Meli's world

So unless you live in a bubble, we are all pretty aware of the state of our world right now. Global     Pandemic. I am sure one day we will refer back to this period in time as pre-Coronavirus or post. I actually joked that this time will be referred to as the blip. It was supposed to be spring break celebrating Manny's birthday in Disney with my brother and wife. Instead, everything has shut down from school to my job, and the only person who braves the outside world is Emerald on quick grocery runs or to go to work as he is considered "Essential". Since schools closed and the numbers of positive went up in our county, I quickly realized the gravity of the situation. Perhaps it doesn't sound as bleak when its far from home. Its not like it hadn't been affecting China since December. But having to screen our patients, and hearing stories of those close to us who work in healthcare deal with these patients made it real. All of our sports being canceled mid se...

My favorite worship song right now is by Cody Carnes : Nothing Else. The lyrics as simple as can be: "I just want you. Nothing Else, nothing Else will do, I just want you." And as I sang this song a few Saturday nights ago at service, with my eyes closed and hands lifted in worship, I breathed in, and came to the realization of how more than just a song its a truth and a prayer I must live out everyday of my life. We just moved a week ago, and until then we were living in a clutter of boxes. and I realized how much I hate clutter. I know it was necessary, but it was making my mind cluttered as well and I just felt messy and like I couldn't wait to be in the new place, unpacked, and organized. I figured this would bring back the peace a normal routine and clean house brings me. It was just this week, I was listening to a preaching. A preaching that talked about the importance of walking in obedience especially when it comes to our finances. Dr. Mark Jobe on Mood...

I started 2019 in Colorado! Seeing snow for the first time, enjoying friends who became like family. Hopeful for what lay ahead. Optimistic at the word that would describe my year: overflowing! I welcomed my thirties surrounded by love and my husband throwing me the greatest surprise party yet. and though I don't mean to sound like some ungrateful brat that complains and whines, looking back at almost half a year now I cannot seem to find this "overflow" of joy I thought I'd be experiencing. To be honest, its been quite the opposite. That kinda going through the motions- trying to smile at life- hoping no one asks me any questions- type of feeling. And what's even scarier? That up until now, I never knew what that felt like. What's even more puzzling? I didn't even realize I felt this way til a few weeks ago I sat in church and as I prayed about so many things troubling my mind, it came to me. In a song. I started humming- and in my head sin...

As I sit here on the last day of my twenties, I have had a lot of time to look back in awe of what God has done and only be grateful for the life I have lived so far!  I used to look at 30 as such a significant milestone and honestly even one where my youth is fading, yet lately I am embracing it and looking forward to all God holds as all my expectations for my 20s blew me away! Lately, I know every day is a gift to be lived at it's fullest. It's an opportunity to seek more of Jesus, love others and bring Him glory in all I do. And thats exactly what I plan to do in my 30s as well.  I started my 20s being a mother of an active 1 year old boy, and celebrating 5 years of marriage. To say we took the fast track is an understatement. We lived at my parents house and only looked forward to home ownership. That was accomplished! We became home owners and parents of another baby girl by the time I was 23. At the same time, my life was radically changed when ...

Today, marks 8 years since my life was radically changed. It was this day that I realized two things::: Only God could love me wholly and perfectly, and there was no mistake I'd made that was too big for forgiveness....and it's the same forgiveness He'd want me to have with others. I celebrate this day because prior to this I wasn't really living... I was a slave to me and my selfish ways and years of doing things our way clearly wasn't working. At this point in my life I thought I'd be a 21 year old divorced single mother who would have to live in shame and guilt of ruining her own marriage..... But God.... He wasn't done. And He meant it all for good. He had started a work in my heart and my husband and was orchestrating these series of events that would lead us to Him.... Repentance and each other with a love newer and purer than before. A couple weeks ago I sat in a room full of women and told my testimony and I vividly remember every tear I ...

As most of you know, every year I pray for God to give me a word for the following year. 2018 = Love. So I have prayed about, read about it and tried to walk in love everywhere. From neighbors, to strangers, to family and coworkers in the small stuff all the way to my first missions trip to Guatemala. I shared with friends last week that as I love....and God reveals what it truly means to love.... to put it all on the line....to risk being hurt, to push through even when you feel people do not deserve it or at their best; I have learned to see how much I need to grow and change. It has stretched me beyond my selfish tendencies and as I continue to walk in obedience to love, I know that it kills my self centered desires and focus that comes  so much easier then I imagined. With the amazing opportunity to serve along side Calvary La Esperanza in Guatemala, we were reminded by their pastor and leaders before every outing that our job was to LOVE on the people of Guatemala. Wh...