HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Enjoy your families and your day off !

Melissa

NATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE

Absolutely amazing. Inspiring. Encouraging. Motivating. So much fun! GREAT concerts!

Just a few words to describe our past few days here at the Atlanta 2007 National Youth Workers' Conference. Personally, I have been so moved by the stories and lessons that have been told and taught, people I have met and the whole synergy of the thing. It has absolutely been one of the best landmark events of my life. I have heard speakers like Louie Giglio (if you EVER get the chance to hear him speak, I encourage you to), Doug Fields, Shane Claiborne, Andy Stanley and my absolute favorite, Phylllis Tickle, one of the most world renowned experts on Religious History in the U.S. - if not the most - the most brilliant person I have ever had the privilege to hear speak.

We saw bands like Third Day, David Crowder Band, Chris Tomlin, FamilyForce 5 and Flatfoot 56 (Chris' favorite - old punk rock by a new young band).

We also met the cutest couple on the planet - Katie and Clint Davis from Sringtown, TX. He is a youth pastor and she is his adorable wife. I felt like we were instant friends and had known each other for such a long time. They are much younger and cooler than we are though! Clint has such a passion for his work as a youth pastor and his wife is a sweet, supportive, intelligent, strong young woman. It is so neat to meet people from other places who feel the same way you do.

Most importantly, we felt God speaking to us in different, but VERY significant ways. I received some clarity on which direction I should be headed regarding serving our church, but were also challenged in stepping up to the plate in regards to completely "owning" our faith and taking direct steps everyday towards our own spiritual growth individually, as a couple and as parents.

Thanks again for everyone who made it possible for us to be here (especially my sister who is probably missing half her hair by now!) Thank you Melanie!

Blessings to all and we cannot wait to talk to others about our experience.

Pictures below:


http://picture.vzw.com/pub/share/guestMessage.do?invite=DEYr4Qmj2Y7r2k98LLeo




Love,

Chris and Melissa

NYC 2007 in Atlanta

Chris and I are off Friday morning to the National Youth Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. We are very excited to have the opportunity to go and also wanted to let people know that we received a total of $230.00 in donations towards Chris' registration fee. His fee was $250.00 (including late fee) - God is good! THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO SENT IN A DONATION! We are now in the process of farming out the kids for the weekend and all that jazz. Third Day is playing at the conference on Friday night and they are my absolute favorite band! Can't wait!

Hope all is well and blessings to all,

Melissa

P.S. We sold our Expedition in one week's time and bought a 2001 Saab for less than $5000.00 (yes, it needs some work!) We paid off all of our medical bills - which if you know our history was a lot! My kidney surgery this year and my back stuff and Chris' kidney stone and all of the kids past medical bills. We are very happy to not have any of that hanging over our head!

Christ's Call to Love Others

Sometimes it is just hard to love people. But Christ does not ask us to "try" and love other people. He commands us to.

I have had one of those days where in and of myself I cannot love another person. But guess what? I can love this person through the power of Christ. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. So, I will pray, ask forgiveness from the Lord and start another day tomorrow with the hopes of seeing everyone else through Christ's eyes.

WOW - Busy, busy, busy

WOW I have been busy. I never thought I would be so busy not to be able to even think....but, yet I have been.

We sold our car (thanks to my internet friend, Jen) and have scaled down to a little get around town car. We are concentraing our efforts on being with the kids while they are still here and also figuring out where we are supposed to be giving our money and time for what really matters (hope that makes sense.)

When I was in high school I had to keep a "stream of consciousness" notebook. I had to write whatever I was thinking all the time. So I am going to revert to that for this post.......

Soccer seaseon is over. Basketball season is starting. Christmas. Money. Keep in touch with friends. Be a good mom. TRY to be a good wife. Think about my Dad and brother - figure out what to do to make sure they are taken care of. Talk more to my sister. Marcie and Meagan. Finish the upstairs of the house. Re-cover the furniture. Make a good breakfast for the kids. Get the car shipped off to California. Get my hair cut. Try not to be critical or pre-judge, for I have been there. Don't think about the worship team figuring out "Cry Out to Jesus" . Pay the bills. Turn the heat down to save money. Pray for Patty, pray for my children, pray, pray, pray.... etc., etc., etc...

There. That is my mind - scary, I know. Love, Melissa

P.S. - Head on over to http://www.prayersforthepeopleyoulove.com/ to read the latest devotion.

Life

This is our house the day AFTER Halloween because I didn't have a camera the night of Halloween, sad, but true. Anyways, MORE importantly,

This is an excerpt from a Beth Moore study I am doing and I wanted to share it because I have found it to be so true in my own life:

"Life is found by losing it for Christ's sake. A vessel is filled by pouring out. The key to receiving is giving. The key to living is dying to self. The greatest in the kingdom is the servant of all. God has been right ALL along. His upside-down path is the only way to true contentment and satisfaction. This world's claim of happiness is betrayed by an ever-increasing lust for more. Nothing EVER suffices. Nothing EVER will. Christ ALONE satisfies the human soul."

Love,

Melissa

THANK YOU

for the two donations we have received for Chris to be able to go to the National Youth Conference in Atlanta!

Have a great day,

Melissa

This is going to be a very busy week, so I doubt I will get to post much.

The kids are going to be in a soccer tournament in Columbia, TN this weekend and we will leave Friday night and come back Sunday afternoon. They are very excited, especially Jacob because he will get to see his best friend while we are up there.

Also, because of my job change and also because of our barely being able to afford gas prices at the price they are at, we have made the decision to sell our Expedition and get something smaller. If you know of anyone who might be interested, PLEASE let us know. We have never had any trouble out of it. It needs new tires and a back headlight put in, but we are willing to do that before we sell it. It is a wonderful car for hauling kids around and I am really going to miss it, but the hubby thinks this is the way to go. Anyways, I am praying that everyone has a great week and stays safe. Love,

Melissa

PLEASE LISTEN

This has been one of my favorite songs for awhile. I felt very led to post it tonight. Someone needs to hear it!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=MOb8ihacSM4

You HAVE to see this:

http://tinyurl.com/yxewot