Hey Y'all!

I have been so out of commission lately. Life hit hard. It always does though! I used to think it was just seasonal, but now I'm convinced that it's just life as I know it!!!!

So, my Greensboro friends from Grace Community Church, we have a winner. Dorothy Lanier, you are the winner from that event!!! Email me at Melissa@MelissaTaylor.org so I can get your contact info and send you your prize :) Everyone else who has commented on my blog, email me your information and I will send you My Top 10 Ways to Stay Connected With God.

Southside ladies....are you there???? I miss y'all terribly! Comment here and I'll send you something too. Just be sure to send me your email address! Seriously, I'm coming to your retreat next year! Wendy Bruce, I haven't forgotten about you! I'm praying for you every day. Let's get in touch. Email me!!!!

Today has been awesome and filling, yet exhausting and depleting at the same time. I am the Prayer Coordinator for Proverbs 31 Ministries. We received over 500 requests today. This is a result of Glynnis Whitwer's amazing devotion that ran today. I am thrilled that so many felt comfortable and safe enough to let Proverbs 31 join them in prayer. We have such a great prayer team. I mean they really care about each and every prayer request that comes through. But I am also saddened. The requests today revealed lonely, sad, lost, hopeless, and even a few suicidal people who need unconditional love and support. Breaks my heart because I want to jump through the computer and hug and love on those sending the requests. "God loves you!!!!!" I want to yell. "You are so special to Him!!!!!" I want to say.

If you have any words for those who are hurting and unable to see God's hand in their life, please comment here. I will pass it on.

And you Grace or Southside ladies, let me hear from you too. Dorothy and Wendy...we need to touch base.

Love You All!

Melissa

Southside Ladies Retreat

I honestly don't think I have enough space to write all that I'd like to. It's very late right now, after midnight in fact.

I got home about an hour and a half ago. I spoke at a women's retreat in Fredericksburg, VA all weekend long. It was emotional, draining, exhausting, wild, fun, and amazing. Seriously, I am in awe of what God did.

First, He showed up personally for the ladies there. I witnessed so many personal connections and it brings me to tears of joy. I witnessed obstacles and walls breaking down in women's lives. I witnessed surrender. I witnessed revelations. All by God, for God. Yes, the ladies claimed freedom in Christ as we defeated the pirates in our lives and took hold of the treasure, God's Truth. Words cannot describe how I feel right now. Just really thankful and I give the Lord every bit of credit. I was empty and exhausted. Seriously, if y'all knew the week I had prior to this retreat, you'd understand. I had NOTHING to give. But God did. And He did. I love Him so much.

Also, this retreat served as a HUGE confirmation for me. I was doubting my calling as a speaker. I'm not like many speakers. I'm really more of a sharer of faith. I love the Lord so much I can't keep it in. Give me a weekend with a group of ladies and I explode with passion for giving your life to Christ and becoming His best friend, and relying on Him each and every day to walk with you and get your through life. I do believe it is all possible with God. I live it every day. Not always perfectly. In fact not anywhere near. But it is my relationship with the Lord that gives me the strength and desire to keep going despite my circumstances. I am nothing without Him. But I can be anything with Him. Because He does it for me. He did that this weekend in a super ultra big way.

Southside ladies, if you read this, THANK YOU for allowing God to speak to you this weekend. You all were open to hear from Him and you listened. I am seriously blown away by the stories you've shared with me how He met you this weekend. Lives were changed and I praise God for that.

Plus, the retreat was just fun. These ladies were wild and crazy. Yes, wild and crazy for Jesus! I'd tell you more about it, but what happens in Fredericksburg, stays in Fredericksburg, so if you want to find out, you'll just have to attend next year's retreat when Proverbs 31's, Sharon Glasgow will be their speaker.

Blessings and Lots of Love,

Melissa