God's promises

I am not the type of person that believes in happenstance. I believe that God puts things or people in our lives and there is a reason for it. Timing is a big issue. Say, you met someone at a certain place and time. Well, what if you were to have met that person earlier or later? You might have a totally different type of friend or would you even be friends?

I met some new friends recently, one in particular, whom I think that God put in my life at just the time I needed them. When it comes to personal details about certain subjects, i.e. my ‘personal’ life, I am not that forthcoming. Let’s just say I learned the hard way. Honestly, there are only a hand full of people that I trust and well, like I said in my first Blog. “…if you aren't privy to it already, then well then you don't need to know about it, do you?” This is a rule I live by.

Question before I continue. Do you have things in your life that you know for a fact, regardless of how the circumstances appear? Say, I knew that I would some day live in Colorado. I didn’t know when, in fact, I thought it was going to be over 10 years ago, but I knew I was supposed to move out here. Well, here I am. There are a couple things I am like that about. I mean I just know it, don’t ask me how I know it, I just do. When I have that feeling, it might take some time, but it usually comes to fruition.

Back to this new friend of mine. I hadn’t really told them much about myself. Nice chit chat. This person sat there and basically reaffirmed some things that I have known for awhile. I didn’t even tell them anything that wasn’t public knowledge, nothing deep and insightful. It was almost creepy. It just confirmed things that I already knew and it was like this gift from God saying, ‘It is going to be alright, I have you in My hands and you are where I want you to be.’ It was reassuring, yet scary at the same time.

I think that God helping me with my desire to be who I really am. To be the person, the Godly woman that He has called me to be. To be that person that my friend saw as ‘wholesome’, to be the person that would never compromise on her beliefs. It is awesome to see that actually working in your life, through people who have no idea of where you have been or what is really going on. Just an affirmation of His promises.

summary of things

Well kids it is Friday! Thank the Maker.

I decided that my blog needed to be only for friends and family, so I took it off my signature at a couple of places. Besides I figure only those who really love and care about me are going to read this anyway.

So, this has been a great week. Didn’t quite turned out as planned, but all the same it was still really good.

This past Wednesday I think I met everyone at the church I work at, which was great. I have to say, I know that when I lost my job at Greeley Wesleyan I was pretty much in major turmoil. I had a dear friend say, ‘I know that this isn’t the greatest thing, but I think that think that something better is going to come along.’ He was right. This has to be the best job I have ever had. Not just because of the work, but because I am respected and my opinion and my value matter. And I have really cool new business cards!

Do you ever have things that come at you out of the blue that totally reaffirm what you have felt or believed for a long time? Not to get in to logistics, but that happened to me last night and I can’t tell you, having that knowledge and that peace is amazing.

Denver, Colorado. I love living down here. It has all the things that I missed about Nashville. I discovered a little area around Washington Park that reminded me so much of Hillsboro Village in Nashville, it was amazing. And most of you know I spent just about every evening up in Nashville or close to every evening.

I feel as if I am starting to get back into a groove. Mind you, I LOVED living in Greeley, I loved being there with my friends, but socially there really wasn’t much to do. It was nice dressing up in my more trendy clothes again. For so long I have been just bumming around in shorts and jeans..ahhh. So nice to get ‘dressed’ up. Now for Deborah, that ‘really’ would be dressed up. he he It is true, I can tend to be high maintenance in that department. It is part of my charm.

So, on the workout front. Today will be the completion of week 3 of working out. They say after a month it becomes a habit. The good thing is I have now lost 10 pounds. Yipeee. That is after a month of “dieting” which is pretty good. So I still have a bit to go, but that is exciting. Progress is always a good thing. See the most exciting thing is I soon will be wearing some of my ‘cute’ going out clothes again, that is what I am really doing this. We all have to have a goal. Seriously, I am actually doing this so I can just be healthier and feel better. Which includes the no caffeine thing. *sigh*

Ok friends..thanks for some of your responses to my previous post. Life sure is strange sometimes and you can not figure out what God is doing. I still wish I knew. The one thing I do know is that He has me in His hands and that is where I need to be.

Have a great weekend! Blessings!

who am I?

I just typed in the title...makes me think of Zoolander. he he


Warning. Today’s Blog is one of the, as I call them, deep & insightful posts.

I have discovered when you go through a crisis or a major tragedy, you tend to look at your life and evaluated it. Rather if it is intention or not.

I have had a couple of really good discussions as of late with a couple of friends who are dear to my heart. One, a friend I have been friends with for well over 10 years.

So, I am speaking to my friend about life and things that have gone on, etc. etc. She said something to me, that at the time, really made me a little angry. She said ‘Mel, I have heard what you are saying and you do not sound like the person that I know.’ Which really got me to thinking. Wow. I mean this person has known me for 10 years, we lived together, we’ve prayed together, we’ve cried together, and here she is saying she doesn’t know me.

That got me to thinking about my life over the past year or so. I started thinking, why would she say that to me? Well, perhaps, it is because there are some things in my life that I have compromised on in order to fit in or conform. To feel accepted or to not feel out of place.

I started to think about my second friend, who had described me once with a certain adjective. “Wholesome.” I really thought at the time, that they were silly, but then I thought. There was a reason that this person thought that. There was something in me that the person saw. Where did that part of me go?

I think over the past year or so, I have been living a life contrary to what I believe. I am not saying that I have been actively seeking out malicious things or saying to myself. OH I am going to be a ‘rebel’. No, nothing like that. Just trying to make myself into what I ‘think’ that I should be with group A or group B.

My friend, Tim, back in Nashville, said something to me a once that meant a lot. He said, “Mel, people tend to be different people with different groups, that is except for you, you pretty much are the same.” Which, honestly is how I try to live. However, I think over the past year or so, I have been too worried about being ‘accepted’ or trying to do what everyone else is doing.

It is more of a state of mind, finding and figuring out what is important to you. First of all, the MOST important thing to me is my relationship with God. I have been ‘church shopping’ and I have grown to see how important that this is. To have a place where you can worship and it makes me realized how blessed I am to have a church home and that I really need to make an effort to be there.

Secondly, it is thinking about those who are important to you. Who do you love? Who do you want to be a part of your life?

It isn’t so much of a, how did I put this the other day, ‘class’ issue, meaning how much money you have. Honestly, I have always considered myself middle class. Granted, I might not be in the ‘upper crust’, and that is fine. I have now actually set some goals for myself and am excited about that.

It isn’t the fact that I don’t have a huge house or drive a BMW. (ooh though I would like to). It is really more deciding what is important to you. How do I live my life? Is this ‘healthy’? Is this pleasing to God? Why am I doing this?

It is looking at your life, your family for some, for me it is mainly my friends. Who would they say I am? Well, a little over a year ago, I could tell you what they would say. Today, I am not so sure.

I think I have come to a point that I realize what I need to do, what is important to me. Who is important to me? Is that friendship/relationship worth fighting for? Why do I feel this way? Is this something that God is calling me to do?

I don’t have all the answers, but I can tell you, I have a peace in my life that I haven’t had in quite a long time. I do not feel as if I am living in ‘crisis’ mode and for the past four months, I can honestly say that is where I have been. AND I know some of you know better than others.

This past Saturday, was some of the most fun I have had in a long time. Being with friends, being with those people who really and honestly love you for you and have been there through everything. For that I am MORE then blessed. It really brought to light some things I had been pondering and trying to figure out. Some things I am more sure than ever, others are in a ‘holding’ pattern.

I know that this has been sporadic and I do tend to ramble, however I do hope that it makes sense. It is just something to think about in your own life.

Thanks for reading.

let's dance

Its Monday Happy Campers!

I hope y’all had a great and restful weekend. I had a great weekend. Saturday was one of my best friend’s birthdays. Deborah is now 30! *whew* Getting up there girl!

So, for her birthday, she hired a salsa dance instructor. Ok, I have a confession. I never ‘did’ dances in high school or anything of the sort. Now, I have gone out to clubs and danced, etc. etc. However, this was a bit different.

We learned several different dances, half of them I can’t even spell. We had a great time. I felt like such a dork, but it was probably the most fun I have had in a long time.

I will say the only bad thing about Deborah’s party was the lack of air conditioning. There were about 100 people dancing around in their loft. Talk about hot!

All and all, it was a really great time. I fortunately had a ‘pretty’ good dance partner. He seemed to know what he was doing, even if I didn’t. he he he

I had something else that was a little more thought provoking, but I can not think of it at the moment. Perhaps for tomorrows Blog.

my favorite nation is caffeination

Thursday, the day before the last day of work. Oh, how that makes me happy. Do not get me wrong, I absolutely love my job. I will have to say it is the best job I have ever had. I have quite a bit of responsibility and I am enjoying it very much. If you want details email me.

Today’s issue deals with my latest health wise choice. As many of you know I have had a major addiction to caffeine for YEARS. It would not be uncommon for me to drink, oh say, around six diet whatevers a day. I am not joking. I was a ‘chain’ drinker. Now, don’t get me wrong, I do and did drink a TON of water. In almost every picture of me at some event you will see that blue Nalgene bottle. He he

So, last week, I decided. I am going to decaffeinated myself. Now last year I did try this for a short period, but due to some stressful things I ‘went back on the bottle’ and never thought about quitting again.

Well, I decided. What is the point of me working out, trying to be more healthy and changing my eating habits, if I am still drinking so much caffeine. Besides, as I told my dear friend the other day, “I will be a kinder more gentler Melody.” he he

So thank goodness for decaffeinated coffee and diet caffeine free diet coke.

Ok, I just wanted to share since I know many of you were ‘concerned’ about how much I was ‘drinking’.

If I don’t have time to get on tomorrow…have a great weekend!

is there a 'real' difference?

Ok, recently, I have really come to understand this more than ever...and it is humorous.


THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN

Let's say a guy named Roger is attracted to a woman named Elaine. He asks her out to a movie; she accepts; they have a pretty good time. A few nights later he asks her out to dinner, and again they enjoy
themselves. They continue to see each other regularly, and after awhile neither one of them is seeing anybody else.

And then, one evening when they're driving home, a thought occurs to Elaine, and, without really thinking, she says it aloud: "Do you realize that, as of tonight, we've been seeing each other for exactly six
months?"

And then there is silence in the car.

To Elaine, it seems like a very loud silence. She thinks to herself:

Geez, I wonder if it bothers him that I said that. Maybe he's been feeling confined by our relationship; maybe he thinks I'm trying to push him into some kind of obligation that he doesn't want, or isn't sure of.

And Roger is thinking: Gosh. Six months.

And Elaine is thinking: But, hey, I'm not so sure I want this kind of relationship, either. Sometimes I wish I had a little more space, so I'd have time to think about whether I really want us to keep going the way we are, moving steadily toward...I mean, where are we going? Are we just going to keep seeing each other at this level of intimacy? Are we heading toward marriage? Toward children? Toward a lifetime together? Am I ready for that level of commitment? Do I really even know this person?

And Roger is thinking: So, that means it was...let's see...February when we started going out, which was right after I had the car at the dealer's, which means...let me check the odometer... Whoa! I am way overdue for an oil change here.

And Elaine is thinking: He's upset. I can see it on his face. Maybe I'm reading this completely wrong. Maybe he wants more from our relationship, more intimacy, more commitment; maybe he has sensed, even before I sensed it, that I was feeling some reservations. Yes, I bet that's it. That's why he's so reluctant to say anything about his own feelings. He's afraid of being rejected.

And Roger is thinking: And I'm going to have them look at the transmission again. I don't care what those morons say, it's still not shifting right. And they better not try to blame it on the cold weather this time. What cold weather? It's 87 degrees and this thing is shifting like a garbage truck, and I paid those incompetent thieves $600.

And Elaine is thinking: He's angry. And I don't blame him. I'd be angry, too. I feel so guilty, putting him through this, but I can't help the way I feel. I'm just not sure.

And Roger is thinking: They'll probably say it's only a 90-day warranty... scumballs.

And Elaine is thinking: Maybe I'm just too idealistic, waiting for a knight to come riding up on his white horse, when I'm sitting right next to a perfectly good person, a person I enjoy being with, a person I truly do care about, a person who seems to truly care about me. A person who is in pain because of my self-centered, schoolgirl romantic fantasy.

And Roger is thinking: Warranty? They want a warranty? I'll give them a warranty. I'll take their warranty and stick it right up their...

"Roger," Elaine says aloud.

"What?" says Roger, startled.

"Please don't torture yourself like this," she says, her eyes beginning to brim with tears. "Maybe I should never have... Oh God, I feel so... (She breaks down, sobbing.)

"What?" says Roger.

"I'm such a fool," Elaine sobs. "I mean, I know there's no knight. I really know that. It's silly. There's no knight, and there's no horse."

"There's no horse?" says Roger.

"You think I'm a fool, don't you?" Elaine says.

"No!" says Roger, glad to finally know the correct answer.

"It's just that...it's that I...I need some time," Elaine says.

There is a 15-second pause while Roger, thinking as fast as he can, tries to come up with a safe response. Finally he comes up with one that he thinks might work.

"Yes," he says.

Elaine, deeply moved, touches his hand. "Oh, Roger, do you really feel that way?" she says.

"What way?" says Roger.

"That way about time," says Elaine.

"Oh," says Roger. "Yes."

Elaine turns to face him and gazes deeply into his eyes, causing him to become very nervous about what she might say next, especially if it involves a horse. At last she speaks.

"Thank you, Roger," she says.

"Thank you," says Roger.


Then he takes her home, and she lies on her bed, a conflicted, tortured soul, and weeps until dawn.


When Roger gets back to his place, he opens a bag of Doritos, turns on the TV, and immediately becomes deeply involved in a rerun of a tennis match between two Czechoslovakians he never heard of. A tiny voice in
the far recesses of his mind tells him that something major was going on back there in the car, but he is pretty sure there is no way he would ever understand what, and so he figures it's better if he doesn't think about it.


The next day Elaine will call her closest friend, or perhaps two of them, and they will talk about this situation for six straight hours. In painstaking detail, they will analyze everything she said and everything he said, going over it time and time again, exploring every word, expression, and gesture for nuances of meaning, considering every possible ramification. They will continue to discuss this subject, off and on, for weeks, maybe months, never reaching any definite conclusions, but never getting bored with it, either.


Meanwhile, Roger, while playing racquetball one day with a mutual friend of his and Elaine's, will pause just before serving, frown, and say, "Norm, did Elaine ever own a horse?"


And that's the difference between men and women.

R.I.F. Reading is Fundamental

Good Monday Morning Happy Campers!

So, this morning I stopped at Caribou Coffee. They came by here and gave us like a 100 free coffee coupons. he he No one else wanted them, so I have been enjoying a iced Americano from time to time. Decaf of course.

As I was walking out and I noticed a boy, he couldn’t have been more than 6 years-old, with a very large book. I thought, he must be reading a Harry Potter book. I asked him & it was book 4, ‘The Goblet of Fire’. (and the movie comes out in November.) Yippee!

It just struck me as interesting. How, these books have just really struck a chord across the world, not just with kids, but with adults as well. There was 6 year-old was reading such a large book. Not to mention, most boys his age don’t find reading as one of their top things to do.

So whatever you think about Harry Potter, think about the fact that there are books out there that are getting kids to read, which I think is more valuable than watching any TV show or movie out there.

That is all for today. *cheers*