for (though Alabama fans might argue by quoting Ezekiel 20:29 ... look it up). There's Billy Cannon's punt return which, almost 50 years after he ran into the Louisiana fog, is still played on the radio in Baton Rouge. There's Spurrier reminding us all that you can't spell Citrus without "U" and "T". There's Buck Belue to Lindsay Scott, and if you need an explanation, you've probably never eaten barbecue cooked at a gas station.
These are the stories told in January deer camps and in spring break condos and over graduation weekend grilled cheeseburgers at Rotiers in Nashville. They keep the dream of football alive until winter and spring give way to summer.
Thankful........
Whew - what a week, but I made it through and Chris is off on his Walk to Emmaus.
Update - as of this morning, they are trying to completely wean my brother off of any need for mechanized air (he is off of a ventilator, but on a CPAP machine (wall air)). We are in the process of placement into a skilled nursing unit probably within the next week or so. I am just amazed at the turn-around he has made, but also know that the long-term outcome is not very favorable. I ask that you still keep him in your prayers as he comes to your mind.
Wishing everyone a great weekend and GO VOLS!!!!!!!
Melissa
Update - as of this morning, they are trying to completely wean my brother off of any need for mechanized air (he is off of a ventilator, but on a CPAP machine (wall air)). We are in the process of placement into a skilled nursing unit probably within the next week or so. I am just amazed at the turn-around he has made, but also know that the long-term outcome is not very favorable. I ask that you still keep him in your prayers as he comes to your mind.
Wishing everyone a great weekend and GO VOLS!!!!!!!
Melissa
Thursday, September 6, 2007
God is Good
Boy, the Lord has been really working on us lately. And I want to tell you that when you seek Him, he WILL show up. I was recently in a place of soul searching and "restlessness" with some issues in my life (mainly contentment in all areas) and I just got on my knees and said "Lord, show me. I want to know you. I want direction". Well, he has showed it to me alright.
He has also shown me areas of my life that have to be given over to him and he has also brought to my attention the areas of my life where I rebel against him and that the things I am unhappy with are mostly results of bad choices made outside of His will. But, he has also showed me that my life can be renewed and the past thrown into the sea of forgiveness.
He has brought me through the fire recently and refined me in ways that I am going to try to share within the next week or so. Those who know me know that I have made some VERY poor decisions out of a purely rebellious spirit and that I turned my back on the Lord during different periods of my life (high school, college, and also about 3 years ago). But the Lord drew me back to Him every time and He shows up every time I seek Him in my life. He is faithful. I can testify to that. Anways, sorry for the ramblings - just on my heart today.
Pray for Chris as he leaves for Walk to Emmaus today. Love to all - Melissa
He has also shown me areas of my life that have to be given over to him and he has also brought to my attention the areas of my life where I rebel against him and that the things I am unhappy with are mostly results of bad choices made outside of His will. But, he has also showed me that my life can be renewed and the past thrown into the sea of forgiveness.
He has brought me through the fire recently and refined me in ways that I am going to try to share within the next week or so. Those who know me know that I have made some VERY poor decisions out of a purely rebellious spirit and that I turned my back on the Lord during different periods of my life (high school, college, and also about 3 years ago). But the Lord drew me back to Him every time and He shows up every time I seek Him in my life. He is faithful. I can testify to that. Anways, sorry for the ramblings - just on my heart today.
Pray for Chris as he leaves for Walk to Emmaus today. Love to all - Melissa
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Monday, Monday
Hey guys! Saw my brother on Saturday and he is doing really great. They are trying to get him to breathe on his own and he was in a fairly good mood, considering.
We had a whirlwind, very busy weekend with traveling and work, but ended up FINALLY getting the drywall completed in the kids' rooms and now we just have to clean up all the drywall dust, prime and paint the walls, and then put down the trim (I am sure that will all go extremely smooth and timely - yeah, right!). I am figuring we should possibly be done by 2008. :)
Keep our family in prayer this week. You can always pray for me regarding stress - it seems to have become a normal way of life and also we are still mulling over some decisions regarding work. Chris is going to be leaving Thursday evening for his Walk to Emmaus. Please keep him specifically in your prayers. He will be gone until Sunday evening.
I hope everyone had a great Labor Day and hopefully I can come up with something interesting, creative or funny to post sometime this week. (Don't hold your breath! )
We had a whirlwind, very busy weekend with traveling and work, but ended up FINALLY getting the drywall completed in the kids' rooms and now we just have to clean up all the drywall dust, prime and paint the walls, and then put down the trim (I am sure that will all go extremely smooth and timely - yeah, right!). I am figuring we should possibly be done by 2008. :)
Keep our family in prayer this week. You can always pray for me regarding stress - it seems to have become a normal way of life and also we are still mulling over some decisions regarding work. Chris is going to be leaving Thursday evening for his Walk to Emmaus. Please keep him specifically in your prayers. He will be gone until Sunday evening.
I hope everyone had a great Labor Day and hopefully I can come up with something interesting, creative or funny to post sometime this week. (Don't hold your breath! )
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