Gearing up....

This is the time of year that things tend to start getting a little crazy at the Brown House. We are approaching the 30-Hour-Famine in 2 weeks and then will be preparing for our mission trip to South Dakota in June. Also, there is always the general chaos of three kids finishing up the school year. In order to spend more time with Jacob and his homeschooling, I made the decision to cut back on hours working at the pharmacy and am know just working 2 jobs during the week - typing and working at Christ The King. We are in prayer that God will sustain us financially as I give up those hours. I will also be starting classes through Berea Bible Institute in Chattanooga through "distance education". Basically I will work my way through the classes from home and all tests till be proctored by my pastor here in Winchester. My plan is to finish my bachelor in Religious Studies with an emphasis on missions within the next 18 months (at most). A lot of my college credits transferred over and I will only need to complete 14 classes.

On a more personal level, I have really felt the Lord refining me in many different areas lately and although it is a good thing - it is also a painful thing at times. ;) I ask that you pray for me as I (or if I) come to your mind in the next few months.

My prayer is that all of us seek what it is that God would have us to do and then follow His leading no matter how uncomfortable it may make us. I pray that we all step out of our comfort zone and ask the Lord what He would have us do to serve others and show love to ALL of His children.

Eat Local!

A friend has started a website for those who would like to start, or already try to buy their foods locally. I think it is a great resource and recommend you check it out:

http://www.eatlocaltn.com/

Relief for Haiti

All three of my children will be participating in World Vision's 30-Hour-Famine this February and all proceeds will go towards relief for hunger in Haiti. Below are the their online donation pages. You can donate as little as $5.00 or as much as you feel led. They will all three be going without food for 30 hours to raise awareness for hunger. All donations are tax deductible and your name nor amount will show up online. Thanks for your donation!


http://www.30hourfamine.org/portal/onlinegiving/donate/100760248-001

http://www.30hourfamine.org/portal/onlinegiving/donate/100760248-002

http://www.30hourfamine.org/portal/onlinegiving/donate/100760248-003

Haitian Relief

http://www.worldvision.org/


Lord, we lift up every person affected by this earthquake and ask that you give them peace, healing, wisdom, and everything they need to make it through the next day, hour or minute......we pray for mothers who have lost their children, fathers who have lost their wives, children who have lost their parents and all those who are hurt or wounded. Your ways are higher than our ways and we do not ask "why" but "how" we can help. Amen.

Patrick Henry Hughes

Watch this and then tell me you have something to complain about.........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qTiYA1WiY8

Love, Melissa

New Adventures and A New Year

First of all, I pray that this New Year brings nothing but, joy, love, adventure and happiness to all of you! I personally am not very sad to see 2009 come to an end. Although it has banged me around a bit, I am glad for the growth and learning I have experienced, but once again, not sad to see it go.

I am embarking on a project that I have been knocking around for about a year and am doing most of my research through contacts on Facebook. But the gist is this, I am going to be collecting information from women of all ages regarding the following (message as it appears on Facebook):

#1 - What is the biggest challenge you face as a woman at this time in your life? (this can be spiritually, mentally, physically, maritally).

#2 - Do you deal with past issues of regret or feelings of failure in any areas that hold you back from being the woman that you want to be?

I think that if we could all share, we might see that there is a underlying common thread between many of us and our feelings.I am just starting this journey so please be patient with me, but know that I value you input and please have any of your friends add me as a friend and participate in this also. Also, feel free to tag any of your FB friends on this note and share it with them. This is the beginning of some writing on women's issues that I feel prompted to start. I covet your prayers. Love to each and everyone of you!!!

I am absolutely OVERWHELMED with the responses I have received. Obviously, we all struggle, all have issues we deal with on a daily basis and ultimately I believe need to be able to open up about those issues and connect with each other. I do not know where the Lord is leading on this, but I do know that He is leading.....please be in prayer as I gather information and begin to write what the Lord puts upon my heart.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Merry CHRISTmas to all our family and friends

The kids are in bed (believe it or not), packages are wrapped, the baking is done and time has been spent with family and friends. We attended our Christmas Eve Service this evening and just like every year I was overcome with emotion that God, the Creator, chose to send his Son as a savior for us - Emmanuel - God with us. I pray that you all enjoy a wonderful Christmas and I pray that we all keep in mind those who have lost loved ones this year or who may be spending this Christmas alone. Love to all - Melissa

God With Us

God With Us

What, then, is the God I worship? ... You are the most hidden from us and yet the most present among us, the most beautiful and yet the most strong, ever enduring; and yet we cannot comprehend you." -St. Augustine

"All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means 'God is with us')." Isaiah 7:14

Football at Chris' mom's house on Thanksgiving weekend.