Just Stuff....

Well, first of all I am up very late, but that is because I am completely burning the candle at both ends this week. Today was the usual work and orthodondist appointment and dealing with finances and just doing life. Tomorrow is a day in Nashville at the Capitol for my last day of Leadership Franklin County before I graduate. Wednesday - close on my brother's house and also close out his probate - finally! This is such closure for me and as I have thought about it tonight will be a relief, but also sorrowful at the same time. I will never be at his house again and I think, in some way, it will be a grieving process all over again. Thursday - work both jobs and Friday - work and then chaperone our youth at Acquire the Fire in Nashville. I know that God is setting me up this week to rely on Him and also I am praying that He is setting me up to hear a word from Him this weekend. I pray that all is well with those I love and that this week will go quickly - something I normally don't wish.......Lord knows life goes to quickly as it is.

Go Light Your Candle!

Diaroma Night at the Brown House

Abby worked her little hiney off tonight making a diaroma of the Tuck's House from the book Tuck Everlasting. It was fun to help her out with the spray painting and just to sit back and watch her use her creativity. I love that little thing! I am, of course, sure she will worry about it in her dreams and all day tomorrow. She puts a lot of worry into this class........God bless her.

Snow!

WOW! I am so grateful for warmer weather today. Boy, would I love to be on a beach somewhere warm with my toes dug into the sand! We had a great Ash Wednesday service for the youth last night and now we are in the season of Lent. Chris has given up red meat, I have given up any frivilous spending, no eating out, etc., Abby has given up complaining, Emma has given up "giving up to easily" and Jacob is still undecided - imagine that. He said he was thinking about not arguing during Lent - but that would just flat out be a miracle from God! Bless him....

Famine Video

The best I could do after hours of sleep deprivation.

Famine Over!

What a great success we had with our Famine. Praise to God and to all the hard work from our youth, we raised $4334.00! We also were able to get 7 kids sponsored by families in our church this past Sunday! How exciting! I will be posting pics of the Famine later this afternoon. I am always blessed when I just pour everything of myself out to service and this was no different! I will share soon! Love, Melissa

I am greatly saddened......

for Satin - I don't think she is enjoying wearing American Girl Pajamas.......

Well, the Famine is quickly approaching and I covet your prayers that I will have everything ready in time! Things have actually gone fairly smoothly, but there are always those last minute things that crop up and make ya' go "Oops, completely forgot about that!". (smile).

Also, I would ask that you be in prayer for me this weekend as I fast. I am using this time to seek the Lord's will in several areas. This has been something that I have been really dealing with for well over 2 years now and I am praying that the Lord will reveal to me exactly what I am to be doing for His kingdom. I have always known that I have a call to missions, but there have always been things (mostly a thing called "doing life") that have distracted me or gotten in the way of that. Also, when Chris and I married we were Christians, but not living for Christ, so things like "what do you want to do to serve the kingdom of Christ?" never quite came up in conversation. (big smile). Now that we have grown up (that is debatable to some people, I know!) and both committed our lives fully to Christ, we are both using this weekend as a time of prayer and meditation (listening to the Lord) and asking the Lord to show us where we are supposed to be (as in city, work, i.e. all areas of life) and what He is calling us to do for Him. So, please be in prayer for us that we will see clearly God's vision for our lives and also that we will have the courage and willingness to follow that calling. Also, most importantly, be in prayer for our stomachs!!! :)

Starving for children all over the world,

Melissa