Almost over!

Wow! I realized.. it's been nearly two months since I have posted! But... boards kind of take me over! So I better get this thing caught up!

Well!! I have turned 22 since the 7th and I have had some neat things happening in my life!

Tomorrow I am about to conclude my "Esther" study! I am so excited about what the study has done! I know these girls have touched my life in such a way that I can't even explain. It's been really excited to see two of "my girls" go forward with professions of faith. Aside from Esther, the wonderful women of the Girls Ministry have embraced me and involved me with a very exciting event coming to Truman, AR. It is a Mom and Daughter day in which they get to hear the real scoop on real life issues. I am speaking about inner garbage and the things that can contribute to it. More importantly, I get to share the message of what God says about it all and the promises he has given us! I am truly excited about it!!

I took my National Dental Hygiene Board Exam this past Monday. I am so relieved it is over!! Yet, the waiting has begun and I feel nervous again! I feel good about my exam but I will feel even better when I see that I passed. It has been a whirl wind of a semester and I look back and I can say I am proud because I studied my hardest and I knew my stuff. Of course, I didn't know everything... but really no one ever will. I feel weird that I am not freaking out about it all but it is comforting to know that the Lord has given me the peace I prayed for. Thanks God!

After I took my test, the parents and I went to go visit my sister and her hubby! I was so excited because it's been 2 1/2 months since I have seen her! Definitely the longest in our lives that we have ever been separated! I refuse to let it be that long again!  It was a good time though! I fell in LOVE with that city, it is a lot of fun!

I am going to Romania... FOR SURE in the Fall! God has such a very neat way of working things out! Sandy, a lady that I have known since I was a young teen (for those of you who know my family really well.. Drew's mother), has been asking me to go to Romania... for probably close to two years (since I started hygiene school). I would always have some excuse as to why it wouldn't work: school, pageants, money, passport and other obligations. How selfish... I'm almost embarrassed to say all of that. But this is all very humbling. I knew I really wanted to go so I started saying sure but all the while keeping my selfish wants in the forefront. Well behold... God showed me what he wanted in the forefront. (This is totally where the neat part starts!) From stuff with the passport, timing, stress and worrying about a job, I began to freak out about everything on my plate... the main thing being a pageant on April 3rd. I cried "God, how am I going to do all of this stuff with boards, jobs, and things to pay for!! Help me!" Me being selfish... I said I'm stressed. I'm doing this pageant and the rest will fall in line. (Most of you know how many prelims I've done this year without win... all for good reason). Shortly after my plead with God and my selfish moment. Sandy came in to get Drew and asks "Melissa, are you going to Romania!?" I gave her the usual... "well boards and school and a job.. passport stuff... and the pageant... I'll get back to you." (again, quite ashamed...) So Sandy (and Jesus) clearly say: "Okay, here are the guidelines for this: I need to know you are going by April 3rd (I think to myself: OMG the day of the pageant. I think I can now see God laughing at me a little) and all you have to put down right now is 100 dollars (I think again: OMG that's the amount of money I was spending for the pageant. God is probably smiling me at this point saying... OKAY goofy... hear me now!?). I was silenced. My Mom and Sandy leave and just sheer embarrassment flooded over me and it was quite obvious how selfish I had been and where God wanted me to be... not doing this pageant but doing his work in Romania. Luckily for me my passport will be in in plenty of time... which was a worry! I cannot wait to see what God has in store and I thank the Lord for being SO blunt with me. :)

Today is a good day: because I realized Jesus calls me daily even when I dont deserve it. He never gives up.

Until next time...
Live. Laugh. Love.

Melissa

The will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you!

Wow what a week. The surgery is complete and by only the grace of God and of course my family, I made it through. We just pray that all doubt is removed through this surgery. We'll know for sure in a couple of months.

My bible study got its kick-off a couple of weeks ago! We had 20 girls! How awesome!!!! God is so good and provided such a beautiful and wonderful set of girls! Pray that this study will change a girls life!


Just pray for everything right now. School is tough but I know God will see me through it! Sorry this is so short! Loves!

Live. Laugh. Love
Today is a good day!

Melissa

Quick Update!

Hello!! I have been running ragged trying to keep up with school this semester. I thought 14 hours were going to be easy... WRONG! Aside from all of the project craziness that has over taken me, I am VERY blessed want to keep you informed that I do have a lot of abnormal cells that need to be taken care of. I will be going in for a surgery to get rid of the abnormal cells. There could be more surgeries to come. That is better than I could have ever asked for so praise the Lord for that!

It was truly amazing the peace I felt and I still do feel during this time. It's unbelievable when God lays the peace that surpasses all understanding on your life. It's a cool feeling because I feel like he says "I hear you, here I am." What an amazing God we have that can calm the storms in our life with just a simple word. Thank you, God.

The surgery will be on the 4th of February, prayers are always welcome (and thank you from the bottom of my heart for them!!).

I am starting my bible study with my jr high and high school girls tomorrow! I'm so very excited! So far we have 9 and I have a feeling we will have 10 before tomorrow night! What a great turn out!

I promise to be better about updating this because the time I get to talk to people is scarce and the time I get to spend time with people is even few and more far in between. I love you all! Thank you for being you!!

Live. Laugh. Love.

Today is a good day!

Melissa

You can't put a price on love.

Well! It is the night before my biopsy and I have peace that I cannot begin to even describe! All I can say is "Thank you, THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart," for you prayers, your kindness and concern and your encouraging words. You cannot put a price on the love that people show you. It touches you so deep to know that you have a whole army of people on your side. I thank the Lord for the people who have prayed for my peace.

I have had clinic at Children's Hospital this week. It was probably the best experience I have had there. I got to experience a lot of great things and witness the most support parents. It made me feel so lucky to know I had the same support from the people that I loved. You cannot put a price on the love that people show you.

Without the faithfulness of the good Lord and the love of everyone, I would be a mess! The Lord has a plan. It may not be the one I choose for myself but he will give me the directions on how to get through it! I will keep you all updated. You can't put a price on love.

Today is a GREAT day because I have peace in my storm.

Live. Laugh. Love.

Melissa

Peace.

Today has taken a different feeling for me. Last night after spending time with the Lord, I realized that there is no reason to be afraid. I have a peace today that I needed. I was able to talk about everything without crying! That's saying a lot for me. I think I got a little weepy while listening to air one. But that's nothing new! The Lord has used song to really speak to me! Thank you for your continued prayers and support. I love you all!

I got to have lunch with my good friend Meagan today and then rested for a lot of it. I have had a head ache (probably stress) since two days ago. But, all of the out pouring of blessings, makes it all okay! They make me smile!

I go back to school tomorrow for registration and then 4 other girls from school are off to Dallas, TX for a board review! I am excited! It's really nuts to think this last semester is really starting. It is definitely my bed time! Hopefully this semster I will be better about going to bed.

Today is a good day.
Live. Laugh. Love.

Melissa

Today is a good day.

The Lord has divine planning. The Lord doesn't make mistakes and he knows exactly what he is doing (even though it might not be what you think).

I am asking for a whole army of prayers from everybody. I thank everyone for the love and support I have received and yet to receive in the days to come. The power of prayer is beyond anything human.

I received a call today that I know will change the way I look at my life forever. I have been having issues with my body for a while now that I knew were not normal. As school ended I underwent a lot of blood tests and a pelvic ultra sound. They found nothing. I was really happy and went on about my way but I knew something was not normal. I had another exam done and finally received a call today. Something is wrong. I have a lot abnormal cells in my body that do not belong there. On a scale of low risk to high risk for those abnormal cells becoming Cervical Cancer, unfortunately my odd cells lie at the very top of that scale. As my doctor spoke to me, there was just so much information involved with tackling this to make sure there is not cancer already there and that there are not too many abnormal cells that we needed to take very serious drastic action. Luckily, I have a very thorough doctor and she is taking immediate action so I have the best outcome possible. That is a blessing in itself. If not for her caring, this could have gone unnoticed. I am going next week to have some biopsies taken and we are hoping for the best! It was so overwhelming to even face the chance of the "C" word. I spent a lot of the afternoon just numb but at the same time full of emotion. I have a wonderful family, boyfriend and friends who have left their love and support with me. I thank you guys for enduring my tears and just letting me talk. In such a time, I am lucky that I have a God and faith that never fails in my present time of need. No problem is too big for my God.

After I had just found out and called my family. I had to go to the post office and all I could think about was how terrible I looked and it was so obvious that something was wrong. I was waiting in the long line at the post office when I heard a woman say from behind me, "Hey! Happy New Year! Isn't it so cold outside!" This woman can only be described as probably the most happy and just straight joyful person I have ever met. I could feel her rub off on me a little and I began to talk with her. We talked about our holidays and how we enjoyed them. She began to tell me about the stack of letters that laid in her hand. She said she felt compelled to send this poem called "Today Is a Good Day" to her friends and family. She described it as this spiritual and uplifting poem and then she quoted a couple of lines from the poem to me. I can't remember it the exact wording but the lines she quoted said that in life you may face what you think is impossible; you might stare death in the face and have problems you think are more than you can bear; But Today is a Good Day because the Lord is with you and never leaves you. He never gives you more than you can take; He has a plan. It took everything I had not to cry to this woman, but I think she knew in her heart. I smiled at her and said Today is a Good Day. It was my turn at the desk and I went up. I had to fill out paperwork so she went while I did so. I though the lady had left as I finished up my purchase and began to walk out. I saw her standing there and she smiled at me and told me to have a great new year and remember "Today is a good day!" and I said "Yes, Today is a good day." I truly think I met my angel today because that encounter was totally God-designed and a true divine appointment! Today is a Good Day. Thank you Lord.

There is a reason why this is happening. One that I cannot see. But the Lord has shown himself to me through the lady in the post office, song and kind words from people. I am not alone. I have hope in the Lord regardless of the outcome.

Again, just pray! I know God will never fail me. Thank you again for caring. I'll leave you with this verse I found while reading the bible in Romans.

Romans 5: 1-6
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly."

Thank you Lord for hope. Until next time.

Live. Laugh. Love.
Today is a good day.

Melissa

Happy New Year!

It is so hard to believe we are in 2010! Isn't it crazy?!? I have told so many people that this year has been such a long time coming for me. I will be graduating, getting a job (that I hopefully find), getting established... basically learning how to be a big girl!

I have so many hopes and dreams for this year and I know they are right around the corner!

I got to start my new year out with my best friend and her husband in Nashville, TN! What a great way to start the new year!!

I am starting back school this week and going to a board review in Dallas, TX to gear up for my big exam! It's so exciting but so nerve racking at the same time!! I can't wait!

I pray that everyone has a safe and wonderful new year! I hope the Lord blesses you beyond belief! Until next time.. I'm sure there are going to be lots of news for this year!!

Live. Laugh. Love.

Melissa