My Story

Everyone has a story. One of my absolute favorite things to do is to have heart-to-heart's with people and find out who they are. I love listening to people talk about themselves. Not in a conceited way but just a down to earth genuine conversation. I believe we can learn a great deal from each other if we just tune into each other more. I also love the intimacy it brings. Sometimes an in depth conversation can lead to a great friendship. That being said... I want to share my story and tell you a little bit about what makes me... me.

My name is Melissa. I've worked for my family in an insurance firm for about six years now. It took me a long time to find out what I wanted to do the rest of my life. I finally discovered my calling as a teacher when I was on a missions trip in Guatemala back in 2010 where I met a little village boy who had no education. The reality of our opportunity for education in America made me realize how important teachers are in our world. I'm currently in school for elementary education. I plan to continue after my bachelors and get my masters degree in educational leadership for future reasons. My "hobbies" so to speak would be quality time as stated above, CrossFit, dancing (particularly line dancing), boating/kayaking/sun fun and shooting/bow shooting and cooking. I spend a lot of my time these days at work, school, CrossFit and in the kitchen. As you can tell by my blog I'm very passionate about food and healthy food for that matter (mostly paleo). 

I grew up extremely unhealthy as far as eating patterns go and I've been determined to change my horrible habits to healthy ones. Growing up food was an obsession and a constant element (and in massive portions). This is of course all I knew but thankfully I think I've broken through that mentality pretty well so far. I want to be a good example to others (especially my family/kids) on how we should take care of our bodies. I believe in the bible and it simply states that our bodies are temples and are to be kept in a way that honors the Lord. I cringe when I'm out and about and see obese individuals. It is so sad to see - especially obese children. This gets me fired up as I experienced that as a child and though I appreciate the struggle now, it was not easy and still is not for that matter to overcome it. I am not a six pack ab athlete but have come a very long way and hope to go further one step at a time through healthy eating/exercising and self educating on how to live healthier each day. 

My life these days looks a whole lot different than they did a few years ago. I have to say I'm blessed beyond all that I could ever imagine. I went through a very difficult time a few years ago when I thought my life was going to go in a certain direction. When all it basically crumbled before me and I felt as though I had nothing left inside. Then Lord called my name and gave me almost immediate peace. When I decided to give my heart to the Lord He gave me exactly what I needed at the time I needed it. I have an amazing church family and friends I have come to treasure greatly. God literally took the hardest thing that ever happened to me and filled that emptiness more than I could have asked for. He still today continues to show me his grace as he poors his love on me day in and day out by challenging me through his Holy Spirit to be more and more like his son Jesus Christ. Since that day my heart and mind have been transformed greatly. Though there is much much more transformation to be done, I know that through his Holy Spirit and through his word, He will always be faithful and continue to work on my heart to prepare me for whatever life brings and ultimately prepare me for a place with him one day when all I know here will be gone. It amazes me so much that the God of this world and universe desires to do that with me every day. There are days that go by that I don't even acknowledge the Lord because I'm too busy or too distracted or too upset or whatever.. and yet he still sits and waits for me to notice him again. He picks me up no matter where I fall and carries me with him wherever He wants me to be. Sometimes my immature and selfishness has me kicking and screaming, whining the whole way but He still does it and with great patience. 

So who am I exactly? A student? A future teacher? Future mother/wife? ... 
I am a daughter owned and loved by the God of this world. As my favorite pastor Mark Driscoll says: "These things here may explain me, but they don't define me." My identity is not found in these things but in Him. Because these things here will not last. School will come to an end, my job will come to an end, my relationships will come to an end, my body will give out and weaken in some way and then CrossFit or whatever physical activity I'm doing will eventually come to an end. 


So I do not base myself foolishly upon things that have no lasting provision. I find myself identified in an eternal promise and identity that can not be taken away. My heart belongs to the Lord. I've given it to him and my life is his. 

I am not here to make something of myself but to make a great deal of who He is and the power He holds. 

Jesus said, " I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me." - John 14:6

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