I am back working at Christ The King part-time and am SO glad to be here. Thankfully, they had not hired anyone and was able to come back when I realized that working for the place that had hired me was definitely NOT going to work out. We are looking forward to a relaxing weekend working around the house and having friends come down from Nashville to help us out. We hired out the rest of the drywalling to be done and now just have to trim out and paint. Thank goodness it is almost over. We are completely dead flat broke, but it is finally finished.
We are continuing to pray for a way to pay our upcoming taxes, but we know that God is faithful and that He will provide. I also need to find a way to make an extra $400 a month, so I am praying that something presents itself in order for us to bring in that amount. I wish everyone a fun-filled weekend and can't wait to show off the kids' rooms upstairs!
Love,
Melissa
Friday, February 29, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
30-Hour Famine
Wow. What an awesome experience I had this weekend with the Youth Group at our church. We participated in World Vision's 30-Hour Famine and we raised around $3200.00 for children across the world who are in need. Let me tell you that these kids are incredible. They didn't complain. The did not eat for 30 hours, they participated in service activities for the church and collected food for those in need. They participated in all the activities we had planned and they kept my mind off of the death of my brother which would have just kept me in bed all weekend. I saw some wonderful hearts in these kids and it just made me want to grow closer to them and to Him.
Even Abby and Emma participated in their own little fast from 9:00 p.m. last night until 6:30 p.m. this evening. Let this be a lesson that we CAN follow Jesus' example of fasting. If these kids can do it (and my 9 year old can do it) then WE can do it....... Melissa
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
The Emptiness
We are back in Winchester, my brother is buried and I am in that state of "what do I do next"? I remember feeling this way when my mother died suddenly, but I was so young that I didn't really let myself feel all the emotions that go along with the death of someone so incredibly close to my heart. The feelings of knowing he will never call again...... I will never call him again. What do I do with his email address on my computer? What do I do with his phone number contact on my cell phone? This last year has been such a state of busyness for me as far as making sure Jeff was provided decent healthcare, dealing with his insurance, etc., that I never really let myself truly prepare for his death. And now here I am, staring at my computer realizing that my truest blog fan will never read it again. Knowing that I will never hear "calm down girl! You take things too seriously, relax......" My brother was a lost and troubled soul for so many of his last years. Why? Why do some people have absolutely no power over their addictions, while others can put something down and never pick it back up? My brother did not want to be what he had become, yet he could not beat it. He tried, he just couldn't win the battle.
To all those who went to such great efforts to call, send cards, flowers and especially to my dearest of friends who drove from Winchester, Nashville, etc. to be there for me - THANK YOU. I LOVE YOU. I have dealt with so much tragedy in my life that I really think sometimes I won't make it through another day, the then I get up, thank the Lord for giving me another day and push on. I have the only true strength anyone can ever have - the strength of my Father in heaven who knows the purpose he has for me and who sees what I can't. Please pray for me in the next few days that I can rest in His arms and feel His peace.
A wonderful session musician and bluegrass phenomenon by the name of Rick Hargis came from Nashville to play at my brother's funeral. After the 21 gun salute and presentation of the flag to my father, the minister spoke and then we got to hear the two songs my brother always told me he wanted at his funeral - Amazing Grace and Will the Circle Be UnBroken. And then of course, in true Jeff fashion we dismissed with Rocky Top being played on Banjo and I could literally feel my brother smiling down on us.
Love to all and don't take any day for granted!
Melissa
To all those who went to such great efforts to call, send cards, flowers and especially to my dearest of friends who drove from Winchester, Nashville, etc. to be there for me - THANK YOU. I LOVE YOU. I have dealt with so much tragedy in my life that I really think sometimes I won't make it through another day, the then I get up, thank the Lord for giving me another day and push on. I have the only true strength anyone can ever have - the strength of my Father in heaven who knows the purpose he has for me and who sees what I can't. Please pray for me in the next few days that I can rest in His arms and feel His peace.
A wonderful session musician and bluegrass phenomenon by the name of Rick Hargis came from Nashville to play at my brother's funeral. After the 21 gun salute and presentation of the flag to my father, the minister spoke and then we got to hear the two songs my brother always told me he wanted at his funeral - Amazing Grace and Will the Circle Be UnBroken. And then of course, in true Jeff fashion we dismissed with Rocky Top being played on Banjo and I could literally feel my brother smiling down on us.
Love to all and don't take any day for granted!
Melissa
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008
James Franklin Shields, Jr. 1958-2008
Our family made the decision to take my brother's tube out last night and I was with him holding his hand as he passed away. Chris and I along with a cousin and his wife had the privilege of being with him when he ended his long battle here on this earth. It was a very peaceful death. After taking out the tube he lasted somewhere around an hour breathing on his own and passed away at 9:12 p.m. and the look on his face was one of such pure peace that I know the right decision was made. Please pray for my father and sister and my brother's ex-wife Cindy. We are on our way to the funeral home to make arrangements and I will post the time and date of funeral as soon as I know something.
Here's to you big brother! You never met a stranger and you loved everyone with such passion. Rest in peace. I love you!
Melissa
Here's to you big brother! You never met a stranger and you loved everyone with such passion. Rest in peace. I love you!
Melissa
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Big Change
Starting next week, I am going to be going back to work full-time. I was just incurring too many taxes working from home. When we visited our accountant he emphasized the fact that I REALLY need to either diligently put back taxes every quarter or go back to work outside of the home. You see, I not only pay normal taxes, but self-employment tax on top of that.
So, we shall see how we all make the adjustment next week. It should be very interesting. Jacob will be riding the bus more and I have to find Abby and Emma a ride home in the afternoons. I think Abby may seriously have a meltdown, but she'll just have to get over it. Jacob doesn't really mind and Emma is just excited that I get to work in a doctor's office. I can't even begin to think about the summer! Oh well, people do this everyday right? But do they do this with three kids and a husband who is gone 2-3 nights out of the week? I am sure they do......
Chris is in Louisville Kentucky today and drove straight into snow and an impending ice storm. Hopefully he won't get stuck there!!!! He will be gone until Thursday evening.
I think I can, I know I can, I think I can, I know I can..........
Love and blessings,
Melissa
So, we shall see how we all make the adjustment next week. It should be very interesting. Jacob will be riding the bus more and I have to find Abby and Emma a ride home in the afternoons. I think Abby may seriously have a meltdown, but she'll just have to get over it. Jacob doesn't really mind and Emma is just excited that I get to work in a doctor's office. I can't even begin to think about the summer! Oh well, people do this everyday right? But do they do this with three kids and a husband who is gone 2-3 nights out of the week? I am sure they do......
Chris is in Louisville Kentucky today and drove straight into snow and an impending ice storm. Hopefully he won't get stuck there!!!! He will be gone until Thursday evening.
I think I can, I know I can, I think I can, I know I can..........
Love and blessings,
Melissa
Monday, February 11, 2008
The Refiner
Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"
He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it."
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire , remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"
He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it."
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire , remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Off To Emmaus
Well, guys I am off to Emmaus for the weekend. I leave tomorrow evening after work and will be home on Sunday. I am looking forward to spending some time just meditating and seeing how God works in the lives of others and myself. Chris will be at home with the kids all weekend (scary and I am trying not to think about it!). My prayer is that they eat 1 vegetable and drink 1 glass of water, or something not caffeinated, the entire weekend.... :) Hope everyone has a great weekend and let's all remember to keep the tornado victims and their families in our prayers.
Blogging next week,
Melissa
Blogging next week,
Melissa
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Being Sifted?
31"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. Luke 22:31-32
I am feeling a lot like Simon today. We have had a rough two weeks with much sickness, finances, Chris being out of town a LOT, my missing family and friends in other cities, etc. I was meditating on it last night and thought "Lord, are you allowing Satan to sift me? Is there something that needs sifted before I can minister effectively to others the way I want to?" The answer was "yes", but just like God seems to always do with me - he said "and you need to figure it out." I HATE that. I want him to tell me immediately and specifically what needs done, what I need to pray about, what needs cleaned up inside of me and how to do it! But, my Father doesn't work that way with me. So, I am digging deep and asking the Lord to reveal anything that is holding me back from going into the type of ministry I want to go into. Sifting isn't fun - I have been there before. It is painful, but I know that in God's grace I will be rejoicing when it is over and praising Him for what he has pruned out of my life and what he has revealed to me.
Pray for us as it seems we are having a time of oppression over our home. Pray for guidance and wisdom for me and strength during this busy time of the year when Chris is consistently gone. Thank you for letting me bear my heart to you!
Love,
Melissa
I am feeling a lot like Simon today. We have had a rough two weeks with much sickness, finances, Chris being out of town a LOT, my missing family and friends in other cities, etc. I was meditating on it last night and thought "Lord, are you allowing Satan to sift me? Is there something that needs sifted before I can minister effectively to others the way I want to?" The answer was "yes", but just like God seems to always do with me - he said "and you need to figure it out." I HATE that. I want him to tell me immediately and specifically what needs done, what I need to pray about, what needs cleaned up inside of me and how to do it! But, my Father doesn't work that way with me. So, I am digging deep and asking the Lord to reveal anything that is holding me back from going into the type of ministry I want to go into. Sifting isn't fun - I have been there before. It is painful, but I know that in God's grace I will be rejoicing when it is over and praising Him for what he has pruned out of my life and what he has revealed to me.
Pray for us as it seems we are having a time of oppression over our home. Pray for guidance and wisdom for me and strength during this busy time of the year when Chris is consistently gone. Thank you for letting me bear my heart to you!
Love,
Melissa
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