Fun Weekend

Oooh, how I meant to do a Fun Friday post.....But Friday came and went. So here I am...late Saturday...well really it's early Sunday. But anyhow, I'll try to keep it fun.

Fun. Oh, that will be tough. This weekend has not brough a lot of fun.

The Fun:

Me and the boys are in Rock Hill, SC. (the boys are Blake, Hayden, and Dylan. Jeff has classes all weekend and Hayley Grace is staying at Sydney's. So it's just us.) And we are having fun. We've been swimming in Mom's pool, eating an amazing grilled Pork Loin cuisine, enjoying incredible apple turnover and ice cream desserts, and just enjoyed hanging out with MaMaw.

The Not Fun:

The reality we've been revealed. The surgeon told Buddy (my mom's husband) that he didn't know if it was worth doing any surgery on my mom because of how long she had left to live. I hate even typing that. They are weighing out the pros of the surgery based on the cons of the recovery depending on the reality of the months they think mom has remaining. Harsh words that no daughter is ready to hear.

Jeff called me tonight with some good news. He got our pool painted. As soon as the paint is completley dry, we can fill it with water. That will be nice to have a pool with water.

Band Practice was at our house this weekend. To some it may have seemed noisy, but to me it was beautiful music. It was awesome having teenagers playing around on their instruments. Our garage has been transformed from a garage to a music studio and I couldn't be happier.

We are staying at Mom's til about 3 tomorrow. Then we head to Charlotte to see "Up", the newest Pixar film.

This has been a great weekend, but also a weekend that had a shot of reality in it.

Love You,

Melissa

Discipline

The word has been a weakness of mine for as long as I can remember!!! I am the type of person that can come up with the best plans, wonderful goals, great ideas, and usually a super jump start. Motivation lasts for a while. Then fizzle. Crazy life. Interferences. Work. Fizzle. Laziness. Gone are the plans I once had. What happened to the great plan? Am I making sense here?

I've always known that this is a problem for me, but recently I have been really convicted about it. My lack of discipline is quite obvious if you know me and have a window's peek into my life. It's gotten to the point that it's affected my stress level and my self confidence. The Lord has ever so gently pressed into me that it's time to do something about it. So, I began studying the most disciplined person I know on this Earth, my 15 yr old son, Blake.

No kidding, Blake is wise and mature way beyond his years. I always tell him that I want to be just like him when I grow up. Blake has a way of following through on what he begins. He says "no" to what would get in the way of what he is supposed to do. He says "yes" to the things he is able to do. He studies days before his tests. He gets up early to read his Bible. He sticks to the schedule he has set for himself. If he knows he has a big day the next day, he goes to bed early. If he has a project, he plans it, makes a list of needed materials, and finishes before it's actually due. When Blake decides to do something, he does it. All of the kids have certain chores and responsibilities. He is the only one that I do not have to remind. He just does it.

I told my husband last week, "If a 15 yr old can be so disciplined, surely I can do better than I'm doing." In my quiet time, I felt like the Lord was telling me...."that's right Melissa, you can and you should."

During different seasons of my life I have chosen areas to focus on for a while. For instance, once I selected simplicity and therefore simplifying my life was my focus. Another time, I selected marriage and my marriage was my primary focus. Other areas have been integrity, friendships, monotasking, organization, and motherhood. I don't always have a specified areas I'm working on, in fact, usually I don't. But when I do, that's what I study in Scripture, pray about, and work to apply God's way of achieving it in my life.

In keeping with my new area of focus, I must quit writing here. I am also committed to write on my other blog tonight and I'd like to read a little before I go to bed.

If you have any thoughts on discipline in your life, please share. I love your insight and wisdom!! And I also like knowing who else struggles like I do :)

Love and Blessings,


Melissa

During seasons

Fun Friday....

Why did I stop? Not sure. But, I used to post "Fun Friday" each Friday on my blog. I'm not sure why I stopped. I think maybe life got too serious. I think I'll bring it back, today. Fun Friday has no real purpose. It's just random fun. So, here goes.

This truly has been a Fun Friday. Work was fun, as usual. I work in a great place, Proverbs 31 Ministries. I do not ever want to work anywhere else. We sit on balls at our desks (no kidding...more about that in another post) and we rebound a couple of times a day (more on that too.). It's one of the only places I really feel like I can totally 100% be myself. I love to work!

American Idol ended this week. This was really sad for my family. We love this show. All in one week, our family faves ended. (Survivor, American Idol, Amazing Race, The Office, and Dancing with the Stars) We truly bond over these shows. We don't always agree, but we bond. And wonderful family discussions stem from them. We loved the AI finale. And most of us loved the outcome. Hayley Grace, my 7 yr old was rooting for Adam. Too bad so sad Hayley Grace! Ha.

So, for Taylor family TV time for the summer, what do we do? We watch a lot of movies and we DVR shows like: "Leave it to Beaver", "Home Improvement", "Monk", "The Cosby Show", and "The Brady Bunch". Ok, do you officially think we are super geeks? Until Football season begins, we have no choice.

It's Memorial Day Weekend. Time for fun, family, cookouts, and the official kick off to summer. What are you doing? For the first time in ages, we have a weekend with no obligations. No baseball games. No speaking engagements. No work. Ahhh..... I'm going to sleep on Saturday morning. Don't know what I'll do on Saturday afternoon. I'll date my husband on Saturday night. Sunday after church, we are going to my Mom's for a family cookout. I haven't seen her in over a week, so I'm very excited about this. I might spend the night on Sunday with her, not quite sure yet. Love her so much.

I haven't talked much about it, but I've altered my lifestyle drastically over the past month. I have been way more consistent with my exercising and I started focusing on cutting sugar and bad carbs totally out of my diet. It has been SO HARD at times. My habits have tried to come back, but I've stayed strong!!!! I've had a great team supporting me and eating the same way and that has helped tremendously. Even the other night, I was speaking at a dinner here in Charlotte. Right before dinner was served, LeAnn Rice came up to me and gave me a small container of dressing. It was our yummy sugar free dressing for my salad. She was helping me stay true to the plan I was on. I know that sounds minor, but it was major!!!! (so was skipping the cheesecake!) I've lost 13 pounds so far. Before you start to think that's a great thing, I have to admit my clothes fit no different. I'm looking at the scales and seeing the number go down. I have to wonder,"where is the 13 pounds coming from???" Jeff says he can tell a difference in my face. So I guess I've lost 13 pounds from my face!

I guess this is enough fun for one Friday. And I've rambled long enough.If you are reading this, I pray you have a wonderful and blessed weekend. You are beautiful, do you know that? Just ask God!

Happy Memorial Day! Honor and remember those who died for our freedom and the love and safety of our country.

Much Love,

Melissa

I have to admit...

I love the Father. I love the Comforter. But the Disciplinarian part.....well that can be rough!

Did you read the Proverbs 31 devotion today? If you are visiting my blog today after reading today's devo, well then welcome! I'm glad you are here and I hope you'll share some insight of your own.

Last night I had a speaking engagement in my hometown. That doesn't happen very often. It was a large audience (which made me nervous) , many of my friends were there (which made me nervous), my P31 co-workers were there (also made me nervous), and my 7 year old daughter was joining me on stage to tell the opening story (now that made her nervous!). I had an upset tummy all day long. I just didn't know if I could do it. I was worried about what people would think. What if they didn't like me?

Honestly, I came to terms with that early on. Why? Because it didn't matter if anyone liked me or not. My Father and Comforter reminded me that I would be fine. I would be provided for. My Disciplinarian reminded me that I was asked to deliver a message from Him. My discomfort was unimportant compared to the message He was asking me to give. I needed to study. I needed to prepare. I needed to pray. I needed to remain focused. And I needed to follow through. So I did.

I have to admit, I love God when He's giving me comfort and fatherly love. And you know what? I also love Him when He's giving me discipline. I might not like it, but I'm thankful for it. Discipline is not my strength. I'm weak. But when I'm disciplined and do like I know I'm supposed to the rewards are way better than I could've planned.

A woman came up to me after the event tonight. She carried a book with her. She asked, "Will you sign this book for me?" I replied, "Oh, I'm not the author of that book." She said, "Yes, I know. I just want to remember you and who spoke the message on the night my life was changed." I am still shaking my head. I don't get it. How could I have been involved something lifechanging?

The truth is I'm not. I have nothing to do with life change. That's all God. He disciplined me. And I did what I was asked to do.

What is God to you these days? Your Father? Your Comforter? Your Disciplinarian?

Do Share. I can't wait to read your comments!

Much Love,

Melissa

Watching Survivor

I love Survivor. I've watched it since the beginning. I love it. And tonight is the finale. And later this week American Idol ends. It makes me sad because these are shows my family watches together. It makes me happy because I know it means Summer is just around the corner. I look forward to spending more time with my family outside.

That's all I have to say right now.

JT won Survivor and I am glad.

Sweet Dreams,

Melissa

I Love My Co Workers

Yes I do. But to call them "co-workers" sounds so stale and generic. And they are everything but.

This month has been my busiest week to date at Proverbs 31 Ministries. I had 3 speaking events....as a speaker at my level, that's a lot. On Monday we received over 400 prayer requests to Proverbs...that's one of my jobs...Prayer coordinator. We usually receive like 15. I spent the night with my mom on Sunday night. My mom's birthday is Wed, May 13th, so me and the kids went to visit a day early since we can't go on her real birthday. We stayed twice as long as we planned. But I wouldn't have it any other way. We had a great time and so did Mom. Then today, Wednesday, it's my mom's real birthday, I had to work, Hayley Grace had dance, and Dylan had a baseball game. And American Idol was on :) Go Kris! But I do like Adam too!

I've also had tons of laundry. I should be cooking. I'm helping with homework. I've had to chauffeur my family from place to place. I know this is common among women. I'm not really that different. But I have felt overwhelmed. I want to do more than I've been doing. And I feel guilty for not being able to do more.

Well, today, my co-workers, lended me hand. They had work to do too. But they put it aside and helped me. I am humbled and amazed. Thank you my friends for devoting your time to helping others, and in a way helping God. You have made a big difference in the lives of others. Thank You!

There is so much more that I could say, but I know they would want God to get all the glory. So let's give it up to Him. Thank you Lord for all you do in our lives together and our lives individually.

Love You! Need You!


Melissa

I Still Need to Learn to "Cast and Present"

As I read over my devotion, I realized God's timing is so perfect. Maybe the devotion that ran today on the Crosswalk and Proverbs 31 website, "Cast and Present", brought you to my blog. If so, welcome. But I have to be honest. I knew I had a devo (that's Proverbs Staff lingo for devotion) running today, but I had written it so long ago, I had forgotten what it was about. So, I pulled it up on my computer last night. When I read it, I was just amazed at the work of the Lord yet again.

On Thursday, May 7th, I went with my son, Hayden (the same one with the passing out episodes) to a Spine specialist to get results from an MRI. About 3 weeks ago he started having extreme back pain. He had been running track. After his first race at a meet, he was in so much pain that the coach pulled him out for the rest of the meet. The next day I took him to the doctor. We were immediately sent to have x-rays. Then referred to a spine specialist. Then an MRI. Today we got the results. He has 2 cracks (fractures) in his left and right lumbar vertibrae. He has to wear a brace for 7 weeks. After 7 weeks, his condition will be reevaluated. What we fear is that he will have to quit sports. He has football in his blood. So, our prayer is that his spine will heal by football season. But there are no guarantees. It's unknown how long he's had this condition or if even he was born this way. Regardless, the Great Physician knows all. And once again we are called to trust Him.

On the way to the doctor today I told Hayden I thought we should pray. First, we casted our burdens on Him. Told Him our fears and asked Him to take care of Hayden. Then we presented our requests to Him. And now we wait.Never when I wrote this devo did I think that when it was published online that I would be the one who needed the message. But I did.

Thank you Lord Jesus that You knew what I needed.So, maybe you needed it too. I hope you did, because that would make me ver happy. But even if you didn't, I know God used it for me.I think we all have something we need to "Cast and Present". Daily. How about you?

Much Love,

Melissa

Women of Grace

What a perfect title. Women of Grace. That was the group I was priveleged enough to speak to last weekend. And they were indeed "Women of Grace".

I typically look forward to what God has in store for events that He brings me to. But I have to admit, that this event took me by surprise. I was unprepared. I was distracted. I've been very busy. I've been very concerned about my Mom's health, cancer, and condition...and my son, Hayden's spine defect/injury, MRI, and prognosis. I've been concerned about my Dad and the fact that he's been lonely, depressed, and hopeless. I've been saddened about the prayer requests that have come through the Proverbs 31 prayer line. So many lonely, sad, and lost women.

But God. Yes. But God.

This event, Women's retreat, was amazing. God showed up in a huge way. It's like it was all orchestrated and arranged so that just the right healing would take place. I feel so blessed that God would allow me to take a front row seat to observe what He would accomplish. Hearts stirred, burdens lifted, questions answered and questions unanswered but addressed, transformed lives, and salvations. Oh Lord, I love you so much. I don't doubt you, but I never thought You'd show up like you did this weekend. Those "Women of Grace" really got to experience how cool, real, and awesome you are. Thank you.

Women of Grace at the retreat, please let me know how God met you this past weekend. You blessed me more than I can say. I pray that the message God gave you followed you home. You are "blutiful"!!!! I love you. I miss you. And thank you for welcoming me and taking me in like a friend. I had a great time with you!

Much Love,

Melissa