My Crib

okay so it has been a long time coming... well actually only 2 weeks and 2 days to be exacted, but here are a few snapshots of out humble abode in Burnaby.

the kitchen with a DISHWASHER, praise the Lord!

half the living room ... the other half was occupied by someone who wished to no have their photo taken, but same old love seat, lamp and end table.

our bed room and yes I actually do keep the bed made this time around... mostly because the bedroom doesn't have a real door.

the bathroom... with a nice deep soaker tub!!! Which I still have not used.

the view from out patio door, the edge of the patio and beyond.

My new ... well new to me bike. She is name less, any suggestions are welcomed! All she is missing is her basket and bell.

Thank you for visiting my home, please come again soon.

On A Stage

I felt a bit embarrassed yesterday. My husband has been recruited to play drums 3 Sundays in a row and the church plant we are spending the month of August at. This means that 3 Sundays in a row I will be at the church bright and early for their practice due to our single vehicle situation. In seeing him, I mentioned to the pastor that if they happened to need a female vocalist one of those Sundays I would be happy to sing. He jokingly asked my husband if I can sing. Then ask if I has experience. I told him about my past church as well as my time at bible school on worship teams. Then he proceeded to explain to me why he does not want me to, basically he has been having difficulty getting the young women in his church to step up and lead on a regular basis, seeing as how I will only be with them for a month he would rather I didn't. I totally understand, which I expressed, but he proceeded to say something about not just being able to sing but having a heart of worship is the important thing. I know what he meant, he is a great guy, we really like him. In fact I totally agree with him, it is not just about sounding good. But it stung. I was not about to go into a spin about it, I just let it go. He didn't mean it in a hurtful way after all. But it still stung me. So much so that today I am still thinking about it.

I know God has called me and blessed me with a heart of worship, thought music, art, dance and creativity. I want my heart to always remain towards Him. I asked Him to remind me the beauty of worshiping Him with my whole heart.

I asked Him to teach me no matter where I am or what I am doing, whether on a stage or off, with a mic or without, to keep my heart content to worship Him alone with abandon.

I do believe He has blessed me with the ability to lead people into heartfelt worship of Him. I never, ever, ever want it to be about me. How I look or sound, or how I am perceived. Truly it is only by the Spirit that anything I do, say or think can be a fragrant praise offering to Him. What I really need is for Him to keep me from distractions and to give me a true heart of worship. To purify my heart and cleanse away my selfishness. For Him to teach me how to worship him and how to lead worship on and off a stage. I want my whole life to be worship not just when I am singing. I want (by the power of the Holy Spirit) to live my life in such away that I am leading people to worship God all the time.

As I go into my new job in a secular environment based completely on physical appearance, it will be a battle to keep my focus completely on God. I need His Holy Spirit to help me to live in a way that is worshipful to Him. In a way that leads others around me to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. It is a different sort of stage and much more challenging than just a 5-6 song set with a microphone.

Lord, by your grace teach me to worship you and lead others to worship you with my whole life. Amen.

Melissa HD

So for those of you who don't know yet, the "HD" does not stand for High Definition (trust me you don't want that!) or High Density (and I don't want that!), it is my witty little way of say Hairdresser.

For the past few months now my husband and I have been looking into the idea of sending me off to hair school. There are many reasons. First is it something I have always been interested in, just ask my Mother. Up until now it has not been an option due to finances. I really would love to get some training that will give me a useful skill anywhere I go. One that is a necessity for most North Americans ( unless you are follicley challenged, like my dear husband). I want a skill that capitalizes on my strengths, my creative abilities and my outgoing personality. I want a skill that can be used in the workforce as well as from home for when I have children. So I can make some money with out leaving home. And finally and most recently, God has given me some pretty exciting idea's as to how He can use it for His glory to ministry to the less fortunate in a very practical way.

I am very excited about the idea. One great thing about moving to Vancouver is there are way more options for schools then there ever was in Kelowna. There are also a few based out of well established high end salons down town Vancouver. Their programs are shorter in length, only part time, more effective, teach more modern techniques and cost much less! We are about 90% sure about registering me for a course that starts in January 2011! Very exciting. The best part is God totally provides. We have been very prayerful about this decision and will continue to be, but we have also received a lot of encouragement in pursuing this from many godly people we respect and trust.

God has us on this amazing journey, and I really want to share all that he is teaching us, how he provides and the steps he sets before us, for your encouragement and mine, but most importantly for God's glory!

For those for those of you waiting for pictures of our new place... they are coming soon. Everything is done except there is a pile of tiny little boxes and electrical wires in the corner were the TV is. It is still waiting to be set but, unfortunately I am not the one who can do that... I might be waiting for a while because someone is not in much of a rush to set up the TV (which is not a bad thing, it is just a bit messy to leave the stuff out)

VOTD (verse of the day):

"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire."

Hebrews 12:11

Till next time,

In Christ & for the Glory of God!