Melissa's Mere Musings

So Appealing...

2010-05-18T08:06:00.000-07:00

I opened my FAVORITE blog today and honestly thought Ann was writing this post just.for.me! The post is on Homeschooling. The way she describes it is SO APPEALING to me! If you would like to read it, click here. No matter what mode of Education used, these 4 cornerstones that she describes are paramount for creating a healthy education atmosphere for the learners.

Matt and I do not know what we will choose for our girls in terms of educating them. We are doing a lot of research this next year to decide. Ultimately, I pray that God will reveal what is HIS will for our family and more specifically for our daughters. Colossians 2:8 has been a verse that I pray often recently for all areas of our life...(Matt's business, school choices, and for all we do.) It says, "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." I pray that we will make our life decisions based on God's will.

Procrastination...

2010-05-18T07:21:00.000-07:00

Well, there are 4 weeks until my birthday. How much weight have I lost? Not really sure, because I haven't been doing anything. Oh well. I am thinking that 4 weeks is enough time for me to shed a few pounds and feel more comfortable in my clothes. This subconscious way of doing things is similar to how I functioned in college. I would have a paper due a far ways out and I would create this grand plan of action to make the paper writing easier and less overwhelming. I would feel so good about my plan that I would relax so much and not do any of it...until time was critical and immediate action was required. Then, I would focus and get it done. So, with that said, I guess this is what I am hoping will happen these next 4 weeks. If I lose 5 pounds, I will be thrilled. I started yesterday and ate very well. I am hoping to start walking as soon as this rain stops. I hope the next time I type about this, I will be able to say that I have lost some weight!!!

Why, Oh, Why?

2010-04-14T14:57:00.000-07:00

Well, I had the BEST of intentions to shed a few pounds...but I didn't do so well these last 2 weeks. Why? I wish I knew!!! I can totally give MANY reasons why....like planning a birthday for my 2 year old, having our hot water heater replaced, going on vacation for 4 days, and so on...BUT I am not buying those excuses anymore from myself =) I wish I knew the REAL REASON WHY? I am thinking that after doing all I do every day, I am just worn out and want to sit a enjoy a snack =)

I am writing this post because I am hoping this will act as a sort of Accountability! So, I am trying AGAIN!!

Now, I only have 9 1/2 weeks....I am hopeful that I can still shed a few pounds by my Birthday!!

Here are my strengths:

I eat healthy during the day
I typically have a semi-active day with housework and such

Here are my weaknesses:

I am a late night snacker!!
I don't have a routine for exercising!!!
I am not a big water drinker, because I HATE going to the bathroom so much! Don't get me wrong, when I drink, it is either coffee or water or a yogurt smoothie I make, I just don't drink glass after glass of water!!!

So, if anyone has any suggestions for me, please comment! I could use some help. Or, if you have any encouraging words, please share them. I am doubtful that there are many readers, and that is okay with me...this is ultimately a place for me to use. For those of you who relate to my limbo land of not being overweight, but not being a DIE-HARD health nut, please share your thoughts. It is a weird place =)

Well, I am BACK at it AGAIN =)

The Magic Number is 12...

2010-03-25T11:32:00.000-07:00

After much thought about formulating a "fun," goal-oriented plan for me to lose weight, I realized that the magic number for me was 12. How did I come up with 12? What makes 12 so special, you ask? Well, let me explain.

I was trying to lose a few pounds before my 29th birthday in June, so I started playing with the dates and time frame to set up a "plan" based on them. 29 seemed like a great number...until I divided it by 7 (days in a week) to find that I would have to walk like 4 miles every day to reach a goal of 29 miles per week, if 29 was to be my magic number. Not going to happen right now. As much as I would like to be idealistic about this and "reach for the stars," I didn't want to set myself up for failure. So, I needed to scale things back a bit. 29 was too big. 18, the day of my birthday could work, but I only had 12 weeks until my birthday.

So, after standing on the scale today, the number 12 came up again. So, a natural theme was emerging. 12 weeks to lose the weight. 12 pounds looked like a good goal. and 12 miles a week, works out to 1.7 miles a day....So, 12 it is!!

That is my plan! I might add a few more touches, but for now my eyes are on 12!

And yes, I already walked my 1.7 miles today!!

"Being Perfect"

2009-12-07T17:54:00.000-08:00

I just read Anna Quindlen's "Being Perfect." I couldn't put it down...read it from front to back in like 30 minutes...(ok, so it only has like 48 pages, but still, it was great!).

Here are a few quotes from it that hit me:

She encourages the reader to, "Begin [every day] with that most frightening of all things, a clean slate. And then look, every day, at the choices you are making, and when you ask yourself why you are making them, find this answer: Because they are what I want, or wish for. Because they reflect who and what I am." (pg 19)

"Pursuing perfection makes you unforgiving of the faults of others." (pg 40)

On her closing page, she quotes George Eliot, "It is never too late to be what you might have been." (pg 48)

"What is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself." (pg 15)

"But being a good parent is not generational, it is deeply personal, and it all comes down to this: If you can bring to your children the SELF THAT YOU TRULY ARE, as opposed to some amalgam of manners and mannerisms, expectations and fears that you have acquired as a carapace along the way, you will be able to teach them by example not to be terrorized by the narrow and parsimonious expectations of the world....Remember yourself from your own childhood days, when you were younger and rougher and wilder, more scrawl than straight line. Remember all of yourself, the flaws as well as the many strengths." (pg 39-40)

This is a great book...one I wish I had read much earlier, but thankful that I read it today!

Time with Him!

2009-12-03T17:49:00.000-08:00

A friend, who leads the Bible Study I am in on Fridays, emailed this excerpt to our group today:

Modern man has lost the perspective of eternity. To distract himself
from the raging jaws of death, he engages in ceaseless activity and
amusement. The practice of being still in My Presence is almost a lost
art, yet it is this very stillness that enables you to experience My
eternal Love. You need the certainty of My loving presence in order to
weather the storms of life. During times of severe testing, even the
best theology can fail you if it isn't accompanied by experiential
knowledge of Me. The ultimate protection against sinking during life's
storms is devoting time to develop your friendship with Me.

I still need to find out what book this came from, so I can properly record it, but regardless, it is so true! Time with God through prayer, Bible Reading, worship, and simply being quiet to hear Him is so important.

I am reminded to ask God to see life from His Eternal perspective and to spend time with Him...so simple and yet, often forgotten.

Best Blog

2009-10-19T10:54:00.000-07:00

If you haven't seen this Blog check it out...It is my favorite. I LOVE the music she has playing on it and reading her artistic posts about life and God. She is truly gifted. I visit this site regularly!!

A Holy Experience

A Reminder from My Eldest Daughter:

2009-09-23T14:48:00.000-07:00

As we were getting ready for school this morning, my eldest and I were talking about God and His creation. Her pre-school class is covering the creation account for their Bible lessons this month.

We were just chatting about ALL that God made and then she said what hit me: "Mommy, God made light by speaking. That was all He had to do to create light, because He is so powerful."

I told her that she was right and then felt my heart melt at how God used my eldest daughter to remind me of His AMAZING power!

What I am Striving Towards...

2009-09-08T19:39:00.000-07:00

"No distinction was made between the Sacred and the Everyday...their life was all one piece. It was all sacred and all ordinary."

Bringing the Sacred into the everyday of my life. This is what I am striving towards. The quote above just personifies a beautiful life, life how God wants us to live.

A verse I memorized as a child, and quoted often to myself as a teen to comfort and inspire me explains this concept of living:

Colossians 3:23-24: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

More so now then ever before of me being a wife and a Mom, I am seeking to incorporate activities, habits, and a way of everyday life that brings God into all we do. I wish there was a step-by-step plan on how to do this. Since there is not, I am learning slowly and asking God to direct me. (which He has through the Blog, aholyexperience.com and a Book I am reading, "No Ordinary Home," by Carol Brazo.)

I want our house to be a Christ-centered home. As much as I want my girls to do well in school and be successful in life, I feel like God has revealed to me that my role as their Mom goes deeper than that. (something I am sure everyone else already caught onto. and I knew this too, but am recently feeling like I need to take it seriously.) I want so much more for them. When they leave our home to start their own, I want them to have a Strong relationship with God, be women of the Word, and seek to honor God. With this, they will have Peace and true Joy.

So, I am trying to be more purposeful in how I run my home.

Spending time in God's Word as a family. Praying together. Serving together. Slowing down and listening to God. These are a few things that I have been trying to weave into our daily life. Right now for us, this is.not.easy. But, we are doing our best.

May God continue to draw us closer to Him...there is truly no better place to be, than living everyday with the Almighty!

Peace be Yours,

Melissa

A Gem of a Site: A Must Read!

2009-08-21T08:51:00.000-07:00

Recently, I stumbled across this new site called (In)Courage. This site is WONDERFUL. I have been reading the daily posts and am touched by every one of them. The writers for this site are REAL women, who have a talent with words, and open their hearts to others in hopes of encouraging and strengthening women.

I do not know any of these women personally, but I am thankful for the words they write. I encourage you to check out this site: (In)Courage.

A Quote that Spoke to Me

2009-08-13T18:39:00.000-07:00

"The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work on becoming Yourself." (Anna Quindlen)

When I read this quote earlier this morning, it jumped out at me. This quote seems to capture what I feel like my "late 20's" have been about so far! It has been exciting and challenging. I feel like this period of my life has produced the toughest "growth spurt" for me so far. The refining process is never easy, but so worth it. All in all, I am enjoying it and growing from this phase of my life. One thing I am realizing is that I have a lot to learn.

Back to my studies for now =)

(P.S. I found the above quote at this Blog: Giving up on Perfect.com
Today was the first day I read her blog.)

A Meal with my Students

2009-05-21T18:38:00.000-07:00

Often, I forget how much I enjoy cooking a meal for someone else. I don't know why I forget this, but I do. When I do prepare a meal for others (not including my family, because I do that all the time), I really do enjoy it.

Tonight, I made Chicken Divan for my students in my English Class that I teach from 5-8pm, 2 nights a week. This was our last class this semester, so I decided to celebrate with them by having a dinner for them. They were THRILLED with this idea and couldn't wait. You see, we talk about food a lot in my class, since we meet around dinner time. We usually share what we ate or will be eating for dinner. Often, my response was Chicken Divan. My students had not heard of this meal and since I had mentioned it was Matt's favorite, they wanted to taste it. I described it to them: a casserole with Broccoli, Chicken, sauce seasoned with Curry, cheese, and bread cubes with butter drizzled over them. Anyway, they kept begging me to bring it in one night, so half way through the semester, after I witnessed how much effort they were putting into getting their High School Diploma and bettering their lives, I promised them I would bring it in for our party on the last class.

As I was making the dinner for them tonight, I was nervous to find out if they would like it or not...and Believe me, they don't hold back in telling someone their opinion. When they came into the class room, I had everything all laid out for us to enjoy a meal together. Every student LOVED it!! I was so happy. We had a wonderful time eating and talking. It was a perfect way to end our time together.

Even though I was their teacher and they were my students, they truly taught me many valuable lessons and reminders. My students reminded me that people are people...race, gender, economic class, age, and whatever... - we all desire to be loved, accepted, and respected by others and we all desire to live a happy and peaceful life. Because of them, I feel my heart was opened wider to loving, accepting, and respecting those that may be different from me...(a truly valuable lesson to relearn and understand deeper.) I enjoyed my time with them and hearing their life stories. In getting to know their backgrounds and current situations, I am reminded of how much I have to be thankful for. Compared to what some of them (I should probably saw all of them) have had to overcome, I have had one BLESSED life, and need to make sure I am not living ungratefully. My students reminded me that even when life is Difficult, you can't give up! I am so grateful for these reminders!

These students may not live a "perfect" life, but they are doing their best to make a better life for themselves and their children...and that IS one thing that we DO have in common!

I will probably never see these students again, and I am kinda sad about not really knowing how each of their stories will end. I just hope that my time with them made a positive impact on their life and future.

After cleaning up, turning off the lights and closing our classroom door, I walked to my car praying for my students: Praying that they would not give up, but continue to fulfill their many dreams and that God would bless each of them along their path, and that if they don't already, that they would come to know God and embrace His Love and Grace.

Bee's

2009-05-13T13:09:00.000-07:00

How I wish I wasn't afraid of Bees!! I try so hard to not let a flying bee around me bother me, but I just can't do it. I freak out and run away causing such a scene and some free laughs for others =)

With the beautiful weather and thus, us spending much more time outside, I unfortunately have been demonstrating my Bee Fear a lot lately. Particularly so, when I TRY to go in our Gazebo out in our back yard. These HUGE Hovering Bee's seem to like our gazebo as much as we do...and even though it is a VERY large gazebo, it is too crowded for both Bee's and a "Me" to be in it together...Trust Me. However, Michaela's favorite place to play is in the Gazebo!

So, this has become a problem. Matt swears these bee's don't sting and even Googled it to "prove" it to me, but I don't care...I am still scared and in my mind, the bee's are dangerous. Thankfully, Michaela is able to still play in the gazebo since Daddy promised her the bee's don't sting. But, she does get a little nervous when she sees me FREAK out if a Bee comes near me...so, I guess my reaction to the bee's causes alarm for her...GREAT! I don't want to do this, hence why I TRY so hard to NOT be afraid.

My plan of action to solve this problem: Matt is going to spray and treat the gazebo this weekend, so we can be BEE FREE and reclaim our Backyard Haven. While, I will continue to be amazed at the irony of the fact that I have a fear of Bee's but have been given a name meaning "Honey Bee." Go figure =)

New Design

2009-05-12T06:45:00.000-07:00

I just LOVE my new design for this Blog!!! The best part is that I did it. I created it (with the help of my "techy" husband), but I am so proud of how much I learned and am excited about this new found interest in designing...more on this to come later. I am off now to enjoy a day with my MOPS ladies!!

Maybe I'm a Hero!

2009-04-21T13:09:00.000-07:00

Presently, I am reading Max Lucado's book, "When God Whispers Your Name." I LOVE reading his books because they are always encouraging and an easy read. I am able to read them without having total silence.

Last night, I read Chapter 3 entitled "Hidden Heroes." I was so encouraged and brought to tears from what I read. He explains how most of the time a true Hero is not recognized until after they are gone. Thus, many times we do not even know who the hero was or how much affect the small things we do in life truly have. He provides an example of this by writing:"For that reason, a hero could be next door and you wouldn't know it. The fellow who changes the oil in you car could be one. A hero in coveralls? Maybe. Maybe as he works he prays, asking God to do with the heart of the driver what he does with the engine" (31). So many times, we think Heroes are Perfect people, dressed up in a superhero outfit, but in reality, "for every hero in the spotlight, there are dozens in the shadows. They don't get press. They don't draw crowds. They don't even write books!" (31). Lucado continues to illustrate this point by telling the story of John Egglen.

Have you heard of him? I had not heard of him until I read this chapter. He was a Deacon in an England church in the 1850's. One Sunday morning in January, a snowstorm made it almost impossible for any of the church members to get to church. The pastor was snowed in and Egglen debated about venturing out in the snow to attend church when he knew so many people would not be able to get there. Well, he did go and only 13 people were there, one of which was a visitor. Most wanted to just go back home since no one there had a sermon prepared. However, Egglen stepped up to the need and even though he had never preached a sermon before and had nothing prepared, he preached that Sunday. His sermon was only 10 minutes long! He closed his sermon by addressing the visitor directly and saying, "Young man, look to Jesus. Look! Look! Look!"

At the time, Egglen had NO idea what he was doing. In fact, he probably thought what he did was silly and made no difference. However, for the visitor it made a difference. When that boy became a man he commented about this with these words, "I did look, and then and there the cloud on my heart lifted, the darkness rolled away, and at that moment I saw the sun." Oh, I should note that this visitor's name was Charles Haddon Spurgeon!!! (England's Prince of Preachers.)

Every time I think of this, I get chills!! Egglen was just meeting a need that came across his path...doing what he thought was right. He did not realize how powerful of a moment that was and what amazing ramifications his willingness to preach that Snowy morning would have on countless people!!! Luado closes the chapter with these words:

"We seldom see history in the making, and we seldom recognize heroes. Which is just as well, for if we knew either, we might mess up both. But we'd do well to keep our eyes open. Tomorrow's Spurgeon might be mowing your lawn. And the hero who inspires him might be nearer than you think. He might be in your mirror!" (33)

Goose Bumps? Me too! So, maybe I'm a hero =)

"The Rabbi's Heartbeat"

2009-04-07T19:28:00.000-07:00

Tonight I finished reading "The Rabbi's Heartbeat," by Brennan Manning. This was my first time reading a book by this author, but plan to read others in the future because I really enjoyed this book.

If I had to summarize this book in one sentence, I would write the following: "In 'The Rabbi's Heartbeat,' Manning reminds the reader to listen to the heartbeat of Jesus, allowing that to be your guide and Him to be your focus." (You know, I am really not satisfied with my summary statement, but I do not have the energy or time to fix it, so it will remain how it is...because after all, it is only for my Blog and not for a Grade =)

This book spoke to my heart. I felt uplifted as Manning pinpointed how I am first a child of God and that needs to be enough for me and be my foundation.

The book was beautifully written. Here are some excerpts from the book that really grabbed me:

"The longer you spend in the presence of Jesus, the more accustomed you grow to His face, the less adulation you will need because you will have discovered for yourself that He is Enough. And in the Presence, you will delight in the discovery of what it means to live by grace and not by performance." (pg 32-33) How freeing is this truth!

In one chapter, Manning discusses how we need to radically define ourselves "as one beloved by God" (40). This is my true self. As Manning discusses this concept, he quotes Eagan writing:

"Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. God's love for you and His choice of you constitute your worth. Accept that, and let it become the most important thing in your life."

My possessions, talents, accomplishments, applause from others, or lack of any of these things do not define my personal worth.

I LOVED this book and am sure I will re-read it. I must say I did have to read it slower than I usually would because of Manning's writing style and the fact that most of his sentences caused me to stop and reflect for a while.

Manning ends his book with these Beautiful words:

"Let the Great Rabbi hold you silently against His heart. In learning who He is, you will find out who you are: Abba's child in Christ our Lord."

Strike 3...

2009-04-05T17:29:00.001-07:00

Well, we have had a busy week preparing for Madelin's first birthday party, but somehow despite this, we still managed to watch a movie Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night! (I think we just needed to just chill once we put the girls to bed).

Matt rented all the movies!

Thursday, we watched, "Marley and Me." I cried through a LOT of it...most of it!!! I kept thinking of Cooper. As I was watching it, I felt all my initial feelings of hearing about Cooper's death come rushing back! I had a MAJOR headache when it was time for bed. Besides the personal attachment I had with the movie story line, it was a good movie.

Friday, we watched, "Seven Pounds," with Will Smith. I don't want to ruin this movie for anyone who hasn't seen it, so all I will say is that there is a Car Accident involved and it is a heavy movie! After our car accident in August, I cringe and have vivid memories of our accident whenever I see another accident.

Saturday, we watched, "Slumdog Millionaire." Matt has been dying for me to see this. He went with a friend and saw it in the theater. He came home RAVING about it and said it was on his Top Ten movie list. So, as soon as it was released...he rented it. Again, I don't want to ruin anything for anyone, but I had a VERY hard time seeing the reality of how life is in the Slums of India. When it was over, I just sat there with tears running down my face thinking about people having to actually live in SLUMS like the movie showed.

So, 3 Strikes and Matt is OUT!! He is not allowed to choose movies for us for a while, because I can't stand to see another Dark, heavy, downer movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Captivating"

2009-03-24T19:15:00.000-07:00

After typing my last post, I remembered that I needed to post the book I read before this last set of books I got. Since this blog didn't exist, I didn't post it yet.

"Captivating" by John and Stasi Eldredge was one of the most eye opening books I have ever read. This book has now been added to "My Favorites" List. (this is just in my head, but maybe I should jot it down too sometime.)

The reason I enjoyed this book so much is because it truly explained using God's Word what it means to be a Woman of God and how being a woman has traits that reflect the true essence of who God is. (just as being a man carries its own reflective traits of God too). Anyway, it touched my heart in so many ways and I plan to read it again and would recommend it to every female!

I underlined A LOT while reading this book. (the more I underline, the better the book is to me). Here are just a FEW of the many lines that spoke to me:

"You are a woman. An image bearer of God. The Crown of Creation...You are sought after, pursued, romanced...You are dangerous in your beauty and your life-giving power. And you are needed."

"As a woman who has been redeemed...You speak to the world of God's mercy, mystery, beauty, and his desire for intimate relationship."

"We need you to awaken to God more fully and to awaken to the desires of the heart that he placed within you so that you will come alive to Him and to the role that is yours to play."

"His [Jesus] gaze is fixed on you. He is captivated by your beauty. He is smiling. He cares nothing of the opinion of others. He is standing. He will lead. He waits for your response."

WOW!!! As I type these words, I got all choked up again, just thinking about God's love for me and how He plans to use me!

(note: all these quotes here were taken from pages 217 and 218.)

"Crown Jewel"

2009-03-24T19:05:00.001-07:00

Well, I thought it would be nice for me to keep track of the books I read. So, I have decided to post a quick blurb on each book I finish. I will put it under the Label, Books. This way, I can better monitor how much I read.

Matt and I are trying to read more this year. We have been setting aside an hour every night (not really on the weekends), after the girls go to bed for us to sit and read. This has been GREAT. I am an avid reader, but with 2 kids finding time to do it is a challenge. So, we are being more purposeful with our time in the evenings by trying to read more.

Anyway, I just finished a great novel that Mom lent me after she finished with it. It was a quick read. Enjoyable story with a plot that continued to go deeper with every turn of the page. "Crown Jewel," by Fern Michaels was a good story...like a good movie you enjoy on a Friday night.

I am also reading 2 other books right now, but for the sake of staying organized and orderly, I won't post them until I am finished with them =)

Undercover at Liberty University

2009-03-19T19:28:00.000-07:00

Below is a link to an article written by a Brown University student, who attended Liberty University "undercover" for a semester to examine the "other side."

The article is entitled, "Crossing the God divide."

I enjoyed reading his article and plan to read his book about this experience as soon as it is released at the end of this month.

A Blog for Me

2009-03-19T06:50:00.000-07:00

Well, the title of this post explains why I started this blog: for me to have a place to write my Musings. Good word, huh? It means "contemplation; meditation; thoughts." And to make this word even better, it starts with my favorite letter, "M."

Only time will tell what shape this blog will take. While I do hope others read and comment here, my main goal for this blog is for me to have an outlet to "take notes" as I journey through this life.